LLM (Transitional Justice, Human Rights and Conflict)

Course Overview

The LLM in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and Conflict examines the complex legal, policy and practical questions of justice and peacebuilding in societies emerging from conflict, authoritarianism or situations of mass human rights violations. This innovative programme will provide an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and researching the world's most pressing issues on transitional justice, peacebuilding and reconciliation. 

The programme will be of interest to those seeking to pursue advanced studies in transitional justice, human rights, post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. It will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to engage with issues of transitional justice and peacebuilding in the aftermath of gross human rights violations, such as forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture, gender-based and sexual violence in conflict, and genocide.  

The programme will also be of interest to those seeking to pursue careers in public policy in the United Nations, international humanitarian and development organisations, government, and transitional justice processes. 

The programme is delivered by the Irish Centre for Human Rights which has a global reputation for excellence in teaching and research in international human rights, peacebuilding and conflict studies. The Irish Centre for Human Rights has developed excellent links with international and regional organisations, diplomatic missions, United Nations, international courts and tribunals, international non-governmental organisations, and European institutions, and has a global network of alumni in senior roles working on transitional justice, peacebuilding, conflict and security. 

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.
• Expert lecturers with significant practical experience working in conflict and post-conflict societies with international organisations, Governments, the United Nations and civil society. 
• Research cluster in Transitional Justice and Peacebuilding: The cluster promotes research, debate, and discussion about justice, law, and peacebuilding in post-conflict and post-authoritarian countries. Current projects include case studies from Colombia, Liberia, Palestine and Central America. LLM students will have the unique opportunity to participate in the activities of the cluster and collaborate with team members on research projects that will have a lasting impact.
• 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.
• 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.

The programme will open up career opportunities in the justice sector, peace building, conflict and security, and peace operations with the United Nations, international and regional organisations, EU institutions, Council of Europe, African Union, Inter-American human rights system, and international non-government human rights organisations. Graduates may also seek career opportunities with international courts and tribunals, in justice sector reform programmes, international development, diplomacy and international public policy, and humanitarian organisations. 

International and regional organisations and civil society increasingly require skills, training and expertise in the field of transitional justice, human rights and conflict.

Current societal challenges, including conflict, insecurity and threats to democracy, as reflected in the Horizon Europe programmes, highlight the need for knowledge, skills and competence in transitional justice, human rights and peacebuilding.