LLM (International Human Rights)

Course Overview

The LLM in International Human Rights Law provides students with a comprehensive insight into international and regional legal frameworks of human rights protection. This is an interdisciplinary programme where students are engaged students in the practice and public policy context of human rights law on a local, national and international perspective.

This LLM will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields such as law, social policy, political science, public administration and development. While the programme’s emphasis is on the law and policy of human rights, suitably qualified candidates from non-law backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Students participate in a dynamic programme of seminars, workshops and conferences with world-leading practitioners and scholars. Coursework begins with an in-depth study of the international human rights system and selected issues of international human rights law. Specialised courses in business and human rights, international migration law, refugee protection, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, minority rights and rights of indigenous peoples, gender and human rights, counter-terrorism and human rights, and child rights. Completing a 15,000-word research thesis in the field of international human rights law is also a requirement. A wide range of subject choices is available to students, drawing on the expertise of our full time staff and prestigious adjunct faculty.

Course highlights:

• The Irish Centre for Human Rights is one of the world’s premier university-based institutions for the study and promotion of human rights.
• Global Legal Action Network (GLAN and the Irish Centre for Human Rights have established a partnership which affords selected students the opportunity for hands-on engagement with human rights litigation and advocacy globally.
• An International 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.
• 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.
• Expert Lecturers deliver programme modules. Our academics are internationally recognised human rights scholars with world-class expertise and reputations.
• Unique programme focusing on the practice of human rights through specialised modules including international human rights, public policy, law and advocacy.
• Skills development through a strong clinical focus on core human rights lawyering in advocacy, strategic litigation, human rights fact-finding, international diplomacy and public policy.
• 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 International Office website.

The programme equips students to pursue careers with international organisations, United Nations (UN) bodies, international NGOs, in international or national legal practice, and policy, advocacy or research work. Students may also decide to work in government, diplomacy or international affairs. The programme will also provide a foundation for further studies through the structured PhD in human rights offered by the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

Students who have undertaken and successfully completed the programme tend to fall into one of four categories:

1. those who work within UN or UN affiliated organisations
2. those who work in NGOs and quasi NGOs—both human rights and development
3. those who work in academic institutions or pursue of PhD/JD
4. those who work in diplomatic or government based work (in human rights divisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for example).

Underneath these umbrella categories, students have pursued work in the ICC, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ICRC, the UN system (Geneva and NYC), local based NGOs, trade and health organisations, domestic law firm work that draws on international legal mechanisms, and research based work in University research centres, to name but a few. The main and sub categories are by no means exhaustive, but give a flavor of the different fields that students have pursued.