Master of Human Rights Law

University of Melbourne

Australia, Melbourne

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University of Melbourne

Australia , Melbourne

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

088072A

Campuses

Parkville

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesMarch-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 56,000 / year

Next Intake March-2026

Master of Human Rights Law

About

Overview

The Master of Human Rights Law (MHumRightsLaw) offers the widest range of human rights subjects in Australia.

Working with world-renowned experts who teach in the program, and fellow students from Australia and around the world, you’ll have a unique opportunity to examine a range of human rights instruments, institutions, theories and practices in contemporary context.

It’s ideal for lawyers who work, or are planning to work, in the field of human rights, as well as those with a non-law background working in development agencies and other human rights-related organisations in Australia and around the world.

The Master of Human Rights Law is part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program.

Related offerings

Master of Laws
Graduate Diploma in Laws
Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law
Single Subject Study in Law

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have completed:

A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice with a University of Melbourne equivalent score of at least 70, OR
A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, or equivalent and two years of documented relevant professional experience, OR
An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and two years of documented relevant professional experience, OR
An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; and successful completion of four subjects in a cognate graduate diploma and one year of documented relevant professional experience.

Disciplines directly related to this course include human rights or law.

Professional experience relevant to this course may include roles such as public servant, policy or research officer, or political advisor, and roles in charities or not-for-profits.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

You can use our graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator to get an indication of whether you are eligible for this course based on your previous studies and Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

Calculate your eligibility

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with no band less than 6.5
TOEFL

94+

with writing 24; speaking 20; reading 19; listening 20
PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 65 and no other communicative skill below 64
CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no skill less than 176
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

If relevant to your application, the Selection Committee will consider your professional experience.

About selection

When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

English Program Requirements

English language test score requirements

If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with no band less than 6.5

TOEFL

94+

with writing 24; speaking 20; reading 19; listening 20

PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 65 and no other communicative skill below 64

CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no skill less than 176

*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

If relevant to your application, the Selection Committee will consider your professional experience.

Career

As a Master of Human Rights Law student, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of human rights law, including:

An advanced and integrated knowledge of international and domestic legal and institutional frameworks for the protection and promotion of human rights
An advanced appreciation of the relationship between law and politics, at the international and domestic levels, in the field of human rights law
The cognitive and technical skills to independently examine and critically evaluate current issues by reference to international and domestic human rights standards
The ability to understand and critically examine the interrelationships between international, regional and domestic histories, philosophies, policies and practices of human rights law
The ability to participate in debates about the contested universality of international human rights and its application in diverse domestic jurisdictions in an engaged, informed and open-minded manner
The ability to make a sophisticated assessment of the practical effectiveness of different mechanisms for implementing or enforcing human rights, including domestic and regional courts, specialised tribunals, national human rights institutions, human rights treaty bodies, international institutions and specialised agencies, nongovernmental organisations and international criminal courts
The ability to analyse, interpret and assess the challenges posed to the implementation of international human rights obligations in the context of globalisation, particularly the increased threat to human rights presented by non-state actors and efforts to develop and strengthen accountability protocols and other mechanisms
The ability to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and advocate in the field of human rights law.