LLM (Gender and Human Rights: Law and Policy)

Course Overview

The LLM in Gender and Human Rights analyses international human rights law and gender, engaging with the UN and regional human rights systems, concepts of gender equality, gender, peace and conflict, and gender, law and religion. It is the only programme of its kind offered in Ireland and the UK. The Programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply concepts relating to gender and human rights law, in diverse public policy and law contexts, including conflict and post-conflict situations.

The programme will be of interest to those seeking to pursue advanced studies and careers working with international organisations, the United Nations, Government and public policy, EU institutions, and in fields of international development, Equality Law, Human Rights, Women / Gender Peace and Security, Migration and Refugee Law and Gender, Sexuality and LGBT rights. 

The Programme is taught and delivered by leading international experts in the fields of Gender, Women Peace and Security, Gender and Islam, and Equality and Human Rights law. Academic staff and researchers across University of Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights and School of Law have developed excellent collaborations with leading international organisations specialising in the promotion of gender equality including UN Women, Council of Europe, Women’s Link Worldwide, UN CEDAW and others, and at domestic level with entities such as CUAN, National Women’s Council of Ireland, COPE, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. 

Course Highlights:

• The programme is delivered by staff from the Irish Centre for Human Rights, one of the world’s premier university-based institutions for the study and promotion of human rights.
• Drawing on the international expertise and professional ‘real world experience’ of international experts, students are offered a wide range of choices and elective modules, allowing for specialization in particular fields of interest.
• Students are provided with inter-disciplinary and practical skills training on equality and human rights, law and public policy, development and humanitarian action, peace and conflict.
• The Human Rights Law Clinic provides students with unique practical training on mobilising human rights standards to secure reform, engaging human rights bodies, at UN and regional levels. The award winning Human Rights Law Clinic module, focuses on essential human rights lawyering skills, including oral and written advocacy (legal and policy, strategic litigation, fact-finding and development, and training on engaging with UN and regional human rights bodies and Government.
• Field trips to the International Criminal Court in The Hague and to military barracks of the Irish Defence Forces. 
• Career Support with assistance in seeking career and work placement opportunities by drawing on the expertise of a global network of alumni and an outstanding network of contacts.
• Seminars, conferences and workshops ensures engagement with world-leading practitioners and scholars in the field of human rights law and public policy.
• Assessment is primarily through research papers, presentations and minor thesis rather than exams.‌

• 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.

International students should refer to the country-specific information section of the Global Galway website.