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Human Rights

Human Rights (PhD, full-time and part-time)

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Course Overview

The Irish Centre for Human Rights is at the forefront of doctoral research on international law and human rights. The doctoral programme is unique not only because of the exceptional standard of research and level of publication but also because of the environment in which doctoral students work. A thriving research community exists at the Centre with around 25 doctoral candidates enrolled on the programme each year. Students from a range of academic backgrounds are engaged in research on a broad spectrum of issues related to international human rights law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law and international relations.

Programmes Available

PhD (Human Rights), full-time
PhD (Human Rights), part-time

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

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to enrol for the PhD, a candidate must have obtained a high honours standard at Master’s degree level, normally at least Second Class Honours, Grade 1 or equivalent international qualification.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Our PhD students are undertaking work in the areas of International Criminal Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and socio-legal studies.  Amongst the current areas of research are:

  • The Transitional Nature of Universal Jurisdiction in International Law
  • Ahmad Owies, Wesam: The Role of Corporations in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Colonization, Nationalization, Occupation and Privatization
  • Perceptions of Freedom among Saudi Citizens
  • The Influence of the Ideological Misuses of Moral Convictions on Transitional Justice in the Middle East
  • Sri Lanka, the United Nations and human rights: a case study
  • The Human Right to Health of Undocumented Migrants: Between Universality and Sovereignty
  • Transnational Criminal Law: National, Regional and International Prosecutorial Strategies
  • Remaking Universal Human Rights Gender Equality Commitments Into Vernacular: The Case of Domestic Violence
  • The implications of honour for women’s agency, and the paradox of operationalizing international human rights law in patriarchal societies: the case of Kurdish Women
  • The Impact of Women on the Protection of Human Rights in Peacekeeping.
  •  Prosecuting High Level Offenders for the Crime of Rape under International Criminal Law: are contemporary modes of liability suitable?
  •  Traditional and Modern Approaches to Post-Conflict Transitional Justice in Africa

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Research Areas

Staff supervise PhD research in many areas of Public International Law and in the field of Socio-Legal studies, on varies themes including:  Conflict and Post-Conflict; International Humanitarian Law; Islamic Law; International Criminal Law; Counter-terrorism; Transitional Justice; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; International Peace Support; International Criminal Justice; and Transitional Justice.

Researcher Profiles

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,750 p.a. (€5,890 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€14,500 p.a. (€14,640 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information


EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25


All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy of €140.

Contact Us

Dr. Ioanna Tourkochoriti or School of Law Administration
School of Law, 
University of Galway. 
T + 353 91 493 947 or +353 91 495 614
E ioanna.tourkochoriti@universityofgalway.ie or law@universityofgalway.ie

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