Master in Migration Studies and New Societies

The Master's Degree in Migration Studies and New Societies is a unique joint programme, co-developed within the framework of the "4EU+ European University Alliance" by the University of Milan, the Charles University of Prague and the University of Warsaw.

The final objectives of Migration Studies and New Societies is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of social and political opportunities and challenges posed by global and intra-EU migration and to enable them to acquire competences and analytical tools for interpreting complex political or socio-economic phenomena in a critical way and for appraising their normative, social, political and anthropological implications.

On the basis of the knowledge acquired during the training course, the graduated students will be therefore able (i) to contribute to the actions of international and national governmental and non-governmental organisations and bodies, (ii) to handle tasks and functions concerning the management of migration flows and the integration of migrants, with particular expertise in the European scenario (thus, in full coherence with the objectives of the degree in European Studies).

Accordingly, the programme supports the acquisition of methodological tools for examining empirical phenomena, for explaining their dynamics, and for anticipating their evolution as well as the reinforcement of logic and argumentative skills. The interaction between lecturers and students coming from different European countries aims at fostering educational learning pathways based on dialogue between subjects with different nationality, experience and background. The teaching activities of the Master Degree in Migration Studies and New Societies are mainly organised in seminars and they are designed to follow a student-centered approach, by using innovative teaching methods (e.g.: flipped classroom, laboratory teaching, clinics, case-studies, etc.), in full accordance with the guidelines issued by the "4 EU+ European University Alliance" programme.

At the end of their studies, the students will obtain a single diploma for the three universities, which will indicate, for each country, the degree class of reference (for Italy the LM-90 Studi europei, for Charles University: Master Degree in Social Sciences; for the University of Warsaw: Master's Degree in Artes Liberales).

The University of Milan is a public teaching and research university, which - with 8 faculties and 2 schools and a teaching staff of more than 2000 professors - is distinguished by its wide variety of disciplinary fields. A leading institute in Italy and Europe for scientific productivity, the University of Milan is the largest university in the region, with approximately 64,000 students; it is also an important resource for the socio-economic context of which it is a part. Milan is, in fact, the capital of Lombardy, one of the most dynamic and international regions in the European Union, a leader in the national economy that stands at the Italian forefront of research and development investments and commitment to technological innovation.

The University of Milan also possesses a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage that includes important historic buildings, inherited and acquired collections, archives, botanical gardens and the old Brera Observatory commissioned by Maria Teresa of Austria. The University’s departments are housed in important historic edifices in the center of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Città Studi (the City of Studies). Among the palazzos that house the University’s facilities are the old Ca' Granda (the big house) – a monumental complex from the 15th-century in the heart of the historical city centre - the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi designed by Giuseppe Piermarini – who built the Scala Theatre in Milan – and the 17th-century Sant’Alessandro College commissioned by the Arcimboldi family. The book collection , which is one of the richest in the region, is preserved in 47 libraries, while the APICE Centre collects rare and valuable book stocks and archives. The University also has a Choir and its own Orchestra, which actively contributes to the cultural life of the city and receives international acknowledgments on an increasingly frequent basis.

The identification of professional opportunities is based on the analysis of the labour market and territorial needs.

In particular, the consultation with the stakeholders revealed a general interest in the integration of graduates with an in-depth knowledge of the migration phenomenon, its dynamics and issues related to the reception and integration of migrants in the field of international organizations, public administration, as well as in the field of integration and reception of migrants, but also in the private sector, in companies where the need for job placement and inclusion of the migrant person is felt. Interest confirmed by the data concerning more generally the degree class in European studies, which show that 79% of graduates find permanent employment five years after graduation, both in the public sector and in the private sector (see Alma Laurea data, on the degree class in European studies). Unlike the other courses of the same degree class, however, the course aims, as suggested by the social partners, to develop two skills highly required by the labour market: a) the acquisition of communication skills, including digital, suitable for the context, accompanied by the ability to relate to the migrant in an empathic way and respectful of linguistic and cultural diversity; b) the acquisition of skills in the field of job orientation and human resources with skills suitable to deal with the specific situation of migrant workers. This expertise can be made available to the private sector, as well as the public sector.

In the light of the market analysis carried out, the following professional figures are to be trained:

1) Officer in migration policies and flow management in the PA and international organizations

"Function in a work context": The course aims to train professional figures able to contribute to the development and implementation of public intervention policies in the field of migration, reception, and management of flows. These competences are required in European and international institutions, as well as in public administrations at ministerial, regional, and local level.

"Competences associated with functions": The interdisciplinary skills learned during the course provide the graduate with a holistic approach useful for identifying the most effective strategies to promote and implement policies in this field. Specifically, the course aims to develop the skills required by international organizations and public administrations to implement effective policies. Particular attention is paid to the enhancement of digital, communicative, and linguistic skills with particular reference to the migration context. In addition, thanks to the skills acquired in the course offered, the graduate can conduct research and prepare reports in relation to applicable legislation and policies.

"Career opportunities": The expert in migration policies can find an adequate professional position, after passing any competition tests where provided, within European and international organizations, as well as state administrations (national, regional, and local), public bodies, public companies. The course is addressed, on the one hand, to the traditional actors operating in the migration landscape, primarily international and European organizations (such as, among others, the UNHCR, the IOM, the European Commission) and national institutions (Ministry of the Interior, prefectures, territorial commissions); on the other hand, the course aims to respond to the request for new professionals competent in the management of the migration phenomenon, which can be used in public bodies (even if not specifically operating in the reception sector).

2) Operator in the field of the third sector, reception, and integration

"Function in a work context": The course aims to train experienced operators who can operate in non-profit organizations (including non-profit organizations, NGOs, associations, and social cooperatives), established at local, national, European and international level, and in associations working in the world of hospitality and integration. The graduate will perform functions of consultancy and design of reception paths and support in the field to the activities of the reception centers.

"Competences associated with functions": The course aims to provide interdisciplinary, legal, sociological, psychological, anthropological linguistic skills, to prepare the graduate for the multiple challenges that the reception of the migrant poses. Thanks to the skills acquired in the course, the student will be able to face both the phases of the first reception and support for the presentation of the application for protection, and the phases that aim at integration, job placement, access to services (welfare) and the stay of the migrant. Particular attention is paid to the strengthening of linguistic and relational skills with reference to reception procedures.

"Career opportunities": The operator can find a professional place within associations, social cooperatives, non-profit organizations, including non-profit organizations, NGOs established at local, national, European, and international level, which operate in the field of reception and integration of migrants.

3) Specialist and consultant in diversity management and job orientation

"Function in a work context": The course aims to train professional figures in the field of job orientation and human resources with skills suitable to deal with the specific situation of migrant workers. The graduate can be employed both in the business world and in the public sector in various activities such as: job orientation, management of employment contracts, participation in union negotiations, the development of corporate welfare plans, considering the needs of migrant workers.

"Competences associated with functions": The course aims to develop legal skills (at international, European, comparative), economic, sociological, and linguistic level for the management of the employment relationship in its different phases, for the management of personnel, individual and collective disputes with specific reference to migrant workers.

"Career opportunities": The expert in diversity management and job orientation can find a place, both in the public sector and in the business sector, as an operator of employment services and active labour policies, as a consultant for job orientation, in the management of human resources and labour strategies. In addition, the graduate will be able to find space as a consultant within institutions and organizations in public administrations or third sector bodies, which offer, for example, counter services. Furthermore, advice can also be carried out in the context of the profession, in favour of individuals or companies.

4) Expert on migration issues in the field of communication

"Function in a work context": The course aims to train professional figures in the field of communication and media, with specific skills in relation to the representation of the migration phenomenon. These skills are required both in journalism (on paper, radio, television, online), and in the field of public, institutional, and political communication. The graduate in Migration Studies and New Societies will be able to prepare informed studies and reports based on studies and research conducted with the methodologies provided by research in the social and anthropological field, to guarantee a correct representation of the migrant.

"Competences associated with functions": The courses taught during the course aim to train methodological, linguistic, digital communication skills to study and represent the migration phenomenon in an informed, correct, aware and effective way.

"Career opportunities": The graduate will be able to find a position as an expert in journalism and multimedia communication, as a social media manager, or as an expert in political and institutional communication in different sectors: in the world of journalism, in newspapers on paper, online, or radio; in communication agencies; in public administrations or third sector bodies that intend to develop a conscious communication on migration, in the field of scientific research, also in the academic context.