Summary
- Campus
- City North Dawson Building, Level 1 and 2
- Duration
- LLM Full Time: 1 year
LLM Part Time: 2 years
PgDip Full Time: 2 semesters
PgDip Part Time: 20 months
- Fees
- 2012/13:
Full-time UK/EU Student: £3,990 (inclusive fees for the whole LLM)
Part-time UK/EU Student: To be announced
Full-time International Student: £10,300 (inclusive fees for the whole LLM)
Overview
Our LLM International Human Rights examines the impact of international human rights standards on national constitutions and laws, with particular focus given to the conflict between international standards and national provision. What makes our LLM different is that you will be required to put your knowledge and skills into practice on at least one real-life project.
You will have the opportunity to undertake an internship of between three and six months in America, working in a legal firm or campaign group assisting on death row trials, appeals or prisoners’ rights and related issues.
You may have the opportunity to attend relevant events in Europe, including the Annual Sessions of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and the World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris.
Our LLM is taught by an outstanding team of professional research active staff who have extensive practice experience. We have a friendly, open door policy giving you all the support you need. We place our students at the centre of everything we do.
Our first-class facilities include two mock courtrooms and a comprehensive law library (with many resources accessible online).
We have active student-led Legal and Mooting Societies. Our Student Mooting Society is one of the most successful in England. Our students have reached five finals in the past six years and have regularly beaten teams from some of the country’s most prestigious universities. In the past 10 years, we have beaten eight of the elite Russell Group of universities, including Cambridge, Oxford and Warwick.
Continuing Professional Development
The LLM is accredited for Continuing Professional Development purposes by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.
Course Outline
Course Structure
The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) is completed with eight modules and the Masters (LLM) stage by completion of a dissertation or a placement.
The taught modules are delivered across one full day each week throughout the academic year. For individual research modules, you will arrange supervision times directly with your supervisors.
The course can be completed with or without an international placement through two distinctive pathways: USA and International.
USA pathway
This pathway focuses on the conflict between the American constitution, American law and international human rights standards. You will have the opportunity to undertake an internship of between three and six months in America, working in a legal firm or campaign group assisting on death row trials, appeals or prisoners’ rights and related issues. Most students on this pathway undertake the US placement. If you do not undertake an internship you will be involved in the preparation of an ‘Amicus brief’, arguing a point of human rights law for (actual or potential) submission to the US Supreme Court.
International pathway
The International pathway examines human rights from both a global and local perspective. You will work as an intern with lawyers, organisations, institutions or tribunals - either overseas or in the UK - to contribute to the research and preparation of cases or projects relating to human rights or social justice.
Modules
Core modules
You are required to complete the following core modules:
- Advanced Legal Research Methods
- Dissertation or American Legal Placement or Human Rights Internship
- Critical Perspectives on Rights
- Globalisation and Justice
- Human Rights Standards in the USA
- Public International Law
- Rights Liberties and the European Convention on Human Rights
Option modules
In addition to the core modules you are required to complete two option modules. The following is an indicative list of our option modules (although the modules offered may vary from year-to-year):
- Amicus Briefs
- Human Rights and the Environment
- International Children’s Rights
- Refugees and the Law
Assessments
Assessment is through a combination of coursework, and oral and written presentations. There are no examinations.
The LLM is assessed by dissertation (for dissertation students) or by written reflective analysis and competence assessments appropriate to the nature of the placement (for placement students).
After your studies
Further Studies
Upon graduation you may progress on to our Legal Practice Course (LPC), LLM International Business Law, or our MPhil/PhD research degrees. Details can be found in the Postgraduate section.
Employment Opportunities
Our LLM will enable you to specialise and hone your legal skills in the field of international human rights. Many students are already working in, or have experience of, the voluntary sector where they have dealt with issues relating to refugees and human rights breaches. Our LLM will help you gain experience in this sector of legal work enabling you to build a career in areas such as United Nations Agencies, Civilian Peacekeeping, Foreign Office/Department for International Development, Specialist Human Rights Law practice, International Tribunals and the International Criminal Court.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
UK Bachelor degree in law (e.g. LLB), or
UK Bachelor degree which includes law as a substantial component (e.g. BA Law and Management), or
An equivalent overseas qualification, for example:
Bangladesh - completion of a four-year LLB average 50% from a Bangladesh public university or average 55% from a Bangladesh private university rated good by UGC
India - completion of an LLB average 55% (or average 50% from a five-star university)
Pakistan - completion of an LLB average 55%
Sri Lanka - completion of a four-year LLB average 55%
and
English Language requirement for international students whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.5, or equivalent.
India - Following changes to the English Language requirements introduced by the UKBA during 2011, we can now accept the Standard 12th CBSE with an average score of 65% as being equivalent to IELTS 6.5. We may be able to accept Standard 12th Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and the CISCE - details will appear here.
International entry requirements can be found at Information for International Enquirers.
Application Details
Apply online or contact us for an application form:
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 5595
International enquirers may contact the International Office or visit the International Office Website.
Enquiries
Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.
Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.