MA in Refugee Integration
DCU is currently finalising plans for a phased and incremental return to campus, with a view to welcoming all students to the DCU campuses in September. Students should plan to attend face-to face classes in Semester 1 2021-2022. Please see https://www.dcu.ie/attendingdcu-students-studying-at-dcu for more information.
Introduction
Many European societies have well-established sets of policies and legislation in place regarding the integration of migrants. However, they often lack a comprehensive and cohesive approach to meeting the needs of those arriving in crisis situations from a multiplicity of cultural and linguistic environments as well as the needs of the society in which they are settling.
The School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies offers a Masters of Arts in Refugee Integration. This programme develops an in-depth, multi-faceted knowledge of issues raised by the arrival of asylum seekers and refugees in different jurisdictions.
Programme Structure and Content
This MA can be completed in one year on a full-time basis, or in two years on a part-time basis.
As a full-time student, you will take three core modules in Semester 1, along with a research methodology module. In Semester 2, you will take one core module and choose two modules from a range of options. A 12,000 word dissertation will be submitted in September.
The programme is timetabled in the evening, from 4 pm onwards, with each module being delivered on a seminar basis. It features presentations by guest speakers from NGOs and practitioners working with refugees and asylum seekers.
Programme Aims and Objectives:
This programme aims to:
- Link theory, policy and practice.
- Offer high quality academic training in refugee integration
- Work closely with NGOs and practitioners
- Research issues affecting refugee and asylum seeker integration and welfare
- Respond to needs of newly arrived populations and host societies to ensure harmonious integration process
Modules
- Forced Migration and Host Societies (Core)
- The Refugee Journey: Mobility, Adaptation and Integration (Core)
- Migrant Populations, Education and Second Language Acquisition (Core)
- Community Interpreting Theory (Core)
- Research Methods (Core)
- Dissertation (Core)
- Gender, Sexuality and Migration (Option)
- Translation in Crises (Option)
- Environmental Change and World Politics (Option)
- International Development Practice (Option)
- Key Issues in European Law and Policy (Option)
- Politics and Development in Africa (Option)
- Politics of the UN (Option)
- Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (Option)
View the current course structure
Why do this programme?
- To understand the issues that need to be addressed to ensure the successful integration of refugees and asylum seekers
- To gain the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to the refugee crisis both for the newly arrived populations and the host societies
- To acquire advocacy skills in order to work on behalf of NGOs and grassroots organisations
- To further knowledge and training in the management of crisis situation
- To develop policy documents and anti-racism campaigns at local and national level
Why Choose DCU?
DCU’s in Refugee Integration is designed to address the issues faced by refugees and host communities alike, through a cross-disciplinary approach to areas of language and communication, cultural awareness, anti-racism training, crisis communication in a multilingual context, sexuality and gender issues related to migration.
DCU’s excellence is recognised internationally and it is regularly featured among the top young universities globally, as measured by the Times Higher Education Top 100 under 50 and the QS Top 50 under 50. In the last nine years, DCU has twice been named Sunday Times ‘University of the Year’.
Career Prospects
Graduates of this programme can expect to find employment in a range of areas with:
- NGOs, at home or abroad
- reception and integration bodies (such as the Reception and Integration Agency) and Direct Provision Centres
- Local councils designated as reception areas for refugees
- Local and national bodies, workplaces (such as hospitals, schools, multicultural workplaces) advising on policy making, strategies and their implementation
- International bodies such as the UNHCR, Red Cross, Médecins sans Frontières, and others concerned with guaranteeing the well-being and care of refugees and migrants
Requirements
For admission to the MA in Refugee Integration programme, successful applicants will have:
- A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent
- Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
- International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU's English language requirements can be found here.