Taught by international experts, our LLM will give you an in-depth exploration of how legal practice can be an effective enabler of human rights globally.
Duration
1 year (full-time)
2 years (part-time)
Number of Credits
LLM: 180 credits
PGDip: 120 credits
PGCert: 60 credits
Start date
​September 2024
Degree Type
LLM/PGDip/PGCert
Modules
Why this course
Join one of the very few specialised human rights Master-level programmes embedded in practice, providing you with the necessary professional experience for a legal career in the human rights field.
You will be taught by experts with extensive practical experience at the leading edge of human rights law.
You will gain specialised skills in legal practice, legal reasoning, legal advocacy and litigation, and have access to the legal world in London.
Build upon your experience and acquire skills through our interdisciplinary teaching approach to human rights law, from sociology, international relations, development and politics.
Opportunity to study an optional mini-SQE module to help pass your SQE assessments.
Skills
Face the legal issues in international human rights today.
Our LLM Human Rights and Legal Practice is taught by experienced legal professionals and human rights activists.
You'll gain a thorough understanding of the theories, issues and concepts underpinning international human rights and, crucially, how they are put into practice.
By combining theory with practice, this course will give you both the skills and the knowledge you need for a career in the field of human rights practice, campaigning and advocacy.
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Suitable for legal practitioners, aspiring legal professionals and human rights activists, this course will enable you to develop your skills in:
- Research and analysis
- Strategic litigation
- Project management
- Advocacy and campaigning skills within the field of human rights.
Learn more about the human rights academics who teach on this programme, by reading our 'A day in the life of a human activitist'.
Problem-based and interactive learning methodologies will enable you to master key concepts and instil the ability to learn from experience, absorb and integrate new information, and act strategically.
We'll give you a strong academic grounding as well as the practical and vocational legal skills required for legal practice in the human rights field.
With the human rights sector becoming increasingly competitive, employers are now asking for some experience as a prerequisite. London is one of the world centres for this sort of career, with most international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) having their headquarters here.
How you'll learn
Become a human rights enabler.
On our LLM Human Rights and Legal Practice you'll examine the rhetoric and reality of human rights using an issues-based approach.
You'll take a interdisciplinary and holistic approach, and acquire a high level of specialist knowledge, informed by current thinking and debate.
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You'll have a wide range of modules to choose from which focus on:
- Economic, social and cultural rights
- Minority rights
- Business and human rights
- Policy and management
- International human rights
- Criminal law
- International development
You'll write up a thesis on a topic that you choose, with the focus being on a practical and applied human rights experience reflecting on real life experience and applied legal skills.
You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your degree to develop your skills.
Upcoming Events:
Career options
Become a human rights leader in law.
With our LLM Human Rights and Legal Practice you could work in human rights international organisations, such as:
- United Nations
- The International Labour Organisation
- The International Criminal Court
- Or for an NGO specialised in human rights and social justice
Many of these organisations headquarters are in London.
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You could also have a career in government, diplomatic institutions, think tanks, research and development organisations, or continue your academic career.
How our careers service supports you
Our careers support team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate.
We will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers.
Application Info
How to apply
Postgraduate programmes
- September 2024 entry: apply using our direct application form.
- Check our application deadlines
- View our entry requirements for postgraduate programmes
- View our general entry criteria and application FAQs below
If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.
International students
Please note that most international applicants have to pay a deposit before securing their place.
- See our Finance pages for more details
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Specific Entry Requirements
Validation and curriculum review
What is validation?
Validation is a formal process through which the University approves a programme (content, teaching, learning and assessment) as being of appropriate standard and quality. This is a normal process used throughout the university sector.
The University expects to publish details of the validated programme in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.
What is curriculum review?
Curriculum review is the regular and systematic monitoring and reviewing of programmes. It is a normal process in the sector and it is the way by which the university ensures that your course remains up-to-date and relevant. The process may result in changes to the content, structure and/or assessment of the programme.
The University expects to publish details of the re-validated programme by 31 March in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.
Need help before you apply?
Course Facilities
Our Research
Our research is led by a multi-disciplinary team of sociologists, criminologists, social anthropologists and socio-legal scholars, united by a sociological approach to exploring inequalities, prejudice and social trends as they relate to social justice in diverse societies. Our work on social justice centres around four principal research themes: citizenship, migration and rights; personal life, sexuality and identity; social and political violence; and health policies, illness and well-being. Click here to view our research page.
Our Students
“I am currently completing an internship with Amnesty International in their Strategic Litigation Department as one of my final modules. The professors on this course have been more than what I could have hoped for. They provided an engaging, interesting and motivating environment.”
Jasmine Henricson, LLM Human Rights Student
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