LLM in International Human Rights Law
Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 19,100 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: £6,980| England, Scotland or Wales: £8,360 | EU Other and International: £19,100
Introduction
The protection of human rights at the international and national levels is a relatively new branch of law. There has been a huge growth in the number and variety of human rights standards set out in international treaties, in national constitutions and so-called 'soft-law' documents.These standards are not always fully implemented and the mechanisms for trying to get them implemented are sometimes defective.
The LLM in International Human Rights Law provides students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth appreciation of global human rights standards and the interrelationship between international standards and national practice. In particular, we consider ways in which human rights could be protected more effectively so that human beings everywhere can realise their full human dignity.
Career Development
- We are dedicated to student employability and have strong industry links. Law was ranked Top 10 in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022) The Human Rights Centre at Queen's has strong links with local NGOs and other human rights institutions. Graduates have found jobs in the UN, the EU and the Council of Europe, as well as statutory bodies and a wide range of international and national NGOs. Others have found the LLM to constitute an extremely valuable addition to their work as legal professionals. Furthermore, this Master’s provides an excellent base for further study towards a research degree such as a PhD, which in turn may lead on to an academic career
World Class Facilities
- Our facilities at Queen’s include a state-of-art Law building with superb teaching facilities, a moot court and study spaces. Queen’s has one of the most modern campuses in the UK, including the award winning McClay Library, one of the finest libraries in the world and home to 1.2 million volumes and over 2,000 reader places. Our Physical Education Centre was used as a training camp for the 2012 Olympics. Our Queen’s Elms Student Village and city centre student accommodation (built in 2018) are located within easy walking distance of the University.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Law at Queen's is taught by world-leading experts in the area of human rights. Our staff have close research links with the professions, government and civil society. Law at Queen's is in the top 150 Law Schools worldwide and we are ranked 19th in the world for global outlook. Research in Law was ranked 8th in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2021).
Student Experience
- Human rights research and teaching has been carried out at Queen's since 1990. In addition to teaching, there is also a thriving Human Rights Centre at Queen's. The Centre has strong links with civil society organisations, statutory human rights bodies and international human rights institutions and networks. It organises a guest speaker series and a number of conferences annually. It participates in the Association of Human Rights Institutes and has extensive links with universities worldwide. The School co-ordinates field visits to institutions dedicated to human rights issues in Belfast from time to time, eg the NI Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. At Queen’s you will be part of a thriving postgraduate culture built on teaching excellence, leading-edge research, innovation, collaboration and engagement. These components are woven together in our Graduate School. It is here you will develop new skills and increased personal effectiveness that will enable you to stand out in the crowded and increasingly competitive global job market. Life at Queen’s is not just about the degree. We offer our students the opportunity to really enrich their studies. Whether you're into student societies, sports, music, dance, or just a coffee with your friends, Queen’s has exceptional facilities to cater for all interests. Queen’s was ranked 9th in the UK for university facilities.
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Admissions
Curriculum
Compulsory Modules
- Human Rights in Practice
- International Human Rights Law
- Dissertation (15,000-20,000 words)
Course Details
The programme is delivered through a series of taught modules and culminates in the submission of a dissertation on an original topic.
Methodology Mini-Modules
- Approaches to Legal Research
- Theories of Human Rights
Optional Modules
- Transitional Justice
- Global Ethics
- Comparative Human Rights
- Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
- Business and Human Rights
- Climate, Justice and Human Rights
- Conflict Mediation
- Philosophy Conflict and War
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Corporate Environmental Law
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates have found jobs in the UN, the EU and the Council of Europe, as well as statutory bodies and a wide range of international and national NGOs. Others have found the LLM to constitute an extremely valuable addition to their work as legal professionals. Furthermore, this master's provides an excellent base for further study towards a research degree such as a PhD, which in turn may lead to an academic career.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.