Overview
Objectives
- Analyse and navigate complex humanitarian contexts by applying systems thinking to interconnected crises
- Lead and manage humanitarian action in conditions of uncertainty by making informed operational and strategic decisions in rapidly evolving crisis settings
- Design accountable, inclusive and people-centred interventions taking into account responsibility and duty of care while addressing inequalities
- Critically assess emerging risks and transformations shaping humanitarian action, such as climate change, digitalization, AI and evolving crisis governance mechanisms
- Influence decision-making and engage strategically with diverse actors in complex humanitarian, political and institutional environments across local and global levels
- Reflect critically on humanitarian practice and contribute to organizational learning by analysing dilemmas and practice-oriented knowledge
Audience
Project managers and field coordinators in the humanitarian, development or peace sector looking to increase their competencies as well as reflect and capitalise on their experiences, Policy makers, diplomats, and crisis managers from other sectors (health, military, private sector, social assistance) who wish to develop their understanding of the humanitarian sector for a potential career change. Graduate students with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate programme with a view to entering the humanitarian sector.
Diploma awarded
Once the students successfully complete the Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Action's full programme according to the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies requirements, they obtain a degree delivered by the University of Geneva (UNIGE).
Registration
Registration deadline
31 July 2026
For students applying for a scholarship, the deadline is June 30, 2026
Fees
CHF 15'000
Curriculum
Period
7 September 2026 - 31 July 2028
Credits
60 ECTS credits
Teaching hours
400 teaching hours
1100 distance teaching hours
The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Humanitarian Action is a unique Executive Master-level programme that blends online and residential learning. It provides current and future humanitarian professionals with the skills they need to respond to crises.
It has been developed in response to the growing need to understand, question and reform today’s humanitarian system, in collaboration with our partner organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
It has been developed in response to the growing need to understand, question and reform today’s humanitarian system, in collaboration with our partner organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Director(s)
Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Dr Valerie GORIN, University of Geneva
Related programmes
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
