The protection of human rights at the international level is a relatively new branch of law. Since World War Two there has been a huge growth in the number and variety of human rights standards set out in international treaties and in other so-called ‘soft law’ documents. The problem is that these standards are not always fully implemented and the international mechanisms for trying to get them implemented are defective. This LLM provide students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth appreciation of what has gone right and what has gone wrong and to suggest ways in which human rights could be protected more effectively so that human beings everywhere can realise their full potential.
This Masters is designed to help you appreciate the difficulties associated with developing a human rights approach to the solution of problems, especially problems facing a conflicted society. Capitalising on the high level of expertise amongst School of Law staff, it provides students with an intellectually stimulating suite of modules which will collectively empower students to engage with human rights language at a sophisticated and effective level.
Full-time students
Semester 1
One compulsory module: Human Rights: Concepts and Institutions
Two elective modules totalling 30 credits chosen from the following options (15 credits each):
* Human Rights as Power, Politics and Paradox
* Equality: the Foundations
* Human Rights in Modern Europe
Semester 2
Students are required to take 60 credits from the following list. All modules are 15 credits each unless specified.
* Advanced British and Irish Human Rights Law
* Discrimination and Disadvantage
* Economic and Social Rights
* Exploitation and Human Rights
* Human Rights and Democratic Governance
* Human Rights in the Americas
* Human Rights in Time of Conflict
* International Protection of Refugees
* Public Interest Law (30 credits)
* Religion and Law
* The Rights of the Child
* The Rights of Women
* Medical Law and Ethics
* Human Rights and the Environment
Note: the availability of optional modules is subject to change from year to year.
Students must also undertake a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words on an approved topic within the broad range of the taught modules (60 credits).
Part-time students
Year 1: Semester 1
One compulsory module: Human Rights: Concepts and Institutions (30 credits)
Year 2: Semester 1
Two elective modules chosen from the options for full-time Semester 1 students.
Year 1 and 2: Semester 2
Students are required to take 30 credits' worth of taught modules each year from the full-time Semester 2 list.
Year 2
Students must also undertake a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words on an approved topic within the broad range of the taught modules (60 credits).
Assessment
Primarily essays and dissertation. In some cases, class-based activities and other research activities/outputs may form part of assessment.
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above or equivalent recognised qualification in Law, Social Sciences, Humanities or a cognate discipline.Additional Information for International StudentsApplicants who are non-EEA nationals must satisfy the UK Border Agency (UKBA) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes, normally by providing evidence of one of the following: * IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or * TOEFL* score of 92 (Internet-based test) with minimum scores of 21 for Listening, 22 for Reading, 23 for Speaking and 21 for Writing, or * INTO English for Postgraduate Study/Pre-sessional score of 65% with not less than 55% in any component, or * INTO Graduate Diploma English for Academic Purposes score of 60% with not less than 40% in any component*Taken within the last 2 yrs. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 92 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- ✔️ Flexible study schedule
- ✔️ Experienced teachers
- ✔️ Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
Applicants from the UK and other EU countries
Please note: Where it states 'UK residents' qualifying residency and citizenship/nationality criteria apply.
* Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) Postgraduate Research Studentships
Funded by the Department of Employment and Learning, these are offered in most subject areas.
UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only
* DEL (CAST) Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology
These awards are for specific research projects in collaboration with an industrial sponsor in the following Schools/areas: Biomedical Sciences in School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences; School of Biological Sciences; School of Pharmacy; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering; School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the School of Mathematics and Physics.
UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only
A CAST studentship may also include a contribution from the industrial collaborating body.
Visit the School websites listed above for details concerning potential DEL CAST
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Awards are available for both Masters and Doctoral degrees in humanities subject areas.
Applicants should apply via Queen's for funding and should not apply directly to AHRC.
UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only
Queen's School Funding Opportunities
Some Schools have funding available for postgraduate PhD or taught Masters courses.
North-South Postgraduate Scholarships
Scholarships are available for students undertaking a recognised Masters or the first year of a PhD programme (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction.
Applicants from outside the EU
If you are applying to Queen's from outside the EU, you are advised to explore fully the funding opportunities for studying in the UK available from sources in your own country. Some closing dates are as early as a year before commencing studies, so please make sure to apply in good time.
Some of the main awards are listed:
Department for International Development (DFID) Shared Scholarship Scheme
This award is for specific one-year taught postgraduate courses. The award cover tuition fees, a maintenance grant and travel costs. Only students from developing Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply.
British Chevening Awards
* The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds a number of British Chevening scholaships for postgraduate study, mainly for one-year taught Masters degrees.
* Candidates must apply directly to the University for admission before applying for a Chevening Scholarship. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.
Applicants from USA
If you are a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for the following awards tenable at Queen's
George J Mitchell Scholarships
Fulbright Scholarships
Mary McNeill Scholarship (for US and Canadian citizens undertaking MA Irish Studies
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