LLM International Human Rights

at National University of Ireland Galway

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 at the end of August. 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. 

 
The coursework begins with a general introduction to the systems and documents of international human rights law, and proceeds to a series of specialised courses in such areas as minority rights law, regional human rights systems such as the European Convention on Human Rights, criminal prosecution by international tribunals of human rights violators, gender and child rights, refugees and asylum seekers, and international humanitarian law. The course emphasises the analysis and critique of international human rights law and legal regimes.

Course and module offerings and details are subject to change, but may include the following list:

• Advanced Comparative Law
• Business and Human Rights 
• Children's Rights 
• Conflict and Post-Conflict 
• Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights 
• Economic, Social & Cultural Rights 
• European Convention on Human Rights 
• European Union and Human Rights 
• Gender and Human Rights
• Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
• Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice
• Islam and Human Rights
• International Criminal Law 
• International Criminal Procedure 
• International Humanitarian Law
• Introduction to Human Rights Law 
• Minority Rights 
• Peace Support Operations 
• Public International Law 
• Procedure before International Criminal Courts 
• Refugee Protection
• Right to Development 
• Transitional Justice

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

Glossary of Terms

Year 1 (90 Credits)

• Optional LW561: Mental Health Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW459: International Labour Standards - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW562: Regional Disability Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW558: Legal Capacity Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW556: Law and Policy on Independent Living - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW553: Inclusive Education Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW551: Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW550: Advocacy and Access to Justice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW548: Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5106: Economic Social and Cultural Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5107: International Child Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5105: Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5103: Islam and Human Rights I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5104: Islam and Human Rights II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW547: Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5110: International Human Rights Law Clinic - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5109: European Migration Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5111: Business and Human Rights 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5112: Human Rights and Global Governance - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5113: The Common European Asylum System - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5114: International Refugee Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW475: Field Experience Assignment - 15 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW538: Transitional Justice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW530: Procedure Before International Criminal Courts - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW525: Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5101: International Disability Human Rights Clinic - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW417: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW546: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights III - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW455: Minority Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW471: International Humanitarian Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW439: Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5116: Gender and Human Rights - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5118: Public International Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5119: The Politics of Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5120: European Convention on Human Rights: Law and Politics - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5121: Transnational Lawyering - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5122: International Criminal Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5123: International Peace Operations - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW488: Processes of Law Reform - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW5117: International Human Rights Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW450: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW486: Theories of Judicial Activism - 10 Credits - Semester 1

• 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.

Fees: EU
€7,660 p.a. 2022/23

Fees: Tuition
€7,520 p.a. 2022/23

Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2022/23

Fees: Non EU
€17,240 p.a. 2022/23

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €3,500 towards your tuition. You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

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:

• those who work within UN or UN affiliated organisations
• those who work in NGOs and quasi NGOs—both human rights and development
• those who work in academic institutions or pursue of PhD/JD
• those who work in diplomatic or government based work (in human rights divisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for example).