Law - International Human Rights Law & Public Policy - LLM
Course Outline
This 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. Those who wish to apply for the Diploma should contact lawpostgrad@ucc.ie for application details.
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 15,000-word research dissertation and graduating with a Masters in Law (LLM).
Why Choose This Course
This course is of relevance to legal practitioners, policy makers and civil society actors across a range of fields. You will benefit from a series of guest seminars and workshops with key actors in the human rights movement.
It will provide you with the skills and qualification necessary to pursue an international career with international organisations, governments, UN bodies, European Human Rights bodies and in legal practice. The course includes a unique International Human Rights clinic core module.
Students engage in the practice and policy context of human rights law and also focus on essential human rights lawyering skills, including: oral and written advocacy (legal and policy)strategic litigationfact-finding and development.
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.
Subjects taught
Modules: Students take 90 credits in total, including 55 credits of core modules and 35 credits of elective modules.
Students take core modules to the value of 55 credits.
LW6571 LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) Dissertation (30 credits)
LW6566 Contemporary Issues in International Law (10 credits)
LW6586 Human Rights Law in Practice (Clinic) (5 credits)
LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
LW6633 Public International Law (5 credits)
Elective Modules (35 credits)
Students take elective modules to the value of 35 credits.
Students must choose at least 35 credits from the following:
LW2208 Law of the European Convention on Human Rights (5 credits)
LW6647 Contemporary Issues in Corporate Law (5 credits)
LW6544 Criminology (5 credits)
LW6545 Penology (10 credits)
LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
LW6549 International Children's Rights (10 credits)
LW6550 International Criminal Law (10 credits)
LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)
LW6568 The Family and the Law (10 credits)
LW6578 Consumer Rights: Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6580 Environmental Law in Practice (5 credits)
LW6581 Method in Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW6592 Mental Capacity Law (5 credits)
LW6609 Mental Health Law (5 credits)
LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6619 Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution (5 credits)
LW6627 International Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW6634 Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10 credits)
PH6012 Human Rights 1 (10 credits)
PH6016 Territorial Rights (10 credit
It may be that not all modules listed above will be offered each year and/or other options may become available.
Entry requirements
Requirements
For entry to this course you must be approved by the Faculty of Law and must normally:
hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours Law degree (NFQ, Level 8)
or 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 Lawand 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. Non-EU applicants should contact the International Education Office by email at: Internationalpostgrad@ucc.ie for application details.
English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.
For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.
International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please 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.
For more information please contact the International Office.
Application dates
How to apply
1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.
2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.
Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.
Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
Any supplementary items requested for your course.
Please log into the online application portal for more details.
4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.
5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates below.
The UCC application portal will open on November 1st for admission in September 2022.
Irish, EU, UK, EEA and Swiss Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught courses, which means offers are made at a minimum of four times a year on a rolling basis.
The UCC rounds closing dates for postgraduate taught courses are below. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible.
Deadline for receipt of full applications/ Offers will be made:
For all completed applications received by January 17th, 2022 -
Offers will be made by January 31st, 2022
For all completed applications received by March 7th, 2022 -
Offers will be made by March 21st, 2022
For all completed applications received by May 3rd, 2022 -
Offers will be made by May 17th, 2022
For all completed applications received by July 1st, 2022 -
Offer will be made by July 15th, 2022
After July late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity.
Applicants from outside of EU, UK, EEA, Switzerland: Information may be found on the International Office Website.
NON-EU CLOSING DATE: 15 June
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Please enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees.
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.
Post Course Info
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.
Testimonials from UCC law students/graduates http://www.ucc.ie/en/law-postgrad/studentprofiles/careersinhumanrightslaw/