The Brunel International Human Rights Law LLM is designed for graduates wishing to develop the specialist skills needed for a career in this dynamic field of law.

Through a detailed analysis of the theory, history and development of human rights, and an exploration of the mechanisms of human rights protection you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of international human rights law and its interconnection with international criminal and comparative criminal law.

The course places particular emphasis on the radical transformations in international human rights law since the beginning of the 21st century, with the establishment of the International Criminal Court, the on-going process of the United Nations reform, and the post 9/11 shift to a more ‘security-at-all-costs’ approach to criminal process values, especially with regards to the war against terror.

You will explore key contemporary issues, such as:

- human rights advocacy and global governance though NGOs and non-State actors
- the European system of human rights protection
- group rights and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples
- the challenges posed by international migration and the protection of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees
- women’s rights and the rights of the child, including protection for victims of human trafficking
- sexual and gay rights
- the right to development and “third- generation” rights

With human right issues featuring more and more prominently in public debates and institutional policy considerations, employers are looking for job candidates with the specialist training needed to keep up with the new realities. Your International Human Rights Law LLM will give you that expertise and make you a sought-after prospect by law firms, businesses and government bodies.

Entry Requirements

Are you eligible to apply?

Course Content

The International Human Rights Law LLM consists of compulsory and optional modules and a 15,000-word dissertation.

Full-time students should complete four modules per term, excluding the dissertation.

European System of Human Rights Protection

This module aims to provide a detailed overview of the European Convention of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights and the other European mechanisms of human rights protection. As part of the module you study and assess the development and impact of the ECHR as well as other European instruments on human rights.

Foundations of International Human Rights Law

Providing a detailed overview of international human rights law in context (placing it within public international law) for you to study and assess the development and impact on States of international human rights principles and rules, examine the implementation and enforcement of international human rights, especially within the UN human rights regime, and evaluate the efficacy of the human rights project to date and recommend strategies for improvement.

Theory and Practice of International Human Rights

A module that provides comprehension of the role and significance of international human rights in economics, social and political contexts, including the implementation and enforcement of international human rights.

Regional Systems of Human Rights Protection: Americas, Africa, Asia

Providing a detailed overview of the American and African human rights frameworks, as well as the emerging Asian human rights framework, allowing you to study and assess the development and impact of States on these regional human rights principles and rules, examine the implementation and enforcement of these regional human rights, and to evaluate the efficacy of these regional human rights frameworks to date and recommend strategies for improvement.

Dissertation

A 15,000 word assignment to enable you to acquire a well-developed knowledge and understanding of an area of law within the scope of your programme and to improve skills in legal research and writing.

Careers

You will leave Brunel with a firm grounding in International Human Rights Law and with solid legal knowledge, allowing you to be flexible in your future choices.

While many choose to move from the LLM to progress towards becoming PhD students you’ll also be well equipped for career opportunities in human rights advocacy or in governmental and non-governmental human rights organisations at the national and international level.