Law - International Human Rights Law & Public Policy - LLM

Course Outline

Our LLM engages students in the practice and policy context of human rights law internationally.



The course offers students a wide range of human rights law courses taught by leading experts in their field. It includes interdisciplinary teaching and a unique International Human Rights clinical module which focuses on essential human rights lawyering skills, including oral and written advocacy (legal and policy), strategic litigation, fact-finding and development.



The course will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields including:

• Law

• Social policy

• Political science

• Public administration

• Development

• History

• International relations social sciences



Applicants for the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) degree also have the option of registering for a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Human Rights. Students take 60 credits of taught masters’ modules from those on offer for the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy). The Postgraduate Diploma can be completed over 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time.



This shorter programme may be attractive to legal professionals and others who may prefer not to make an initial commitment to a full master’s programme. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma may further progress their studies by completing a 12,500-word research dissertation and graduating with a Master's in Law (LLM).



Placement or Study Abroad Information

You will be supported in applying for and securing internships and placements internationally and nationally in the field of human rights. The School of Law has an active summer placement course and excellent links with international organizations, public bodies and NGOs.



Exit Awards

Postgraduate Certificate in International Law (NFQ Level 9 Minor Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 30 credits that meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate in International Law, students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in International Law.



Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 60 credits, registered LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy).

Modules

• Full-time: Students take 90 credits.

• Part-time: Students take 90 credits, completing a total of 40 credits in Year 1 and 50 credits (including LW6571) in Year 2.



Core Modules (30 credits)

• LW6659 LLM Dissertation (25 credits)

• LW6652 Legal Research Methods and Writing (5 credits)



Taught Modules (60 credits)

• LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)

• LW6633 Public International Law (5 credits)

• LW6648 Human Rights Law in Practice (Clinic) (10 credits)



Elective Modules

Students take modules to the value of 35 credits from the list of electives set out below. At least 30 of those credits must be chosen from List A. (Note: The maximum total of 35 credits may be chosen from List A). Students can take 5 credits from List B.



List A

• LW6544 Criminology: Core Theories, Context and Critique (10 credits)

• LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

• LW6566 Contemporary Issues in International Law (5 credits)

• LW6568 The Family and the Law (10 credits)

• LW6592 Mental Capacity Law (5 credits)

• LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy (5 credits)

• LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)

• LW6623 Global Maritime Security (5 credits)

• LW6627 International Environmental Law (5 credits)

• LW6634 Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10 credits)

• LW6655 Foundations of International Children's Rights (5 credits)

• LW6656 Contemporary Issues in Children's Rights (5 credits)

• LW6658 International Youth Justice (5 credits)

• PH6012 Human Rights (10 credits)



List B

• LW2208 Law of the European Convention on Human Rights (5 credits)



Notes

¹ Students may not choose an undergraduate module if they have already taken that module or equivalent subject matter at the undergraduate level. ² In certain cases, with the permission of the Programme Director, students may elect to take up to 10 credits from the modules available in the LLM (Taught) (other than those above) in substitution for 10 credits of the elective modules listed above.



In order to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload, when choosing modules for all programmes, students should take a balance of credits between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who wish to deviate from this rule must seek permission from their Programme Director.



Submission of LLM Dissertation

The LLM dissertation must be submitted for examination at the Winter Board, on a date in September to be specified by the School of Law at the commencement of the programme.

For entry to this course you must be approved by the Faculty of Law and must normally:

• (a) hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours Law degree (NFQ, Level 8) or

• (b) have such other relevant third-level educational qualifications and/or professional experience as, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualifies you under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to undertake the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) Degree.



If you are an overseas candidate you are welcome to apply and your qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as above.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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



The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this course have pursued careers with international organisations, in legal practice, in policy bodies, and in aid and development.