Having a master’s degree is often a requirement to work in humanitarian aid. Studying a masters in humanitarian aid or a related subject provides the knowledge, skills and experience needed to understand how the aid industry operates, the latest thinking in aid and development as well as the challenges facing international aid. A masters in humanitarian aid, or a related discipline, can allow for specialisation in specific areas of aid work and provide a broad understanding of the history, theories and methods of aid delivery, as well as explore the current challenges facing international humanitarian work.

Humanitarian Health Masters

Studying a masters in humanitarian health allows for the in-depth investigation into how health outcomes in poorer nations and for those affected by disasters and conflicts can be improved. Humanitarian health masters can focus on broad public health approaches as well as on the specific skills needed to run health programmes in humanitarian interventions. Humanitarian health masters usually combine applied medical knowledge with a focus on effective management of health projects. Humanitarian health masters can also include a focus on developing and improving health policy in relation to humanitarian action and international development.

A masters in humanitarian health is ideal for those wanting to work in international development focused on medical relief or improving global health, as well as those wanting to work in humanitarian emergencies in a medical role. Applicants to masters degrees in humanitarian health often require formal medical qualifications before beginning the course. Humanitarian health masters build on previous medical knowledge to focus on the specific health needs to those in developing countries and affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts.

Humanitarian Education Masters

A masters in humanitarian education explores how education, learning and teaching can be improved for children affected by crises, as well as how longer-term education interventions can be implemented in developing countries. Masters degrees in humanitarian education focus on the theory of education and the role education plays in humanitarian crises, as well as practical skills needed to implement education programmes in emergencies. Humanitarian masters degrees also often focus on how different cultures view education and how this impacts education programming in humanitarian emergencies and developing countries.

Humanitarian education masters degrees are ideal for those wanting to work in education programming in humanitarian emergencies, as well as those wanting to work developing and improving education policy in developing countries. Studying a masters in humanitarian education often builds on an undergraduate degree but can also be undertaken after gaining related professional experience. Completing a masters in humanitarian education provides a strong academic and practical background on the role education has in humanitarian crises and on the effective management of education in emergency programmes.

Supply Chain Management Masters

Supply chain management is a crucial part of a humanitarian response. There are now several masters courses around the world teaching specifically humanitarian supply chain management and focusing on how standard logistics practices need be tailored in humanitarian emergencies.  Covering the functions of logistics management, transport, procurement, warehousing and fleet management, masters in supply chain management for humanitarian responses provide students with the fundamental skills needed to oversee supply chains in humanitarian crises.

Often applicants to a humanitarian supply chain management masters will need some previous study or work experience in logistics. Focusing specifically on how supply chains need to be managed in humanitarian crises, these masters courses teach students the theories, methods, technical skills and tools needed to effectively ensure aid is delivered as needed. Many large humanitarian organisations, as well as the UN and government agencies, need staff trained in humanitarian supply chain management.

Humanitarian Engineering Masters

Humanitarian engineering focuses on how engineering and technology can be used in humanitarian responses, as well as how poverty can be reduced through new thinking in applied sciences and innovation. A masters in humanitarian engineering teaches how design, construction and technology can be used to assist in humanitarian crises, as well as how the theories, practices, tools and techniques of engineering can be applied to help people affected by disasters and conflict. Students on humanitarian engineering masters need to have a background, either through study or employment, in engineering.  

A masters in humanitarian engineering is ideal for those with engineering qualifications and skills who want to work in humanitarian aid. Studying a humanitarian engineering masters degree allows for those technically skilled in engineering the opportunity to apply its techniques to solving humanitarian challenges, as well as helping some of the worlds most vulnerable. Masters degrees in humanitarian engineering can also cover the role engineering has played in international development, and how applied sciences and technology can be used to make the world more equal.