(Full time) 2023 start
International Human Rights Law LLM
Overview
This advanced course in human rights taught by international experts offers a unique and distinctive focus on the theories and practice of rights, producing a vibrant environment for exploring this significant area of law and policy.
This programme will give you advanced knowledge, greater understanding and critical insights into current systems of human rights legal protection and human rights debates.
You’ll explore different domestic, regional and international human rights legal systems to analyse how rights have been legalised, developed and enforced through the theory and practice of human rights.
You’ll investigate the law relating to the protection of life and human dignity, freedom from torture and other ill-treatment, freedom of expression, and human rights with regard to media organisations, terrorism, health care, the family and disabled people.
Research and professional insight
You’ll benefit from the expertise of leading academics in a stimulating research environment. Our research groups include:
Studying LLM International Human Rights Law
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Course content
The compulsory modules studied will give you the opportunity to:
Examine the concept of rights in political philosophy
Explore global and local human rights concerns
Investigate the impact of international human rights
Analyse the relevance of international human rights to domestic law.
Compulsory modules will also enable you to hone your legal research and writing skills, which you’ll be able to demonstrate in your dissertation – an independent piece of research on your chosen topic.
You’ll also benefit from our Support in Academic and Personal Development programme. This runs alongside your taught academic programme in semester one and is specifically designed to complement the School’s induction activities and ongoing academic skills support for students, both UK and international.
The wide-ranging list of optional modules means that you can explore a diverse range of related subjects of interest to you.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Comparative Human Rights Law 15 credits
- Postgraduate Legal Research Skills 15 credits
- Dissertation 60 credits
- International Human Rights 30 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
Candidates will be required to study up to 60 credits from the following optional modules:
- Rethinking Policing 1 15 credits
- International Criminal Law 15 credits
- Intercultural Business and Organisational Communication 15 credits
- Security, Conflict and Justice 30 credits
- Cyberlaw: Regulation of Cyberspace 15 credits
- Environmental Law 15 credits
- Globalisation and Crime 15 credits
- Inequalities, Law and Justice 30 credits
- Theories of Social Justice 15 credits
- Corporate Social Responsibility 15 credits
- The International Law of Foreign Investment 15 credits
- World Trade Organisation Law 15 credits
- Digital Environment: Law, Technologies & Human Rights 15 credits
- Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Property: Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions 15 credits
- Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Property: Health, Food and Biotechnology 15 credits
- Human Rights and Disabled People 1 15 credits
- Human Rights and Disabled People 2 15 credits
- Global Human Rights Advocacy 30 credits
- Global Governance through Law 30 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include a range of weekly lectures, seminars held on a two-weekly basis and online learning.
Independent study is integral to this programme – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills. You’ll be expected to carry out advanced levels of legal research and participate fully in seminars.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Most modules are assessed by essays. This is usually the most effective method for you to showcase your advanced legal research.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in law or a relevant social science or non-UK equivalent.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Law (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Law (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Thursday 29 June 2023
UK – Friday 18 August 2023
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
Original or certified copies of your transcripts
Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £11,500 (total)
- International: £24,000 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School of Law usually offers a number of scholarships each year.
Career opportunities
Students who have graduated with this degree often choose careers that centre on or involve understanding and applying human rights law and developing policies at an organisational level. Further training is required but many also go on to practise as lawyers or legal advisors.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas in a range of organisations including the Ministry of Defence; Women for Women International; Deafblind Association of Zambia; the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Our other alumni are working at the European Commission, United Nations, non-governmental organisations and in the government sector.
Careers support
The School of Law offers career and personal development support through the School’s dedicated Employability Officers. You can book one-to-one appointments with our Employability Officers throughout the year to discuss your career aspirations and get advice on how to make the most of your time with us.
The School also arranges a number of community engagement (pro bono) and work experience opportunities, career development workshops, guest speaker events and careers fairs throughout the year. These opportunities will allow you to develop new skills, enhance your career prospects and network with prospective employers.
Find out more about how we support your career development.
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.