LLM in International Human Rights Law Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

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.

The focus is on international and comparative human rights law (including at regional levels in Europe, Africa and the Americas). Students are taught by world-leading experts, and the School's joint expertise is harnessed so as to provide a vibrant and relevant course which will stimulate the hearts as well as the minds of students who are taking it.

Career Development

We are dedicated to student employability, and our strong industry links mean over 94% of Queen's postgraduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation. The School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast is home to the Human Rights Centre. In addition to arranging a series of seminars and workshops, the Human Rights Centre has strong contacts with local NGOs and other human rights institutions and can provide students with voluntary work. 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.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Law at Queen's is taught by world-leading experts in the area of Law. 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 22nd in the world for the global outlook. Research in Law was ranked 15th in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2014). Over 95% of the Research Activity in the School was judged to be of international quality and above.

Student Experience

Human rights research and teaching have been carried out under the auspices of the Human Rights Centre at Queen's since 1990. The Centre has strong links with civil society organisations, statutory human rights bodies and international human rights institutions and networks and organises a speaker series and a number of conferences annually. It participates in the Utrecht Network of Human Rights Centres and the Venice-based Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation and also has links with universities worldwide. The Centre coordinates field visits to institutions dedicated to human rights issues in Belfast, e.g. 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 (ranked third worldwide). 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 2nd worldwide for satisfaction with social facilities.

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

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.