This course is available through the following application route(s)
The MSc Humanitarian Action has evolved over a 25-year period and is distinguished by its inter-disciplinary, inter- sectoral and international nature.
We are living in an era characterised by a dramatic increase of climate change-related disasters and complex political emergencies, igniting new wars and entrenching protracted conflicts, forcing millions to flee for their lives. Over 122 million people are now forcibly displaced and some 239 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance worldwide.
In such a global risk landscape, understanding how humanitarian action can effectively respond to contemporary humanitarian crises to enhance the resilience of affected local communities is essential for achieving more just and sustainable futures. In an effort to contribute to this vision, the UCD MSc Humanitarian Action offered by the UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action provides high quality academic education and professional competencies for those working, or intending to work, in humanitarian action and related areas.
The programme aims to provide students with a broad foundation in the area of international humanitarian action, in which both critical thinking and research skills are emphasised. The goal is to deliver high level, committed, interdisciplinary trained personnel who can function with enhanced professionalism in the broad field of humanitarian action, and are informed by humanitarian principles, theoretical insights and most advanced approaches. The programme design integrates professional and research orientation that is intended to bridge the gap between academic research and the humanitarian work-field.
This MSc Programme is closely aligned to the UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action (UCD-CHA) and NOHA, both of which are well recognised as key global institutional stakeholders in Humanitarian Studies.
The programme provides a dynamic classroom based learning environment, involving a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, simulations and field-trips. Students have the opportunity to explore specific themes through second trimester specialisations and a minor thesis. The MSc in Humanitarian Action brings together experts from academia and the field to lecture on the different modules.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40110 | Legal Dimensions of HA | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40120 | World Politics and HA | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40130 | Social Anthropology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40140 | Public Health | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40150 | Management in HA | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40230 | Intensive Humanitarian Action | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40010 | Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40020 | Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40100 | Addressing GBV in Emergencies | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
HACT40200 | Minor Thesis | Summer | 30 |
Bernard Mendy, Nutrition Specialist, World Food Programme
My time on the MSc Humanitarian Action programme at UCD was very productive and fulfilling. The faculty were wonderful and always available for students. Their interactive teaching methods and ability to allow and encourage students to discover knowledge beyond the prescribed material must be acknowledged. A highlight of this programme for me was the range of international
students. This enriches student learning and exposes you to different perspectives, enabling you to see situations from many angles. The UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action prepared me well for humanitarian and development work, which I have been undertaking since 2016. I have worked as a health and nutrition specialist for UNICEF and WFP in seven different countries over the past four years. I cherish the skills I acquired from the masters programme as they have been invaluable in the work that I do. I made a fantastic decision in choosing to study the MSc Humanitarian Action at UCD.
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Humanitarian action is regarded as a boundary discipline, occupying a space on the margins of several academic disciplines. The MSc Humanitarian Action is an inter-disciplinary programme welcoming students from a diverse range of backrounds including management, politics, public health, international law, social anthropology, agriculture, science and engineering.
The inter-disciplinary, inter-sectoral and international nature of this Masters programme benefits from a diverse stakeholder mix amongst both instructors and students engaged in the programme.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Humanitarian Action:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | D062 Humanitarian Action Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught |