International Human Rights (LLM)

LLM (International Human Rights)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
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Course Overview

The LLM in International Human Rights Law provides students with a comprehensive insight into international and regional legal frameworks of human rights protection. This is an interdisciplinary programme where students are engaged students in the practice and public policy context of human rights law on a local, national and international perspective.

This LLM will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields such as law, social policy, political science, public administration and development. While the programme’s emphasis is on the law and policy of human rights, suitably qualified candidates from non-law backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Students participate in a dynamic programme of seminars, workshops and conferences with world-leading practitioners and scholars. Coursework begins with an in-depth study of the international human rights system and selected issues of international human rights law. Specialised courses in business and human rights, international migration law, refugee protection, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, minority rights and rights of indigenous peoples, gender and human rights, counter-terrorism and human rights, and child rights. Completing a 15,000-word research thesis in the field of international human rights law is also a requirement. A wide range of subject choices is available to students, drawing on the expertise of our full time staff and prestigious adjunct faculty.

Course highlights:

The Irish Centre for Human Rights is one of the world’s premier university-based institutions for the study and promotion of human rights.
Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and the Irish Centre for Human Rights have established a partnership which affords selected students the opportunity for hands-on engagement with human rights litigation and advocacy globally.
An International Human Rights Law Clinic provides students with unique practical training on mobilising human rights standards to secure reform, engaging human rights bodies, at UN and regional levels.
Field trips to the International Criminal Court in The Hague and to military barracks of the Irish Defence Forces.
Career Support with assistance in seeking career and work placement opportunities by drawing on the expertise of a global network of alumni and an outstanding network of contacts.
Expert Lecturers deliver programme modules. Our academics are internationally recognised human rights scholars with world-class expertise and reputations.
Unique programme focusing on the practice of human rights through specialised modules including international human rights, public policy, law and advocacy.
Skills development through a strong clinical focus on core human rights lawyering in advocacy, strategic litigation, human rights fact-finding, international diplomacy and public policy.
Seminars, conferences and workshops ensures engagement with world-leading practitioners and scholars in the field of human rights law and public policy.
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

Professor Siobhán Mullally

Professor Ray Murphy

Professor Shane Darcy

Dr Ciara Smyth

Professor Emeritus William Schabas

Dr Ekaterina Yahyaoui Krivenko

Dr Anita Ferrara

‌‌Dr Maeve O'Rourke

Dr Edel Hughes

Professor Roja Fazaeli

Professor Anna Arstein-Kerslake

Dr Roisin Mulgrew

Dr Illan Wall

Dr Rory Kelly

Prof. Dr. Siobhan Mullally

BCL, LLM, PhD

Est Professor In Human Rights Law
Irish Centre for Human Rights
University of 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 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 Maeve O'Rourke

PhD, LLM, BCL

Lecturer Above The Bar
E: maeve.orourke@universityofgalway.ie
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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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Prof. Donncha O'Connell

ESTABLISHED PROFESSORSHIP OF LAW (NO 2)
School of Law
TB407
Arts/Science Building
NUI Galway
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Dr Kathleen Cavanaugh

PhD, LLM

LECTURER BAR/COLLEGE LECTURER
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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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment for individual modules includes a combination of essays, presentations and group work, as well as other methods. Students must also complete a research thesis/dissertation of 20,000 words.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

The Irish Centre for Human Rights welcomes students with a Level 8 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in a range of disciplines including law, political science, social sciences and humanities.
In cases where applicants come from a non-law background, the Irish Centre for Human Rights will consider academic background, relevant work experience, references and a personal statement.
Applicants must normally have attained at primary degree level a result of Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2.1) or equivalent. However, those falling short of this standard may be considered where they can demonstrate other appropriate academic accomplishments as well as relevant work experience.
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 a result of Second-Class Honours Grade 1 (2.1) or equivalent. However, those falling short of this standard may be considered where they can demonstrate other appropriate academic accomplishments as well as relevant work experience.

Duration

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

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

LLM-IHR

Course Outline

The one-year programme is divided into three four-month terms. The first term commences in September and runs through to December, the second term begins in January and ends in April, while the third term begins in May and terminates with the submission of a dissertation at the end of August. During the first two terms candidates are required to attend a full course load as prescribed in the Guidelines, while the third term is devoted entirely to the research required for the preparation of the final dissertation.

The two-year programme comprises 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.

The coursework begins with a general introduction to the systems and documents of international human rights law, and proceeds to a series of specialised courses in such areas as minority rights law, regional human rights systems such as the European Convention on Human Rights, criminal prosecution by international tribunals of human rights violators, gender and child rights, refugees and asylum seekers, and international humanitarian law. The course emphasises the analysis and critique of international human rights law and legal regimes.

The 90 ECTS programme consists of:

Compulsory modules 10 ECTS + Elective Modules 50 ECTS + Disseration 30 ECTS

Course and module offerings and details are subject to change. Below are the list of modules being offered during the academic year 2024/2025. View descriptions of each module here or click on ‘Year 1 (90 credits)’ below to view module information.

Core module (10 ECTS)

International Human Rights Law (10 ECTS)

Elective Modules (Students choose 50 ECTS from a wide range of subject choices)

Public International Law (10 ECTS)
International Criminal Law (10 ECTS)
International Humanitarian Law (10 ECTS)
Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law (10 ECTS)
European Migration Law (5 ECTS)
Peace Support Operations (10 ECTS)
European Convention on Human Rights: Law and Politics (10 ECTS)
Gender and Human Rights (10 ECTS)
International Humanitarian Law (10 ECTS)
Business and Human Rights 2 (10 ECTS)
International Refugee Law (10 ECTS)
Human Rights Law Clinic (10 ECTS)
Climate Justice (5 ECTS)
The Common European Asylum System (5 ECTS)
Transitional Justice (5 ECTS)
Procedure before International Criminal Courts (5 ECTS)
Counter Terrorism and Human Rights (5 ECTS)
Critical Race Theory and Human Rights (5 ECTS)
Transnational Lawyering (5 ECTS)
International Child Rights (5 ECTS)
Foundational Theoretical Framework in Disability Law and Policy (10 ECTS)
Legal Capacity Law and Policy (10 ECTS)
International Disability Human Rights Clinic (10 ECTS)
Advocacy and Access to Justice (10 ECTS)
Inclusive Education Law and Policy (10 ECTS)
Mental Health Law and Policy (10 ECTS)
Policing, Security and Rights (10 ECTS)
Minors, Minority Groups & the Criminal Justice System (10 ECTS)
Sentencing and Penal Law Policy (10 ECTS)
Imprisonment and Rights (10 ECTS)

As part of the elective 50 ECTS, students may take up to 10 ECTS from the LLM General and LLM International and Comparative Business Law.

Dissertation (30 ECTS)

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)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

The programme equips students to pursue careers with international organisations, United Nations (UN) bodies, international NGOs, in international or national legal practice, and policy, advocacy or research work. Students may also decide to work in government, diplomacy or international affairs. The programme will also provide a foundation for further studies through the structured PhD in human rights offered by the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

Students who have undertaken and successfully completed the programme tend to fall into one of four categories:

those who work within UN or UN affiliated organisations
those who work in NGOs and quasi NGOs—both human rights and development
those who work in academic institutions or pursue of PhD/JD
those who work in diplomatic or government based work (in human rights divisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for example).

Underneath these umbrella categories, students have pursued work in the ICC, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ICRC, the UN system (Geneva and NYC), local based NGOs, trade and health organisations, domestic law firm work that draws on international legal mechanisms, and research based work in University research centres, to name but a few. The main and sub categories are by no means exhaustive, but give a flavor of the different fields that students have pursued.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,640 full-time; €4,390 part-time (including levy) p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€8,500 full-time; €4,250 part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 full-time; €140 part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€20,000 p.a. (€20,140 p.a. including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

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

Find out More

Professor Siobhán Mullally
Programme Director
E: siobhan.mullally@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

Cassie Roddy-Mullineaux | Data Rights Solicitor, AWO Agency

I completed the BA and LLB at University of Galway and trained as a solicitor before returning to University of Galway to study the LLM in International Human Rights. Completing the LLM in International Human Rights completely changed my outlook on legal practice and how I wanted to contribute as a lawyer. Through the Irish Centre for Human Rights partnership with Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), I secured a legal research placement working on business-related human rights abuses. I also had the opportunity to participate in the Human Rights Law Clinic module where I worked on the ‘My Data Rights’ project, an online resource to help survivors of historical and institutional abuses in Ireland use the GDPR to access their personal data. I'm extremely grateful to the Irish Centre for Human Rights and University of Galway School of Law for the generous support of the staff and community who afforded me so many opportunities during the LLM and have truly helped to shape my legal career. The knowledge and skills I gained in the LLM no doubt helped me to secure my current role as a Data Rights Lawyer at AWO, where I advise clients on a wide range of data and privacy issues.

Yassin Osman | Programme Lawyer at IBAHRI

I am currently acting as Programme Lawyer for the Africa and Middle East Regions at the International Bar Association’s Human Rights (IBAHRI). After completing my master’s degree in International Human Rights Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway, in 2020, I pursued different prospects, including working as a fact-check writer at Misbar, and interning at the UN OHCHR for Southern Africa and at the IBAHRI, before formally joining the team in London. Since then, I have had amazing learning opportunities such as field missions to Cameroon and Tunisia and working with states, special rapporteurs, international experts, and other lawyers, which has helped me grow tremendously. Studying at the ICHR married my theoretical knowledge of the law and personal experiences growing up in South Africa and Sudan, with practical and grounded approaches that are applied in my everyday work. It also made me realise that human rights issues do not exist in isolation and necessitate critical thinking that considers histories and different perspectives in order to truly and accurately reflect the best path forward in manifesting a better world.

Rowan Hickie | Project Coordinator at GlobalChild

During my LLM in International Human Rights, I had the opportunity to learn from incredible professors at the Irish Centre for Human Rights while also exploring various areas of international human rights law. Through the program, I discovered my passion for children's rights which has shaped the trajectory of my career. After finishing my LLM in 2021, I returned home to Canada. I quickly found work as a researcher for the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, where I conducted research on both Canadian and international human rights law. While working at the Centre, I also volunteered with the international children's rights organization GlobalChild on their InspiRights project. After volunteering with GlobalChild for 6 months, I applied for and secured a Project Coordinator position with the organization. In this new role, I will be responsible for coordinating the InspiRights project and preparing academic research papers with the organization's Director. My LLM degree has been instrumental in my career, providing me with a strong foundation of skills and a wide network of peers. I am excited to use the skills I learned during my LLM throughout my career.