Main details
Course overview
Module options
Our academics
Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Scholarships
Facilities
Future prospects
Next steps

Postgraduate Taught

International Law (Human Rights, Conflict and Security)

A group of five F16 fighter jets flying through a cloudy sky

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A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa

An photo of American tanks and soldiers during a conflict

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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.

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

The world is becoming more dangerous. Warfare is on the rise. The global refugee crisis, the spread of terrorism, the proliferation of mass violence and internal armed conflict, piracy, and human trafficking create new perils. Taught by world-class experts in the field, this course offers a firm foundation in the international legal system and international relations specific to human rights, conflict and security.

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 world-class experts

for the best learning experience
Develop deep knowledge

of international legal regimes

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Course overview

Module options

About this course

In the context of natural disasters, health pandemics and economic crises being a danger in their own right, as well as fueling human conflict, the need to protect human rights is becoming more urgent.

You will study in-depth some of the most serious threats facing our world today, including the effect of ‘natural’ problems, and focus on the legal response to subjects such as the global refugee crisis, terrorism, war crimes, and the proliferation of mass violence and internal armed conflict.

Taught by academic experts at the forefront of international law, the course will provide you with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the legal regimes that have been developed to protect human rights – including African, European, and Islamic human rights systems.

You will also benefit from wider opportunities, such as our yearly careers convention, giving you access to leading law firms across the country and a chance to gain vital industry contacts.

A set of metal scales showing the importance of balance

Three students walk out of the Nidd Building which has two large metal sculptures of human heads at the entrance

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.

Compulsory•20 credits

International Protection of Human Rights

Develop your understanding of the nature of UN human rights law. You'll gain the ability to evaluate aspects of human rights and understand the application of human rights law to actual cases.

Compulsory•20 credits

Use of Force and Armed Conflict

The module considers the international legal framework that regulates the ability of States to resort to armed force, and the conduct of those hostilities that take place between States and/or involving non-State actors.

Compulsory•20 credits

International Law Research Methods

The module will enable you to learn and deepen your research skills as to how to design research project proposals, explore research methods and approaches, data management and how to make ethical judgements.

Compulsory•20 credits

Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Labour Exploitation

There are at least 50 million people who are victims of modern slavery. This module exploresmodern slavery, human trafficking and labour exploitation and the laws and organisations trying to tackle these issues.

Optional•20 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.

Optional•20 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.

Optional•20 credits

Environment and Human Rights

In the booming context of climate change litigation, political and legal affirmations of global environmental targets, passionate environmental activists, and an earth that needs us as much as we need her, you will learn to analyse and apply in practice environmental and human rights law , while deciphering the issues that come within environmental related science, and how , they can be applied in a legal and policy framework.

Optional•20 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.

Compulsory•60 credits

9 Modules

Our academics

Our legal academic expertise addresses intellectual and real-world challenges.

With considerable experience in restorative justice, civil law, international and public law, our research has always had a strong interest in social and criminal justice.

See more academics for this subject

Featured academic

Professor Niaz Shah

Niaz is a recognised expert on Pakistan and Afghanistan. He regularly appears as an expert witness in asylum and human rights cases in UK courts. He’s a Life Member of the Islamabad Bar Association and has advised governments in the UK and Pakistan.

Featured academic

Professor Lindsay Moir

The Law School’s Research Director, Lindsay has been awarded British Academy and the Economic and Social Research Council research funding during his career. He also held a visiting position at the International Human Rights Law Institute, Chicago.

Entry requirements

UK
International

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

Law or a related subject.

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 relevant subject area

Law or a related subject.

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

UK
International

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

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

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.

Allam Lecture Theatre

One of the largest lecture theatres on campus. Comfortable seating and modern equipment make this a fantastic environment for learning. It often hosts external speakers and special guests.

Mock Courtrooms

Learn the legal ropes in our mock courtrooms. Our mock criminal law courtroom includes a dock for ‘the accused’, witness box, jury area, public gallery and Judge’s chamber.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 workspaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs to informal group study areas and interactive whiteboards.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Future prospects

Our LLM in International Law (Human Rights, Conflict and Security) 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.

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.

How to apply

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.

Discover more

International Law (Human Rights, Conflict and Security)

About this course