LLM International Law and Human Rights

The programme aims to equip students with advanced and comprehensive knowledge in International Law and Human Rights Law, including the foundational principles of public international law, international and regional human rights regimes, and mechanisms. This includes critical analysis of their role in addressing contemporary global challenges, such as international dispute resolution, the impact of business on rights, and evolving ethical, cultural, and geo-political issues. It will deepen and broaden students’ academic understanding of law by fostering systematic knowledge of legal processes, methods, and concepts, while contextualising these within the social, political, and theoretical frameworks in which legal systems operate. The programme will also enhance students’ professional development and career horizons by refining their analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Why Study LLM International Law?

You will deepen and broaden your knowledge of law as an academic subject, acquiring a systematic understanding of legal processes, methods and concepts, of the social and political context in which legal processes take place and of appropriate theoretical conceptions of law.

Ultimately, by maximising your academic potential and refining your problem-solving skills in a transnational context you will enhance your professional development and horizons.

The research and writing skills you gain will be transferable to a variety of professional sectors, including the legal profession, policymaking, corporate sector, governmental bodies or academia.

Course highlights

• Developed and taught by leading experts in international law worldwide who represent different disciplines and legal traditions, this specialism opens the professional horizons of students to legal careers in any jurisdiction.
• Gain a specialised and comprehensive knowledge in subjects related to international law, and advanced conceptual insights explaining the impact of international law on international relations and contemporary concerns such as globalisation, the use of armed force, transnational trade, terrorism, governance and the regulation of ownership over territory

Benefits

• Opportunities to interact and network with distinguished legal practitioners
• Faculty with extensive experience and expertise in legal research, teaching and practice
• Opportunities to participate in international mooting and MUN competitions
• Opportunities to participate in field visits to international organisations
• Gain exposure to legal practice through the Department’s extensive network of partnerships

Programme Content

Course Structure

Full-time LLM (1 year, 180 credits)

• Four core plus two optional modules are completed over terms one and two, with a Dissertation period in term three.

Part-time LLM (2 years, 180 credits)

• Four core plus two optional modules are completed over four taught terms, plus a Dissertation period
• Two modules in term one, two modules in term two, and two modules in the first term of the following academic year.

Modules

Students must complete the following modules: Foundations and Principles of International Law, Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization, International Organisations and International Dispute Resolution and two other optional modules of their choice. One of those optional modules may be a non-LEX module from one of the MA programmes delivered by the Department of Law and Politics.

Each module is typically worth 20 credits, except the Dissertation and Work Integrated Learning modules which are worth 60 credits each. The Work Integrated Learning may be chosen to replace the Dissertation with prior agreement.