Summary
- Faculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences
- Duration
- PgDip Full Time: 2 semesters
PgDip Part Time: 3 semesters
LLM Full Time: 1 year
LLM Part Time: 2 years
- Fees
- For more information on fees please contact the School directly:
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
Overview
This course 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. The course can be completed with or without an international placement through two distinctive pathways – US and International.
Why study with us?
There are two start dates, in September and January, in order to provide you with flexibility over when you join the course.
Other attractions of the course include a three month internship in America - working in an American legal firm or Public Defender’s Office – as well as the possibility of working directly with human rights organisations around the world.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to be creative in choosing your own human rights project.
Key Facts
LLMs are an increasingly common and important feature of Legal Education around the world. They typically require one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. If you have studied law, have a degree with law as a major component or have extensive experience of working in the legal sector, a Masters in Law (LLM) will give you additional expertise in a specific area of the law.
It is not only the increased complexity of legal practice that may make you choose to complete an LLM, you may also want to strengthen your core skills – e g , in writing and research – or simply to be a better lawyer. You may be considering an LLM to jump start your career, change employer, change the field in which you work, earn more money or to move into teaching law. There is no set point within your career when you should study for an LLM. Some people do so immediately after completing their first law degree, others wait until they have been in practice for many years.
Course Outline
Course Structure
What makes this course different is that you will be required to put your knowledge and skills into practice on at least one real-life project. If you do not go on placement or contribute to an Amicus brief, you will take Human Rights and Social Change. This is your own project, where you will develop a human rights activity in a community setting.
We have been able to take interested students to 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.
The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) is completed with eight modules and the Master’s (LLM) stage by completion of a dissertation or a placement equivalent to four modules. Each single module is equivalent to 150 hours of study.
The taught modules are delivered across one full day per week throughout the academic year. For individual research modules, you will arrange supervision times directly with your supervisors.
Modules
We offer the course in two pathways, US and International. The compulsory modules will give you a base level of understanding in a complex area of the law.
US pathway
This pathway focuses on the conflict between the American constitution, American law and international human rights standards. Opportunity exists 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 travel to the US you will be involved in the preparation of an ‘Amicus’ brief, arguing a point of human rights law for 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. If you do not undertake an internship you will design and execute your own practical human rights project locally. Projects may include community education in schools and prisons, awareness raising campaigns, or website development. The project can be as creative as you wish to make it.
Whichever pathway you follow, you will take modules in Public International Law, Critical Perspectives on Rights, Globalisation and Justice, and Advanced Legal Research Methods. You will also take a module in either International Human Rights Standards in the US or Rights, Liberties and the European Convention on Human Rights. Optional modules include International Children’s Rights, International Criminal Justice and Social Transition, Human Rights and the Environment, and Refugees and the Law.
Assessments
The PgDip modules comprise principally seminars and workshops and interactive learning. Assessment is by coursework and presentations.
The Master’s degree 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
Examples of further study are Legal Practice Course (LPC), LLM Corporate and Business Law. Qualified candidates may apply for MPhil or PhD research degrees. Details can be found on the postgraduate section of the website.
Employment Opportunities
The LLM will enable you to specialise and hone your legal skills in the subject area. 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. The course 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/ Dept for International Development, Specialist Human Rights Law practice, International Tribunals and the International Criminal Court. Many graduates progress to professional training as solicitors or barristers.
How to apply
Entry Requirements
Examples of modules studied:
Compulsory modules
- Advanced Legal Research Methods
- 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
Optional modules
- Amicus Briefs
- Human Rights and the Environment
- International Children’s Rights
- Refugees and the Law
- Dissertation (for Master’s stage)
- Human Rights Internship (for Master’s stage)
- US Placement (for Master’s stage)
Application Details
Please apply direct to faculty:
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
See more general information on making your application for a course at Birmingham City University.
Fees Notes
For more information on fees please contact the School directly: Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300 Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
Further Information
The Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
BIRMINGHAM
B42 2SU
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6622
Email: law@bcu.ac.uk