International Human Rights Law LLM
1 year full-time
This is for you if... you are interested in exploring how international human rights law addresses the major challenges facing the world today. You will love this stream if you are interested in world affairs and how politics and international institutions intersect with international law.
Course information
UK fee £10,950
International fee £18,950
Taught by Leicester Law School
Course Administrator
+44 (0)116 252 2370
pglaw@leicester.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
This stream of the LLM specialises in human rights at both a national and international level and will allow you to engage with a variety of issues related to the theory and practice of human rights. We work in collaboration with Politics and International Relations enabling us to offer additional modules covering the political viewpoint of human rights.
The International Human Rights LLM stream covers a variety of issues related to the theory and practice of human rights. You can choose from our full range of modules and will need to select 6 out of 8 option modules and your dissertation from the human rights stream in order to gain your specialisation.
The course will provide you with a critical understanding of the legal principles relating to international human rights and the policy considerations that underpin them. You will develop your ability to analyse, interpret and apply a wide range of legal, socio-legal and contextual materials in the solution to complex legal problems.
Combined with developing your knowledge of human rights law, the course will stimulate your capacity for independent legal research and strengthen your skills in oral and written expression which will further enhance your opportunities within the legal profession. As well as giving you the freedom and opportunity to study two separate modules from any area of law, choosing from our full and extensive range of modules. Previous students on our programme have gone on to work in private practice or non-governmental organisations such as the UN.
When you apply for this course, you will apply for the Master of Laws (LLM). Once you have arrived in Leicester, you will be able to specialise in International Human Rights Law through your module choices. Your degree certificate will reflect your chosen specialism.
Other available streams are:
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A good second class degree in law or an equivalent degree in an appropriate discipline.
Relevant professional experience post-graduation is given due credit in considering entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with 6.0 in writing and nothing less than 5.5. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- LLM: £10,950
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible.
International Students
Starting in September 2025
- LLM: £18,950
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our Law Fair is held annually and attracts over 40 law firms and other graduate employers.
Two dedicated law careers tutors are on hand to discuss career options, upcoming opportunities and give advice about different firms.
We host a wide range of external speakers every year, representing the whole legal profession.
You get the chance to develop your legal skills during the course:
- The Legal Advice Clinic allows you to advise non-law students on legal issues (with support from academics and local solicitors)
- The 'LEGAL WEEK' is an informal student-staff discussion group, which runs every two weeks and contemporary issues with legal implications are discussed. 'LEGAL WEEK' allows interaction, fruitful exchange of ideas and improves current awareness
- Your professional competencies can be enhanced by getting involved with the debating, client interviewing, negotiating and mooting activities, organised by the Student Law Society
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
Modules
Modules
Core modules
Option modules
You will take eight option modules and at least six of these must be from the International Human Rights Law option module lists.
Semester 1 - September 2024 to January 2025
Choose up to four International Human Rights Law option modules from:
- Human Rights and Human Wrongs: Core Principles
- Legal Responses to Global Injustice
- Human Rights and Health Care Law
- International Migration and Refugee Law
- Law of the United Nations
- The State, Law and Religious Freedoms
- The Politics of Human Rights (double module)
Semester 2 - January 2025 to May 2025
Then choose up to four International Human Rights Law option modules from:
- Feminist Perspectives in Law
- Freedom of Expression
- Contemporary Challenges in Intellectual Property Law
- Justice and the Future
- European Convention on Human Rights
- International Law and the Use of Force
- Global Ethics in Practice (double module)
Up to two of your choices can be from modules which are not in the International Human Rights Law LLM stream:
Semester 1
- Civil Dispute Resolution Methods
- An Introduction to International Space Law
- General Principles of International Law
- Intellectual Property Law for International Business
- International Competition Law
- International Sales Law
- International Commercial Arbitration
- Corporate Governance
Semester 2
- Commercialising Space
- International Banking Law
- International Environmental Law
- Company Law
- International Investment Law
- The Practice of International Commercial Arbitration
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Dissertation
Dissertation
You will complete your dissertation in the field of International Human Rights Law. Your dissertation is an extended piece of academic writing on a subject of your choosing, completed after your option modules. You will be supervised by an academic who specialises in your chosen topic.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Our LLM courses are taught by leading academics in small seminar groups, with a focus on enriching class debate and scholarly thought, and on developing excellence in legal research.
Our LLM students are invited in the meetings of the Research Clusters of Leicester Law School, which enables you to participate in the School’s research activities and familiarise yourself with academic debates.
Our dedicated law reference library is a traditional wood-panelled room with quiet study spaces and additional copies of the main law reports, statutes and journals.
This course offers a wide range of extra-curriculum activities designed to enhance your skills and employability, such as the prestigious VIS Moot competition in Vienna, which is an excellent venue for networking.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught mainly through interactive seminars where you will test your understanding by engaging in critical discussion of the topics with your fellow students. Before each seminar you will research the answers to a set of questions and come prepared to discuss your ideas and findings.
Most modules are assessed by way of a research paper and for many of these you have the opportunity to choose your own research focus. You will also be required to complete a dissertation on a subject of your own choice.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Master of Laws | Qualification LLM | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
Leicester Law School is a place where you really grow. The lecturers are friendly and approachable, and the modules are diverse, interesting and engaging.