Postgraduate Taught

International Law (Conflict, Security and Human Rights)

A group of five F16 fighter jets flying through a cloudy sky
A law student wearing a checked blazer sitting at a desk making notes
Two soldiers carrying equipment walk along a shoreline
A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa
An photo of American tanks and soldiers during a conflict
An external photo of the European Union headquarters in Brussels with three EU flags flying at the front
Study the complex and dynamic nature of the international legal system and its role in foreign affairs with this Masters course.
Our LLM is particularly relevant for students with a background in law, politics, international relations or the social sciences, but applicants are welcomed from all academic disciplines and career paths.
You'll develop an understanding of the theory and practice of international law and specialise in the legal study of conflict, security and human rights.
Our diverse programme includes topics such as the global refugee crisis, the spread of terrorism, piracy and human trafficking, as well as natural disasters, health pandemics and economic crises.
You'll be taught by experts at the forefront of international law scholarship with considerable experience in restorative justice, civil law, international and public law in particular.
Graduates of this course will open up a wide range of career options including as a professional lawyer, public official, human rights activist, diplomat or journalist.
A group of five F16 fighter jets flying through a cloudy sky
A law student wearing a checked blazer sitting at a desk making notes
Two soldiers carrying equipment walk along a shoreline
A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa
An photo of American tanks and soldiers during a conflict
An external photo of the European Union headquarters in Brussels with three EU flags flying at the front

Want to explore a specialist area of international law, taught by world-class experts?

Our LLM (Master of Law) course offers a firm foundation in the international legal system and international relations specific to conflict, security and human rights.

You’ll understand the public (political), private (economic) and moral (human rights) interactions of international law while specialising in the study of conflict, security and human rights.

The course welcomes students from all academic disciplines.

  • Est. 1927

    Law has been taught at Hull since it was founded

  • We help to shape public policy

    with our research

  • Specialise

    in the study of conflict, security and human rights

  • Taught by research-active staff

    for the best learning experience

  • Students from all subjects

    can apply for this course

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

You’ll study, in-depth, some of the most serious threats facing our world today. The core focus is on warfare and armed conflicts, and their implications for human rights. Since these issues are often fuelled by ‘natural’ problems, the course content is expanded to include this where appropriate.

You’ll focus on the legal response to subjects including the global refugee crisis, terrorism, the proliferation of mass violence and internal armed conflict, piracy, human trafficking, natural disasters, health pandemics and economic crises.

Taught by experts at the forefront of international law scholarship, this LLM provides you with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the legal regimes that have been developed to protect human rights (including Islamic and African Human Rights protection).

Topics covered include international humanitarian law, the law regulating armed conflict both between and within sovereign states and involving state and non-state actors, legal regimes developed to create maritime security, international criminal justice and the role of law in uncovering truth and promoting reconciliation in the aftermath of violent conflict.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Public International Law

Explore the law governing the relations between States and other entities having international legal personality. Develop your knowledge and ability to critically evaluate the development of the international legal system, how international law is made and what it regulates, and how violations of the law are addressed.

Core20 credits

United Nations Human Rights Systems

This module focuses on the UN Charter-based and Treaties-based bodies and their functions in promoting and protecting human rights across the globe. It further focuses on core human right treaties and key themes such as the right to life, prohibition of torture and women’s human rights.

Core20 credits

Force, Security and International Law

This module considers the international legal framework relevant to the resort to armed force in the conduct of national security (in international relations) and in the context of international/collective security. It assesses the development of its regulation by international law, the scope, nature and efficacy of those rules seeking to limit/prohibit the unilateral resort to force, and the (sometimes complex) legal regime that permits states to resort to force lawfully in certain circumstances.

Core20 credits

International Criminal Justice

Discover the field of international law that responds to grave atrocities committed by and against individuals. This module examines the establishment and operation of judicial mechanisms for the prosecution of international crimes, including international courts and tribunals, criminal offences, modes of liability, defences, and restorative practices.

Core20 credits

Dissertation

What fascinates you? You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up a project on a topic of your choice, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

Core60 credits

Regional Human Rights Systems

This module examines and compares the application, analysis and understanding of the European Human Rights Convention; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1981); Islamic human rights law and the Arab Charter on Human Rights (2004).

Optional20 credits

Armed Conflict and International Law

Key themes of this module include the development, nature and structure of the laws regulating armed conflict, identification and classification of armed conflict, the substantive regulation of armed conflict (including participation, weaponry), human rights in armed conflict (including displacement and refugees), criminal responsibility for violations, and alternative approaches to IHL.

Optional20 credits

International Protection of Refugees

This module focuses on the rights and obligations of refugees starting with the definition of refugee and how refugee status determination is conducted by UNHCR and States parties such as the United Kingdom. Key principles such as non-refoulement and the interaction of refugee law, human rights law and humanitarian law are also discussed.

Optional20 credits
8 Modules

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in any subject area

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in any subject area

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Legal Advice Centre

Work on real cases advising members of the community in our Legal Advice Centre. Your chance to make a huge difference in people’s lives and get a head start over other graduates.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, plus extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world.

Mediation Centre

Gain real-world experience of mediation, working with local businesses and individuals to solve civil law disputes such as consumer, tenancy or employment issues.

Centre for Professional Development

Access additional support to kickstart your future - such as our e-mentoring programme where you can gain one-on-one advice from legal professionals through our Centre for Professional Development.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

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Mediation & Legal Advice Centre Consultation

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Nidd Legal Advice Centre
Brynmor Jones Library
Mediation & Legal Advice Centre Consultation
Nidd Building Exterior
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Future prospects

Our LLM in International Law (Conflict, Security and Human Rights) will prepare you for a career as a professional lawyer, public official, human rights activist, diplomat or journalist.

Students who complete the course have many avenues and opportunities open to them and often go on to either practice law, move into the field of research, use the course as a springboard into academia or join government and non-governmental institutions and organisations.

Careers support is available from our Student and Graduate Centre for Professional Success.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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