Human Rights Law Graduate Programs

Last Updated on December 28, 2022

Welcome to the Human Rights Law Graduate Programs blog, where you can learn about some of the most well known graduate law programs and universities for studying human rights law.

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on Human Rights Law Graduate Programs, best human rights law schools in the world . We at infolearners .com have all the information that you need about human rights law masters Europe. Read on to learn more.

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Human Rights Law Graduate Programs

What is an LLM in Human Rights?

An LLM in human rights is an advanced law degree that focuses on the laws that protect and guarantee human rights at the local, national, regional and international levels. Programs are often offered by universities that have established human rights research centers on their campus. In addition to providing educational opportunities, many programs also include mandatory or optional internships with non-governmental organizations.

Students in LLM human rights programs can expect to learn about a variety of legal fields, including international law, humanitarian law, international criminal law and refugee law. Schools may have a particular focus or be open to applicants with a broad range of interests.

Which law schools offer Human Rights LLM programs?

You can find LLM human rights programs all over the world, but many of the best programs are based in the United States, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Students often prefer schools that are located near The Hague, Washington, D.C., New York City or London, as these are areas where human rights agencies and organizations are headquartered.

How much does an LLM in Human Rights Law cost?

The cost of these programs varies from university to university. Often, students can receive financial aid, scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans to offset the costs.

What are the career prospects for a graduate of an LLM in human rights program?

Graduates of LLM in human rights degree programs often work for international law firms focused on human rights. In addition, they may find employment with non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, the United Nations and other international organisations.

Top 10 LLM in Human Rights Programs

Columbia University

Columbia’s LLM program is a joint effort between their Human Rights Institute and their Law school. Students who apply for the fellowship have the opportunity for a partial or full tuition waiver plus living stipends depending on demonstrated financial need.

Students in this LLM receive training from both institutes in the practical applications of human rights law. They receive career mentoring and have the opportunity to attend special events with leading figures in this field.

They also participate in the cutting-edge human rights clinic, an innovative approach to practical training. They learn to be strategic and creative while navigating through the difficulties of applying human rights law to international circumstances and pursuing social justice across borders. This teaches them to work with communities and to advance human rights scholarship abroad.

Students are expected to devote significant time to the research and development of human rights and to belong to Columbia’s vibrant and dedicated community of social justice and international human rights members.

Candidates from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, as well as candidates who face racial discrimination, are strongly encouraged to apply for the fellowship.

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

The Geneva Academy offers both full and partial scholarships for its LLM program in Human Rights. Full scholarships cover the cost of tuition and living expenses in Geneva for ten months.

This is a one-year postgraduate degree and one of the most innovative LLM programs in international human rights law in Europe. Students are presented with intellectually challenging material in some of the most hot-button human rights issues of the day.

It provides practical training in both international humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as international criminal law. The program highlights the ways all three affect each other and the delicate balance needed when conducting inquiries.

There’s a world-renowned faculty from some of the biggest names in human rights, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

While core classes offer a firm foundation in a variety of legal areas concerning human rights, students can tailor their program to a specific interest. Examples of these interests include armed non-state actors, the regulations concerning international courts or tribunals, and counter-terrorism.

At the end of the program, students can find internships to hone their skills and can participate in moot courts for exposure to practical work outside of the classroom.

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute or UNICRI in Turin, Italy, is funded by the United Nations and is naturally a great institution for those who wish to specialize in human rights law. A Master of Laws degree is offered through a partnership with the University for Peace. This program is divided into two sections. During the first half, students participate in distance learning from their homes. The second half of the program is conducted on campus. As a result, this program is often preferred by individuals who are currently working as lawyers.

Oxford University

The Faculty of Law at Oxford University in Oxford, England, United Kingdom, offers a Master’s in International Human Rights Law by partnering with the school’s Department of Continuing Education. Although not an LLM degree, the program is considered an equivalent. The program is geared toward working professionals and offered on a part-time basis. Most of the two-year program involves distance education; however, during each summer, students complete a residency at the Oxford campus to take additional courses. Student share the opportunity to pick and choose classes related to their specific interests. Among the courses offered are business and human rights and the international rights of children. Research opportunities are provided by the university’s Bonavero Institute of Human Rights.

Leiden University

The Leiden School of Law at Leiden University in Leiden, the Netherlands, offers a prestigious human rights law LLM degree program, the focus of which is on international and European human rights law. In addition to course work, students have a chance to conduct field research in Geneva, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France. The university also offers related Master of Laws degree programs in children’s rights and international criminal law.

Georgetown University

The Georgetown University Law Center at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., United States, has a Global health law Master of Laws Degree offered through a partnership with the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. This program is beneficial for individuals who are specifically interested in health care as a human right. Throughout the year, the university hosts human rights-related events that students can participate in. Human rights research opportunities are also offered.

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Based in London, England, United Kingdom, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) hosts numerous speakers and guest lecturers who work at the numerous NGOs based in the city. The school offers a Human Rights law degree that provides students with the opportunity to specialize in a variety of areas.

University of Essex

The School of Law at the University of Essex in Colchester, England, United Kingdom, runs the Essex Human Rights Center, a major hub for cutting-edge research in the field of human rights. Students in the International Humanitarian Law LLM program have an opportunity to participate in these studies. In addition, the school offers a Master of Arts degree in Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, and a Master of Arts degree in Theory and Practice of Human Rights.

International Affairs & Cooperation

best human rights law schools in the world

If you want to practice human rights law, you need to attend a good law school. The right schools for a human rights career will offer a wide range of classes dedicated to issues like refugee law, criminal justice reform, women’s rights, and more, as well as opportunities for hands-on work. Also consider checking our page on masters in human rights.

Here are 9 exciting opportunities to learn more about human rights law:

University of Bristol, UK

Found in the UK at the Clifton Campus of the University of Bristol, students can pursue a Master of Laws degree in Human Rights. You have two options: study full-time and finish in 1 year, or free up your evenings with part-time study for 2 years. To earn the degree, students must write a dissertation.

Columbia University’s Law School, USA

If you go to Columbia University, you have access to the Human Rights Institute. You won’t be earning an LLM. specifically in human rights there, but it does offer incentives for those interested in pursuing a human rights degree, like the Human Rights LLM Fellowship. Receiving this fellowship can result in tuition waivers and/or a living stipend. The university also offers a human rights clinic and other opportunities.

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Switzerland

A relatively young institute (founded in 2007 by the University of Geneva), the academy runs an LLM. in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, as well as a master’s degree in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. LLM students take courses that educate them on a wide range of international law, such as refugee law, criminal law, and more. They will also participate in moot courts, including the Nuremberg Moot Court Competition. To get accepted, a student must either have a full degree in law, or another degree where they took a lot of courses related to the Academy’s program.

Leiden University Law School, Netherlands

Students pursuing this school’s European and International Human Rights Law LLM will be well-equipped for law in Europe and internationally. There’s even a study trip to Geneva and Strasbourg to provide students with more hands-on experience. If you want to specialize, the school also offers LLM programs in International Criminal Law and International Children’s Rights.

European University Viadrina Faculty of Law, Germany

This university offers an LLM in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. It consists of three semesters of study over 1 ½ years. Courses consist of a group of cores including general human rights and civil rights, while students choose electives based on what they want to specialize in. To earn the LLM, students must write a master’s thesis and complete an internship.

Charles University’s Faculty of Law, Czech Republic

At the Faculty of Law with Charles University, LLM students earn a unique degree that combines human rights law and environmental protection. This LLM explores how the two are connected with courses in public international law, human rights protection, and environmental law. Students choose electives based on what they are passionate about. The program consists of three semesters, ending with a thesis.

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, Italy

The United Nations has five research and training institutes around the world, including one in Turin, Italy. In cooperation with the University for Peace, the UNICRI offers students an LLM in Transnational Crime and Justice. In addition to normal course work, there’s a series of sessions on professional development in the UN system.

Istanbul Bilgi University Faculty of Law, Turkey

When you pursue an LLM in Human Rights Law at this university, you can choose between these specializations: discrimination against minorities, human rights in criminal justice, theoretical foundations of human rights, or monitoring mechanisms of human rights. To graduate, you have the option of completing a formal master’s thesis or a more independent research project. Both will take 1 year of full-time study.

The University of Alcala Faculty of Law, Spain

This university offers a master’s in International Protection of Human rights, and it’s designed for students already working as lawyers, public officials, or specifically human rights lawyers. It’s a great choice for those wanting to deepen their understanding of human rights. The program consists of three modules, including human rights in international systems, and ends with a research thesis.

human rights law masters europe

The following article outlines 5 Master’s programmes in International Human Rights Law offered throughout continental Europe. Also consider our page on masters in human rights.

L.L.M. in International Human Rights Law, University of Groningen, Netherlands
The L.L.M in International Human Rights Law at the University of Groningen seeks to equip students with a thorough understanding of the different systems overseeing the protection of human rights and how human rights are interpreted within these systems in different countries and contexts. The programme challenges students to be alert to and identify the ways in which human rights law is played out in everyday situations. It therefore takes a broad approach to specialisation, covering various aspects surrounding the topic of human rights and the legal implications of such rights. The Master’s programme is a one-year, full-time degree and students are expected to complete four compulsory courses, two additional elective courses, as well as a Master’s thesis.

Master’s in International Human Rights Law, Lund University, Sweden
In cooperation with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Faculty of Law at Lund University offers a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law. This collaboration provides a unique approach to the study of this field and aims to combine a contextual awareness with a thorough training in the analytical and practical aspects of human rights law. The programme prides itself on exposing students to distinguished guest lecturers and speakers who practice in and study the field of human rights law. The programme lasts two-years and there are no tuition fees for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. A number of scholarship opportunities are available for international students which provide funding for fees and for covering the costs of living in Sweden.

Master of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Europa University Viadrina Frankfurt, Germany
This L.L.M. programme is a 1½ year degree which provides an integrated coverage of international human rights and humanitarian law. The programme aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the protection of individuals’ human rights in the context of peacetime and during armed conflict. Concepts such as security, terrorism, armed conflict and peace-keeping are dealt with in the context of the contemporary developments of international politics. Students should expect training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of human rights law and humanitarianism and are challenged to develop the relevant research skills that critique and analyse the debates around these issues. The programme is structured around a series of core and elective courses and students are expected to undertake an internship at an organisation relevant to the course of study. There is also a final thesis which should be written on a pre-approved topic that is informed by both the practical experience gained from the internship and the theoretical knowledge obtained during the course modules.

Master’s Degree Programme in International Human Rights Law, Abo Akademi University, Finland
This two-year full-time programme prepares students for careers in international organisations, non-governmental organisations, public administration and advanced research focused on issues around international human rights law. Offered by the Institute for Human Rights at the university, the programme is designed to cover all aspects of the field through a series of specialised courses. Additionally, students are expected to submit a Master’s thesis upon completion of the degree programme. Students graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Science.

International Law and Human Rights, University of Tartu, Estonia
This two-year Master’s programme provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of the principles, regulations, subjects and practices in the field of international law and human rights. Students are thus prepared with a broad coverage of topics related to international human rights law and are encouraged to focus their interest towards a specialised subject within the field. Estonia’s unique geographical position at the point where ‘West’ meets ‘East’ provides an interesting context in which to engage with a comparative perspective on the issues of international human rights law. Students are expected to undertake a practical module during which they will gain the relevant knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the field. The other components of the course consist of a series of compulsory and elective courses as well as a Master’s thesis.

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