Overview

The MIHA is unique as an interdisciplinary postgraduate programme in international humanitarian affairs that is offered exclusively online. It is delivered by the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU) in collaboration with the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute (HPG-ODI).

After several years searching for a quality, distance-learning program, I was thrilled to learn about the MIHA. For me, one of the key aspects is that it allows me to continue working full-time while pursuing an advanced degree. Through tailored reading assignments and a creative use of communication platforms, like discussion boards and skpe, I feel as though I am learning valuable information and skills to help me in my career. The MIHA staff are very helpful and it's obvious how much they believe in the program and its students.

The MIHA provides an academic setting for professionals:

• To develop how they understand and respond to humanitarian needs in complex operational contexts such as violent conflict, natural hazards and political crises.
• To reflect critically upon contemporary issues, challenges and dilemmas using the strategic perspective of ‘international politics’ as well as the technical approaches of the main humanitarian sectors.
• To gain advanced research skills, demonstrate how to design evidence-based policy, and learn how to use theory to maintain best practice. 

You will be taught by a dedicated team of academic staff from the PRDU, at the Department of Politics. You will also have direct access to leading humanitarian policy experts at HPG-ODI.

The MIHA can be taken part-time and in three main stages over three years:

• Post-graduate Certificate (Year 1),
• Diploma (Year 2), and
• MSc (Year 3).

At the postgraduate certificate level, students will complete the following three modules during Year 1:

• Module 1: The Politics of International Humanitarian Affairs,
• Module 2: Protection and Assistance in International Humanitarian Law, and
• Module 3: Evidence-Based Policy Making and Programming.

These three modules will be content-led and will focus on developing the relevant academic knowledge and expertise, the value of theory, and demonstrating how to theorise practice. 

Students who continue to the postgraduate diploma will gain a better grasp of three major subdivisions of this field through specialised modules in Year 2 that cover:

• Module 4: Emergency Shelter, Early Recovery and Community Resilience;
• Module 5: The Governance of Health and Nutrition in Fragile States; and
• Module 6: Education in Emergencies.

Modules 4, 5 and 6 will be issue-driven and will adopt a problem-based learning approach. They will build upon the knowledge gained through the certificate stage and will aim to develop students’ confidence (academic and professional) through evaluative models and frameworks.

In Year 3, at the Masters level, the programme aims to allow students the opportunity to further specialise within a sector/area of their choice through the completion of an independent study project in the form of a 15,000 word dissertation, with support from academic faculty and policy experts.

Learning Experience

Learning Experience

MIHA students will gain a unique and rich learning experience and an advanced postgraduate qualification. In small groups and under the close guidance and support of the MIHA academic and administrative staff at York, students can enjoy a dynamic range of learning tools that include:

• Experiential and problem-solving approaches;
• Interactive online discussions;
• Collaborative exercises and humanitarian response simulations;
• Seminars each module with leading policy experts;
• Bespoke study materials;
• Private study exercises; and
• Access to extensive online catalogues at York and HPG-ODI.

Assessment is a fundamental part of the learning experience, which ultimately aims to increase the employability of our students given the range of competencies that are expected of humanitarian professionals.

• For Modules 1, 2 and 3, assessment will mainly comprise academic essays with some portfolio work.  The assignments will gauge the understanding of the relevant theory and concepts as well as the analytical and policy frameworks.
• For Modules 4, 5 and 6, assessment will be a combination of policy-oriented reports and portfolio work.  The focus here will be on applying the relevant theory and concepts.
• Students will also be asked to complete procedural work in order to receive feedback from their tutor during each module.

The different types of assessment above will help each student to develop and demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills and capabilities. The goal is to better equip our students to plan, implement and manage policy and operational strategies for humanitarian assistance and crisis response.

Fees/Funding

Fees and Funding

The annual tuition fees for those undertaking the MIHA will be reviewed each year by the University.

For the academic year 2013/14 they are:

UK, EC and Overseas candidates: £4,130 (part-time)

For more information on fees and funding please visit the University's Graduate School Website

Student Profiles

Student Profiles

‌                                                                                 

Daniella Ritzau-Reid - Daniella completed her undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences BA (hons) at the University of Cambridge, with a particular focus on contemporary world politics and the intersection between religion and conflict. Daniella's professional background is both operational and theoretical, having worked in human rights research at 'The Centre of Governance and Human Rights' and in emergency response with Save the Children. Daniella is happiest when based in the field, and has been privileged to work on humanitarian responses in South Sudan and most recently Myanmar, as well as supporting the East Africa crisis, grassroots work in the oPT and work on inter-agency humanitarian capacity building in Asia-Pacific. Daniella has a particular interest in protection, gender and rights in humanitarian contexts, and a strong regional interest in the Middle East. 

Muhyadin Saed - Muhyadin Saed is Project Coordinator at Finn Church Aid Somalia. He has been working on peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Somaliland for the last 5 years. He is currently working with FCA grass roots Peace Initiative Program in Somaliland that works with Somali traditional and religious leaders together with women and youth to transform some of the pastoral and urban conflicts arising from multiple factors including sharing resources such as land and water and structural causes of conflicts. Before joining FCA Muhyadin has been working with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Hargeisa as a researcher and lecturer. “I live and work in Somalia which has been in a deadly and protracted conflict for the last two decades. This has both created and perpetuated a severe humanitarian crisis in the country of famine, poverty, diseases and displacements of people. This study program at York in International Humanitarian Affairs will give me the necessary knowledge and skills needed to address these problems in my day-to-day responsibilities in a methodical manner. My expectation is also that during the program, I will get an exposure to appreciate and utilize other best practices in different or similar humanitarian contexts in the world”. 

 Click here to view more student profiles. 

To Apply

To Apply

To start the course in September 2013, the deadline for completed applications is Friday 30th August 2013. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as there are a limited number of places available.

Education/Qualifications
We are seeking applicants with at least a 2.1 university degree. Candidates without a university degree may also be considered where they have extensive relevant professional experience and can demonstrate the necessary academic ability through the application process.

English Language
Applicants who are not native English speakers will have to demonstrate English language proficiency in order to be eligible for the programme. Minimum language requirements will include: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL paper-based 580; TOEFL computer-based 237; TOEFL iBT 92; Cambridge Proficiency A, B, C.

Experience of Policy and Practice 
As a MIHA student, you will already have experience in humanitarian policy, practice and/or research.

Alternatively, you will have experience in a related field and you may want to use this innovative programme to develop a growing interest in humanitarian affairs, and as a way to begin a career in this rapidly growing industry.

Studying while Working
The MIHA strives to meet the diverse educational and professional needs of its students. Therefore, you will be able to complete this programme part-time while remaining in full-time employment.

Thinking Strategically
This programme will promote the value of an ‘international politics’ or strategic approach to understanding humanitarian policy and practice. Students will also examine the importance of evidence in designing policy and practice and demonstrate how to use a range of methods and research skills to collect and analyse evidence from the field.

Specialist Expertise
Given the increasing specialisation within humanitarian assistance, MIHA students will gain technical expertise in four core areas/sectors:  international law, health, shelter, and education.

Students in their 3rd year will specialise further by completing the independent project/15,000 word dissertation.

If you require any further information on the application process please email emma.piercy@york.ac.uk

To apply

MIHA Team

Meet the MIHA Team

Dr David Connolly - Programme Director and Module Leader
David specialises in the role of third parties in humanitarian intervention, forced internal displacement and the role of education in emergencies. He has more than 10 years experience working with some of the key international humanitarian organisations, including: UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Click here for more on David's research interests and professional background.

 Mark Clegg - Teaching Fellow and Module Leader
Mark specialises in civil-military relations in humanitarian emergencies and international mechanisms for cooperation in the provision of humanitarian aid and civil protection.  He has more than 22 years experience in the policy and practice of international humanitarian interventions. Click here for more on Mark’s research interests and professional background.

Emma Piercy - Programme Administrator

Emma has been at the University of York since 2009, previously working in the Professional and Organisational Department before moving to PRDU. Emma has been studying International Studies and Politics through a distance learning course at The Open University for several years.

By Design

International by Design

The MIHA has been created and designed during 2011 - 2012 by Dr David Connolly (PRDU/Politics Lecturer) and Professor Sultan Barakat (PRDU Director), with research assistance from Ms Alexandra Lewis (PhD candidate, PRDU/Politics). 

The modules are written by academic staff at the PRDU, PRDU associates (Mr Gianni Rufini, Dr Simon Robins), and policy experts at HPG-ODI, among other humanitarian specialists.

As an important part of the design process, all parts of the MIHA have been reviewed and guided by an advisory group composed of scholars and policy experts as well as specialists in distance learning.

MIHA Advisory Group

• Prof Paul Gready, Director, Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York.
• Prof Frank Hardman, Chair in Education in Emergencies, Institute for Effective Education, University of York.
• Dr Annie Hughes,　Senior Teaching Fellow &　Programme Leader, MA in Teaching English to Young Learners, Department of Education, University of York.
• Ms Jane Lund, Teaching and Learning Manager and　Tutor, Online Masters Programmes, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York.
• Dr Sara Pantuliano, Head of Humanitarian Practice Group, Overseas Development Institute.
• Ms Ellen Roberts, Director, Online Masters Programmes in Public Management,　Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York.

External Academic Reviewer

• Prof David Sanderson, Director, Centre for Development and Emergency Practice, Oxford Brookes University.

The MIHA team would like to express its gratitude to all those above who contributed to the design and development of the programme during the extensive consultation and review process.