Law - International Migration & Refugee Law & Policy

Course Overview

The LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law is the only course of its kind on offer in an Irish university. This unique programme enables students to develop their knowledge of international and regional law, policy and practice as it relates to the phenomena of international migration, human trafficking and refugee law.



Students can combine the study of international migration with specialised courses in international humanitarian law and peace operations, gender and law, child rights, and international criminal law.



The programme engages students with current developments on the human rights of migrants and refugees, globally, regionally and nationally. It includes unique practice-oriented teaching, allowing students to specialise in oral and written advocacy (legal and policy), strategic litigation, fact-finding and international development.



Course Outline

The one-year programme is divided into three four-month terms. The first term commences in September and runs through to December, the second term begins in January and ends in April, while the third term begins in May and terminates with the submission of a dissertation in mid-July. During the first two terms candidates are required to attend a full course load as prescribed in the Guidelines, while the third term is devoted entirely to the research required for the preparation of the final dissertation.



The two-year programme comprises part-time study, combining two semesters of course work the first year with a third semester the second year, devoted entirely to the research required for preparation of a final dissertation.



Students will undertake two core modules: one in International Migration Law and one in International Refugee Law. These modules are taught by academics who are active researchers in the area of migration and/or refugee law and whose work has significant policy and practical impact at the national, regional and international levels. Guest speakers who work in the field will also contribute to some seminars.



Students will also undertake a number of optional modules and can choose from a wide suite of options, including a module on the Common European Asylum System and on human trafficking, as well as various human rights, international criminal law and international humanitarian law modules.



The degree of Master of Law in International Migration and Refugee Law is awarded by the School of Law at University of Galway.

The 90 ECTS programme consists of:

Core modules 20 ECTS + Elective Modules 40 ECTS + Dissertation 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.



Core modules (20 ECTS)

• Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law (10 ECTS)

• International Refugee Law (10 ECTS)



Elective Modules (Students choose 40 ECTS from a wide range of subject choices)

• The Common European Asylum System (5 ECTS)

• European Migration Law (5 ECTS)

• International Human Rights Law (10 ECTS)

• Public International Law (10 ECTS)

• International Criminal Law (10 ECTS)

• International Humanitarian Law (10 ECTS)

• Peace Support Operations (10 ECTS)

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

• Gender and Human Rights (10 ECTS)

• Business and Human Rights 2 (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 40 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.

The Irish Centre for Human Rights welcomes students with undergraduate Level 8 degrees in disciplines such as law, political science, international relations, international development or social sciences. 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, 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

• Work with domestic, regional or international non-governmental or inter-governmental organisations specialising in migration or refugee protection, human trafficking or human rights law or policy;



• Develop specialised legal practice skills in the expanding field of migration and asylum law and human rights;



• For those already working in the area of international migration/refugee law, develop a more solid conceptual and knowledge base to develop that role;



• For those interested in pursuing PhD research, identify a suitable research question, method and theoretical framework for that research.