Duration:
1 year (full-time)
2 years (part-time)
Please add an additional year if undertaking the Professional Experience Year: integrated 2-year masters
Number of credits:
LLM: 180 credits
PGDip: 120 credits
PGCert: 60 credits
Start date(s):
September 2026
Examine the rhetoric and reality of human rights through a focus on issues that bridge theory and practice.
Navigate the complex landscape of international human rights law, from the foundational UN treaty system and regional mechanisms to contemporary challenges in human rights law. The course integrates knowledge across human rights, development, international relations, conflict studies, and migration law, providing you with sophisticated understanding of how rights frameworks operate within broader political, social, and economic contexts.
Taking an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, you will acquire specialist knowledge of international legal instruments including the International Bill of Rights, core UN treaties, and regional systems like the European and Inter-American human rights frameworks.
You will engage with the mechanics of treaty body systems and individual complaint procedures while developing critical awareness of customary international law and jus cogens norms. This knowledge foundation will be informed by current thinking and debate around emerging issues such as business and human rights, transitional justice, human rights and terrorism and war.
Modules
30 credits
This module sets to provide you with the requisite a comprehensive examination of contemporary international law and the evolving framework of global regulation.
It is designed to provide you with indepth knowledge of the characteristics of the legal system, an overview of its regulatory purview and its sources (treaties, customary law), the relationship between international law and national law, legal personality and the actors on the international legal arena, as well as the key legal principles governing their activities (jurisdiction, responsibility, and immunities).
You will be equipped with a critical understanding of how international legal norms are developed, implemented, and enforced across various jurisdictions. You will engage with key topics such as the role of international organisations, the intersection of national and international law, human rights, environmental regulation, and trade law.
Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and case studies, you will examine how global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and human migration are addressed within the international legal framework. The module will also focus on the skills necessary for effective analysis and application of international law, including legal reasoning, advocacy, and negotiation.
By the end of this module, you will be able to critically assess the effectiveness of international law in regulating global issues, understand the complexities of legal interactions between states and non-state actors, and develop your own perspectives on contemporary legal challenges. The knowledge and skills gained will prepare you for a career in law, international relations, public policy, and related fields.
Teaching and learning
The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.
Lectures will cover core topics and knowledge and are aimed at building a core understanding of the foundations of the international legal system and developing the analytical skills needed to formulate and support an international legal argument to help prepare you, within your respective degree programme, for research you will undertake in this and other modules.
Workshops will provide an opportunity to examine case studies.
Assessment
This module will be assessed by a literature review and essay plan (30%) and a research report (70%).
30 credits
This module provides comprehensive introduction to international human rights law through integrated examination of its theoretical foundations, historical development, and contemporary practice.
Understanding human rights requires more than knowledge of legal instruments; it demands appreciation of philosophical debates about human nature and dignity, historical struggles for recognition and protection, and practical challenges of implementation across diverse legal, political, and cultural systems. This module serves as essential preparation for advanced human rights studies and provides intellectual framework for critical engagement with contemporary human rights challenges.
The module begins by exploring historical, philosophical and structural aspects of human rights, including Enlightenment perspectives, theories of rights/history of rights theory, universalism/relativism debates, sovereignty and non-intervention concerns and other structural issues pertinent to international law and relations. Examining the UN parameters, regional and domestic frameworks and principal international mechanisms ensures a good understanding of the institutional and legal frameworks in which human rights discourses are located.
The module then provides important critical elaboration and analysis of the normative frameworks in which human rights operate, with particular attention drawn to examining the effect of lacunae/silences in human rights discourse on communities and practices, and on debates about the nature and applicability of human rights.
The module further sets the scene for the course through examination of contemporary issues/political sociology of human rights, covering a range of questions to be explored in later modules.
Teaching and learning
The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.
Lectures will cover foundational knowledge and introduce key concepts and theories in international human rights law, while workshops will consist of discussion and deeper analysis of specific historical events, legal documents, and contemporary issues.
Assessment
This module will be assessed by an analytical essay (50%) and a case study report (50%).
30 credits
This module bridges the gap between theoretical human rights law and its practical implementation, focusing on the mechanisms, strategies, and challenges involved in protecting human rights, enforcing legal obligations, and conducting effective advocacy.
In an era of increasing human rights challenges globally, practitioners require sophisticated understanding of how rights are protected in practice, how enforcement mechanisms operate, and how effective advocacy can create meaningful change.
The module combines doctrinal analysis with practical skills development, preparing you for careers in human rights law, advocacy organisations, international institutions, and government service. It aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage effectively with human rights issues in practice.
Teaching and learning
The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.
Lectures will cover principles and legal framework, while workshops will consist of a focus on strategic litigation on the principles in the lecture in order to illustrate the application of the issues at stake and how they were legally approached by judges.
Assessment
This module will be assessed by a bibliographical essay (50%) and a case commentary report (50%).
Optional
30 credits
This module critically examines the contemporary challenges facing human rights in the global context. It addresses the impact of globalisation, technological advancements, political shifts, and environmental crises on the protection and promotion of human rights.
You will explore specific issues such as migration, surveillance, freedom of expression, and climate change, analysing how these challenges affect the realisation of human rights for individuals and communities worldwide.
Teaching and learning
The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.
Lectures will cover foundational knowledge and introduce key concepts related to contemporary human rights challenges, while workshops will facilitate discussions and deeper analysis of specific issues, encouraging critical thinking and debates.
Assessment
This module will be assessed by a blog (70%) and a group presentation (30%).
30 credits
The laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law (IHL) or the law of armed conflict (LOAC), constitute one of the most critical and challenging areas of international law. In an era of evolving conflict dynamics, technological advancement in warfare, and complex humanitarian crises, understanding the legal frameworks governing armed conflict has never been more important.
This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks governing armed conflict, including international humanitarian law and human rights law.
It explores the principles that regulate the conduct of hostilities, the protection of individuals during warfare, and the legal accountability for war crimes. The module fits within the broader context of legal studies by equipping you with the critical skills necessary to analyse complex legal issues in contemporary conflicts, enhancing your academic and professional profiles in law, human rights, and international relations.
Teaching and learning
The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.
Lectures introduce core topics and theoretical and practical knowledge and develop, through a systematic survey of recurring and perennial issues, critical assessment of the law-in-operation. To that end, lectures draw on a variety of sources including core textbooks, periodical literature, primary sources (government and UN documents, NGO reports) and various media (documentaries, news media, etc).
Workshops will bring acquired knowledge of theory and practice to bear on the consideration and illustration of the operation of the law, through practical exercises aimed at developing skills in two key areas faced by humanitarian law professionals: humanitarian assistance and its dilemmas and the knowhow of humanitarian advocacy.
Assessment
This module will be assessed by a policy brief (30%) and a research essay (70%).
60 credits
This capstone module draws together the knowledge and skills covered in the autumn and spring terms to allow you to demonstrate your knowledge, research and analytical skills in the field of international human rights.
The purpose of this module is to enable you to synthesise the knowledge, understanding and skills that you have learned during the course of the LLM programme to produce an original piece of research.
You will develop advanced research skills, critical analytical abilities, and scholarly writing capabilities while exploring contemporary challenges in human rights protection within the international legal framework.
Teaching and learning
This module is led by you, supported by supervision sessions with a tutor who has expertise within the chosen field. The role of the tutor will be to support you in the following areas:
- Identifying and formulating research problems and research questions
- Finding and assessing academic sources
- Formulating a research argument
- Designing and structuring research
- Producing analysis, drawing conclusions, and honing writing skills
- Using and citing academic sources; preparing a bibliography
- Introduction to research degrees
There are personal milestones that you need to reach, such as submitting your ethics application and submitting drafts to your supervisor.
Assessment
This module will be assessed by a legal briefing (30%) and a research report (70%).
These are the current planned modules on this course and may be subject to change.
Professional Experience Year
This course also offers the option of a Professional Experience Year. This programme combines dynamic career modules with flexible placement opportunities. After completing your first year of study, you'll then spend the next academic year completing your Professional Experience training as part of your degree. This will give you real career experience. This unique opportunity offers you distinct paths to build your expertise.
Careers
You will graduate with the specialist knowledge, practical skills, and professional confidence needed to succeed in a rapidly expanding field.
Whether you’re aiming for roles in law firms, NGOs, international organisations, or policy and research bodies, this course will equip you for a wide range of impactful careers.
Studying in London places you at the heart of the global human rights community. The city is home to major organisations like Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières, Redress, and leading human rights law firms, offering exceptional opportunities to network, gain experience, and build your professional profile.
You’ll receive personalised career support from specialist advisors, develop a strong professional presence on platforms like LinkedIn, and access training opportunities through organisations such as the British Institute of Human Rights.
The Student Futures team is here to support you throughout your time at Roehampton and beyond.
They offer services tailored to your needs, helping you take confident steps towards your future.
You’ll have access to a wide range of career workshops and events, where you can engage with employers and develop the skills you need to succeed in the workplace.
These opportunities will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and connect with successful Roehampton graduates who are thriving in their careers. You’ll also be able to engage with our partners across London and beyond.
Wherever you want to go in the future, you'll be preparing for the world of work from your very first day.
Discounted SQE preparation
If you want to qualify as a solicitor, you can benefit from a discounted SQE preparation with BARBRI, available even if you do not hold a prior LLB.
Learning & assessment
This course is built around hands-on, experiential learning. Rather than studying the law in the abstract, you’ll work with real cases, authentic legal materials, and current human rights challenges from around the world.
Taught in small, diverse cohorts, you’ll collaborate with peers from different legal systems and backgrounds, gaining the cross-cultural insight essential for international practice.
Throughout the course, you’ll analyse treaties, case law, UN reports, and 'living cases' to understand how human rights law operates, and evolves, in real time. This practical, immersive approach equips you with the legal knowledge, analytical confidence, and professional skills needed to succeed in the global human rights field.
How you'll be assessed
You’ll be assessed through tasks that mirror real human rights practice, including research, analysis, and problem-solving. Each module provides formative feedback with clear, personalised guidance to help you improve and prepare for final assessments.
With transparent criteria and practice-focused assignments, you’ll build confidence, develop advanced legal research skills, and apply your learning to genuine human rights challenges.
Opportunities & facilities
At Roehampton, you will become part of a values-led, globally conscious academic community where innovation, sustainability, and inclusive leadership are central to how we teach, learn and build the future.
Roehampton Business Laboratory
Our enterprise incubator will support you in developing and scaling entrepreneurial ideas. It also houses signature initiatives like the RISE Prize and the Dragon's Den Style Launchpad showcase.
Celebrating innovation at the LaunchPad start-up awards 2025
World-class library
Home to hundreds of thousands of books, over 1,000 seats, and modern, collaborative and silent study spaces. You'll also have access to a vast range of online resources, like e-books, journals, and databases whenever you want.
Open days
Get a real taste of our campus, community and what it’s like to study at Roehampton
Applying
UK postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.
General entry requirements
September 2025 entry tuition fees (UK)
| Level of study | Full-time | Part-time* |
| LLM | £11,250 Professional Experience Year: £2,500 |
£5,625 |
*Year 1 fee
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our financial support pages for UK students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
International postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.
General entry requirements
September 2025 entry tuition fees (international)
| Level of study | Full-time | Part-time* |
| LLM | £18,250 Professional Experience Year: £2,500 |
£9,125 |
*Year 1 fee
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our financial support pages for international students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
