Law: LLM - General

Course Overview

The LLM (General) is one of a suite of LLM programmes offered by the School of Law at University of Galway. This LLM can be taken on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years. It is a taught programme designed to give students complete flexibility in their selecton of modules and topic for their minor thesis. The LLM (General) programme allows students to select modules to suit their own interests and facilitate their specific career objectives. Students can select modules from the full range available for taught LLM programmes offered within the School of Law, the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy. This programme is designed for students seeking an advanced postgraduate degree but who do not wish to specialise in a particular area of law.



Course Highlights:

• A tailored master's programme which facilitates module choice across the School of Law and research centres to maximise students opportunity to pursue personal career goals.

• Expert lecturers deliver this programme through small group seminars with guest talks from leading practitioners. Students also have the opportunity to attend and present at key conferences, nationally and internationally.

• International field trips enable students to see the law in action in a global context.

• Skills development is an important element of this programme with seminars focusing on critical thinking, analytical skills, research skills and professional writing skills.

• Career support is provided through professional workshops concentrating on students CV and interview skills. Careers in Law Week also provides an opportunity to meet partners from leading law firms.

• Diverse modules from EU Competition Law, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights, Current Issues in Internet Law to Sentencing and Penal Policy.

• Personalised thesis provides students the opportunity to identify a thesis topic based on an area of law that interests them and furthers their specific career goals.

• Assessment is primarily through research papers, presentations and minor thesis rather than exams.‌

Semester 1

30 ECTS credits of modules



Semester 2

30 ECTS credits of modules



Semester 3

(Summer) Minor Thesis (30 ECTS credits)



Students can select modules from the full range of modules available on taught LLM programmes offered within the School of Law, the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy.



• EU Competition Law (10 credits)

• International Commercial Property Law (10 credits)

• International Business Law Moot (10 credits)

• Legal Skills: Commercial Practice, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution (10 credits)

• Advanced Intellectual Property Law and Development (10 credits)

• Advanced Comparative Law (10 credits)

• Commercial Law in Context (10 credits)

• EU External Relations Law (10 credits)

• Advanced Legal Research & Method (10 credits)

• Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law (10 credits)

• Sentencing & Penal Policy (10 credits)

• Medical Device Law and Regulation (10 credits)

• Crime and Disorder (10 credits)

• Foundational Theoretical Framework in Disability Law and Policy (10 credits)

• Mental Health Law and Policy (10 credits)

• Regional Disability Law and Policy (10 credits)

• Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy (10 credits)

• International Disability Human Rights Clinic (10 credits)

• Advocacy and Access to Justice (10 credits)

• Inclusive Education Law and Policy (10 credits)

• Law and Policy on Independent Living (10 credits)

• Legal Capacity Law and Policy (10 credits)

• International Human Rights Law (10 credits)

• Public International Law (10 credits)

• International Criminal Law (10 credits)

• International Humanitarian Law (10 credits)

• Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law (10 credits)

• European Migration Law (5 credits)

• Transnational Lawyering (5 credits)

• International Human Rights Law Clinic (10 credits)

• Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights (5 credits)

• International Peace Operations (10 credits)

• Gender and Human Rights (10 credits)

• Transitional Justice (10 credits)

• Contemporary Issues in Human Rights III (5 credits)

• Business and Human Rights 2 (10 credits)

• International Refugee Law (10 credits)

• Human Rights and Global Governance (5 credits)

• European Convention on Human Rights: Law and Politics (10 credits)

• The Common European Asylum System (5 credits)

• International Child Rights (5 credits)

• Procedure Before International Criminal Courts (5 credits)

• Minority Rights (5 credits)

• Islam and Human Rights I (5 credits)



Minor Thesis

Students are required to complete a minor thesis (15,000 words). The thesis allows students to conduct supervised research in an area of their choosing. Students will receive support and guidance from their supervisor on how to identify a research topic, conducting the research and writing up the minor thesis.



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases). Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

The criteria for admission to this programme is as follows:

• An approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (2.1, Level 8) in law, or an inter-disciplinary degree in which law was a major component.

• Applicants awarded a Graduate Diploma in Law may be considered but will be admitted only where they demonstrate a strong academic performance in both the undergraduate degree and diploma.

• In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law.

• All applicants, whose first language is not English, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language. IELTS (6.5 overall), TOEFL (8) and Pearson PTE (61).

• International students should refer to the country specific information section of the International Office website.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second-Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time

2 years, part-time

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

The LLM (General) is of particular interest to students who wish to gain expertise in a specific area of law without having to limit their options. Rather than have to take set modules, students have the flexibility to tailor the programme for the particular area of law that they wish to work in and, thus, enhance their employability.



The School of Law runs a programme of careers events annually, including a Careers in Law Week, which gives students have an opportunity to meet partners from leading law firms and attend interview skills workshops. All modules are taught by experts in the field who will also be in a position to guide students towards opportunities that may arise for further research, internships or roles that may be of interest to them.