Law: International Human Rights

Course Overview

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 90 ECTS programme consists of:

Compulsory modules 10 ECTS + Elective Modules 50 ECTS + Disseration 30 ECTS

Course and module offerings and details are subject to change. Below are the list of modules being offered during the academic year 2024/2025. View descriptions of each module here or click on ‘Year 1 (90 credits)’ below to view module information.

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Core module (10 ECTS)

• International Human Rights Law (10 ECTS)



Elective Modules (Students choose 50 ECTS from a wide range of subject choices)

• Public International Law (10 ECTS)

• International Criminal Law (10 ECTS)

• International Humanitarian Law (10 ECTS)

• Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law (10 ECTS)

• European Migration Law (5 ECTS)

• Peace Support Operations (10 ECTS)

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

• Gender and Human Rights (10 ECTS)

• International Humanitarian Law (10 ECTS)

• Business and Human Rights 2 (10 ECTS)

• International Refugee Law (10 ECTS)

• Human Rights Law Clinic (10 ECTS)

• Climate Justice (5 ECTS)

• The Common European Asylum System (5 ECTS)

• Transitional Justice (5 ECTS)

• Procedure before International Criminal Courts (5 ECTS)

• Counter Terrorism and Human Rights (5 ECTS)

• Critical Race Theory and Human Rights (5 ECTS)

• Transnational Lawyering (5 ECTS)

• International Child Rights (5 ECTS)

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

• Legal Capacity Law and Policy (10 ECTS)

• International Disability Human Rights Clinic (10 ECTS)

• Advocacy and Access to Justice (10 ECTS)

• Inclusive Education Law and Policy (10 ECTS)

• Mental Health Law and Policy (10 ECTS)

• Policing, Security and Rights (10 ECTS)

• Minors, Minority Groups & the Criminal Justice System (10 ECTS)

• Sentencing and Penal Law Policy (10 ECTS)

• Imprisonment and Rights (10 ECTS)



As part of the elective 50 ECTS, students may take up to 10 ECTS from the LLM General and LLM International and Comparative Business Law.



Dissertation (30 ECTS)



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.

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.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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.

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 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:

1. those who work within UN or UN affiliated organisations

2. those who work in NGOs and quasi NGOs—both human rights and development

3. those who work in academic institutions or pursue of PhD/JD

4. 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.