Program Overview

Introduction to the LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice

The LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice is a distinctive program that trains students to think about the law in its socio-political context. This program is designed for individuals who want to develop a strong understanding of how to effectively promote human rights and protect human rights defenders.

Program Overview

• The program is offered by the Centre for Applied Human Rights, York Law School.
• It is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program.
• The program starts in September 2026.
• The program is designed for recent graduates or mid-career professionals.

Course Content

The program aims to familiarize students with three sides of human rights practice: law, institutions, and advocacy.

• Semester 1 introduces key concepts in international human rights law.
• Semester 2 allows students to enhance their advocacy skills through clinical legal education or a human rights lab.
• The program includes a dissertation of up to 12,000 words on a topic of the student's choice.

Modules

The program includes the following core modules:

• Applying International Human Rights Law
• Practice of Fieldwork
• Human Rights Placement
• Human Rights Defence Clinic or International Human Rights Laboratory The program also offers option modules, including:
• Clinical Legal education
• Rights and justice v security, authoritarianism and conflict
• Socio-economic and philosophical perspectives on rights
• Research methods and theories

Fees and Funding

• The annual tuition fees for 2026/27 are:
  • £12,500 for UK (home) students (full-time)
  • £27,250 for international and EU students (full-time)
  • £6,250 for UK (home) students (part-time)
  • £13,625 for international and EU students (part-time)
• Additional costs may include:
  • £1,400 to £1,600 for a placement in South Africa
• Funding opportunities are available, including:
  • UK government Masters loans
  • Funding for UK students
  • Funding for international students
  • Chevening Scholarships
  • Centre for Applied Human Rights scholarship
  • Sam Pegram Scholarship

Teaching and Assessment

• The program is taught by world-leading academics and experienced practitioners.
• Teaching formats include lectures, guest lectures, interactive seminars, workshops, directed reading, fieldwork, simulation, and role-play.
• Assessment includes essays, moot written submissions, legal advocacy campaigns, reflective diaries, presentations, and a dissertation.

Careers and Skills

• The program provides hands-on experience in human rights legal and policy work.
• Graduates have gone on to work in law firms, human rights NGOs, humanitarian organizations, government bodies, and international organizations.
• The program develops transferable skills, including communication, collaboration, analysis, and reflection.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:2 or equivalent undergraduate degree is required.
• Some academic study or practical experience of law is desirable but not required.
• English language requirements apply, including:
  • IELTS (Academic and Indicator): 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
  • Cambridge CEFR: B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
  • Oxford ELLT: 7, minimum of 6 in each component
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, minimum 126 in each component
  • Duolingo: 120, minimum 105 in all other components
  • LanguageCert SELT: B2 with 33/50 in each component
  • LanguageCert Academic: 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
  • Kaplan Test of English Language: 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components
  • Skills for English: B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
  • PTE Academic: 61, minimum 55 in each component
  • TOEFL: 87, minimum of 21 in each component
  • Trinity ISE III: Merit in all requirements

Conclusion

The LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice is a unique program that offers students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of human rights law and practice. With its distinctive approach to teaching and learning, the program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in a career in human rights.