Law - International Human Rights

The LLM in International Human Rights Law provides students with a comprehensive insight into international and regional legal frameworks of human rights protection. This is an interdisciplinary programme where students are engaged students in the practice and public policy context of human rights law on a local, national and international perspective.

This LLM will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields such as law, social policy, political science, public administration and development. While the programme’s emphasis is on the law and policy of human rights, suitably qualified candidates from non-law backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Students participate in a dynamic programme of seminars, workshops and conferences with world-leading practitioners and scholars. Coursework begins with an in-depth study of the international human rights system and selected issues of international human rights law. Specialised courses in business and human rights, international migration law, refugee protection, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, minority rights and rights of indigenous peoples, gender and human rights, counter-terrorism and human rights, and child rights. Completing a 15,000-word research thesis in the field of international human rights law is also a requirement. A wide range of subject choices is available to students, drawing on the expertise of our full time staff and prestigious adjunct faculty.

The coursework begins with a general introduction to the systems and documents of international human rights law, and proceeds to a series of specialised courses in such areas as minority rights law, regional human rights systems such as the European Convention on Human Rights, criminal prosecution by international tribunals of human rights violators, gender and child rights, refugees and asylum seekers, and international humanitarian law. The course emphasises the analysis and critique of international human rights law and legal regimes.

A full list of modules is available at: www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/academics/llmprogrammes/modules. Course and module offerings and details are subject to change, but may include the following list:

Advanced Comparative Law
Business and Human Rights
Children's Rights
Conflict and Post-Conflict
Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
European Convention on Human Rights
European Union and Human Rights
Gender and Human Rights
Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice
Islam and Human Rights
International Criminal Law
International Criminal Procedure
International Humanitarian Law
Introduction to Human Rights Law
Minority Rights
Peace Support Operations
Public International Law
Procedure before International Criminal Courts
Refugee Protection
Right to Development
Transitional Justice

Entry Requirements
The Irish Centre for Human Rights welcomes students with a Level 8 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in a range of disciplines including law, political science, social sciences and humanities.
In cases where applicants come from a non-law background, the Irish Centre for Human Rights will consider academic background, relevant work experience, references and a personal statement.
Applicants must normally have attained at primary degree level a result of Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2.1) or equivalent. However, those falling short of this standard may be considered where they can demonstrate other appropriate academic accomplishments as well as relevant work experience.
International students should refer to the country-specific information section of the International Office website.

Closing Date
Please view the offer rounds website at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/postgrad-admissions/key-dates/

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

1 year, full-time;
2 years, part-time.

Next start date September 2024
Closing Date Offers are made on a rolling basis.

The programme equips students to pursue careers with international organisations, United Nations (UN) bodies, international NGOs, in international or national legal practice, and policy, advocacy or research work. Students may also decide to work in government, diplomacy or international affairs. The programme will also provide a foundation for further studies through the structured PhD in human rights offered by the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

Students who have undertaken and successfully completed the programme tend to fall into one of four categories:

-those who work within UN or UN affiliated organisations
-those who work in NGOs and quasi NGOs—both human rights and development
-those who work in academic institutions or pursue of PhD/JD
-those who work in diplomatic or government based work (in human rights divisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for example).

Underneath these umbrella categories, students have pursued work in the ICC, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ICRC, the UN system (Geneva and NYC), local based NGOs, trade and health organisations, domestic law firm work that draws on international legal mechanisms, and research based work in University research centres, to name but a few. The main and sub categories are by no means exhaustive, but give a flavor of the different fields that students have pursued.