Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights

The Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights is a four-year undergraduate degree that combines the broad perspective of Arts with specialist human rights training. This degree is the only undergraduate program of its kind in Ireland, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore human rights issues from multiple perspectives.

Course Overview

• The program is offered by the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at the University of Galway.
• The degree combines human rights with another Arts subject, allowing students to examine global justice through various lenses such as sociology, politics, or philosophy.
• In Year 3, students have the option to spend a semester studying abroad at one of the university's international partner universities or complete a work placement with a human rights organization.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human rights theory and practice.

• Year 1: Students explore the foundations of human rights, including historical, legal, and philosophical origins.
• Year 2: Students examine regional human rights systems and contemporary global issues such as migration, LGBTIQ+ rights, and gender equality.
• Year 3: This is the dedicated Human Rights year, where students choose from a wide range of modules in law and political science. In Semester 2, students can apply their learning through a work placement, study abroad, or an Applied Human Rights Project.
• Year 4: Students complete advanced modules in their core Arts subjects and may incorporate their human rights knowledge into final-year projects or dissertations.

Unique Features

• Human Rights in Context: Explore global human rights issues through legal, political, historical, and ethical lenses.
• Home to the Irish Centre for Human Rights: Study in Galway, a global hub for human rights research and advocacy.
• High-Calibre Faculty: Learn from leading experts and active practitioners in human rights law.
• Work Placement Opportunity: Spend the second semester of Year 3 working with a human rights organization to gain hands-on experience.
• Study Abroad Opportunity: Examine human rights from a global perspective by studying at one of the university's partner universities overseas.

Careers

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights develop strong skills in human rights theory, policy, and advocacy, preparing them for meaningful careers across many sectors that promote social justice and human dignity.

• Sectors and Industries: International organizations, government departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community and social work agencies, research institutes, and policy think tanks.
• Employers of Graduates: United Nations bodies, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, development and humanitarian NGOs, local and regional government offices, advocacy groups, and social justice organizations.
• Graduate Roles: Human rights officer or advocate, policy advisor or researcher, community outreach or project coordinator, social justice campaigner, research assistant in government or NGO settings.

Study Abroad

In Year 3, students have the option to spend a semester studying abroad at one of the university's international partner universities. This immersive experience allows students to broaden their understanding of human rights by engaging with diverse legal systems, political contexts, and cultures.

Work Placement

The work placement is an optional module that involves a minimum of 200 hours (typically 20 hours per week over approximately three months). Students can complete their placement in Ireland or internationally, depending on their interests and career aspirations.

Learning and Assessment

The Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights offers an interdisciplinary and applied approach to human rights education.

• Lectures and Seminars: Explore the foundations of international human rights law alongside philosophical and historical perspectives.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Combine human rights with another Arts subject, allowing for a broad understanding of key systems and concepts.
• Applied Human Rights Year: Year 3 is fully devoted to human rights, with options for work placements, study abroad, or applied projects.
• Research and Reflection: Encouragement to think critically, analyze policy and practice, and reflect on the real-world impact of human rights.

Entry Requirements and Fees

• Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, and any three other subjects recognized for entry purposes.
• Alternative Pathways: The Access Centre at the University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programs.
• Fees for Academic Year 2026/27: EU tuition fees are 3,098, with a student contribution charge of 2,500 and a levy of 140, totaling 5,738 for EU students. Non-EU tuition fees are 19,250, plus the levy, totaling 19,390.

Scholarships

High-achieving undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for a range of prestigious scholarships that recognize academic excellence and support students in reaching their full potential.

International Application Information

Students applying for full undergraduate degree programs from outside the European Union (EU) should apply online via the University of Galway's application portal, which opens on October 1st each year for entry the following September.