LL.M. in International Human Rights Law

The Masters of Law in International Human Rights is a one-year programme of full-time study, combining two semesters of course work and the preparation of a dissertation. It may also be completed part-time, over a two-year period. It aims to prepare graduates for work in the field of international human rights, with international organisations, non-governmental organisations and as individual advocates. 

The course work begins with a general introduction to the systems and documents of international human rights law, and proceeds to a series of specialised courses in such areas as minority rights law, regional human rights systems such as the European Convention on Human Rights, criminal prosecution by international tribunals of human rights violations, gender & child rights, refugees and asylum seekers and international humanitarian law.

The course emphasises the communication, analysis and critique of international human rights law and legal regimes. While the emphasis of the course is legal it accepts suitably qualified candidates from other backgrounds in the firm belief that human rights itself is multi-disciplinary.

The LL.M. programme aims to build specific and general skills with respect to the modern regime of human rights protection, and knowledge of the philosophies and theories that underpin it. The course provides students with the requisites enabling them to contribute to the advancement of human rights globally, both in their individual capacities and in association with institutions that have such a focus. 

The LL.M. programme in International Human Rights is offered by the Faculty of Law and taught at the Irish Centre for Human Rights of the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Before contacting us, with your queries, please consult the list of frequently asked questions ( FAQ) of programmes offered in the Centre.

Duration

The programme is divided into three four month terms. The first term commences in September and runs through to December, the second term begins in January and ends in April, while the third term begins in May and terminates with the submission of a dissertation at the end of August. During the first two terms candidates are required to attend a full course load as prescribed in the Guidelines, while the third term is devoted entirely to the research required for the preparation of the final dissertation.

Courses

Courses each year are subject to change, but may include the following:

NB: Some of the following syllabi may be from the previous year and will be updated soon. The format, however, will be similar. 

• African and Inter-American Regional Systems of Protecting Human Rights
• Business and Human Rights
• Children's Rights
• Conflict and Post-Conflict
• Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
• Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
• European Convention on Human Rights
• European Union and Human Rights
• Genocide 
• How to Argue with an Economist
• Human Rights and Development
• International Criminal Law
• International Criminal Procedure
• International Humanitarian Law (Term I)
• International Humanitarian Law (Term II)
• International Refugee Law 
• Introduction to Human Rights Law
• Minority Rights
• Peace Support Operations 
• Public International Law
• Procedure before International Criminal Courts
• Transitional Justice

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree in law with second class honours, grade 1, or its equivalent. Applications are also welcomed from students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than law, especially if they have relevant professional experience in the field of human rights, as well as from law graduates with second class honours who can demonstrate other appropriate academic accomplishments. For further information, check the regulations.

Students should note that the LL.M. course is instructed in English. The University requires that students are able to effectively engage in English in order to successfully complete the course (all exams are in the English language). Therefore, prospective students (not being native English speakers) are required to undertake an English language course before undertaking the LL.M. The required scores are: IELTS: 6.5; TOEFL (paper-based): 580; TOEFL (computer-based): 240; and TOEFL (internet-based): 92.  

Programme Director

Dr. Noam Lubell

Scholarships Available to prospective students from Ethiopa, South Africa and Sri Lanka

Galway has a long tradition of involvement in providing education for students from developing countries. In keeping with this tradition the NUI, Galway International Scholarship Programme was launched in 2005. The programme builds on NUI, Galway's tradition of offering opportunities to talented students from the developing world and " is aimed at developing the capacity of outstanding individuals who can assume leadership roles in their fields of study and whose work will enhance the development of their own society" (President Ó Muircheartaigh). The benefit to the University is in attracting high calibre postgraduate students to our programmes and adding to the cultural diversity we wish to nurture on campus. The scholarship provides recipients with EUR15,000 plus tuition fees and is currently open to applicants from South Africa, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Full details of the programme are available at the following link:

• http://www.nuigalway.ie/international_affairs_office/fees/scholarships.html

Important information for non-EU students applying to any of the LL.M. programmes can be found at the link below.

• http://www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/non_eu_students.html

Applying for the Masters of Law in International Human Rights

Applications must be completed on line at http://www.pac.ie/ for the 2009/2010 academic year. Students must ensure that the registration fee of €37.00 is paid.

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