LL.M. in Human Rights

LL.M. in Human Rights

What is an LL.M. in Human Rights Law?

An LL.M. in Human Rights Law often appeals to students who want to make a difference in the world. These LL.M. programs are ideal for those who want to understand human rights laws, which, by their very nature are complicated: there are many intersecting layers of regulations, as well as a patchwork of shifting international and national laws that govern the protection of individuals. And so, a great benefit of an LL.M. Human Rights Law is that it exposes students to the most up-to-date thinking in the field.

What does an LL.M. in Human Rights cover?

Beyond addressing up-to-date laws and regulations, a Human Rights LL.M. might cover a number of topics, including, for instance, criminal law, refugee law, migration law, and more. Some programs might also provide the opportunity for...

What is an LL.M. in Human Rights Law?

An LL.M. in Human Rights Law often appeals to students who want to make a difference in the world. These LL.M. programs are ideal for those who want to understand human rights laws, which, by their very nature are complicated: there are many intersecting layers of regulations, as well as a patchwork of shifting international and national laws that govern the protection of individuals. And so, a great benefit of an LL.M. Human Rights Law is that it exposes students to the most up-to-date thinking in the field.

What does an LL.M. in Human Rights cover?

Beyond addressing up-to-date laws and regulations, a Human Rights LL.M. might cover a number of topics, including, for instance, criminal law, refugee law, migration law, and more. Some programs might also provide the opportunity for students to do internships with an international organization or nongovernmental organization (NGO), which would allow them to get direct experience in the field. Some LL.M. degrees in this field cover the international nature of the connected rules and regulations around human rights, while others may focus on specific areas, such as Europe.

Some law schools might also offer degrees in related fields, such as master's programs in humanitarian law, asylum and refugee law, children's rights, and indigenous law.

What are the requirements to apply for an LL.M. in Human Rights?

For these LL.M.s in Human Rights Law—as is the case for most Master's in Laws programs, generally speaking—you'll typically need a first law degree, such as a JD or an LLB. However, this may not be the case for all programs, some of which may be aimed at those without a background in law. Other application requirements might include a letter of intent or statement of purpose, along with one or more letters of recommendation. Please check with the law schools you're interested in applying to for more information.

Are scholarships available for LL.M.s in Human Rights Law?

A law school may award scholarships for strong students. Some scholarships may be awarded on the strength of a candidate's application; or strong undergraduate grades; or notable work experience. Other scholarships for LL.M.s in Human Rights might be awarded to applicants from under-represented groups or nationalities as well. For more information, check with the law schools you're interested in.

What career paths are available after an LL.M. in Human Rights Law?

For graduates of LL.M.s in Human Rights Law degrees, many career opportunities are out there. Some go onto work in international law firms that specialize in human rights, and others end up in international organizations like the United Nations, or the World Bank. Still other graduates of Human Rights LL.M. programs find careers in NGOs like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International.

See a worldwide list of all LL.M.s in Human Rights below.

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Rank Full Profile   School
1 New York University (NYU) School of Law
2 Columbia University - Columbia Law School (CLS)
3 Leiden University - Leiden Law School
4 Georgetown University Law Center (GULC)
5 The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
6 Harvard University - Harvard Law School (HLS)
7 University of Essex – Essex Law School
8 University College London (UCL)
9 University of Oxford - Faculty of Law
10 Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
11 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
12 University of Groningen - Faculty of Law
13 UNICRI - United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
14 Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies · L'Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (IHEID)
15 SOAS University of London
16 University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law
17 Lund University - Faculty of Law
18 University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Law School
19 University of Leeds School of Law
20 University of Notre Dame Law School (NDLS)
21 University of Ottawa - Faculty of Law
22 University of Connecticut School of Law (UConn Law)
23 University of Cape Town (UCT) - The School for Advanced Legal Studies
24 Stanford University - Stanford Law School (SLS)
25 University of Warwick - Warwick Law School
26 University of Oslo - Faculty of Law
27 Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
28 Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
29 University of Miami School of Law
30 Cornell University - Cornell Law School
31 University of Aberdeen - School of Law
32 University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh Law School
33 American University (AU) - Washington College of Law (WCL)
34 Utrecht University School of Law
35 National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway - School of Law
36 Maastricht University
37 University of Birmingham - School of Law
38 University of New Hampshire (UNH) - Franklin Pierce School of Law
39 Middlesex University London - School of Law
40 London South Bank University
41 Australian National University - ANU College of Law
42 University for Peace
43 Tilburg University - Tilburg Law School
44 University of New South Wales (Australia) - UNSW Law
45 City, University of London - The City Law School
46 The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
47 University of Nottingham - School of Law
48 Ghent University - Universiteit Gent
49 University of Arizona - James E. Rogers College of Law
50 University of Vienna - Universität Wien - Postgraduate Center
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