Master of Laws in Public International Law and Human Rights

Master of Laws

Postgraduate Certificate in Public International Law and Human Rights

Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma in Public International Law and Human Rights

Postgraduate Diploma

Master of Laws, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma

Master of Laws in Public International Law and Human Rights, Postgraduate Certificate in Public International Law and Human Rights, Postgraduate Diploma in Public International Law and Human Rights

PSLPIL

Elective

Compulsory Elective

For the taught element of the programme; you will select two modules from the range of compulsory electives and any three other modules (either compulsory electives or electives), totalling 150 credits. There are no pre-requisite modules.

Modules are offered subject to minimum numbers; where it is not possible to offer a module because of low student demand or staff unavailability, you will be given the opportunity to write a dissertation around that subject area.

Taught component

Core

You must also complete a research dissertation or project in the area of Public International Law and Human Rights. 

Research component 

Programme Structure

The programme is designed to be very flexible to meet students’ differing study objectives. It can be completed on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years. You can join the programme in either September or January. The focus of the programme is on face-to-face teaching and building a student community. While we would strongly encourage you to come to London and study on campus, the blended learning design of the programme means that remote and/or asynchronous access to classes will be possible. See the How Will I Learn section for further details.

Deal with research materials ethically and appropriately; 

Values and attitudes

Show acquisition of knowledge of theory and techniques relevant to public international and human rights law in practice.

Knowledge

Undertake independent learning and assess your own capacity for progressing to higher level studies;

Skills

Show respect for social values, including inclusivity and cultural awareness;

Employ self-direction and originality in addressing problems or issues arising from the current state of public international and human rights law  and/or proposals for its development or reform;

Deal with complex issues, including those where data maybe incomplete, both systematically and creatively and to reach sound judgements.

Exhibit rigour in carrying out a research process; 

Show an appropriate knowledge of and respect for relevant ethical considerations and conduct in all aspects of legal work.

Apply knowledge of public international and human rights law, whether gained during current or previous studies, in an appropriate and, on occasion, original manner to address issues of concern to these areas of law;

Understand how techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in public international and human rights law;

Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in public international and human rights law and practice, including research methodologies where appropriate;

Demonstrate integrity in all aspects of academic work and study;

Apply high quality legal and professional research skills;

Display excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to express complex arguments clearly and accurately;

Display a thorough knowledge of a range of aspects of one or more distinct areas of public international and human rights law or legal practice including critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of public international and human rights law;

PSLPIL - Public International Law and Human Rights

The LLM in Public International Law &amp; Human Rights is a flexible Masters’ programme which will enable you to develop a critical understanding of specialist or linked areas of the law through a strong combination of in-depth scholarship, awareness of legal practice, practitioner contact and real-world insights. This combination of distinctive elements makes the programme suitable for those seeking to develop their academic understanding of specific areas of law, and also for those looking for knowledge and insights that will support their career development.

The programme can be completed full-time over one year or part-time over two years, and you will typically have around 4-6 hours of teaching each week if you study full-time, or 2-4 hours if you study part-time, depending on how many modules you choose to take each term. Each taught module is delivered over one of two 10-week terms; Autumn Term runs from September-December and Spring Term from January-April.  You will normally be expected to do 30 hours of personal study each week, engaging in reading and research, online activities, and preparing for classes. 
The LLM (Master of Laws) programme offers three modes of learning and follows leading programme design principles to provide you with blended learning which is fully supportive and coherent whilst enabling flexibility as to how and when you study. The primary emphasis is on good quality teaching to ensure that you develop a proper understanding of relevant legal knowledge and acquire relevant skills. This takes place within a flexible environment where structured online materials and other resources on the university’s virtual learning environment fully support your learning with different options for engagement with staff and other students. The core elements of this blended learning approach are: 
<ul>
<li>There is a clear week on week framework to guide you incrementally through the learning elements of each Module. </li>
<li>This framework is provided through a systematically presented virtual learning environment (Moodle), that clearly indicates topics to be covered each week, and the work you should do. </li>
<li>The online materials include video, audio, graphical and text-based resources, all designed to help you to prepare effectively for the relevant lecture or seminar. </li>
<li>Each week there will be pre-reading and self-study tasks to be completed, with written or recorded guides to topics being covered to help you to acquire and assimilate knowledge prior to a class. All classes will be conducted on the basis that required preparation has been completed.</li>
<li>Some lecture type material may be pre-recorded where appropriate to provide you with flexible access. </li>
<li>You will have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar per module each week. Seminars will be taught in small groups, normally with between 10 and 40 students.</li>
<li>The online materials will also include links to other resources, additional exercises to complete for practice, and guidance on how to get support for study. </li>
<li>Materials are all designed to be interactive, supporting your developing knowledge of substantive law, your skills, and your practical understanding, with discussion topics and the use of realistic scenarios where appropriate. </li>
</ul>

Curriculum Catalogue

Public International Law and Human Rights - LLM

PSLPIL