LLM (International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy)

Course Overview

The LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law is the only course of its kind on offer in an Irish university. This unique programme enables students to develop their knowledge of international and regional law, policy and practice as it relates to the phenomena of international migration, human trafficking and refugee law.

Students can combine the study of international migration with specialised courses in international humanitarian law and peace operations, gender and law, child rights, and international criminal law.

The programme engages students with current developments on the human rights of migrants and refugees, globally, regionally and nationally. It includes unique practice-oriented teaching, allowing students to specialise in oral and written advocacy (legal and policy, strategic litigation, fact-finding and international development.

Course highlights:

• The Irish Centre for Human Rights is one the world’s premier university-based institutions for the study and promotion of human rights.
• Expert lecturers deliver programme modules. Our academics are internationally recognised scholars with world-class expertise and strong records of engagement and impact in the fields of international migration, human trafficking and refugee law.
• Unique qualification on the practice of migration and refugee law through specialised modules, clinical lawyering and advocacy training.
• Excellent networks and links to leading international organisations and practitioners.
• Graduates will join a global alumni network of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, with options to pursue careers in the fields of migration, forced displacement, refugee law and policy, and human rights. Students are supported in seeking internship and work placement opportunities and provided with targeted career advice and supports.
• Skills development is enhanced through practice-oriented teaching, allowing students to specialise in oral and written advocacy (legal and policy, strategic litigation, fact-finding and international development and transnational lawyering clinical skills.
• Seminars and workshops with leading international practitioners in migration and refugee law and policy.
• Career support with targeted career advice and assistance in seeking internship and work placement opportunities.
• Field trips to the Hague and/or Strasbourg to visit leading international law institutions are optional.
• Assessment is primarily through research papers, presentations and minor thesis rather than exams.‌

The Irish Centre for Human Rights welcomes students with undergraduate Level 8 degrees in disciplines such as law, political science, international relations, international development or social sciences. 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, 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.

• Work with domestic, regional or international non-governmental or inter-governmental organisations specialising in migration or refugee protection, human trafficking or human rights law or policy;
• Develop specialised legal practice skills in the expanding field of migration and asylum law and human rights;
• For those already working in the area of international migration/ refugee law, develop a more solid conceptual and knowledge base to develop that role;
• For those interested in pursuing PhD research, identify a suitable research question, method and theoretical framework for that research.