LLM International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy

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 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 the National University of Ireland Galway.

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 LW5110: International Human Rights Law Clinic - 10 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 LW5106: Economic Social and Cultural Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5107: International Child Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW547: Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW548: Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW455: Minority Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW471: International Humanitarian Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW475: Field Experience Assignment - 15 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW525: Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW530: Procedure Before International Criminal Courts - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW538: Transitional Justice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW546: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights III - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW417: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5104: Islam and Human Rights II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW439: Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW561: Mental Health Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5116: Gender and Human Rights - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW5117: International Human Rights Law - 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 LW5103: Islam and Human Rights I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW450: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW5105: Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW5114: International Refugee Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW5113: The Common European Asylum System - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required LW5109: European Migration Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional LW385: European Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 2

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.

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

EU part time fee 1ML32: €3,865 (tuition €3,760 + student levy €105) p.a. 2022/23.

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.