Introduction
The LLM in Human Rights Law in the UK aims to equip students with the expertise to convey sound, academic, and practical knowledge, enabling them to provide high-level advice. This program covers the institutions, standards, and case law shaping human rights law, addressing central questions such as socio-economic rights, women's rights, international child rights, and crimes of the powerful. Additionally, students explore the concepts of all-inclusiveness and cultural relativism in relation to human rights.
The Human Rights Law Course Structure
The course consists of 150 credits of taught modules and a 30-credit dissertation (equivalent to 10,000 words). Assessment methods include examinations, coursework, and self-directed work on the dissertation. Key modules in the course design include:
- International Human Rights Law: History, Theory, and Politics
- Terrorism and Human Rights: Constitutional Perspectives
- Mental Health Law: Capacity to Consent and Best Interests
- Migration: Theories and Approaches
- UK and European Anti-Discrimination Law
- Sustainable Development and Human Rights, among others.
Opportunities and Practical Experience
Students are challenged and inspired by scholars from the globally renowned Human Rights Implementation Center. The course offers opportunities to engage with human rights law through the Human Rights Law Clinic, providing valuable practical experience. Some universities also offer work-integrated learning, allowing students to choose a topic based on workplace experience for a 60-credit module.
Top Universities for Human Rights Law in the UK
Explore human rights law programs at prestigious universities ranked by QS and THE:
- University of Oxford
- The University of Law
- Queen Mary University
- SOAS, University of London
- Middlesex University
- The University of Leeds
Other universities offering the course at lower tuition fees include the University of Kent, De Montfort University, University of Bradford, and University of Bristol, among others.
Entry Requirements
Admission to the LLM in Human Rights Law is competitive, with minimum requirements including:
- IELTS: at least 7, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each element.
- TOEFL: 100 overall, with 20 in each skill.
- Oxford International English Test Centre (OIETC): Overall grade B2+.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 2:1 or equivalent, with at least 50% of credits in law. Relevant experience in law firms or certifications will also be considered.
Fees and Scholarships
For overseas students, tuition fees range from approximately £10,000 to £21,250, with additional costs for undergraduates and research students. Accommodation starts at £171.43 per week. Various scholarships, financing options, and on-campus jobs are available for international students, such as Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening Scholarship, and Academic Excellence Scholarships.
Employability after the Human Rights Law Program
The LLM in Human Rights Law enhances professional practice and serves as an advanced degree, combining specialized knowledge with foundational legal principles. Graduates benefit from acclaimed lecturers, extensive networks, and internship opportunities with organizations like the United Nations and the European Human Rights Advocacy Center. The course opens doors to various career paths, including academic research, civil service, non-governmental organizations, and legal executives in think tanks.
In summary, the LLM in Human Rights Law is ideal for those with prior legal knowledge seeking specialization or taking a significant step towards a research career.