LLM International Human Rights

at Birmingham City University

COURSE IN DEPTH

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):

 

Public International Law
20 credits

 

This module examines the principles and operations of the most important elements of public international law. This is a potentially vast subject (in fact the subject of entire LLM programmes in its own right) so the module content will focus on the fundamental principles which underpin the legal relations between states. In particular the law of Treaties and the law of the United Nations will form the principal bases of study.

 

Human Rights in the Wider World
20 credits

 

This intellectually stimulating and exciting module engages with the law and practice of the United Nations for resolving international crisis situations. It provides students with critical knowledge of the UN. Charter, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, for solving humanitarian disasters. It presents an overview of the Charter of the United Nations and engages with the International Bill of Rights and associated international legislation.

 

International Women's and Children’s Rights
20 credits

 

The module will provide an introduction to the two fields of women’s rights and children’s rights, looking at these in an international context. These will be studied within an overarching ‘rights’ context, allowing students to identify and explore differences and interrelationships between the two fields.

 

Advanced Research Methods
20 credits

 

This module enables you to gain enhanced knowledge and understanding of the techniques needed for advanced legal research. It serves a double purpose. As a foundation to other Level 7 modules in law, it supports you in acquiring the knowledge of research methods and skills in applying those methods required to succeed in postgraduate legal research – both in scholarship and for practitioners.

 

Dissertation, Project or Placement
60 credits

 

The aim of this module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of disciplinary-relevant research the output of which may be either a placement, integrated project or dissertation. This is founded upon Birmingham City University’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory into practice.

 

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:

 

Global Health Law
20 credits

 

Medical Law and Ethics is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide an introduction for you to the ever-growing body of law, policy and ethics concerned with the global health and some of the ethical dilemmas advances in this field.

 

International Criminal Law
20 credits

 

The importance of international criminal law has grown considerably in recent years. Similarly to domestic criminal law, international criminal law aims to prohibit and penalise certain actions when committed by individuals. Unlike domestic criminal law however, the crimes that concern international community are particularly serious: prohibitions such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression involve conduct that is capable of affecting large numbers of the world's population.

 

Human Rights and the Environment
20 credits

 

This module examines the relationship between human rights and the rights of the environment. At a time when the effects of climate change are increasingly compromising the realisation of human rights a module such as this is essential to demonstrate the inter-dependence of environmental quality and human well-being.

 

Refugees and the Free Movement of People
20 credits

 

The module examines the international law relating to refugees and the free movement of people and how that law has been executed in certain municipal contexts. The development and scope of the relevant law will be explored including both ‘mandate’ refugees, ‘statutory refugees’ and regional developments.

 

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
 

Award: LLM Starting: Sep 2022
Full Time 1 year £16,300 in 2022/23

Employment Opportunities

You will have the opportunity to undertake a placement or complete a project as an alternative to a dissertation.

 

In addition we have active, student-led Legal, Mooting and Debate Societies. Our Student Mooting Society is one of the most successful in England, with our students reaching five finals in the past six years, regularly beating teams from some of the country’s most prestigious universities.

 

We also have a staff and student led Pro-Bono Unit that provides legal advice to the public.

 

PLACEMENTS

 

There is the opportunity to undertake a placement abroad as an alternative to a dissertation. The School of Law’s Centre for American Legal Studies operates the UK’s largest student internship programme to the USA. In order to be applicable, you need to apply for the internship programme.

 

The programme was established in 1994 and to date we have placed over 500 students in Federal and State Public Defender offices, private attorney offices, American University Law Schools, law projects and organisations across the USA, from New York City to West Texas and San Francisco.