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2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Law - LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy)

Course Fact File

Code	LLMIHR
Duration	1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time
Qualifications	LLM
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	8 September 2025

Course Outline

Our LLM engages students in the practice and policy context of human rights law internationally.

The course offers students a wide range of human rights law courses taught by leading experts in their field. It includes interdisciplinary teaching and a unique International Human Rights clinical module which focuses on essential human rights lawyering skills, including oral and written advocacy (legal and policy), strategic litigation, fact-finding and development.

The course will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields including:

• Law
• Social policy
• Political science
• Public administration
• Development
• History
• International relations social sciences

Applicants for the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) degree also have the option of registering for a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Human Rights. Students take 60 credits of taught masters’ modules from those on offer for the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy). The Postgraduate Diploma can be completed over 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time. 

This shorter programme may be attractive to legal professionals and others who may prefer not to make an initial commitment to a full master’s programme. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma may further progress their studies by completing a 12,500-word research dissertation and graduating with a Master's in Law (LLM).  

Modules

• Full-time: Students take 90 credits.
• Part-time: Students take 90 credits, completing a total of 40 credits in Year 1 and 50 credits (including LW6571) in Year 2.

Core Modules (30 credits)

• LW6659 LLM Dissertation (25 credits)
• LW6652 Legal Research Methods and Writing (5 credits)

Taught Modules (60 credits)

• LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
• LW6633 Public International Law (5 credits)
• LW6648 Human Rights Law in Practice (Clinic) (10 credits)

Elective Modules

Students take modules to the value of 35 credits from the list of electives set out below. At least 30 of those credits must be chosen from List A. (Note: The maximum total of 35 credits may be chosen from List A). Students can take 5 credits from List B.

List A

• LW6544 Criminology: Core Theories, Context and Critique (10 credits)
• LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)
• LW6566 Contemporary Issues in International Law (5 credits)
• LW6568 The Family and the Law (10 credits)
• LW6592 Mental Capacity Law (5 credits)
• LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy (5 credits)
• LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)
• LW6623 Global Maritime Security (5 credits)
• LW6627 International Environmental Law (5 credits)
• LW6634 Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10 credits)
• LW6655 Foundations of International Children's Rights (5 credits)
• LW6656 Contemporary Issues in Children's Rights (5 credits)
• LW6658 International Youth Justice (5 credits)
• PH6012 Human Rights (10 credits)

List B

• LW2208 Law of the European Convention on Human Rights (5 credits)

Notes

¹ Students may not choose an undergraduate module if they have already taken that module or equivalent subject matter at the undergraduate level. ² In certain cases, with the permission of the Programme Director, students may elect to take up to 10 credits from the modules available in the LLM (Taught) (other than those above) in substitution for 10 credits of the elective modules listed above.

In order to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload, when choosing modules for all programmes, students should take a balance of credits between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who wish to deviate from this rule must seek permission from their Programme Director. 

Submission of LLM Dissertation

The LLM dissertation must be submitted for examination at the Winter Board, on a date in September to be specified by the School of Law at the commencement of the programme.

Exit Awards

Postgraduate Certificate in International Law (NFQ Level 9 Minor Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 30 credits that meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate in International Law, students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in International Law.

Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 60 credits, registered LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy).

Course Practicalities

LLM classes are in a seminar format. This participative and interactive format of teaching is suitable for the postgraduate level. You will receive advance reading lists and/or materials for each seminar.

Seminars take place in two-hour blocks between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday. 10 credit modules run for 12 weeks and 5 credit modules run for 6 weeks.

Part-Time Option

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Assessment

You will be examined by continuous assessment throughout the year and your dissertation must be submitted in September.  Individual module assessments can be viewed in the Book of Modules.

Why Choose This Course

This course is of relevance to legal practitioners, policymakers and civil society actors across a range of fields. You will benefit from a series of guest seminars and workshops with key actors in the human rights movement.

It will provide you with the skills and qualification necessary to pursue an international career with international organisations, governments, UN bodies, European Human Rights bodies and in legal practice. The course includes a unique International Human Rights clinic core module.

Students engage in the practice and policy context of human rights law and also focus on essential human rights lawyering skills, including oral and written advocacy (legal and policy) strategic litigation, fact-finding and development.

Top 100 Ranking

UCC School of Law has been ranked among the world’s best Law Schools in the latest QS World University Rankings by subject, placing 59th in the World and 1st in Ireland.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

You will be supported in applying for and securing internships and placements internationally and nationally in the field of human rights. The School of Law has an active summer placement course and excellent links with international organizations, public bodies and NGOs.

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this course have pursued careers with international organisations, in legal practice, in policy bodies, and in aid and development.  See our Human Rights Law Careers page for graduate testimonials.

Requirements

For entry to this course you must be approved by the Faculty of Law and must normally:

• (a) hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours Law degree (NFQ, Level 8) or
• (b) have such other relevant third-level educational qualifications and/or professional experience as, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualifies you under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to undertake the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) Degree.

If you are an overseas candidate you are welcome to apply and your qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as above. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees. 

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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