Program Overview

International Human Rights Law - Master Programme

The International Human Rights Law - Master Programme at Lund University is one of the oldest and most prestigious graduate programmes in the field. It offers a broad curriculum taught by leading scholars in public international law and human rights, attracting students from across the globe.

Overview

Ranked among the top ten human rights law programmes worldwide, it covers public international law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. The programme is jointly offered by the Faculty of Law and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI), providing students with both academic training and practical insights into human rights work.

Teaching and Learning

The programme offers a structured and academically rigorous learning environment. Teaching combines lectures, seminars, written assignments, workshops, and oral presentations. Some courses also include interactive elements and individual supervision, giving students the opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of public international law and international human rights law.

Career Prospects

The programme is designed for those seeking a solid foundation for a long-term career in public international law and human rights. Alumni work in a wide range of sectors, including government agencies, courts, NGOs, the private sector, and many also opt to pursue doctoral studies in related fields at top universities around the world. The LL.M. also offers a unique mentoring scheme, pairing current students with alumni working in their field of interest.

Programme Structure

The programme spans over four terms, with the initial part consisting of compulsory courses in public international law and various human rights law regimes. During the third term, students can specialise by choosing from a range of elective courses, including international criminal law, environmental law, migration law, and business and human rights, among others. The final term is dedicated to writing a master's thesis.

Course Overview

• Year 1:
  • International Law (compulsory, 15 credits)
  • International Human Rights Law I (compulsory, 15 credits)
  • International Human Rights Law II (compulsory, 15 credits)
  • Elective course (elective, 7.5 credits)
  • Elective course (elective, 7.5 credits)
• Year 2:
  • Humanitarian Law (compulsory, 7.5 credits)
  • Elective course (elective, 7.5 credits)
  • Human Rights and Remedies (compulsory, 15 credits)
  • Master Thesis (compulsory, 30 credits)

Requirements and Selection

• Prerequisites: A 3-year Bachelor degree in law (Bachelor, LL.B, or equivalent) and English course 6 (advanced proficiency).
• Selection criteria: Based on grades on previous courses, statement of purpose, and 2 letters of recommendation.

Tuition Fees

• Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens: SEK 310,000 for the full programme, with the first payment being SEK 77,500.
• No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.

Scholarships and Funding

• Lund University Global Scholarship Programme: A merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
• African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship: Targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
• Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals: Offered to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden.
• Country-specific scholarships and funding options: Available through Lund University's agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries.
• External scholarships: Examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries.