International Human Rights - LLM
Our LLM in International Human Rights will expose you to the fundamental aspects of the field and provide you with the opportunity to critically examine the impact of the international human rights standards on national constitutions and laws, with particular focus given to the conflict between international standards and national provision....
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Information about the arrangements the University has put in place for the 2021/22 academic year in response to Covid-19 and the emerging variants can be found here.
Should the impact of Covid-19 continue in subsequent years of your course, any additional and/or alternative arrangements put in place by the University in response will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award LLM
- Start date September 2021, January 2022
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Law
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
Overview
Our LLM in International Human Rights will expose you to the fundamental aspects of the field and provide you with the opportunity to critically examine the impact of the international human rights standards on national constitutions and laws, with particular focus given to the conflict between international standards and national provision.
The LLM International Human Rights also provides you with an opportunity to assess how international human rights law offers protection to different categories of vulnerable groups.
Additionally, our LLM provides an opportunity to acquire, or build upon existing skills gained from your undergraduate course - enhancing employment opportunities in the legal profession and providing a basis for progression to doctoral studies.
Professional Placement option
For our International Law LLM degrees, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.
This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.
For full details, please click here.
What's covered in this course?
You will analyse and critically evaluate principle features of international human rights law, including fundamental concepts, values, principles and rules, and the main institutions and procedures. You will also learn to evaluate complex legal issues, communicate complex and abstract ideas, and employ strategic transferable skills.
Why Choose Us?
- You will earn from a dedicated and passionate teaching team, who have experience with the international human rights institutions
- You don’t need a degree in Law to be eligible to study this course.
- The course covers transnational jurisdictions, so it is international in scope.
- Our Law Clinic can give you opportunities to volunteer with local charitable legal advice providers and to work alongside legal professionals undertaking pro-bono work, allowing you to make a genuine difference to the lives of Birmingham residents.
- Studying of the LLM International Human Rights will provide you with an opportunity to engage with the work of the Law School’s Centre for Human Right
- The Centre for Human Rights, through the UPR Project at BCU, regularly engages with the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review. In March 2021, the UPR Project submitted a report to Namibia’s UPR regarding the rights of women and girls with HIV, which received significant attention and citations from the UN
- You will have an opportunity to enhance your employability skills by completing an internship
- Birmingham City University has just launched the UK's first Centre for Brexit Studies, researching all aspects of the UK's vote to leave the EU, including the impact it has on domestic law and legislation.
- You will be able to benefit from the newly-introduced postgraduate loans. For more information, visit UCAS.
Find out more
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
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Minimum 2:2 class UK degree or international equivalent in any subject area. |
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Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: LLM
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £7,700 per year
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Professional Placement)
- £8,500 per year
Award: LLM
Starting: Jan 2022
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 15 Months
- £7,700 per year
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Professional Placement)
- £8,500 per year
Award: LLM
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £13,200 per year
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Professional Placement)
- £14,520 per year
Award: LLM
Starting: Jan 2022
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 15 Months
- £13,200 per year
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Professional Placement)
- £14,520 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):
20 credits
This module examines the principles and operations of the most important elements of public international law. This is a potentially vast subject (in fact the subject of entire LLM programmes in its own right) so the module content will focus on the fundamental principles which underpin the legal relations between states. In particular the law of Treaties and the law of the United Nations will form the principal bases of study.
20 credits
This intellectually stimulating and exciting module engages with the law and practice of the United Nations for resolving international crisis situations. It provides students with critical knowledge of the UN. Charter, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, for solving humanitarian disasters. It presents an overview of the Charter of the United Nations and engages with the International Bill of Rights and associated international legislation.
20 credits
The module will provide an introduction to the two fields of women’s rights and children’s rights, looking at these in an international context. These will be studied within an overarching ‘rights’ context, allowing students to identify and explore differences and interrelationships between the two fields.
20 credits
This module enables you to gain enhanced knowledge and understanding of the techniques needed for advanced legal research. It serves a double purpose. As a foundation to other Level 7 modules in law, it supports you in acquiring the knowledge of research methods and skills in applying those methods required to succeed in postgraduate legal research – both in scholarship and for practitioners.
60 credits
The aim of this module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of disciplinary-relevant research the output of which may be either a placement, integrated project or dissertation. This is founded upon Birmingham City University’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory into practice.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
20 credits
Medical Law and Ethics is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide an introduction for you to the ever-growing body of law, policy and ethics concerned with the global health and some of the ethical dilemmas advances in this field.
20 credits
The importance of international criminal law has grown considerably in recent years. Similarly to domestic criminal law, international criminal law aims to prohibit and penalise certain actions when committed by individuals. Unlike domestic criminal law however, the crimes that concern international community are particularly serious: prohibitions such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression involve conduct that is capable of affecting large numbers of the world's population.
20 credits
This module examines the relationship between human rights and the rights of the environment. At a time when the effects of climate change are increasingly compromising the realisation of human rights a module such as this is essential to demonstrate the inter-dependence of environmental quality and human well-being.
20 credits
The module examines the international law relating to refugees and the free movement of people and how that law has been executed in certain municipal contexts. The development and scope of the relevant law will be explored including both ‘mandate’ refugees, ‘statutory refugees’ and regional developments.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Our LLM is taught by an outstanding team of professionals. You must complete six taught modules and either a dissertation, project or placement.
Our approach is experiential and practice-led and will give you opportunities to apply your learning and to develop skills to enhance your employability and career.
This course will support you in becoming an independent learner during the teaching, learning and assessment process. During induction we will support you in developing key study skills. Throughout the course you will have the chance to complete activities which will enable you to practice legal skills including legal research, problem-solving, advocacy and drafting in order to develop and practice.
These activities also enable you to practice transferable skills including structuring and presenting arguments, working independently or in teams to complete tasks, oral and written communication, and time management. These skills will be valuable whatever your final choice of future career.
During the September and January terms you will study three 20-credit modules, thereafter you will study one 60-credit module: the LLM dissertation/placement/project module. The 20-credit Advanced Legal Research Methods module (studied in the January term) is delivered online via the Virtual Learning Environment, providing maximum flexibility.
Student stories
Jayantha Ramasubramanyam
I have always been interested in the subject of International Human Rights. However, it was very spur of the moment in terms of me finding out about this course and coming to study at Birmingham City University. My mother happened to see an advert in a newspaper announcing that a representative from Birmingham City University would be present at a British Council Fair in my hometown of Chennai, India.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
You will have the opportunity to undertake a placement or complete a project as an alternative to a dissertation.
In addition we have active, student-led Legal, Mooting and Debate Societies. Our Student Mooting Society is one of the most successful in England, with our students reaching five finals in the past six years, regularly beating teams from some of the country’s most prestigious universities.
We also have a staff and student led Pro-Bono Unit that provides legal advice to the public.
Placements
There is the opportunity to undertake a placement abroad as an alternative to a dissertation. The School of Law’s Centre for American Legal Studies operates the UK’s largest student internship programme to the USA. In order to be applicable, you need to apply for the internship programme.
The programme was established in 1994 and to date we have placed over 500 students in Federal and State Public Defender offices, private attorney offices, American University Law Schools, law projects and organisations across the USA, from New York City to West Texas and San Francisco.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
International Students
The School of Law at Birmingham City University is home to students from a wide number of countries studying on traditional degree programmes and short-term international courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A legal education at Birmingham City University is widely recognised and many of our international students return to their home country to either pursue legal practice or requisite professional qualifications in their jurisdiction.
As a law student you will not only develop and refine knowledge in discrete areas of English and international law but also develop key transferable skills designed to enhance your employability profile. Many international students have travelled thousands of miles to study at Birmingham City University and the School offers you an engaging and diverse study experience based in the city of Birmingham which is the second largest city in the UK.
Due to our proximity close to the legal and business district of the city we enjoy strong links with Birmingham Law Society and law firms around the West Midlands. The benefit of these links is passed directly onto you so that you can enhance your network of contacts whilst seeking relevant legal practice experience to enhance your employability profile.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities and Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at the City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Law, Business, Social Sciences and English courses
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The facilities at the Curzon building include two bespoke Law Courtrooms, replicating a Crown court and a Magistrates court. These rooms will play a key part in your learning experience, allowing you to try your hand in mock court cases, whilst also being the venue for our Mooting and Debating Societies.
On top of this, the Curzon building houses an extensive Law library, with books covering every aspect of Law history.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Dr Alice Storey
Course Director for LLM International Human Rights / LLM International Law
Dr Alice Storey is a Lecturer in the School of Law and Associate Director of the Centre for Human Rights. She leads the American Criminal Procedure & Evidence and America & International Legal Issues modules.
More about AliceDr Amna Nazir
Course Director for LLM International Human Rights / LLM International Law
Dr Amna Nazir is an interdisciplinary academic with research expertise in international human rights law and Islamic theology. She is co-Director of the School’s flagship LLM in International Human Rights and International Law and Associate Director of the Centre for Human Rights.
More about AmnaProfessor Jon Yorke
Professor of Human Rights and Director of the Centre for Human Rights
Jon Yorke is the Professor of Human Rights in the School of Law and is the Director of the Centre for Human Rights. His qualifications include LL.B. (Hons) (BCU), LL.M. and Ph.D. (Warwick). He currently teaches LL.B. International Human Rights and LL.M. Human Rights in the Wider World.
More about JonChipo Mwale
Senior Lecturer
Chipo Mwale is Programme Director for LLM International Human Rights and also a Senior Lecturer in the School of Law. She currently teaches the following courses: LL.B.; LL.M. Corporate and Business Law; LLM International Human Rights; BA Joint Honours Programme (Business Law Pathway).
More about ChipoSafina Din
Senior Lecturer and Link Tutor for HND Legal Studies
Safina Din is a Senior Lecturer in Law who teaches Skills, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law and Asylum and Immigration on the LLB programme. She also teaches Legal Processes with Criminal Law on the BA Criminal Investigations Programme and Refugees and the Law on the LLM IHR programme.
More about SafinaDr Olia Arustamyan
Lecturer
Dr Olia Arustamyan is a Lecturer in Law. Her main research interests are in philosophy of law and moral philosophy more generally. Olia lectures in criminal law and criminal evidence at undergraduate level, and human rights law in the LLM.
More about Olia