Who should apply?
The course is suitable for human rights professionals as well as those hoping to embark on a career in this field. We welcome applications from practicing lawyers and judges, members of the armed forces, government officials, lawyers and other persons working for non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations that work in the field of international human rights. We also welcome applications from students with any of the following: an undergraduate degree (including in subjects other than law); those with at least two years of study towards an undergraduate degree in law; those with at least one year of study towards a graduate degree in law. The class includes a wide array of human rights professionals, law students at the George Washington University and students studying various subjects at a variety of universities.
In 2019, a total of 65 students attended the programme and came from countries including Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.
Please note that admission to this programme is competitive and not everyone who meets the admission requirements can be offered a place. Where there are more applicants than places available, applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications, as well as those who we feel will gain most from the programme, are given priority.
English proficiency
If your first language is not English, you must supply evidence of your proficiency before a place can be offered. The University recognises only certain English tests. The accepted tests and minimum scores for this course are listed below.
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 7.0 plus a minimum of 6.5 in each component
- TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600 plus a minimum of 4.5 in the Test of Written English
- Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: minimum overall score of C
Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of the course.
The requirement to provide English proficiency scores may be waived, at the discretion of the Course Director, in cases where you have successfully completed, or are currently completing, a full-time degree-level course of a minimum of nine months at a recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment is entirely in English. Similarly, if you have used English as your main working language for a number of years the requirement may be waived. If you wish to apply for a waiver of the English language test requirement, you will need to upload a letter with your application outlining the reasons why you believe you should be exempted. The request will be considered by the Course Director at the same time as your application is assessed and, if successful, you will not be required to supply proficiency results as a condition of any offer made.
Further information:
Application procedure
Please note that this programme has been cancelled for 2021 due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
If you are interested in attending the 2022 programme, please use the 'ask a question' button under 'course details' to submit your contact details and we will add you to our mailing list.
North American applicants plus any student enrolled in a North American institution or professional working within North America, regardless of nationality, should apply through the George Washington University Law School with whom the programme is jointly run.
All other applicants should submit an online application through Oxford University according to the instructions below (a link to the application form is provided during the admissions period). Applications will be accepted from 1 February 2020.
Before you make an application:
- ensure you meet the admissions requirements (see Who should apply?);
- make sure you have all the required supporting documents listed below;
- ensure you are familiar with the terms and conditions of enrolment on the summer school, especially those relating to payment of fees and cancellations (see Payment); and
- read the information on Immigration and visas
As part of your application you will be required to upload the documents listed below so please have these ready before you start:
- A curriculum vitae (CV) / resumé
- A passport photo (jpeg)
- A personal statement of up to 250 words outlining your reasons for wishing to attend the programme and what you believe your contribution will be.
- In the case of non-native speakers of English, either a certificate of English Language proficiency showing that you meet the minimum requirements for this course or a request for a waiver of the requirements (if you meet the criteria for doing so - see English proficiency)
All applicants should submit an online application through Oxford University.
Application deadline
The closing date for applications is 12 noon UK time (midday) on 1 April 2020 but early application is advised as applications are reviewed on receipt and some courses fill very quickly. Applications which are incomplete at this deadline or where no application fee has been paid will not be considered. Late applications may be accepted up until 15 May if places are left or become available. You may email humanrightslaw@conted.ox.ac.uk to enquire about late applications unless this website states that the course is already full or is not accepting late applications.
Notification of the outcome of your application
Once your application has been considered, we will email you to inform you of the outcome. This normally takes 2-3 weeks, provided your application was complete at the time of submission and the application fee has been paid. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to respond in writing within 14 days to accept or decline the offer. If you accept, we will send you an invoice for the fees by email (see 'Invoicing and payment of programme fee' above).
Further course information
Once you have paid your fees, you will be sent confirmation of your enrolment on the programme, together with a link to the 'Joining Notes' for the programme. These provide detailed information about the programme as well as how to prepare for the course and for your arrival in the UK (e.g. what to bring, travel, arrival and departure times, college facilities, dress code). Please read the notes very carefully and in particular the section on UK immigration. For any supplementary information please contact the Oxford Course Administrator.
