Governance of Migration and Diversity Leiden University

Overview

This specialisation focuses on the legal aspects of migration, asylum, and diversity governance in a national, European, and international context. You will explore legal frameworks in areas such as international refugee law, EU migration and asylum law, and anti-discrimination law. At the same time, you will engage with broader governance challenges by combining legal knowledge with insights from other disciplines such as political science, sociology, and public administration.

This one-year programme is designed for students who wish to specialise in the legal dimension of migration and diversity within a multidisciplinary and practice-oriented environment. The programme is taught in English and attracts students from all over the world.

The content of the master's programme is closely connected to the Law Faculty’s research programme Effective Protection of Fundamental Rights in a Pluralist World. This research focuses on the question of how fundamental rights can be safeguarded in complex, multi-level legal systems and across diverse societies.

What you will learn

Upon graduation, you will be well prepared for a legal career in national governments, European institutions, NGOs, international organisations or human rights bodies. You will have in-depth knowledge of migration, asylum, and anti-discrimination law, and the ability to apply it in complex policy and legal environments.

Thanks to the programme’s multidisciplinary approach and focus on practical skills—such as legal writing, oral advocacy, and working with governance challenges—you will also be equipped for policy, advisory, or international research roles.

Graduates with a legal background who meet the requirements for ‘civiel effect’ can gain access to legal professions in the Netherlands.

Career prospects

There is a growing demand for legal professionals who can navigate migration and diversity issues in a global context. Graduates are well-suited for roles that involve evaluating policies against human rights standards, advising on asylum and migration regulation, or working within advocacy groups, think tanks, or political institutions.

Throughout the programme, you will build a strong professional network via guest lectures, excursions, moot court participation, and joint classes with students from other LDE universities. You will develop the ability to connect legal precision with real-world governance challenges—a highly valued skill set in both the public and private sectors.

With your legal expertise and interdisciplinary outlook, you will be well positioned for a career that requires critical thinking, a strong sense of justice, and the ability to work across borders and systems.

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.