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International and Comparative Disability Law and P

LLM (International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy), full-time or part-time

College of Business, Public Policy, & Law

Course overview

The introduction of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has resulted in significant changes in the area of Disability Law and Policy. The LLM in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy addresses that and graduates from this programme will be the first to emerge skilled in this growing area of law and policy.


The mandatory modules address two issues, firstly, to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the core foundational themes in disability law and policy, secondly, to provide students with the necessary research skills to complete their programme of study. The optional modules address law and policy at internaitonal and regional level as well as some very topical subjects such as Legal Capacity, Independent Living, and Inclusive Education.

Internships

Two students on the programme can compete for a paid internship in a relevant organisation; e.g., MDAC (Budapest), Inclusion International (London), Disability Rights Fund (Boston), Disability Rights Team OSF (New York) and others.



Mary Robinson & Law student 

ABOVE: Former President of Ireland, Dr Mary Robinson pictured with Elizabeth Kamundia. Elizabeth was the recipient of the Gold Medal for finishing top of the inaugural graduating class of the LLM (International and Comparative Disability Law).

Key facts

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a Second Class Honours Grade 1 degree in law. In exceptional circumstances, applicants holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than a Second Class Honours Grade 1 standard may be considered where they have
relevant professional experience in law or Disability Rights.

Duration: 1 year, full-time
2 years, part-time

Next start date: September 2015

ECTS weighting: 90

Average intake: 20

Closing date: Please refer to the offer rounds/closing date webpage

Mode of study: Taught, via lectures, seminars, projects, and assignments.

Course outline

Students are required to take two mandatory subjects: Foundational Theoretical Framework for Disability Law and Policy and Law, Regulation and Policy.

Thereafter students may choose four optional modules from the following: US Disability Law and Policy; Irish Disability Law and Policy; Regional Disability Law and Policy; Law and Policy on Independent Living; Legal Capacity Law and Policy; Mental Health Law and Policy; Inclusive Education Law and Policy; Advocacy and Access to Justice; Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy; and Lifecourse Issues in Disability Law and Policy. Finally, over the summer months students will complete a Dissertation on a subject of their choosing.

This course load will be spread over two years for those opting for the part-time mode.

The benefit of studying this Masters lies in its uniqueness. Students will benefit from unprecedented access to international experts who participate in the programme throughout the year.

The programme is affiliated with the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP), which is a research centre of excellence at the School of Law, NUI Galway. The CDLP is dedicated to producing research that informs the debate on national and international disability law reform and policy. The formation of the centre coincided with one of the most intensive periods of disability law reform in Ireland as well as internationally. For more information visit www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/

Applications and selections

Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Relevant PAC application code(s) above.

Who teaches this course?

Academic staff from the School of Law, NUI Galway as well as international academics: including Prof. Gerard Quinn, Dr. Laurent Pech, Dr. Mary Keys, Ms. Shivaun Quinlivan.

Requirements and assessment

A range of assessment methods are utilised including essays, projects, reports, presentations and case studies. A dissertation must also be submitted in August.

Find out more

Shivaun Quinlivan (Programme Director)
E llmdisability@nuigalway.ie 


Mary McQuinn
E llmdisability@nuigalway.ie
T 353 91 495 888


Videos and more information online here .

PAC code

GYL11 (full-time)
GYL12 (part-time)

Fees for this course

EU (Total): €6,015 p.a. 2014/15 (inclusive of Levy)
 - Tuition: €5,791 p.a. 2014/15
 - Student levy: €224 p.a. 2014/15
Non-EU (Total): €13,250 p.a. 2014/15

EU Full time programme:  €6,015 p.a.  (GYL11 / 1ML17)

EU Part time programme:  €3,065 p.a. (GYL12 / 1ML18)

Professor Quinn

Director of the Centre for
Disability Law and Policy
NUI Galway: 

"Our ethos is change. This new programme aims to equip students not just with knowledge and insights but also with the skills and motivation to help transform the lives of the 650 million persons with disabilities in the world.  It is one of the first of its kind in the world."

Download taught and research

Postgrad prospectus cover 

NUI Galway Postgraduate Taught Prospectus

Research prospectus cover

NUI Galway Postgraduate Research Prospectus 

 

Current students

Aisling Glynn

"This is an exceptionally interesting course. The modules are unique and the lecturers are extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and approachable. I particularly like the emphasis on applying law and policy into practice in order to positively impact on the lives of disabled people"

Charlotte May-Simera

"I think this course has provided me with the necessary tools to understand the development of disability law and policy across the globe. Not only has it provided a detailed insight and understanding of the purpose and implications of the UN CRPD, it has also addressed contemporary, practical everday life issues that effect persons with disabilities. I feel well equipped to address any disability issues, whther legislative, theoretical or practical. Embedded within the Centre of Disability Law and Policy, this course greatly benefitted from an active environment and experts that worked in the centre."

Elizabeth Kamundia 

"The LL.M in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy offered at the NUI Galway is fantastic! It has equipped me with an in-depth understanding of disability human rights, and the opportunity to study under world renowned experts in disability is one not to be passed up! The programme attracts students from all over the world, creating an exchange of perspectives and realities that is truly stimulating. It avails of numerous conferences to enrich student experience, and last but not least, the school is situated in the beautiful seaside town of Galway. I would highly recommend it!"

Download course brochure

Disability Law & Policy Brochure