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Why Do People Migrate? Facts

Get an introduction to one of the most misunderstood issues in the modern world: migration.

7,940 enrolled on this course

A drawn image of people walking across a globe
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Learn the facts about why people migrate

Migration often makes headlines; it’s become a key issue of politicians worldwide. But what is the reality of migration? This course will introduce you to key challenges of irregular migration and asylum seeking worldwide. You’ll look at key cases from around the globe, including asylum seekers arriving in Europe via the Mediterranean and Syrian refugees in Turkey, Central American labour migration to the USA and the Rohingya refugee challenge in Southeast Asia.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 12 seconds Millions of people worldwide move, but why? Some out of choice. Others are forced to leave their homes, fleeing war, armed conflicts, abuse, violence, seeking protection, freedom, security. Some looking for a better life, for themselves and their families. They are all migrants, but they are not all the same for the country where they arrive. This course will provide you with the basic tools, definitions, and terminology to analyse the phenomenon, the existing policies, and the possible future scenarios. Top experts will also present case studies from around the world, providing you with useful insights into the issues and possible solutions.

What topics will you cover?

  • Definition of regular migration and asylum seeking
  • Forced and voluntary migration
  • The Syrian refugee crisis
  • The EU asylum regime
  • Politicising migration debates
  • Mexican and Central American labour migration to the USA
  • Gender and Latin American labour migration
  • The case of the Rohingya in southeast Asia
  • The ‘Pacific solution’ policy in Australia

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify main terms and concepts used to discuss irregular migration and asylum
  • Discuss key case studies from different world regions
  • Explore future scenarios of international migration
  • Assess the challenges that international migration poses for different countries

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in learning about migration, you don’t need any past experience.

Who will you learn with?

Nick Dines is research fellow at the European University Institute, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies.

Anna Triandafyllidou is Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.

Who developed the course?

European University Institute (EUI)

We are the European University Institute (EUI), the leading institute in Europe dedicated to social sciences and humanities. Founded in 1972 by the six original members of the then European Communities, the EUI has earned a reputation as a transnational hub of research and higher learning.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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