Human Security

Human Security is a unique interdisciplinary Master’s programme and the first of its kind in Europe. Over your two years of study, you will learn several approaches to human security, and you will achieve a deep understanding of conflicts and ecosystems all over the world. You will learn to analyse and intervene in settings comprising complex and interwoven social, environmental, economic, and political factors. At the same time, you will develop the ability to carry out an informed and critical analytical assessment of human and environmental safety by combining scientific theories with real-life experiences. A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SECURITY During recent years, the concept of “human security” has become a rallying point for understanding and working with processes of human development in unstable environments. Growing challenges posed by global environmental change threaten to trigger a rapid escalation in conflicts throughout the world. Intensified competition for scarce resources, dwindling supplies of essential commodities, and a continued increase in global population rates are just some of these challenges. While human security is about the absence of physical violence, it is also more than this: human security is about freedom from fear, which is also freedom from want, and being able to live a life with dignity. AN INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT The programme, which is taught at the historic Moesgaard Campus, is the fruit of a collaboration between the School of Culture and Society at the Faculty of Arts and the faculties of Science and Technical Sciences. The programme lecturers come from a variety of departments and backgrounds including Anthropology and Bioscience, supplemented by visiting lecturers from around the globe. The programme is interdisciplinary both in academic content and in its student body: our students come from all over the world and from very different academic backgrounds – the humanities, social science, natural science – which enriches and enlivens the learning atmosphere. CAREERS Graduating with a Master’s in Human Security will open job opportunities across many different sectors. Depending on your interest, you will be able to work for NGOs, international organisations, governmental agencies, private companies, or consultancies dealing with issues and topics that involve human security. The programme’s Human Security Profiles contain concrete career examples – see www.humansecurity.dk/profiles . DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY The Department of Anthropology, in which the Human Security programme is based, is among the strongest academic environments in Europe. The department attracts guest researchers, PhD students and students from all over the world. Our teaching is deeply anchored in our research specialisations within globalisation and development, innovation and design, and medical as well as visual anthropology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION In general, admission to a master’s degree programme requires successful completion of a relevant and recognised university degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor’s degree in level and length (180 ECTS). In addition, you must meet the specific requirements for the individual programme, including language requirements. If you wish to study a master’s degree at Aarhus University, please check out our page ‘Am I qualified for admission’: https://masters.au.dk/am-i-qualified-for-admission If you are curious about how to submit a master’s degree application to Aarhus University, then make sure to check out our ‘Apply Now’ page. Here you can find information about relevant fees, guides, and video tutorials on how to use the application portal: https://masters.au.dk/apply-now There are the same English language requirements for all international students with a few exceptions. The general English language requirements for master’s degrees can be found here: https://masters.au.dk/am-i-qualified-for-admission/english-language-requirements Aarhus University offers a limited number of Danish state scholarships for highly qualified non-EU students applying for master’s degrees. You can read more about scholarships here: https://masters.au.dk/scholarships-and-grants Students from outside the EU are generally required to pay tuition and application fee. You can consult our page Tuition fees for master’s degree programmes: https://masters.au.dk/tuitionfees Would you like to chat with a fellow student from your country, or with someone who studies the programme you are interested in? You can get help with your questions from Aarhus University’s Student Ambassadors: https://international.au.dk/education/meetau/chat-with-our-students/

Living costs€1,500 a month in Aarhus, rent included

€18,000

Living costs from SiT estimate from livingcost.org city data (Nov 2026), converted from USD at the ECB reference rate of 30 Oct 2026 (1 EUR = 1.1172 USD)

Typical requirements in Denmark for this degree level. Your advisor gives you the final list.

• A completed qualification that gives access to Master's Degree study.
• Academic transcripts and any programme-specific assessment the institution asks for.
• Your advisor checks the final requirements for your education system and intake.

Confirm the accepted English-language evidence with the institution for the selected intake.

Prepare for and book LanguageCert Academic with SIT Connect

A typical checklist for this degree level. Your advisor gives you the final list.

The central catalogue records this programme as accredited.