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Master of Laws International Human Rights Law

Why choose Herts?

  • Teaching Excellence: Expect to be taught by specialist experts, practising solicitors and barristers who will train you to work on real-life scenarios at our £10m Law Building inclusive of a full-scale replica Crown Court Room.
  • Work-Related Learning: Gain client-facing casework experience working in legal services within our award-winning pro-bono Law Clinic providing community-based legal services.
  • Excellent Industry connections: Benefit from our strong links with employers, such as Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire County Council, and local courts. Students have access to Law Fairs, employer workshops, and networking events.

About the course

If you wish to apply for LLM International Human Rights Law, please apply through the LLM Masters of Law course page.

Ethics and human rights are always hot topics, both domestically and internationally. The LLM International Human Rights Law will enable you to explore a wide range of subjects in this area, examine the latest developments and critically analyse the arguments on all sides of the debates. The two compulsory modules – International Human Rights Law and Medical Law and Ethics – will offer you a firm foundation for human rights specialisation, particularly with an ethical and medical law perspective. Practical work and case studies underpin solid theoretical teaching, equipping you with everything you need to work in this dynamic and challenging area of international law.

In the International Human Rights Law module you will gain a critical understanding of human rights law from a comparative and cross-cultural perspective. The module also includes examination of theoretical and philosophical discussions on human rights, international and regional systems of human rights protection and the effectiveness of the United Nations system, and a focus on civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights.

The Medical Law and Ethics module offers analysis of a wide range of areas within medical law and ethics, particularly from an international perspective. You will cover topics such as medical negligence and legal and ethical dilemmas, medical law and ethics from ‘birth to death’, the impact of modern technologies in areas such as gene editing, embryo testing, surrogacy and organ donation, and the law and ethics of end-of-life issues, such as assisted suicide.

Why choose this course?

You can be sure that the teaching you receive is up to date and highly relevant to twenty-first-century global human rights issues, taught as it is by specialists at the forefront of their disciplines and underpinned by the latest research and practice. Practical, innovative teaching methods combined with traditional class seminars ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills that you will need for your career in the arena of human rights.

The two compulsory modules will be complemented by two from a range of optional modules on offer, enabling you to tailor your course according to your particular ambitions and aspirations.

In addition, the University’s co-curricular programme offers a wide range of options that will further enhance your skills.

Hertfordshire Law School has helped graduates forge successful careers for 40 years. You’ll benefit from our reputation for being forward thinking, innovative, and responsive to the world around us.

Award-winning: Best Contribution by a Team of Students helping vulnerable people at risk of homelessness in Hertfordshire (Law Works Student Pro Bono Awards, 2022). Ranked 3rd for law in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

What will I study?

A range of innovative theoretical and practical teaching methods are used on this course, from class seminars to large group discussions, small group work to collaborative projects, role plays to debates. All this will enable you to develop those vital intellectual, transferable, interpersonal and practical skills, and to enhance your abilities in the areas of negotiation, presentation, debating, and so on. These skills can be boosted further by participation in our peer mentoring scheme.

The compulsory modules are assessed by way of written coursework, so independent study is, of course, essential to consolidate and broaden your learning and to demonstrate your ability to formulate arguments and seek solutions to contemporary global human rights challenges.

  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Banking Law30 CreditsOptional
    International Financial Law30 CreditsOptional
    Data Protection Law30 CreditsOptional
    Medical Law and Ethics30 CreditsOptional
    Employment Law30 CreditsOptional
    Legal Risk and Compliance30 CreditsOptional
    Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Law30 CreditsOptional
    Public International Law30 CreditsOptional
    Private International Law30 CreditsOptional
    International Human Rights Law30 CreditsCompulsory
    Intellectual Property Law30 CreditsOptional
    International Commercial Law30 CreditsOptional
    International Humanitarian Law30 CreditsCompulsory
    Clinical Legal Education and Research60 CreditsOptional
    Crimes of the Powerful30 CreditsOptional
    GLOBAL POLICING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT30 CreditsOptional
    Company Law30 CreditsOptional
    Research Methods and Skills0 CreditsCompulsory
    LLM Dissertation60 CreditsOptional
  • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    LLM International Human Rights Law Download
    Programme specifications
    LLM International Human Rights Law Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

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