Entry requirementsThe programme will appeal to any individuals interested in furthering their knowledge of human rights for the purpose of entering into legal practice, engaging in advocacy activities or pursuing further academic study. It is grounded in legal practice but also adopts an interdisciplinary and theoretical approach to study. The programme is taught wholly at the Hull Campus. It has one commencement in September of each year and runs for 12 months.
Academic titleInternational Human Rights Law LLM
Course descriptionThe promotion and protection of international human rights took shape following the atrocities of World War II. Since that time it has grown in breadth and importance and has evolved into an indispensable area of international law and relations, having a substantial impact on domestic legal practice as well. The promotion and protection of human rights is not confined to legal practice, but it is through international law that the bulk of promotional activity is carried out.
PROGRAMME CONTENT
The programme consists of three semesters. The first two semesters comprise taught modules, and students pursue three modules per semester. There is a wide range of modules to choose from, and most modules are directly based on the research interests of the staff involved. The final semester comprises the Dissertation, which is a supervised independent research project. The programme emphasises the development of research skills through the teaching techniques in the individual modules and through supervision of the Dissertation. It provides students with a wide range of transferable skills that can be applied to legal practice or further academic study.
CORE MODULES
There are no compulsory modules for this programme. We do recommend, however, that students with no prior experience in human rights law take International Human Rights Protection or Foundations of Human Rights or both in Semester 1.
OPTIONAL MODULES
• Children’s Rights
• Democratic Values and International Law
• European Human RightsLaw
• Foundations of Human Rights
• Human Rights Violations and Criminology
• International Criminal Law
• International Development Law
• International Human Rights Protection
• International Labour Standards
• International Law and the Use of Force
• Law of Self-Determination
• Medicine, Ethics and the Law
• Public International Law The availability of individual modules will depend on staffing arrangements.
FURTHER MODULE INFORMATION
Students need to undertake three 20-credit modules each semester. Students are permitted to take a maximum of one 20-credit module per semester outside the Law School with prior approval from the Postgraduate Director.
ASSESSMENT
The methods of assessment vary from module to module but include research essays, unseen examinations, writing assignments, oral presentations and class participation.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The Law School at the University of Hull has a longstanding reputation in international law, and many of its staff have research interests related to human rights. Students benefit from a number of outstanding guest lecture series: the Josephine Onoh Memorial Lecture, for example, has attracted a number of top international lawyers to Hull; the Hilaire McCoubrey Memorial Lecture focuses on legal issues relating to the military and armed conflict; and the international law seminar series brings to the school a wide range of international legal scholars for guest presentations. The McCoubrey Centre for International Law provides a forum for organising the international law interests in the school and engages in a number of research activities related to human rights.