Program Overview

Double Degree in Human Rights and Law

The Double Degree in Human Rights and Law is a unique program offered by United College and the University of Waterloo in partnership with the University of Essex, UK. This five-year program allows students to graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo and an LLB with a Human Rights Law specialization from the University of Essex.

Program Overview

This program provides students with a multidisciplinary education that prepares them for a career in human rights. Students can customize their path to a career in human rights by combining a BA in their own interest area and a minor in Human Rights with a legal education. By studying at Essex, students will have the opportunity to experience university education overseas and attend a University that has a global reputation as a leader in the field of human rights research, practice, and education.

Required Courses

• HRTS 101, Introduction to Human Rights
• HRTS 201, Foundations and Critiques of Human Rights (formerly Human Rights Theory I)
• HRTS 203, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• HRTS 204, Discrimination, Rights, and Canadian Law (formerly HRTS 102, Human Rights Codes, Commissions, and Policies)

Electives

• CI 250, Truth-Reconciliation-Story
• GSJ 102, Introduction to Gender and Social Justice: The Global South
• GSJ 206/LS 201, Women and the Law
• HIST 221, Racism and Response in Canadian History
• HIST 321/LS 331, Human Rights in Historical Perspective
• HIST 314, The American Civil Rights Movement
• HRTS 301, Human Rights and the United Nations
• HRTS 302, Critical Approaches to Contemporary Human Rights Issues
• HRTS 305/INDG305, Indigenous Rights in a Global Context
• HRTS 390, Special Topics in Human Rights
• HRTS 490, Advanced Topics in Human Rights
• INDG 201/CDNST 201, The Indigenous Experience in Canada
• PACS 318, Peacebuilding in Divided Societies
• PACS 324, Human Rights, Peace, and Business
• PACS 325, Refugees and Forced Migration
• PHIL 328/LS 352, Human Rights
• PSCI 421/LS 464, Justice and Gender
• PSCI 463/LS 463, Rights and Public Policy
• SDS 210R/LS 273, Children’s Rights in Canada
• SDS 449R, Prejudice & Discrimination
• SPAN 400, Memory, Human Rights, and Reconciliation

Program Schedule and Options

• The first three years (or four, depending on your choice of major) of your studies will be spent at the University of Waterloo.
• The next two years of your studies will be spent at the University of Essex completing your LLB.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the first three years of study in an Honours BA degree program at Waterloo in a major of your choice and a minor in Human Rights.
• Achieve an overall average of at least 77% with no fails or incompletes in any courses.
• Meet the University of Essex English language entry requirements.

Schedule

• Pre-Year 1: Apply to an Honours Arts program at the University of Waterloo.
• Year 1, semester 1: Complete the Human Rights (HR) 101 course and connect with the Program Director to express your interest and learn more about your individual pathway.
• Year 1-3: Work with academic advisors to ensure that you will have completed all required courses prior to leaving for Essex.
• Year 3: Apply to the University of Essex via the Direct Application System.
• Year 4-5: Complete LLB at the University of Essex and graduate with two degrees.