Why Do People Migrate? Part 1: Facts (iversity)

Why Do People Migrate? Part 1: Facts (iversity)

What is Irregular Migration? How is it different from Asylum Seeking? If you want to get the basic tools and terminology as well as learn more about what happens at the global level through case studies and expert interviews: Enrol now!

What is Irregular Migration? How is it different from Asylum Seeking? If you want to get the basic tools and terminology as well as learn more about what happens at the global level through case studies and expert interviews: Enrol now!
The course is based on video lectures, didactic videos and podcast interviews with international experts. Assignments consist of short quizzes for each unit and a journal exercise at the end of the course. Suggestions for further reading will be included in order to achieve a more in-depth understanding.
To learn more about the theories that explain international migration, check out Part 2: Theories.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • identify the fundamental terminology and concepts used to discuss about irregular migrants and asylum seekers;
  • describe key case studies of irregular migration and asylum seeking in the world;
  • discuss possible future scenarios and the social challenges posed by these migrations.
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Switzerland in Europe: Money, Migration and Other Difficult Matters (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Basel

Switzerland in Europe: Money, Migration and Other Difficult Matters (FutureLearn)

Learn about the position of Switzerland in Europe, in particular with respect to money, migration and other difficult matters. In times of economic uncertainty and increasing migration within Europe, the relationship between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) is severely tested. Located in the west of the European continent, Switzerland is a small but wealthy country, which is surprisingly not a member of the EU. Did you ever wonder what the reasons for this are? And have you ever thought about what legal conditions govern this exceptional relationship?

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
International migrations: a global issue (Coursera) Coursera
Sciences Po

International migrations: a global issue (Coursera)

The world is moving, but not all opinions and governments are willing to accept this poorly understood reality. The issue affects both states and the planet, in a process of globalization and of regionalization of migrations, and raises new questions for international relations, now including the South. This course aims at improving knowledge of the subject, addressing the key issues raised by international migration, and assessing the trends of tomorrow.

Jun 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to AP* Human Geography (edX) EdX
University of Texas at Austin,UTAustinX

Introduction to AP* Human Geography (edX)

Explore key issues in human geography, including population, migration, cultural patterns and more as you prepare for the AP exam. Are you interested in what’s happening in your global community? Explore economic, social, political, and environmental issues through the lens of geography.

No sessions available
13-24 Weeks
Global Intimacies: Sex, Power, Gender and Migration (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
National Tsing Hua University

Global Intimacies: Sex, Power, Gender and Migration (FutureLearn)

Law

Study the evolution of intimacy in the context of global capitalism and probe the intersections of sex, love, labour and mobility. Explore how freedom of movement impacts sex, gender and our ideas of intimacy. In this time of global capitalism, travelling between countries for work and leisure is common. Global mobility has blurred the boundary between strangers and changed the meaning of intimacy.

May 16th 2022
4 Weeks
Riesgos y oportunidades empresariales en una economía globalizada (Coursera) Coursera
IE Business School

Riesgos y oportunidades empresariales en una economía globalizada (Coursera)

Oportunidades y riesgos empresariales en un mundo globalizado» es el tercer y último curso de la especialización «Globalización, crecimiento económico y estabilidad» impartido por la profesora de IE Business School Gayle Allard. En este curso, los alumnos aprovecharán los conocimientos y la teoría de sus dos cursos anteriores y los aplicarán a los eventos que actualmente suceden en el mundo. Además, puede funcionar como curso independiente para quienes quieran saber cómo afectan los factores macroeconómicos a las economías, los gobiernos y los ciudadanos en diversos países.

Jun 15th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Migration Law (edX) EdX
LouvainX,Université Catholique de Louvain - UCL

Migration Law (edX)

Law

Learn the fundamentals of Migration Law. This course analyses in a theoretical and practical way the evolution of international migration law. Who can migrate? What are the conditions to move from one country to the other? How are the numbers of migrations evolving over the recent years? Migration is both an ancient and a contemporary question, as it always existed and will never stop.

Feb 6th 2024
13-24 Weeks
Integrating Newly Arrived Migrant Students in Schools (SchoolEducationGateway) SchoolEducationGateway
Teacher Academy

Integrating Newly Arrived Migrant Students in Schools (SchoolEducationGateway)

The course will explore the practicalities of integrating newly arrived migrant students in a school community and will look at how teachers can work at a very practical level with such students in their classrooms. The course will continue the work started by participants in course 2 of building a support infrastructure that can assist them beyond the course with guidance and resources.

No sessions available
3 Weeks
International migrations :a global issue (FUN) FUN
Sciences Po

International migrations :a global issue (FUN)

The world is moving, but not all opinions and governments are willing to accept this poorly understood reality. The issue affects both states and the planet, in a process of globalization and of regionalization of migrations, and raises new questions for international relations, now including the South. This course aims at improving knowledge of the subject, addressing the key issues raised by international migration, and assessing the trends of tomorrow.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Migrations Internationales : Comment les mobilités transforment les sociétés ? (FUN) FUN
Université de Liège

Migrations Internationales : Comment les mobilités transforment les sociétés ? (FUN)

Pourquoi les migrants cherchent-ils à rejoindre l’Europe ? Comment voyagent-ils jusqu’ici ? Quelles sont leurs motivations ? Comment s’intègrent-ils dans les pays de résidence ? Rentreront-ils un jour dans leur pays d’origine ? Dans ce MOOC, nous vous proposons de discuter de ces questions ensemble et vous donner les outils pour développer une réflexion critique et autonome autour de ce phénomène controversé qu’est la migration.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Migrants and Refugees in Education: A toolkit for teachers (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
British Council

Migrants and Refugees in Education: A toolkit for teachers (FutureLearn)

Learn how to teach and support young people across the globe affected by violence, conflict or displacement. Find out how to help students dealing with trauma. You’ll hear from experienced teachers talking about the challenges, what they learnt, and strategies they have used when teaching migrant and refugee learners both in countries affected by conflict and in host countries.

Apr 18th 2022
4 Weeks