Law - International & Comparative Disability Law & Policy

The introduction of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has resulted in significant changes in the area of disability law and policy. Our graduates will be among the first to be skilled in this growing area of law and policy.



This programme will be of interest to students who have completed a primary law degree, legal practitioners, public servants, disability and human rights advocates and people working in disability services.



The programme is affiliated with the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP), which is recognised worldwide as a research centre of excellence at the School of Law, University of Galway. The CDLP is dedicated to producing research that informs the debate on national and international disability law reform and policy.

Students are required to take one mandatory subject. Thereafter students may choose five optional modules from the below list. Finally, over the summer months, students will complete a Dissertation (Minor Thesis) on a subject of their choosing.



Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Foundational Theoretical Framework for Disability Law (Mandatory)

Regional Disability Law and Policy

Law and Policy on Independent Living

Legal Capacity Law and Policy

Mental Health Law and Policy

Inclusive Education Law and Policy

Advocacy and Access to Justice

Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy

International Human Rights Disability Clinic

This course-load will be spread over two years for those opting for the part-time mode.



The benefit of studying this Masters lies in its uniqueness. Students will benefit from unprecedented access to international experts who participate in the programme throughout the year.

Applicants must hold a Second Class Honours, Grade 1, degree (2.1) in law, or an interdisciplinary degree in which law was a major component. In exceptional circumstances, applicants holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than a 2.1 standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law or disability rights.

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.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have found employment in a variety of areas, including work at the UN, in senior legal appointments, as lecturers, solicitors, and barristers, on the national advocacy board and human rights commissions, as government advisors and with non-governmental organisations.



Many of our graduates are leading change and law reform in disability law throughout the world. Graduates of the programme have also secured funding to pursue PhD research and are now working in universities around the world.