Course Overview

The LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict provides students with a comprehensive insight into global frameworks of international humanitarian law and human rights protection with the addition of a peacekeeping specialisation. This interdisciplinary programme focuses on UN peacekeeping and related operations to provide insights into the peace operations and conflict resolution frameworks.

This unique programme offering combines issues relating to peacekeeping, international humanitarian law, human rights and conflict resolution to prepare graduates for work in the field of international peace operations with international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and as individual advocates.

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.  
  • Defence Force experience is recognised. Those who have participated in peacekeeping activities can obtain credit for a full semester course (15 credits) on submission of a written assignment reviewing field experience and evaluating lessons learned.  
  • Expert lecturers deliver programme modules.  Our academics are internationally recognised scholars with world-class expertise and reputations. 
  • Field trips to the military barracks of the Irish Defence Forces and the opportunity to travel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
  • Unique qualification on conflict, peacekeeping and human rights through specialised modules such as peace support operations and international human rights.
  • Seminars, conferences and workshops ensures engagement with world-leading practitioners and scholars in the field of peacekeeping and human rights law.
  • Career Support with assistance in seeking career opportunities by drawing on the expertise of a global network of alumni and an outstanding network of contacts.
  • Assessment is primarily through research papers, presentations and minor thesis rather than exams.‌

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Who Teaches this Course

researcher
Prof. Dr. SIOBHAN MULLALLY
BCL, LLM, PhD
EST PROFESSOR IN HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
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researcher
Prof Raymond Murphy
BA, LL.B, BL, M.LITT, Ph.D, Dip Arb Law
Personal Professor
Irish Centre For Human Rights
NUI Galway
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Dr Anita Ferrara
B.Sc. PG Dip., M.Sc., PhD
Lecturer Above the Bar
T: 091492819
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Dr Kathleen Cavanaugh
PhD, LLM
LECTURER BAR/COLLEGE LECTURER
Irish Centre for Human Rights
NUI Galway
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Prof Shane Darcy
B.A, L.L.M.,Ph.D.
Personal Professor
E: shane.darcy@nuigalway.ie
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Dr Ekaterina Yahyaoui
BA, LLM, DES, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Human Rights
E: ekaterina.yahyaoui@universityofgalway.ie
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Prof. Donncha O'Connell
ESTABLISHED PROFESSORSHIP OF LAW (NO 2)
School of Law
TB407
Arts/Science Building
NUI Galway
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Dr Ciara Smyth
PhD, LL.M, LL.B, B.A.
Assistant Professor
Tower 2
Arts/Science Concourse
School of Law
University of Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment for individual modules includes a combination of essays, presentations, group work, and other methods. Students must also complete a research thesis/dissertation of 15,000 words.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants must normally have attained at primary degree level an overall final grade of Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2.1) or equivalent. Those falling short of this standard may be considered where they can demonstrate other appropriate academic accomplishments as well as relevant work experience.
  • Candidates who have completed a military command and staff course, or equivalent, at an institute recognised by University of Galway and who have relevant professional experience that, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualifies them to read for the LLM may also be considered.  
  • Candidates who have significant experience in the field of peace operations and/or international human rights, for example, with international organisations or international NGOs, are encouraged to apply under this rubric. 
  • International students should refer to the country-specific information section of the International Office website.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants must normally have attained at primary degree level an overall final grade of Second-Class Honours Grade 1 (2.1) or equivalent. Those falling short of this standard may be considered where they can demonstrate other appropriate academic accomplishments as well as relevant work experience. Candidates who have completed a military command and staff course, or equivalent, at an institute recognised by University of Galway and who have relevant professional experience that, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualifies them to read for the LLM may also be considered.

Duration

1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

12

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

LLM-PHC

Course Outline

The programme draws upon the resources of the LLM in International Human Rights Law, with the addition of specialised courses on peacekeeping. The course work begins with a general introduction to international peacekeeping and peace support operations, and continues with a series of specialized courses in such areas as international relations and international organizations, international humanitarian law, refugee law, conflict and post conflict studies, and international criminal law.

The programme recognizes the experience of candidates who have participated in peacekeeping activities in various parts of the world. Thus the programme provides credit for a full semester course (15 credits) in exchange for submission of a written assignment of appropriate length, reviewing field experience and lessons learned.

The programme may also recognize and credit a peacekeeping course of appropriate duration delivered at a Centre/Institute recognized by the University of Galway. However, in order to allow for consistent evaluation, a written paper of appropriate length must be submitted. The maximum credits permitted in the case of any candidate in recognition of field experience or course work completed elsewhere are 15.

Alternatively, the programme is a two-year programme of part-time study, combining two semesters of course work the first year with a third semester the second year, devoted entirely to the research required for preparation of a final dissertation.

Obligatory subjects are: International Peace Support Operations, International Humanitarian Law and the dissertation. A full list of modules is available at: www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/academics/llmprogrammes/modules

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

  • Peace Support Operations
  • International Humanitarian Law
  • Business and Human Rights
  • Children's Rights
  • Conflict and Post-Conflict
  • Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law and Transnational Lawyering  
  • Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
  • Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
  • European Convention on Human Rights
  • European Union and Human Rights
  • International Criminal Law
  • International Criminal Procedure
  • International Refugee Law
  • Introduction to Human Rights Law
  • Minority Rights
  • Public International Law
  • Procedure before International Criminal Courts
  • Right to Development
  • Transitional Justice

Module details for the full-time course

Module details for the part-time course

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Optional LW561: Mental Health Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW556: Law and Policy on Independent Living - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW553: Inclusive Education Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW551: Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW550: Advocacy and Access to Justice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW562: Regional Disability Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5105: Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5106: Economic Social and Cultural Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5107: International Child Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5103: Islam and Human Rights I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5104: Islam and Human Rights II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5109: European Migration Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5110: International Human Rights Law Clinic - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5111: Business and Human Rights 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5112: Human Rights and Global Governance - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5113: The Common European Asylum System - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5114: International Refugee Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW530: Procedure Before International Criminal Courts - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5101: International Disability Human Rights Clinic - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW455: Minority Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW475: Field Experience Assignment - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW525: Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW439: Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5116: Gender and Human Rights - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5117: International Human Rights Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5118: Public International Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5119: The Politics of Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5120: European Convention on Human Rights: Law and Politics - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5121: Transnational Lawyering - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5122: International Criminal Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW538: Transitional Justice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5124: Climate Justice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5125: International Criminal Law: Issues and Application - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW552: Foundational Theoretical Framework in Disability Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW558: Legal Capacity Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5126: Critical Race Theory and Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW491: Equality Law: Principles & Thematic Application - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5209: Legal Skills: Commercial Practice, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5205: Advanced Intellectual Property Law and Development - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5203: Advanced Comparative Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5206: Global Issues in Contemporary Labour Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5208: European Consumer Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5211: EU External Relations Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5212: Vis Moot - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW483: Advanced Legal Research & Method - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW575: Crime and Disorder - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5214: Imprisonment and Rights - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW486: Theories of Judicial Activism - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5201: EU Competition Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5204: International Commercial Property Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW5210: Commercial Law in Context - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW471: International Humanitarian Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW5123: International Peace Operations - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW450: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW417: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW546: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights III - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW547: Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional LW548: Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates have gone on to work with the UN, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the EU.  Others are working with NGOs in conflict and post-conflict environments, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Liberia, Sudan and Kosovo.

Military and police personnel from Ireland and elsewhere have completed the programme with a view to enhancing their career prospects. The programme will also provide a foundation for those who wish to pursue further studies through a structured PhD.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Students are advised and encouraged to undertake internships with organisations around the world. There may be some financial support for students undertaking internships abroad.

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,390 full-time; €4,320 part-time (including levy) p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€8,250 full-time; €4,250 part-time p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 full-time; €70 part-time p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25


Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2023/24).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here

Find out More

Professor Ray Murphy
Programme Director
T: +353 91 493 081
E: ray.murphy@universityofgalway.ie

Queries about this and other LLM programmes in the School of Law can also be directed to lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie


What Our Students Say

Peter

Peter Gallagher |   LLM Peace Support Operations

As a postgraduate student you will spend much of your time researching and writing. You get an opportunity to prove that you can research a topic and present your analysis. I chose NUI Galway because of its excellent learning environment, its resources and “postgraduate community”, and its student-friendly atmosphere.
Sinead

Sinead Coakley |   LLM Peace Support Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict

Having an undergraduate degree in Law from the UK, I decided to further my education. The Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway has an excellent international reputation in the field of Human Rights, so it was an easy choice to decide to study the LLM in Peace Support Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict. I find the course to be challenging, highly interesting and rewarding. I am thoroughly enjoying the academic and cultural experience, having embraced the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. I would recommend the Masters Programme to anyone.

2023 QS Subject Rankings: Top 150