Law - Human Rights LLM

Overview

The LLM Human Rights draws on the established research excellence of the Transitional Justice Institute to deliver a world-leading masters programme in the field.



This programme has been developed to enable students to:

• Develop a systematic understanding, an in depth knowledge and a critical awareness of international human rights law and reflect on the possibilities for, and experiences of, human rights protection.



• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the process of mainstreaming human rights norms in particular spheres of law and policy in the United Kingdom and/or Ireland other jurisdictions.



• Gain knowledge and skills in carrying out research projects from design to write-up;



• Enhance skills in critically appraising published and commissioned research;



• Develop skills highly relevant to legal practice, and to gender policy, research and advocacy roles in the voluntary, public and private sectors in the UK, Ireland beyond;



• Successful completion may also open up a range of further study and research options.

Year one

Research and Advocacy Methods

Foundations of International Human Rights Law

Dissertation



Optional:

Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law

International Migration Law

Public International Law and Contemporary Global Challenges

Foundations of Transitional Justice

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Equality Law

Social Security Law and Policy

Employment Law

Gender and Human Rights

A second class Honours degree or above or equivalent recognised qualification in Law, Social Sciences, Humanities or a cognate discipline. Allowance may be made for special qualifications, experience and background, and students with other academic backgrounds will be considered, where applicants can demonstrate their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) or accreditation of prior learning (APL).



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

The LLM Human Rights Law is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The LLM is 3 semesters full-time or 6 semesters part-time.

Start Date: September 2026 & January 2027.

Careers and Opportunities

Previous graduates across our programmes have gone onto positions in the local human rights sector and public sector in Northern Ireland, research and policy officer positions, to legal practice in areas related to the LLM and to PhD research. Further, previous graduates have secured work in the United Nations and in international non-governmental organisations.