phd in international law and human rights

PhDs in Human Rights (Fully Funded)

If you are interested in pursuing your academic career in human rights, there are Universities that offer a variety of funding and financial assistance opportunities for prospective PhD students. Fully funded opportunities are allocated through an university or external funds. Depending on the program, scholarships cover full tuition costs, living expenses and monthly stipends. The following is an overview of 5 fully-funded PhDs in human rights.

International Joint PhD Programme “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance”

“Human Rights Society and Multi-level governance” is a three-year doctoral joint academic program with interdisciplinary approach. It is coordinated by University of Padova in Italy in partnership with Universities in Australia, Croatia and Cyprus. The goal of this doctorate program is to form researchers with multi-interdisciplinary profile. Thus, during the programme students will have an opportunity to implement various legal, political, social, philosophical and economic approaches and methodologies in the area of human rights.

While students carry out their research and attend courses at the University of first enrolment, they need to spend at least one semester at one of the partner Universities. During that time, they will be supervised by their mentor from the home University and co-mentor from host University, if the student desires to choose co-mentorship. Additionally, students will be required to do internships at both universities.

When applying, students need to send a research proposal together with other needed documents. If approved by the Academic board, the student will be admitted and then undertake his/her research during the next three years. The program includes teaching, courses (mandatory and free of choice), research and training within the area of human rights studies.

The call for admission to this PhD programme for the academic year 2020/2021 is now open! The deadline for submission of application is June 16 th 2020 by 1 pm Italian time. The first preselection meeting of the Evaluating Commission will be held on 6 th July 2020 and by the 8 th of July the Commission will publish the results of the of evaluation qualifications on the following website. In order to be admitted to the examination, the candidate must get a score of at least 7/10 in the preselection.

More information regarding the fees and scholarships can be found on the University of Padova website. Generally, students can apply for full-tuition funding through their home university, while other types of funding are available as well at the Western Sydney University in Australia, Zagreb University Faculty of Law in Croatia, Panteion University – Athens in Greece and University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights – University of Bristol

This program is one of the five South West Doctoral Training Partnership interdisciplinary programs, provided in partnership with the Universities of Bath and Exeter. The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights aims at delivering traditional approaches of the security and conflict discourse, together with interdisciplinary perspectives on protection of human rights. Therefore, students are required to articulate clearly their proposed research which must be interdisciplinary in nature.

This PhD program equips researchers and responds directly to challenges. As the focus is put on interdisciplinary, students are required within their proposal to clearly and substantively articulate how and in what ways the proposed research is interdisciplinary in nature. The offer of a place to the program depends on the availability of co-supervision from two staff members from different disciplines, in relation to the student’s proposal. Students are required to identify this in the ‘proposed supervisor’ section of their application.

When it comes to the funding and fees, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law allocates 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships, while students can also apply for other types of funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or alumni PhD scholarship fund. Funding is quite competitive and it is available for exceptional research proposals. The tuition fee is $20,152 per year for international students and $5,441 for EU or EEA citizens. However, University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a ten per cent reduction in tuition feels for postgraduate study. The application deadline is not fixed for students who wish to apply as self-funded, while the closing date for ESRC scholarships is usually open until the end of January.

The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human rights equips students for a number of different careers. During the years, the students got employment in areas of academia, international security, development and conflict issues, and they have worked as policy researchers, consultants, policy civil servants or the military.

Human Rights PhD – University of Sussex

This PhD program in Human rights goes beyond a narrow legalistic approach. Admitted students are supposed to work under the supervision of faculty experts, while focusing on human rights area in the fields of poverty, violence, identity, globalization, the emergence of global forms of governance etc. Duration of this PhD program is 4 years if enrolled full time or 6 years if enrolled part time. Students may also choose when they want to start – in September, January or May.

In order to apply, prospective students need to write an outline research proposal four to five pages long, stating the nature, ambition, research questions and the methodology of a research proposal. On the website of the University instructions on how to write a research proposal can be found.

Students can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. These degrees are different in duration and in the extent of research work. The PhD requires research work that will make a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in a chosen field, whereas for an MPhil, student’s work is considered to be an independent piece of research but in less depth compared to PhD. Students graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy and are able to change to a PhD while studying for an MPhil.

University of Sussex offers various types of scholarships and interested students should check application deadlines for funding opportunities.

PhD in Human Rights and Global Politics – Scuola Superiore Sant’ Anna

PhD in Human Rights and Global Politics is considered to be strongly interdisciplinary, aiming at providing the knowledge which will enable students to carry out systematic academic research and make them professionals in the field of human rights. After three-year’s program, doctoral students can undertake career within international, national and regional entities, both in private and public sectors. When writing an application, prospective students need to indicate main and complementary research area, choosing between Political Philosophy, Public International Law, Agri-food and Agri-environmental Law and Political Economy. They are strongly advised to explore the website pages of these faculties and research profiles of faculty members and prospective supervisors.

Deadline for application to this PhD program is 4 th June 2020 by 12:00 Rome time. The number of positions eligible for scholarships is four and amongst four scholarships available, two are reserved for students with an academic title earned from a non-Italian University. Application requires research proposal written by following specified guidelines. If admitted, doctoral students will carry out the research during the next three years.

There are no positions opened for self-funded students. Admitted students will receive monthly stipend and all fees covered. The Program accepts application from all over the world, while one or more places are usually reserved for students residing outside European Union. For further information about application process, fees and funding visit the official website.

PhD in Human Rights – Centre for Applied Human Rights – University of York

The University of York offers full funded PhD program in Human rights within its Centre for Applied Human Rights. The Centre undertakes researches on various topics – human rights defenders, human rights practice, human rights and development, legal empowerment, refugee law and policy, responsibility to protect, transitional justice etc. PhD program is supported by the Department of Politics and York Law School and inter-departmental Development and Conflict Working Group and York Law School’s Socio-Legal Research group as well. Besides regular courses, Centre often organizes lectures, workshops and conferences on the topic of human rights issues.

Interested students are invited to make online application, choosing the option of “PhD in Politics” or the “PhD in Law”, depending on their preferences. Potential supervisor should also be stated during the application. Finally, draft dissertation proposal should be submitted following the template provided on the website.

There are different funding opportunities for students who have been accepted into the program. Both University of York and external funders offer financial assistance. There are also part-time employment opportunities as tutors or lecturers. Potential scholarship opportunities and other forms of assistance are discusses with students who have been admitted. Nevertheless, students should keep in mind that many scholarships have early application deadlines.

During past few years, the Centre has successfully nominated and advocated on behalf of prospective students for an awarded and ESRC scholarship funding. In the case of UK students, this funding covers tuition and provides a basic stipend. For international students, this funding is limited and usually covers a certain percentage of tuition. Nevertheless, students seeking funding should apply early in the academic year since ESRC funding decisions are by April. Therefore, to be considered for funding, students should submit their applications by the end of January.

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• International Law and Human Rights

An understanding of international law is essential to virtually every legal practice area in an interconnected world, whether one is developing policy in a government or NGO, handling cross-border transactions for corporate clients, or advocating for the human rights of a marginalized group.

Duke Law faculty research and teaching across a broad range of international law and human rights subjects are informed by their wealth of practical experience working within or advising such entities as the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the Legal Adviser’s Office of the U.S. State Department, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and U.N. Women. At Duke Law, students can immerse themselves in study and practice by enrolling in the International Human Rights Clinic, joining the staff of the Duke Journal of Comparative & International Law , serving as a student editor on the peer-reviewed American Journal of International Law , or undertaking specialized study to earn an LLM in international law and comparative law along with their JD. 

Featured Faculty

Laurence R. Helfer

Harry R. Chadwick, Sr. Professor of Law

The roots of Laurence Helfer's research interests, which range from the narrowing of human rights in an era of populism to the withdrawal of nations from multilateral institutions, reach back to his law practice, "from being exposed to the real-world implications of these issues." Professor Helfer is an expert in the areas of international law and institutions, international adjudication and dispute settlement, human rights (including LGBTQ rights), and international intellectual property law and policy. In 2022, he was elected to be the U.S. representative on the 18-member United Nations Human Rights Committee. 

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Selected Courses

Comparative law, international trade law, human rights advocacy, international law of armed conflict, foreign anti-bribery law, 218 comparative law.

This course provides an overview of comparative law. We will learn about the differences and similarities, both real and perceived, between different legal orders. We will compare both civil law and common law systems, and authoritarian and liberal legal systems. We will also investigate the rise and fall of foreign legal studies in the U.S., from soviet law in the 1960s-1970s, Japanese law in the 1980s-1990s, European Union law in the early 2000s, and Chinese law in the recent decade. We will investigate the impact of American law on foreign countries and international law, and foreign law in American courts. On a theoretical level, we will try to understand what it means to "compare", and how it can help us both to understand other legal systems as well as our own.

361 International Trade Law

International trade and the World Trade Organization attract a lot of attention and debate. Why do almost all economists say that liberalizing trade flows is a good thing? Why do politicians – even ones who purportedly support free markets – often rail against import competition and "unfair trade"? How does trade liberalization interact with other public policy choices such as protecting the environment or promoting the economic development of poor countries? In this course, we will examine why the WTO exists, how it developed from the GATT and how it fits in the international economic order (Part I). The course will offer you an in-depth, practical knowledge of substantive WTO law drawing heavily on case law. It will address the basic principles of trade in goods and trade in services, as well as some of the more specialized WTO agreements on, for example on trade remedies (subsidies, anti-dumping and safeguards). From a more procedural side, the course will pay close attention to the unique WTO mechanism for the solution of global trade disputes, with special reference again to recent and ongoing cases (Part II). It will conclude by examining U.S. trade law – particularly the widely-used trade remedies laws – and assessing not only the practice of international trade law in the United States, but also whether these laws actually achieve their supposed policy objectives (Part III). Although this course will necessarily address key principles and theories undergirding the international trade law system, one of its driving themes will be the actual practice of this discipline in the United States and at the WTO.

537 Human Rights Advocacy

This course critically assesses the field of human rights advocacy, its institutions, strategies, and key actors. It explores how domestic, regional, and global human rights agendas are set using international law frameworks; the ethical and accountability dilemmas that arise in human rights advocacy; and human rights advocacy concerning a range of actors, including governments, international institutions, and private actors. It addresses the role of human rights in social movements, including in addressing systemic racism, as well as the development of transnational human rights networks. It also considers issues such as how to resolve purported hierarchies and conflicts between internationally-guaranteed rights, efforts to decolonize the practice of human rights, and the ways in which populist and other forces also invoke human rights to further particular agendas. Drawing on case studies within the United States and abroad, it will examine core human rights advocacy tactics, such as fact-finding, litigation, standard-setting, indicators, and reporting, and consider the role of new technologies in human rights advocacy. In examining the global normative framework for human rights, this course focuses on how local, regional, and international struggles draw on, and adapt, the norms and tactics of human rights to achieve their objectives.

546 International Law of Armed Conflict

This seminar will examine the international law of armed conflict, and it focuses on the jus in bello context. Students will consider the rationale for the key concepts of the law of armed conflict and examine their practical application in various contexts. Case studies (contemporary and historical) will be examined in conjunction with the topics covered. This historical context for the law of armed conflict — agreements, the status of conflicts, combatants, and civilians, targeting, rules of engagement, war crimes — are all included among the topics the class will address. Students will be encouraged to relate legal and interdisciplinary sources in order to better understand the multi-faceted interaction between law and war. 

558 Foreign Anti-Bribery Law

Corruption is one of the major factors inhibiting economic development and undermining governmental legitimacy. Developed governments generally enforce rules prohibiting domestic corruption but have historically been less concerned with (and even encouraging of) foreign government corruption. The United States passage of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in 1977, which prohibits covered entities from bribing foreign officials, represents a major shift in this policy. In the last fifteen years, most other major economies and economic institutions (the IMF, the World Bank) have followed suit, although enforcement has been inconsistent. This seminar will examine the origins and evolution of this effort to regulate firms' relationships with foreign government officials. 

International Human Rights Clinic

Through class work and collaborative fieldwork, students in the International Human Rights Clinic learn to critically engage with cutting-edge human rights issues, strategies, tactics, institutions, and law in both domestic and international settings. They develop a skillset of interdisciplinary advocacy tools — such as fact-finding, litigation, indicators, reporting, and messaging — and develop competencies related to managing trauma in human rights work as well as the ethical and accountability challenges of human rights lawyering.

JD/LLM in International and Comparative Law

The dual-degree JD/LLM in International and Comparative Law is an integrated three-year program that combines rigorous legal training with in-depth study of global issues, opportunities to work and study abroad, and focused mentoring, networking, and career development. Students in the program attend the Duke-Leiden Institute in Global and Transnational Law, a summer residential program held at Leiden University’s campus in The Hague that also enrolls other U.S. law students as well as international law students and attorneys. 

Meet Maryam Kanna '21

As a student in the JD/LLM in International and Comparative Law dual-degree program, Maryam spent part of the summer after her first year participating in the Duke-Leiden Institute in Global and Transnational Law after completing an internship with Lenz & Staehelin in Geneva. During her second year at Duke Law, Kanna was president of the Middle East and North African Law Students Association.  She has also worked in the International Human Rights Clinic , served as executive director of events and advocacy for the Duke Immigrant and Refugee Project,  a  Duke Law Journal  notes editor, and a student editor on the American Journal of International Law . Maryam is now an associate with Debevoise & Plimpton, a premier law firm with market-leading practices based in New York City.

I think that having an international legal perspective opens your mind. I didn't find another law school that had quite such a structured and integrated program.

Attorney-Advisor, Public Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State

Special Counsel, WilmerHale; Former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Investment

Sr. Associate, Worldwide Projects, Clifford Chance

Researcher, Amnesty International

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The Duke-Leiden Institute in Global and Transnational Law is a one-month residential program in The Hague, the Netherlands, designed for students and professionals interested in studying international and comparative law. The Institute, which takes place over four weeks in June and July, also provides an excellent foundation for studying law in the United States. 

Published since 1990, the Duke Journal of Comparative & International Law is a student-edited publication that features articles from prominent international scholars and practitioners on issues of comparative and international law. 

Launched in 2006, Duke Law School’s Center for International and Comparative Law (CICL) coordinates and supports the School’s programs, resources, and events in the areas of international law, comparative law, and U.S. foreign relations law.

Human Rights @ Duke Law provides an integrated approach to human rights education, advocacy and scholarship that places students at the intersection of human rights theory and practice, both domestically and abroad.

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About The Program

2023-24 Satter Fellow: Aizhan Tilenbaeva

HRP is delighted to announce the 2023-24 Satter Fellow Aizhan Tilenbaeva LLM ’22. Aizhan is a human rights and international…

2024-2025 Henigson Fellowship Application Now Open

The Human Rights Program is pleased to announce that the application for the 2024-2025 Henigson Fellowship is now open.  The…

PLSMW and HRP Announce Joint Fellowship in Honor of Neelan Tiruchelvam

The Human Rights Program (HRP) and Program on Law and Society in the Muslim World (PLSMW) at Harvard Law School…

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Publications

Intersectionality and Standing in Climate-Related Human Rights Cases

The European Court of Human Rights’ Gendered Climate Docket: KlimaSeniorinnen and Duarte Agostinho

Based Solely on their Date of Birth? Rethinking Age Discrimination against Children under the Convention on the Rights of the Child

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• Human Rights International Law

Human Rights and International Law

Dear Prospective Student, International law is increasingly significant on a global stage and its breaches can be flagrant. Despite dramatic lapses in its observation, international law is invoked on a daily basis by states before international and regional organizations, and in their bilateral and multilateral relations. In short international law is a significant, but not always deciding, factor in international affairs. International law is relevant to all students at the NYU School of Professional Studies Center for Global Affairs (CGA). As part of the MS in Global Affairs, the Human Rights and International Law concentration provides a basic understanding of topics as diverse as state formation, rules on the use of force, transitional justice, laws of war, the "responsibility to protect," peacekeeping operations, protection of the environment, and international organizations. For those interested in focusing on human rights, this concentration explores women's rights, children's rights, the environment and human rights, as well as courses that help the would-be practitioner develop skills in human rights research and advocacy. Other courses cover rules on the use of force at the state level as well as post-9/11 challenges to the enforcement of international law, including detention, "enhanced interrogation," and the ways in which wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been conducted. Field intensives can take students out of the classroom to develop a deeper understanding of war crimes prosecutions, memorialization, and reconciliation in locations as diverse as Bosnia, Serbia, and The Hague, or Rwanda. These topics are particularly relevant for a student who wishes to pursue a career related to international law or human rights within a nongovernmental organization (NGO), a think tank, the United Nations, or in academia, or if a student wishes to explore a possible career as an international lawyer. To learn more, explore our courses in the Human Rights and International Law concentration.

Description

The proliferation of conflict in the post-Cold War era, often accompanied by gross violations of international law and abuses against civilian populations, has focused attention on the need to strengthen international standards of behavior and justice.  International law, transitional justice, international criminal tribunals, human rights, protection of the environment, and international organizations are playing an increasingly important role in the discourse of international affairs. The Human Rights and International Law concentration prepares students for careers with research and advocacy organizations, the media, the United Nations, and other international organizations, as well as the pursuit of a law degree or PhD. Students in the Human Rights and International Law concentration are required to take two courses -- the International Law core course, as well as the basic course in Human Rights.  Students must then select five concentration elective courses (3 credits each) that are offered on a regular basis.

Develop a basic understanding of key areas of International Law (including how international law is created, laws on the use of force and the conduct of war, and the work of international criminal tribunals). Develop familiarity with some of the key areas of international human rights (women's rights, children's rights, the environment and human rights, business and human rights, etc). Master practical tools necessary for effective human rights advocacy. Overall, develop the basic background knowledge in International Law and Human Rights to work proficiently and knowledgeably in these fields.

Prepare yourself for work at a research (think tank), human rights organization, or within the UN system. Or build the basic background knowledge to pursue a PhD or law degree.

Requirements

Concentration: human rights and international law.

The proliferation of conflict in the post-Cold War era, often accompanied by gross violations of law and abuses against civilian populations, has focused attention on the need to strengthen international standards of behavior and justice. International law, transitional justice, human rights, protection of the environment, national reconstruction, and international organizations are playing an increasingly important role in the discourse of international affairs. The Human Rights and International Law concentration prepares students for careers with research and advocacy organizations, the media, the United Nations, and other international organizations, as well as the pursuit of a law degree. Students in the Human Rights and International Law concentration are required to take the first course listed below. Students must then select five concentration elective courses (3 credits each) that are offered on a regular basis.

• GLOB1-GC2240 International Human Rights: Laws, Mechanisms, and Practices 3
• GLOB1-GC2005 Conflict Assessment: Theory and Practice 3
• GLOB1-GC2020 International Negotiation: Cases and Lessons 3
• GLOB1-GC2035 Ethics in International Affairs 3
• GLOB1-GC2060 Democratic Transitions: Setbacks and Successes 3
• GLOB1-GC2115 U.S. Use of Force and the "Global War on Terror" 3
• GLOB1-GC2135 Networks as Capacities for Peace 3
• GLOB1-GC2155 Post-Conflict Policies for Peace Consolidation: A Case Study Approach 3
• GLOB1-GC2165 Build Your Own NGO: Organizational Development for Global Affairs Professionals 3
• GLOB1-GC2190 Global Public Health 3
• GLOB1-GC2215 Transitional Justice in Theory and Practice 3
• GLOB1-GC2255 Human Security: A New Approach to Today's Global Challenges 3
• GLOB1-GC2275 Mediation Skills for Global Affairs 3
• GLOB1-GC2320 Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons: Protection and Practice 3
• GLOB1-GC2355 Human Trafficking and People Smuggling 3
• GLOB1-GC2360 Women and Human Rights: International Law and Policy 3
• GLOB1-GC2385 Gender and Development-Policy and Politics 3
• GLOB1-GC2390 Gender, Politics and the State in Development 3
• GLOB1-GC2415 Authoritarianism, Repression, and Corruption 3
• GLOB1-GC2425 Private Sector Partnerships 3
• GLOB1-GC2455 Mediation for Global Affairs Practicum 3
• GLOB1-GC2510 Cyber: Technical, Operational & Strategic Perspectives 3
• GLOB1-GC2514 Big Data, Prediction and Global Affairs: How to Use 21st Century Computing 3
• GLOB1-GC2535 Advanced Colloquium (Human Rights & International Law) 3
• GLOB1-GC2545 Human Rights Research and Advocacy 3
• GLOB1-GC2565 Advanced Research Workshop 3
• GLOB1-GC3045 Children and Youth in Conflict, Peacebuilding, and Development 3
• GLOB1-GC3075 Women, Peacemaking and Peacebuilding 3
• GLOB1-GC2227 International Investigations and Forensic Evidence 3
• GLOB1-GC2362 Business and Human Rights 3
• GLOB1-GC2516 Advanced Data Analysis for Global Affairs 3
• GLOB1-GC2322 Non-Citizenship in the Twenty-First Century: Refugees, Statelessness, and Forced Migration 3
• GLOB1-GC3920 Consulting Practicum 3
• GLOB1-GC2645 The United Nations and 21st Century Challenges 3
• GLOB1-GC2151 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Global Affairs 3
• GLOB1-GC2205 International Justice 3
• GLOB1-GC2345 Introduction to the United Nations 3
• GLOB1-GC2515 Applied Statistics and Data Analysis 3
• GLOB1-GC2540 Climate Change and Human Rights 3
• GLOB1-GC3055 Security Sector Governance and the Rule of Law 3
• GLOB1-GC2386 Gender & Migration 3
• GLOB1-GC1010 Peacemaking & Peacebuilding 3
• GLOB1-GC2340 Gender in International Affairs: Sex, Power, and Politics 3
• GLOB1-GC2590 Mobilizing for Social Change: Organizing Effectively 3
• GLOB1-GC2492 Fighting for the Rainforest: Sustainable Development and Environmental Justice in Amazon 3
• GLOB1-GC2493 Comparative Intelligence Systems 3
• GLOB1-GC2494 Astropolitik: The Politics, Policies, and Technologies of Outer Space 3

Student Experience

Global Institute for Human Rights

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Summer Certificate Program

May 28-31, 2024   |  11:00am to 3:00pm (et) live, virtual format registration deadline: april 30, 2024.

At a time of profound global challenges, including a revolution in artificial intelligence, a climate crisis, and alleged crimes against humanity in conflict in many parts of the world, the Global Institute trains the next generation of advocates as human rights fact finders. An immersive course of study, this opportunity is aimed at undergraduate students, graduate students, and new career professionals passionate about a career in human rights advocacy, or just looking to enhance their understanding and awareness of the laws, norms, policies, movements, and strategies critical towards addressing the world’s most pressing human rights challenges.

The Global Institute is unique compared to traditional academic studies of human rights, as the focus of this program is to bring working human rights advocates from around the world to the table, allowing them to share their experiences with the next generation of human rights advocates. The Institute identifies human rights as foundational to leadership and the bedrock principles of the human rights agenda as the bulwark of global citizenship. All students who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Click Here to View a Program Video

Program Highlights

Unique Chance to Learn from Experienced Practitioners in the Field   The Institute brings experienced human rights advocates and practitioners together from around the world to share their experiences with students. Some of this year’s planned presenters include*: • Craig Newmark, Founder of Craig’s List • Catherine Amirfar , Litigation Partner, International Dispute Resolution and Co- Chair of Debevoise and Plimpton Public International Law Group and Past- president of the American Society of International Law • Steve Crown , Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Human Rights, Microsoft Corporation • Radhika Coomaraswamy , Former UN Under Secretary General of the United Nations * presenters are subject to change.   Click Here to View Past Speakers .  Theory Blended with the Examination of Developing Trends in Human Rights This program is designed to increase your understanding of human rights theory through a blend of interactive lectures that explore the most current and pressing human rights issues. Discover How Human Rights Intersect with Other Careers The sessions help to uncover the ways that human rights advocacy can intersect with your career aspirations, whether in law, policy, business, or other fields. A Gateway Towards Becoming an Effective Leader & Advocate for Human Rights The Institute is designed to transform students into the next generation of human rights scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Past students of the Institute have gone on to lead impactful advocacy work in different parts of the world, including Latin America and the Middle East. Others have opted to attend law school, including the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Opportunity to Network with Peers & Fellow Advocates Learn from the shared experiences of fellow students from around the globe and expand your network of human rights advocates leading change both near and far.

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Program Details, Fee, & Registration Deadlines

  Dates/Time

May 28-31, 2024 / 11:00am to 3:00pm (ET)

Live, Virtual (Online)

Zoom Digital Platform

Program Fee

*Program fee includes all lectures and course materials.

A limited amount of financial assistance is also available to qualified candidates. Please visit the section on financial assistance for more information and details.

Registration Deadline

Final Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Last opportunity to register for the program.

Registrations are accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline, but we encourage everyone interested to apply as early as possible as there are a limited number of spots available in the program.

Payment Information

A $350 deposit is due at registration. Payment for the remaining balance of the program fee (program fee minus the deposit paid) is due by the final registration deadline .

We accept payment by credit card. Other payment methods are available upon request. To arrange a different method of payment or request an extension for submitting the full payment, please contact [email protected] .

Group Pricing

If you are interested in registering a group, we do offer special pricing for groups of four or more (4+) from the same institution. Requests for more information on registering a group can be directed to [email protected] .

Who Should Attend?

The Global Institute is tailored to current undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in human rights, public policy, political office, and global justice. It also welcomes professionals in education, public policy, government, and business who do not have a formal background in human rights. Those in the non-profit sector with an interest in, but limited background with issues involving human rights, are also encouraged to enroll.

Past Speakers and Session Topics

The Global Institute offers students the opportunity to learn from experienced human rights advocates and practitioners from around the world. Click Here to View a Selection of Past Global Institute Speakers.

Human rights issues and topics covered*, included (but are not limited to):

●  Migrant & Refugee Rights ●  Women’s Rights ●  Economic & Social Rights ●  Business and the UN Sustainable Development Goals ●  Access to Justice & Technology ●  LGBTQ Rights ● The Role of the United Nations in Protecting Human Rights

Click Here to View a Sample Program Schedule*

*Schedule and session topics are subject to change.

Financial Assistance

The Institute is offering financial aid to cover the full program fee for two eligible students, as well as a limited amount of financial assistance to cover a portion of the program fee for some qualified applicants. The applicants and level of aid to be awarded will be selected on the basis of two criteria: 1) a statement of need, and 2) the merit and background of the applicant as demonstrated through their online application.

Applicants requesting financial aid should submit a resume/CV and short statement of financial need, in PDF format, to [email protected] . In order to be fully considered, the statement of financial need should only be one or two paragraphs in length, note the desired level of aid (full or partial), and distinctly demonstrate the financial burden in covering the program fees. The deadline for submitting a request is March 15, 2024. Applicants will be notified of financial aid awards by early April 2024.  

Questions about the program, financial aid, or the registration process can be directed to [email protected] .

Penn Carey Law’s Global Institute for Human Rights was a critical step in advancing my passion for human rights and global governance. Equally, the Institute challenged, broadened, and opened my mind to the varied intersections of human rights advocacy in the public, private, and international arenas. Thanks to this program, I know I have been equipped with the tools to be an effective and efficient advocate for human rights, nation-building, and good governance. —2018 Participant, Saint Joseph’s University

Academic Director, Senior Adjunct Professor of Global Leadership, Member-Elect to the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women ( CEDAW), Treaty Body Expert Committee (2023-2026)

Rangita de Silva de Alwis is the Senior Adjunct Professor of Global Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. She is an esteemed women’s human rights scholar and practitioner with over 25 years of experience working globally in over 25 countries. Rangita has worked with a vast network of academic institutions, governments, and non-government entities on women’s human rights law, policy making, and institutional reform.

Rangita de Silva de Alwis podcast — ‘Human Rights in the Time of COVID-19’

Listen to Rangita de Silva de Alwis in conversation with Agnes Callamard , UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions to discuss human rights in the time of COVID-19.

Keep Exploring

Understand GIHR’s impact: read the event recaps and watch content.

2020 event recap

2021 event recap

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University of Notre Dame

The Klau Institute for Civil & Human Rights

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Programs in International Human Rights Law

Joint programs of Notre Dame Law School and the Klau Institute, the LL.M. and J.S.D. Programs in International Human Rights Law offer Master’s and Doctoral degrees to human rights defenders from around the world. Each year, human rights lawyers come to Notre Dame to deepen their knowledge and refine their skills, often from countries where such skills are difficult to obtain and greatly in need. Since 1989, the programs have awarded advanced degrees to more than 400 lawyers from over 100 countries.

The alumni network from these prestigious programs stretches across the globe, bringing Notre Dame values to bear in international human rights bodies and local institutions in their home countries. Our graduates promote respect for human rights and human dignity at senior levels in international tribunals, intergovernmental bodies, government, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

LL.M. Program in International Human Rights Law

Geared toward lawyers from outside the United States, this joint program of Notre Dame Law School and the Klau Institute provides specialized study and research in international human rights law. Students in this program analyze human rights issues with members of the faculty who are specialists in the field, while also drawing upon the resources of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs. These collaborations allow our students to study both the legal processes that pertain to the pursuit of human rights as well as the social, economic, and political contexts in which human rights are violated, protected or promoted.

More than 400 lawyers from over 100 countries have graduated from the LL.M. Program in International Human Rights Law at Notre Dame Law School. Our graduates’ commitment to human rights — as well as the rigor and richness of their academic life at Notre Dame — has established our LL.M. program as among the most prominent in the world.

Applicants to our LL.M. are inspired by their compassion for victims of human rights violations, but often lacking in the technical skills and theoretical grounding required for strategic human rights lawyering. Ensuring that our students gain competency in the substantive and procedural aspects of international human rights law is our first priority. As Fr. Hesburgh said of lawyers during the dedication of the Notre Dame Law School library, “compassion without competence would be a cruel hoax upon those they serve.”

Visit the LL.M. program page

J.S.D. Program in International Human Rights Law

The J.S.D. program, a joint program of Notre Dame Law School and the Klau Institute, is designed for those who intend to teach and research at the university level. Applicants admitted to the J.S.D. program have demonstrated potential for writing a dissertation of publishable quality—one that will make a significant scholarly contribution to the field.

Unlike the LL.M. program, which is designed for human rights practitioners, the J.S.D. Program in International Human Rights Law at Notre Dame Law School is designed for those who want to teach and research at the university level. Admission to the J.S.D. program is highly competitive. Typically, only one or two of the 15 applicants each year are accepted.  This selectivity allows our faculty to provide individualized support to our doctoral students during their three to five years of study.

This approach has produced a very successful alumni network of over 20 J.S.D. graduates from 14 different countries who now serve as faculty, deans and high ranking government officials.

Visit the J.S.D. program page

For more information on these programs, contact Jean Marc Brissau, Graduate Programs Manager

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PhD at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies

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Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge, while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field.

With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. Broadly speaking the focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics, and Commonwealth history.

This degree presents the opportunity to gain expertise in your area of interest while also honing a range of transferable skills. On completing this course, you'll be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond.

The Institute of Commonwealth Studies

The  Institute of Commonwealth Studies (ICwS)  is the only postgraduate academic institution in the UK devoted to the study of the Commonwealth. The Institute has been supervising interdisciplinary doctoral degrees for over half a century.

The focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics and Commonwealth history.

You'll pursue academic interests in the friendly and supportive environment of the Institute, where your research will be enhanced by the outstanding libraries of the University of London, including the Institute’s own prestigious collection. The Institute offers a unique scholarly environment and you'll be able to draw on the wide-ranging expertise of our staff. 

The School of Advanced Study

The  School of Advanced Study  at the  University of London  brings together  eight internationally renowned research institutes  to form the UK's national centre for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities.

Course structure

The degree can be taken full time over three years (or a maximum of four) or part time over five years (or a maximum of six), with entry in either October or January.

You'll initially be registered for our MPhil and then, providing your progress has been satisfactory, be upgraded to our PhD programme.

The primary activity of the PhD programme is the writing of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. There is no formal coursework, but you will be expected to participate in a weekly seminar on Work in Progress and to present a paper every year from your second year onwards. In your first year you are required to attend a weekly class on Techniques of Scholarship. You're also encouraged to participate in the regular seminars held at the Institute during the academic year.

After submission of the thesis, you will attend an oral examination conducted by an internal examiner, from the University of London, and an external examiner, normally from another British university. Graduates are awarded a University of London degree.

Distance Learning

The School of Advanced Study offers students with an appropriate topic and level of local resource the opportunity to undertake a PhD by distance learning. These students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Fees are the same as for our on-campus PhD programmes. Please note that not all institutes and supervisors offer this option, and that some topics are not appropriate to be studied this way.

If you would like to be considered for our Research Degree programme via Distance Learning, please download and fill out the  Research Degrees by Distance Learning form , to attach to your online application.

Subject areas

The  Institute of Commonwealth Studies  offers doctoral research supervision in the following broad areas:

• Human rights

• Ecocide, environmental destruction and human rights

• Genocide studies

• African politics, governance and development

• International human rights law

• Ethnicity: conflict and accommodation in plural societies

• Protection of refugees

• Minority and Indigenous rights protection

• Dynamics of armed conflict and forced displacement

• Twentieth-century British and Commonwealth History

• Globalisation, security and conflict

• The Commonwealth as an international organisation

• British Imperial history, including decolonization

• European colonialism in comparative perspective

• Post-colonial legacies in the Commonwealth and beyond

• Non-governmental public actors, civil society and development

• British and Commonwealth intelligence communities

Before submitting an application you are advised to contact a member of the Institute's academic staff who has interests in your proposed field of study to discuss your proposal. A list of academic staff and their interests can be found  here .

Supervisors

Dr Corinne Lennox, Co-Director of the Human Rights Consortium

Email  |  Research Profile

Topics :  

• Minority rights protection
• Ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities
• Multiculturalism
• Human rights and development and human rights-based approaches to development
• UN human rights mechanisms
• Transnational social mobilisation and norm entrepreneurship
• Indigenous peoples' rights
• Afro-descendants in Latin America
• Dalits and caste-based discrimination
• Roma in Europe

BA (McMaster), MA (Essex), MSc, PhD (LSE)

Research interests include: human rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples; civil society mobilisation; human rights and development; social mobilisation of Afro-descendants in Latin America; Dalits and caste-based discrimination; international relations and human rights; the role of international organisations in the protection of minority and indigenous rights.

Professor Damien Short, Co-Director of the Human Rights Consortium

• Sociological and anthropological approaches to human rights
• Indigenous rights
• Reconciliation initiatives
• Genocide Studies

LLB (University of Wales), MA, PhD (Essex)

Dr Damien Short is Director of the Human Rights Consortium (HRC) and a Reader in Human Rights at the School of Advanced Study. He has spent his entire professional career working in the field of human rights, both as a scholar and human rights advocate.

He has researched and published extensively in the areas of indigenous peoples’ rights, genocide studies, reconciliation projects and environmental human rights. He is currently researching the human rights impacts of extreme energy processes (e.g Tar Sands and Fracking - see our designated HRC website http://extremeenergy.org) . Dr Short is a regular academic contributor to the United Nation’s ‘Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ and an academic consultant for the ‘Ethical Trade Task Force’ of the Soil Association.

He is also Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Human Rights (Taylor and Francis) and Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Human Rights in the Commonwealth (University of London) and convenor of the British Sociological Association’s Sociology of Rights Study Group and an active member of the International Network of Genocide Scholars.

Dr Short has also worked with a variety of NGOs including Amnesty International, War on Want, Survival International, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs; and with a range of campaign groups including Eradicating Ecocide, Biofuelwatch, Climate Justice Collective and the UK Tar Sands Network.

He currently advises local anti-fracking groups in the UK and county councils on the human rights implications of unconventional (extreme) energy extraction processes such as fracking. 

Dr Bronwen Manby, Lecturer in International Human Rights Law 

• International human rights law
• African region
• Statelessness
• Comparative nationality law
• Legal identity

PhD (Maastricht University)

Dr Bronwen Manby is a part time lecturer in international human rights with the School of Advanced Study in the University of London. In the 2022-23 academic year, Dr Manby was a Jean Monnet Visiting Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence. She is also a senior visiting fellow at the LSE’s Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa, and in 2017-20 she was principal researcher at the LSE Middle East Centre on the project Preventing Statelessness among Migrants in North Africa and their Children. 

Bronwen’s research and writing focus is statelessness, comparative nationality law, and legal identity. Her book Citizenship in Africa: The Law of Belonging analysed the history of nationality laws in Africa, and their relationship with politics, from the colonial era to the present. She has worked closely with UNHCR on its global campaign against statelessness, including writing in-depth reports on different regions of Africa; and has also advised World Bank 'identification for development' initiative. Bronwen has degrees from Oxford and Columbia Universities, is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales, and previously worked for the Open Society Foundations and the Africa division of Human Rights Watch. She is a board member of the International Lawyers Project and of the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion. 

The Institute registers students for MPhil/PhD study only when principal supervision is offered by the staff listed below. It is, however, possible to arrange co-supervision with particular experts in the Colleges of the University of London, and, on occasion, with experts from institutions outside the University of London (e.g. the British Library) when such experts are also Teachers of the University of London.  In cases where it is more appropriate for MPhil/PhD students to be registered at a College of the University, the Institute is happy to offer informal advice.

Opportunities and facilities

The Human Rights Consortium (HRC) at the School of Advanced Study brings together multidisciplinary expertise across a range of areas within human rights, including environmental justice, ecocide and genocide studies, indigenous rights, international refugee law, and securing rights for LGBTI people worldwide. The HRC acts as a national and international collaborative centre to support, promote and disseminate academic and policy work in human rights and hosts a number of seminars and research-led conferences on different themes in human rights throughout the academic year.

How to apply

Before submitting an application you are advised to contact a member of the academic staff who has interests in your proposed field of study to discuss your proposal. A list of academic staff and their interests can be found  here .

Before agreeing to accept you, the School will require you to submit a research proposal, so it is worthwhile having this drafted ahead of a formal application.  Guidelines on drafting your research proposal .

Candidates will normally receive an initial response to their application within 28 working days. Those who have been formally interviewed will normally be informed within one week as to whether they are to be offered a place.

Note : in accordance with regulations research students will be registered for the MPhil degree in the first instance. Upgrading to PhD will be considered in the second year for full-time students and in the third or fourth year for part-time students. 

Contact the Institute

Key information.

The School of Advanced Study is a unique environment in which to study the humanities.  The School strives to reflect the latest developments in thinking across the humanities disciplines it supports and to ensure that its programmes reflect this.   We are also aware that the needs of our students are constantly changing.  With that in mind, the School continually reviews the its programmes and, as part of that process, reserves the right to alter or discontinue them. 

We assure you that we carry out these exercises at no detriment to any enrolled students. Students enrolled on any programme that we discontinue will be able to complete that programme within a reasonable timeframe and with all the necessary resources at their disposal. The School will communicate any anticipated changes with students as early as possible.

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Online PhD in International Law and Treaty Law

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This highly specialized PhD program offers in-depth and comprehensive coursework in international law.

It is one of the world’s only two doctoral programs in this field offered by an intergovernmental organization constituted under international law (the other being offered by the European University Institute and it is a PhD in Law more generally, with a European emphasis).

EUCLID (Pôle Universitaire Euclide | Euclid University), an international intergovernmental organization with a university mandate, offers to select students from the general public an external (distance or online) degree program called the EUCLID DILT which is a full PhD in International Law and Treaty Law.

In terms of academic progression, EUCLID’s intention is to offer a credible path leading from the LLM (24 credits) to the MSc (additional 12 credits) and finally to the PhD (another 25 credits of coursework or directed studies, followed by the dissertation).

As a public non-profit institution, EUCLID is able to offer affordable, low-tuition programs.

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This specialized PhD in international law program focuses on the actual practice of States and intergovernmental organizations, rather than the advancement of academic knowledge for its own sake.

It has primarily been designed to be used by professional diplomats working for EUCLID Participating States and can be considered an excellent route to pursue a career within governmental bodies, international law firms, academia, iNGOs and international organizations.

Thanks to its low tuition and institutional relationships, it is designed to be of special interest to African and Small States students.

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PhD Scholarship in International Human Rights

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The department of law and criminology at royal holloway is inviting students to apply for a full-time scholarship for doctoral research..

• Date 26 May 2021

Eligible candidates are invited to submit their proposals if they meet the eligibility criteria and their project falls within the scope of the description below.

International Human Rights Futures

This is a project on International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and its relationship with existence, empowerment, and human dignity. Global issues are increasingly interlinked and overlapping. Peoples’ human rights are increasingly threatened by risks to their very existence, for example, by cross-border threats of violence, health, and environmental crises. These affect individuals’ daily lives and are not halted by traditional state boundaries. Many argue that IHRL is failing to adequately respond to these challenges and that it must implement new, bottom-up approaches where the international community is responsive to the needs identified by those affected individuals themselves.

Proposals covering any of the following areas are sought from candidates with excellent credentials. Candidates need to explain in their proposal how it connects to the overall aim above.

• Theoretical rethinking, reimagining, and reconstructing the current framework of IHRL using feminist and or Third World Approaches to International Law. The project’s use of critical approaches will evaluate the merits of the literature on the humanisation of IHRL in the context of current challenges to the state based IHRL system. Drawing on literature on the meanings of human dignity and humanisation, the candidate will construct an analytical framework with which to draw conclusions on the way forward for IHRL, exploring methods of empowerment and how these benefit from grassroots’ approaches to IHRL. The student may choose to apply critical theory to focused case studies or utilise socio-legal methods if they so choose.
• What use is strategic litigation in IHRL? Strategic litigation can be brought by advocacy groups that mobilise globally to gain support and spearhead challenges to states’ human rights obligations, but groups can also form the darker side of activism posing new threats and potential divisions. Whilst human rights litigation has been used by groups as well as individuals, many argue it remains conceptually focused on individual rights prioritising certain types of lives, ways of living and persons worth protecting. How useful is this strategy? The student may choose to evaluate practice at international and regional levels in a variety of areas, such as displacement or climate change.

The Scholarship

The School of Law and Social Sciences Scholarship offers a home fee waiver and a maintenance award of £16,000 p.a. for 3.5 years for full-time students (or half of that amount per year for 7 years for part-time students). International students are eligible to apply but please note that if successful the difference between the home and overseas fee will need to be found from another source. The exception is made for EU students starting in September 2021, who will be awarded an additional fee reduction scholarship that brings your fee into line with the fee paid by UK students.

Students can start in either October 2021 or January 2022.

Supervision

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Irene Antonopoulos , Dr Alexander Gilder and Professor Jill Marshall .

The Department of Law and Criminology has an active multidisciplinary research culture. We have developed a thriving culture and highly regarded profile for research across outputs, impact, and funding. Staff and postgraduate students regularly publish work on a wide range of subjects spanning law, criminology, forensic psychology, social policy, and sociology. Staff and PhD students work together in research clusters to organise events, submit funding applications, publish, and create a supportive research environment across four main research themes of: Crime and Punishment; Families and Children; Health and Social Care; and Rights and Freedoms.

We have a strong postgraduate community, and our students enjoy a friendly and stimulating research environment. Many of our postgraduate students are from outside the UK, which provides a forum for exchanging ideas in an international context.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Have a first or upper-second class honours degree in law or equivalent
• Have a Masters-level qualification (or be nearing completion)
• Have excellent interpersonal communication skills

Candidates with a background in Public International Law and International Human Rights Law are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

Application Procedure

In order to be considered for this scholarship, please submit

• A 1-2 page statement outlining your interest in the research project and how you meet the eligibility criteria
• A copy of your undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts
• A current CV
• A proposal (up to 2,000 words) setting out how you would develop the envisaged research project.

These materials will need to be submitted directly to Dr Emily Glorney ( [email protected] ).

The closing date for applications is Friday 18 June 2021 5pm GMT. Interviews are expected to take place at the end of June-beginning of July.

Informal enquiries about the scholarship can be made to Dr Irene Antonopoulos ( [email protected] ).

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RICEVI LA MINIGUIDA

Human rights, society, and multi-level governance.

The Ph.D Programme in Human Rights, Society and Multi-level Governance is a three-year, interdisciplinary academic programme offered by the University of Padova (Italy). The administrative structure is the Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca” of the University of Padova.

PhD graduates gain a multi/interdisciplinary profile in human rights studies, with a major in politics, law, sociology, psychology, economics or philosophy. The programme includes learning, research and training activities, is open to different approaches and methodologies, and has global geographical scope.

  Find out more

The scientific design of the doctoral programme is characterized by its multi- and inter-disciplinarity. Law, politics, economics and sociology are the main disciplines involved. Both theoretical perspectives and practical analyses will be given relevance in the overall approach.

Research will delve into the areas of human rights concern and will critically assess the effectiveness and consistency of doctrines and practices as well as their impact. Accordingly, the focus is on the global dimension (i.e. the UN and UN family legal frameworks, institutions, policies and practices); the European regional context and its global impact, as well as other regional systems; the national governance structures (possibly with a comparative approach); the local community actors and dynamics (i.e. cities, regions, transboundary territories).

From an psychological and developmental perspective, the research lines, concern how to construct ways to think of the future as life design, decent work, and growth; how contextual barriers, often not very evident, stifle thought, reflection, and future design; attention to approaches and dimensions that shed light on the traps between persons and their rights, to release new energies and promote the construction of inclusive and sustainable projects for the future. Another specific research line will address palliative care and quality of life.

Students will be trained in case-analysis, project setting and problem-solving. They will acquire research skills and analytical competences to address the socio-political challenges posed by the processes of implementation and contextualization of human rights standards and policies.

Doctoral graduates will possess the competence and the skills required for a research and teaching career in Academia, and for research positions in public and private organization. The doctoral degree allows graduates to compete for high-level positions in public and private institutions, including intergovernmental organizations, and to perform operative functions as legal officers, project managers, research and development staff as well as specialized field officers. They will have the skills to advise and assist public and private bodies in implementing complex human rights programmes in areas such as education, communication, cultural mediation, social planning, etc. in the framework of human development, human security and social cohesion strategies

  Curriculum

• Human Rights Protection and Social Justice
• Inclusion and Psychological growth

  Other information

• PhD Programmes Calls and Admissions
• PhD Programmes
• The International PhD guide
• More informations

  Contacts

University of Padova, Human Rights Centre "Antonio Papisca" Address: via Martiri della libertà 2, 35137 Padova, Italy Telephone: +39 049 8271812 E-mail: [email protected]

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International Programmes 2023/2024

Public International Law: Human Rights – International Economic and Environmental Law – International Criminal Law Public International Law

University of göttingen • göttingen.

• Course details
• Costs / Funding
• Requirements / Registration

The course selection is free. Courses in English and German are available. It is possible to select courses that are only conducted in English in order to fulfil the criteria for earning credits.

All applicants: 30 March for the following winter semester 

The Faculty of Law at the University of Göttingen welcomes the application of students pursuing a doctorate degree in the fields of international law, European law, and comparative law and intending to write their doctoral theses in English.

The objective of the six-semester programme is to prepare students for a successful legal career in academia and international practice. By providing courses for academic research and additional skills, the programme will help students to gain an in-depth understanding of international law in general and their field of specialisation in particular. The University of Göttingen and the Institute of International and European Law have a strong tradition in international law which dates back to 1737. Today, the institute covers research in many fields of international law, such as general international law, human rights law, international economic and environmental law, European law, and international criminal law. The doctoral candidates will be fully integrated into the academic life of the Institute of International and European Law and will benefit from and contribute to the intellectual exchange there.

While conducting their research studies, doctoral students can rely on guidance offered by the dedicated and experienced members of the programme committee, who are involved both in theory and practice in their respective fields. A structured approach which includes constant feedback through discussions, evaluation of preliminary conclusions and presentations will help doctoral students on their way to accomplish their research project and ensure profound academic results.

Additionally, the programme is part of the Göttingen Graduate School of Social Sciences (GGG) which is a unique platform to explore methodological and interdisciplinary approaches and to develop managing and organisational skills invaluable for the future professional life of the doctoral candidates. Moreover, it offers the doctoral students a variety of professional courses for the development of academic skills such as writing and publishing in English. Further information about the graduate school is available on the  GGG website .

Module A Courses for doctoral students (10 credits) The doctoral students will take part regularly in a doctoral colloquium and report on their plans and the results of their research. Presentations related to their doctoral projects given at institute seminars may be awarded credits. The main supervisor must receive a progress report every six months. Following completion of two semesters, the doctoral students will evaluate and take stock of their work so far within the context of the doctoral seminar.

• Doctoral Colloquium: current developments of Public International Law (Human Rights – International Economic and Environmental Law – International Criminal Law)
• Seminar for Doctoral Students (each semester)
• Discussion groups

Module B Courses in Public International Law (6 credits) The doctoral candidates will take part in international law classes offered in English. Doctoral students whose native language is not German may instead take part in the course "Introduction to German Legal Terminology and Legal Methodology for Foreign Students" ("Einführung in die deutsche Rechtssprache und juristische Arbeitsmethoden für ausländische Studierende") or similar courses. They choose their coursework (6 credits) among the following courses:

• Cases and Developments in Public International Law (summer, winter)
• Cases and Developments in International Criminal Law (summer)
• Cases and Developments in International Economic Law (summer)
• Public International Law II (summer)
• Individuals in Public International Law (winter)
• Einführung in die deutsche Rechtssprache und juristische Arbeitsmethoden für ausländische Studierende

Module C Academic skills (3 credits) Doctoral students will attend courses that develop and enhance their methodological skills. Also, doctoral candidates will take part in the GGG's methodology week. They choose their coursework (3 credits) among the following courses:

• Project Management in International Contexts
• Motivation and Success: Mastering Difficult Situations with More Ease
• Academic Writing: Effective Strategies for Publishing in English
• Slide Writing – Optimise Your Own Academic Presentation
• "Gute wissenschaftliche Praxis" (Good Scientific Practice)
• Interdisciplinary Methodological Week

Module D Key qualification and academic communication (5 credits) Doctoral candidates will take part in courses that aim to improve and enhance their presentation techniques or in courses on didactics or rhetoric. They can take language courses, give an academic paper at a conference or publish in a specialist legal journal. They choose their coursework (3 credits) from the following courses:

• Academic Presentations
• Teaching Skills
• Rhetoric Skills
• German language course for non-native speakers (up to C2)
• Academic English courses (Applied Writing Skills [3 credits], Academic Writing)
• Foreign language courses
• Alternatively, presenting at a national or international conference or publishing in a legal journal
• Specialist literature in other languages
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
• International guest lecturers
• Language training provided
• Training in intercultural skills

Fees amount to around 400 EUR per semester. The fees include a prepaid semester ticket that entitles students to use regional trains (in Lower Saxony and Bremen) and city buses in Göttingen free of charge. Students receive discounts for cultural events. Meals and drinks are also available at reduced prices at all university canteens. Fees: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/fee Semester ticket: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/16432.html

The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 850 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age. For further information, please see the following link: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/54664.html .

Admission requirements

• A successfully completed university degree in Law (LLB and LLM)
• Satisfactory English skills
• Written confirmation of supervision by two members of the programme committee, based upon a research proposal produced by the candidate and an interview with at least one of these two members of the programme committee
• Recommendation of the programme committee

Application process

The following documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the link provided in the call for applications ( https://uni-goettingen.de/de/registration/513496.html ). If the original document is not in English, please add a translation.

• An up-to-date CV
• A personal statement explaining the applicant's achievements and interest in the programme (one to two pages)
• Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts accompanied by an English translation if necessary (qualifications must have been gained within three years of the candidate's application to the doctoral degree programme).
• Proof of satisfactory English skills (details below)
• A research proposal (10 pages)
• A list of publications (if available): books, book chapters, and research papers published in journals and reviews
• Other relevant documents and certificates that support the application (if available)

After careful consideration by the programme committee, the results of the application process will be communicated to applicants by e-mail in due course. Only the selected applicants will receive a recommendation from the programme committee and a written confirmation of supervision.

Proof of satisfactory English skills in accordance with § 2 (3) of the degree regulations: 

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of satisfactory skills in English. Evidence of satisfactory English skills can be provided via the minimum results in the following internationally recognised tests or other comparable results:

a) International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic), minimum band score 6.5 b) Paper-based test "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL-PBT), minimum 577 points c) Internet-based test "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL-iBT), minimum 90 points d) Evidence of C1 qualification according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages e) UNIcert Level III

Applicants who have spent at least two years in an English-speaking country for study or work purposes within three years prior to applying to the programme as well as applicants who have completed a degree from a programme conducted in English are exempt from the requirement to provide test results.

The application process is completely online. To apply, you must fill an online form and upload several documents in PDF format. 

The link to the online application form is provided in the call for applications, which is published on our website:  https://uni-goettingen.de/de/registration/513496.html .

Part-time employment is possible under special circumstances.

The university supports students in finding part-time jobs in local industries and businesses. A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the following website: www.stellenwerk-goettingen.de . Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or work contract.

Foreign applicants should note that it is not easy to find a job to finance their studies, as German students are also searching for jobs. Some proficiency in German may be indispensable to find a job. Non-EU students are permitted to work a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.

The programme coordinator supports accepted candidates while searching for accommodation.

The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studentenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible. For further information, please see the following link: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/617883.html .

Please note: For doctoral students, accommodation services are only available if you have a low income.

The Career Service of the University of Göttingen offers individual support to facilitate your successful transition from the academic to the professional world — whether you want to work in Germany or abroad. Especially for international students aiming for a career entry in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific "Career Impulse Sessions", workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme in “Building International Careers” as well as digital career tools and a virtual community for international employment opportunities: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html .

• Buddy programme
• Specialist counselling

The International Office provides a complimentary pick-up service ("Buddy Exchange Service") from the Göttingen railway station to the accommodation. German students help newly arrived students to adapt to the university and the city during their first weeks. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/49307.html

There is also an orientation week for new international students, which provides valuable information about Göttingen and the university. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/196392.html

Study Buddy programme ( https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/112395.html ) as a part of the Integration and Diversity project at Göttingen University (InDiGU) https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/108275.html

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LLM Program in International Human Rights

The LLM Program in International Human Rights (IHR LLM ) provides an in-depth study of the norms and mechanisms of international human rights law and international criminal law .   A signature feature of this program is the strong sense of community that develops each year among the IHR LLM class , whose members come from throughout the world and bring with them rich and diverse experience s working to advance human rights in their home countries. 

  The s mall size of the IHR LLM program assures that students also benefit from a close working relationship with the faculty of Northwestern’s Center for International Human Rights, all of whom have extensive experience in the field of human rights.  IHR LLMs have access to the full range of programs presented by the Center for International Human Rights .  In particular, many IHR LLMs participate in an IHR clinic class, where they have the opportunity to work alongside fellow students and CIHR faculty on human rights cases or projects from within the U.S. or around the world.  On occasion, IHR LLMs have had the chance to participate in advocacy at the UN in Geneva as part of their clinic work.

Individuals who wish to complete the LLM Program in International Human Rights must apply specifically to that program by checking the appropriate box on their application for admission . It is anticipated that most applicants to this program will already have completed a JD or first degree in law in their home countries. 

Core and Elective Courses

Three core courses (listed below) fulfill 8 of the 20 required credits for the LLM in International Human Rights. IHR LLM students must earn an additional twelve credits related to international human rights law or international criminal law, including at least one of the elective courses (listed below) in the International Human Rights Law Program. The remainder of these twelve credits can be gained either via additional program electives or, after prior consultation with and approval by Professor Arimond, via another relevant course offered by the Law School. Likewise, in lieu of a core course that the student has already completed with a satisfactory grade in prior legal studies, a student may take another relevant course offered by the law school after prior consultation with and approval by Professor Arimond. In exceptional cases, elective courses that would have the student exceeding the required 20 credit hours may be taken after prior consultation with and approval by Professor Arimond.

For more information on the program courses, view the Current Course Listings.

Fall Semester

Core courses.

• International Human Rights I  (3 credits) 
• Human Rights Advocacy: Legal Analysis and Writing  (3 credits)
• Human Rights Colloquium  (1 credit) 
• Nation Building: International Human Rights Law in Transitional Societies   
• A New World Order: the Role of the United Nations in Advancing a Rule of Law and Individual Human Rights

Spring Semester

• International Criminal Law  (3 credits) 
• Human Rights Colloquium  (1 credit)
• International Human Rights: Differing Perspectives in Europe, the Americas, the U.S.  
• The Law of War/International Humanitarian Law
• International Human Rights Advocacy Clinic
• International Children's Rights Advocacy
• International Human Rights Law and Practice
• Health and Human Rights
• Corporate Compliance and the Social Mandates
• Graduate Thesis (4 credits) International Human Rights LLM students engage in intensive, supervised research and produce a thesis of substantial length and high quality. Students propose topics in the field of international human rights law or international criminal law for approval by the supervising professor and prepare at least one initial draft for review prior to finalizing the thesis.

Additional Human Rights-Related Electives within the Law School

In addition to the above-listed courses offered by the faculty of the Center for International Human Rights, every year a number of additional courses related to international human rights or international criminal law are offered as part of the general Law School course offerings. While the offerings change from year to year, the following courses, are representative of the kinds of courses offered:

• Refugees and Asylum
• International Environmental Law
• Women, Children, Gender and Human Rights

Language Proficiency

All students must be proficient in English, as demonstrated by a score of 100 or above on the TOEFL or 7.5 or above on the IELTS. Qualified applicants whose scores fall below these thresholds may be admitted conditioned on the completion of LEAF , our summer Legal English Program.

A limited number of Northwestern University fellowships, based on merit and financial need, may be awarded to applicants or negotiated with third party funders. However, not enough funds are available for all qualified students in need. Applicants are strongly encouraged to investigate other sources of support, including employers and government agencies, scholarship funds, and family and personal funds. A scholarship application will be made available after an offer of admission has been made.  Scholarship decisions are made in early February.

For further information, please contact Professor Bridget Arimond , Director of the LLM in International Human Rights Law, at [email protected] .

Center for Human Rights and International Justice

The Center for Human Rights and International Justice equips a new generation of leaders to protect and promote human rights and dignity for all, in the classroom and in the world.

Mission and History of the Center

Rule of Law and Accountability

Human Trafficking Research

Digital Archives and New Technologies

Human Rights in Trauma Mental Health

News and events, upcoming events.

Brazil: Challenge and Progress

Beth Simmons Explores Impact of Border Hardening on Human Rights in 2024 Annual Lecture on International Justice

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Engages Student Roundtable and Delivers Keynote Remarks on Human Rights and Generative AI

Faculty Co-Director David Cohen Gives Distinguished Lecture at Singaporean University

Get involved, join the human rights student community.

Student voices are vital to shaping the Center's priorities and programming. We rely on our student community to provide insight and feedback about student interests and needs related to human rights opportunities both on and off campus. The Center strives to build programs in a way that is responsive to the needs of our student community – we exist because of and for you! 

Minor in Human Rights

About the degree

Summer Fellowships

How to apply

In the Classroom and In the World

Learn more about how the Center integrates overseas programs with classroom education.

Founded in 1999 as the Berkeley War Crimes Studies Center, the Center moved to Stanford in 2014 with transitional support from Dr. Haruhisa Handa. For five years, we operated under the name WSD HANDA Center for Human Rights and International Justice. In 2019 we became known simply as the Center for Human Rights and International Justice.

Founding Director David Cohen, on the history of the Center's name

MSc in International Human Rights Law

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

This is a part-time degree offered over two academic years. It is designed in particular for lawyers and other human rights advocates who wish to pursue advanced studies in international human rights law but may need to do so alongside work responsibilities.

The MSc in International Human Rights Law is offered by the Faculty of Law in collaboration with the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights. 

Course Structure

This course includes two periods of online distance learning as well as two summer residentials held at New College, Oxford.

A central objective of the course is to ensure that you not only know about but can also effectively and expertly apply human rights law. The curriculum places equal emphasis on the substance of human rights law, its implementation and research. 

Students come from all over the world and from a variety of advocacy settings; from various international and non-governmental organisations, governments, universities, foundations, the media, the armed forces, medicine and other fields and from private and corporate practice. The faculty is also diverse and includes internationally recognised human rights scholars and advocates. The programme seeks the widest possible diversity among both students and tutors.

The first period of distance learning comprises guided online study over two terms, with each of its units including reading periods followed by tutor-guided asynchronous seminars supplemented by some live encounters.

For the second period of distance learning students work independently on researching and writing their dissertation with one-to-one online support from their supervisor.

For both periods of distance learning, students will require consistent, ready and reliable internet access.

Summer residentials in Oxford comprise three weeks of tutor-led small group seminars plus a week for independent revision and two exams. In addition, the first summer session includes dissertation-related exercises to prepare students for the independent dissertation work they will undertake in their second year.

Past students have found it beneficial to immerse themselves within the MSc in International Human Rights Law community during the residential sessions. If your personal circumstances permit therefore, we strongly encourage you to consider booking your accommodation during the residential sessions with New College, which will be facilitated by the course organisers. This may help you to benefit from what the course offers in terms of additional opportunities for discursive engagement and networking. Lunches and dinners are already included in the course fee and will also be provided at New College. If you have any concerns around this, for example regarding dietary restrictions, please get in touch with the Course Administrator to discuss them.

Course content

The course is undertaken part-time over a period of 24 months. It comprises one compulsory course – the Fundamentals of International Human Rights Law course, taken online in the first year - and four electives, two per year, taken in-person at the summer residence. Electives will be selected from a list of options. Not all are offered every year.

Previous options have included:

• Business and Human Rights
• International Rights of Children
• International Criminal Law
• Economic Social and Cultural Rights
• Domesticating International Human Rights Law
• Human Rights and Environmental Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• Racial Discrimination, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples
• Right to Life
• Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Human Rights
• Comparative Regional Human Rights Systems
• Religion and Human Rights
• Transitional Justice
• International Rights of Women and Gender-Related Discrimination.

In addition, students submit a dissertation on a topic of their choice related to international human rights law in their second year. The topic must be approved by the course examiners.

Supervision

An important person in helping your intellectual development during the degree programme will be your academic supervisor. This person will oversee your academic work and submit progress reports.

For the first three terms of your degree, your academic supervisor will be your tutor for the online Fundamentals of International Human Rights Law course. For the next two terms, your academic supervisor will be the person allocated to supervise your dissertation. The allocation is dependent on the subject area of your dissertation. For the final term, your supervisor is expected to be another Oxford University faculty member.

For this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Law Faculty and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

Efforts will be made to meet the preferences of graduate students to work with a particular member of the course team for the dissertation. Tutors and supervisors join as academic contributors to the programme from around the world, and there is therefore a wide range of experts supporting its offerings.

The degree is assessed by coursework (20%), examinations (50%) and a dissertation (30%).

Your first period of distance learning is assessed by way of assignments, and the second by way of a dissertation. You will sit two examinations during each of the two summer residentials.

Graduate destinations

Students have gone on to work as prosecutors and defence lawyers at the International Criminal Court, other UN criminal tribunals, and various regional human rights bodies. They work in private and multi-national corporate practice; in various ministries in their national governments and as UN officials ranging from refugee legal protection officers to country representatives. Others are judges, university professors, lawyers with their national armed forces, heads of NGOs and journalists.

Graduates from the course also include economists, obstetricians, epidemiologists, psychiatrists and forensic anthropologists. They are senior advisors in government around the world, Foreign Ministries, Defence Ministries and each and every one of the regional human rights bodies. They are defence counsel at Guantanamo Bay, do front-line community work in Afghanistan and emergency co-ordination in Sudan, Haiti and many other places. They represent indigenous peoples in northern Canada, Western Australia, the Philippines and Brazil.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence, degree-level qualifications.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved the equivalent of the following UK qualifications:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any relevant subject.

Applicants with a lower second-class (2.2) degree or a GPA lower than 3.0 are unlikely to be admitted. This is the case even if you took your degree long ago, have extensive experience or hold a senior position.

The degree is designed primarily for mid-career lawyers (with at least 3 years full-time human rights law experience or its equivalent) and the majority of admitted students have a legal background and experience of international human rights law. However, in certain circumstances, applications from persons with degrees in other subjects who have extensive human rights experience will be considered.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA normally sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Professional experience is a requirement for admission. Work experience in human rights may be either paid or voluntary. No matter how outstanding your academic record, if you cannot demonstrate a commitment to human rights based on your work, volunteer activities or concentration on human rights and international law at university, you are unlikely to be admitted. The selection committee looks closely at your statement of purpose and your CV/résumé to assess your eligibility. 
• Publications are not required for admission to this course but may be helpful. 
• Your degree experience will be enriched by the diversity of your classmates. How one views human rights is influenced by one’s background. Diversity means more than gender and nationality, although these of course are considered. The sector you work in is also important, as are other factors. The course does not ‘preach to the converted’ and applicants from all ideological, religious and cultural backgrounds are welcome. Diversity is an important admissions criterion but your academic record, work experience and commitment to the advancement of human rights are more so.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.  

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Members of the University are entitled to use a wide range of academic, welfare, social and sporting facilities. This includes access to the University’s main reference library, the Bodleian Library , and the Bodleian Law Library which keeps also extensive electronic resources.

In addition to the services and facilities offered by the central University and the Faculty of Law, you will also be entitled to use the resources and facilities at  your college. Apart from the Bodleian Law Library, the Law Faculty building also houses a café/study space and the Faculty itself organises many academic events intended for graduate students (mainly in the form of ‘discussion groups’), some of which are available online. The Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, which is part of the Faculty of Law, convenes a range of interesting events and seminars during the year focused specifically on topics related to human rights, the rule of law and democracy, some of which are hosted online. Students on the course would be welcome to attend these events.

The Law Library offers the vast majority of its holdings - some 550,000 items - on open shelves across four floors. Selected low-use material is housed in a book storage facility and is retrievable within half a day. The library serves a large community of graduate readers and academics in their research requirements. The strength of the collection lies in the depth of its UK holdings, combined with extensive holdings for European and Commonwealth jurisdictions. In addition the library holds materials relating to international law, Roman law, and jurisprudence. To complement the paper collection, the Law Library provides a wide range of online legal resources. The Bodleian’s collection of Official Papers is also housed in the Law Library.

The library has 40 reader workstations, which provide access to the internet, legal databases, and Microsoft Office applications. There is a Graduate Reading Room, a large seminar room, two IT rooms and three small ‘discussion rooms’ for private study or group work. The wireless network extends throughout the library. The law librarians offer a range of classes and one-to-one sessions to support the specific research needs of graduate students.

Oxford’s Faculty of Law, one of the largest in the UK, offers you the opportunity to study alongside some of the best law graduates of your generation, under the direct supervision of some of the world’s leading legal scholars.

Oxford's reputation for master's-level legal education has few equals. All of the courses on offer involve intensive work to a very high academic standard, and the BCL and MJur are exceptional in their use of tutorials as a principal means of course delivery. Both of these programmes offer an extensive variety of options and the opportunity to specialise in certain fields or to select a diverse combination of courses. For those with more specialist interests, the faculty also offers the MSc in Law and Finance, the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, the MSc in Taxation, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, the MSc in Intellectual Property, and the MSc in International Human Rights Law (formerly known as the MSt in International Human Rights Law and offered by the Department of Continuing Education).

For its research students, the faculty offers a wider range of legal and interdisciplinary specialisms corresponding to the diverse interests of faculty members. For many research students the ultimate goal will be a DPhil, the Oxford term for a doctoral qualification, but the faculty also offers a one-year MPhil course which can either be taken in its own right or as a route into the DPhil. As a research student, you can expect to work closely with a specialist supervisor who will help you develop your ideas and pursue your thesis to a successful conclusion.

Research students play a central role in the intellectual life of the faculty, collaborating in numerous discussion groups and colloquia and participating in many BCL, MJur and MSc course seminars.

Centre for Criminology Pursuing an innovative programme of criminological research and delivering high quality education.

The Centre for Criminology is an independent unit of the University’s Faculty of Law. The centre is dedicated to pursuing an innovative programme of criminological research and to delivering high-quality graduate education in criminology. It has a vibrant programme of research, aimed principally at fostering and developing clusters of research activity around seven substantive areas:

• security, rights and justice
• penal culture, policy and practice
• politics, legitimacy and criminal justice
• crime and the family
• psychology, criminal justice and law
• victims and victimisation
• criminal justice, citizenship and migration.

Members of the centre are committed to:

• connecting criminological work to the broader concerns of the social sciences;
• thinking comparatively about crime and punishment;
• bringing together sociological and normative approaches to the analysis of crime and justice; and
• working at the intersections between criminology and public policy.

These approaches to the study of crime and criminal justice inform teaching and doctoral supervision in the centre. They create an intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment to pursue your study in criminology.

Centre for Socio-Legal Studies At the forefront of multidisciplinary research into the nature and role of law in society.

The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) brings together scholars with diverse academic backgrounds and ambitions, who pursue their own research topics and are also encouraged to collaborate widely and develop multifaceted research programmes. Researchers address fundamental questions about the nature of law, its relations with morality, religion, and justice, and its role in regulation, government and community, the nature of rules and legalistic thought, the development of laws, legal systems and legal cultures, and the social character of the rule of law.

The CSLS welcomes students who wish to pursue research in any aspect of socio-legal studies, broadly defined. The centre's staff have a range of expertise in socio-legal research and methodologies and draw on a range of cognate fields, including anthropology, jurisprudence, political science, regulation studies, economics and sociology. Supervision can be offered in most areas of social-legal studies.

The CSLS has a community of around thirteen full-time research staff and thirty-three graduate research students. Links with leading scholars in Oxford’s Faculty of Law and throughout the University enhance the breadth of the centre’s research and the resources made available to students.

Courses offered by the faculty

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

If your application is successful, you will be asked to pay a deposit against your course fees at the application stage as a condition of your offer. The deposit amount and date by which payment must be made are shown below.

The department's website provides  further information about deposits for this course .

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

This course has residential sessions in Oxford so you will need to meet any travel, accommodation and breakfast costs you will incur in attending these sessions. The tuition fee includes the cost of all compulsory reading materials plus lunches and dinners at the summer residential sessions. Students will need to pay accommodation (‘bed and breakfast’) costs whilst attending the summer residential sessions (five weeks in Year 1 and four weeks in Year 2). Accommodation is usually offered to students on the MSc by New College, and this accommodation is likely to cost approximately £60-70 daily (‘bed and breakfast’) (this is an estimated figure only) for each of the two summer residential sessions – approximately £2,000 per residential. Students who wish to make other arrangements will need to book accommodation in central Oxford. The estimated cost of this is approximately £2,000 to £3,500 per residential. Further, as part of your course requirements, you will need to choose a dissertation topic. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the MSc in International Human Rights Law:

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Lady Margaret Hall
• New College
• Regent's Park College
• St Peter's College

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees: Three overall, academic and/or professional

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Your references should be from people who can provide an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. Professional references are acceptable as long as they are relevant to the course of study but academic references are preferable. Where possible, at least one reference should be from one of your academic advisors. Personal references, such as those from family and friends, are not acceptable.

If you are a current or recent master’s student, one of your referees should be your supervisor, teacher or course director from that master’s programme. If you do not provide a reference of this kind with your application, we will usually ask you to do so before completing the assessment of your application.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement and motivation.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Personal statement: A maximum of 500 words

Your personal statement should be written in English and should explain your motivation for applying to this particular course and should focus on your academic, professional and voluntary experience in the human rights field.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for your education and work experience related to human rights, your reasons for applying and your career plans.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Two-year average (applications for entry in 2022-23 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Faculty of Law

• Course page on the faculty's website
• Funding information from the faculty
• Academic and research staff
• Faculty research
• Social Sciences Division  
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 270281

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

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International Law and Human Rights

Under the leadership of  Dean James Anaya , Colorado Law's International Law and Human Rights LLM was built on its historic strength in international law. Our International Law  and Human Rights course offerings have three main pillars:

• Public International Law,
• International Human Rights, and
• International Economic Law (including trade law and international business transactions).

The research and teaching of our faculty spans a wide range of subjects, with the following topics representing just a sample:

• Comparative Law,
• Foundations of International Law,
• Indigenous Peoples in International Law
• International Criminal Law
• International Environmental Law, 
• International Human Rights Law, 
• Refugee and Asylum Law...

Our LLM also students benefit from access to:

• a robust Public Service Pledge Program , a pragmatic option for students planning to develop professional capabilities;
• a seminar led by Dean Anaya, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples (2008-2014), which includes guest lecturers from an extensive global network of international law and human rights scholars and practitioners; and
• the opportunity to apply for a post graduate internship at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights .

Dean Anaya (center-right) at the signing of an agreement with the Organization of American States to provide Colorado Law students with the opportunity to pursue a one-year, post-graduate fellowship at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

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Notre Dame International Human Rights Law students selected for prestigious international clerkships and internships

Published: May 17, 2024 Author: Arienne Calingo

Students from Notre Dame Law School’s International Human Rights Law programs have been admitted to serve prestigious international clerkships and internships in the following courts: the International Criminal Court; African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights; Inter-American Court of Human Rights; The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies in Geneva; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

At Notre Dame Law School, we are committed to educating a “different kind of lawyer” through offering opportunities that shape our students into well-rounded, culturally aware, and globally competent legal practitioners and human rights defenders. Meet six of our outstanding students in the Law School’s LL.M. and J.S.D. International Human Rights Law programs who will be using their legal knowledge and cultural competence to advocate for human dignity, justice, and equality in communities across the globe.

Nourhan Fahmy

Nourhan Fahmy (from Egypt) was selected by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland, for their new three-month internship position focusing on the Middle East and North Africa.

Duties will include the systematic collection and analysis of information regarding the human rights situation of countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, including the preparation of reports, documents, and other written materials and, in particular, the researching and drafting of individual cases of alleged human rights violations.

“As the Middle East and North Africa intern, I will support the OHCHR in fulfilling its mission to protect and promote human rights,” said Fahmy. "I am so grateful to be selected for this role during a very critical time in the MENA region. As I am about to graduate from Notre Dame Law School, I am eager to capitalize on everything I have learned and all the work I have previously done in research and advocacy on human rights and the rule of law for this new role.”

Fahmy added, “I believe this will be a turning point in my career, and I will dedicate all my energy to serve the mission of the OHCHR to support the immensely critical role of the UN mechanisms dedicated to maintaining international peace and security."

Lehlohonolo January

Starting in fall 2024, Lehlohonolo January (from South Africa) will pursue a 12-month clerkship at the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights in Tanzania. The objective of the internship is to allow candidates to develop a greater understanding of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights; develop new skills, knowledge, and experiences; gain up-to-date knowledge of current working practices of the Court; increase opportunities for career development and progression; and establish networks.

“In furtherance of these objectives, my duties will include conducting research in preparation for hearings, preparing analytical notes that assess the arguments in light of the law, and assisting Judges in fulfilling all assigned duties,” said January.

“The aspect of the internship I am most looking forward to is working with a diverse bench of Judges from different parts of Africa,” he said. “Learning from Judges who represent the best of their regions will be a truly enriching experience.”

Vitaliy Kosovych

Starting next month, Vitaliy Kosovych (from Ukraine) will pursue a 12-month legal internship at The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies in Geneva.

Kosovych will be responsible for conducting legal research on various international law topics; assisting in drafting legal documents such as briefs, reports, memoranda, and statements for meetings, conferences, and negotiations on a wide range of legal issues, including human rights, humanitarian law, and international development; monitoring discussions, debates, and developments in international forums relevant to the Holy See's mission and providing analysis on how these developments may impact the Holy See's positions and policies; and assisting diplomats and legal advisors in preparing for and participating in meetings, conferences, and other events at the international organizations.

“As a legal intern at The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies in Geneva, I am profoundly honored to contribute to the promotion of justice, peace, and human rights on the global stage,” said Kosovych. “I look forward to engaging in legal research, supporting diplomatic efforts, and learning from esteemed colleagues, all while furthering the Catholic Church’s mission in international affairs.”

Zalwango Racheal Sanyu

Zalwango Racheal Sanyu (from Uganda) will serve as a Visiting Professional in the Trial Chambers at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands from September 2024 to February 2025.

In this role, Sanyu will be conducting in-depth legal research and analysis of questions of international criminal law, public international law, international humanitarian law, and human rights law; providing legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Court's documents; summarizing evidence material, submissions, and decisions; and assisting in the drafting of decisions.

Sanyu expressed that she looks forward to an enriching experience for her career. “The Call of Justice and accountability for human rights violations around the world in the current times is undeniably deafening. It is an honor for me to serve at the International Criminal Court during this time in history,” said Sanyu.

Valentina del Sol Salazar Rivera

Beginning in fall 2024, Valentina del Sol Salazar Rivera (from Colombia) will pursue a 12-month clerkship at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica. She hopes to contribute to the legal analysis of cases and the drafting of decisions on international state responsibility for human rights violations.

"This is an uncanny opportunity for my professional development that will allow me to go back to the Court in a more challenging role and put into practice everything that I learned in the LL.M. program,” said Rivera. “Additionally, this clerkship will set my path towards my intended doctoral research on precedent in human rights tribunals.”

Nicolás E. Buitrago Rey

International Human Rights Law LL.M. alumnus and current J.S.D. candidate Nicolás E. Buitrago Rey (from Colombia) has been awarded research fellowships at both the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace. He will be conducting his J.S.D. research in both Courts under the fellowships.

As a Research Visitor and Visiting Professional at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica, Buitrago will support the Court's Supervision Unit and conduct research related to his doctoral dissertation, which is being supervised by Professor Diane Desierto .

"My Research Visit to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights will allow me to learn how the Court understands the design and compliance of human rights reparations. Moreover, I will be able to share the Kellogg Institute Reparations Design and Compliance Lab's quantitative and qualitative databases with the Court,” said Buitrago.

In addition, Buitrago will be a Research Visitor and Visiting Professional at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in Bogotá, Colombia in the spring of 2025. There, he will support JEP in the adjudication of Special Sanctions and conduct research related to his doctoral dissertation.

“My Research Visit to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will be crucial for my J.S.D. dissertation research about sanctions with remedial effects in transitional justice,” he said. “Being in the Tribunal for Peace will enable me to understand the complexities of transitional justice challenges about special sanctions.”

Buitrago will spend three months as a Research Visitor and Visiting Professional at each location.

We are so proud of our students from the Notre Dame Law School International Human Rights Law LL.M. and J.S.D. programs for the global impact they are making as advocates for human dignity and justice.

Learn more about our programs in International Human Rights Law here: https://law.nd.edu/academics/llm-international-human-rights-law/