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The LLM International Human Rights Law is your opportunity to explore the way that international law is used to protect human rights and enables you to gain expertise in a distinct yet relatively broad specialism. You will combine core and elective modules to gain an international perspective on this field of law. The degree is taught by many of our research-active academics based in the Law School and offers you the opportunity to engage with teaching staff who are working in the field of International Human Rights research.
Our Law School is home to the Centre for International Law and Human Rights, Centre for Crime, Law and Justice, the Centre for Law and Society, and the Centre for Child and Family Justice; these influential centres underpin our postgraduate teaching, which is often research-led and research-informed.
For your degree, you will study 6 taught modules plus writing a dissertation of 15, 000 words. Some of these modules are compulsory (core), while you can choose the rest from our list of optional modules.
Your core modules are International Law, International Human Rights Law, Research Methods in Law and the LLM Dissertation. The modules in International Law and International Human Rights Law will address key questions such as how international laws protect, govern and define your human rights and inter-state relationships. You will evaluate the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights protected through international instruments and explore the way that international law is used to shape the world in which we live.
The Research Methods in the Law module will provide an insight into various theoretical approaches to the study of law, as well as give practical guidance on research design and ethics.
The dissertation is an independent, in-depth inquiry into a research topic of your choosing. The topic will link to a key legal question or issue and may also directly relate to your professional/career interests. This is your opportunity to make a contribution to the legal and academic community with new, original research and writing. A dissertation supervisor can provide you with support and introduce you to relevant legal material and research; their personal research interests will closely align with your chosen topic wherever possible.
We pride ourselves on the choice and breadth of elective modules available, offering you access to expertise in growing fields such as The Rights of Peoples, International Terrorism and the Law, and International Environmental Law.
Our teaching approach is international in scope and comparative by nature, and we actively encourage you to build a beneficial network of academics, peers and alumni during your time with us. All of this will help you to broaden your experience, deepen your understanding, and prepare for your next step.
Your postgraduate LLM degree can open doors to a wide range of careers. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills required to critically evaluate research relating to international human rights law; skills which can be highly prized by employers both here in the UK and overseas. Whilst on the degree you will also have the chance to develop your analytical and communication skills which can help to build on your employability in any sector. The LLM is also an ideal stepping stone to PhD study and academia.
Formed in 1959, and based in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, the Richardson Institute is the oldest peace and conflict research centre in the UK. Since 2012 it has provided an internship programme that gives students the opportunity to work with different organisations on issues of peace and conflict.
Discover the key features of studying LLM Programmes at Lancaster University. Our LLM Programmes will develop your legal expertise – whether you’re new to the field or want to take your career to the next level.
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Law or any other subject.
We will also consider applications on an individual basis if you have lower qualifications, or a qualification that is not included on our list of international qualifications, or experience in professional legal practice.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Course structure
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Core
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The dissertation is an independent, in-depth inquiry into a research topic of your choosing. The topic will relate to a key legal question or issue and may also directly relate to your professional/career interests.
You will:
Identify and define a discrete research topic in Law
Complete and submit a Dissertation Proposal Form, signed by your supervisor
Carry out a literature review of the relevant field, incorporating a comprehensive range of relevant legal materials
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the selected legal issues through independent research
Construct and sustain a cohesive argument within your writing
Outline the implications of your findings and how they may inform further research, policy or practice
This is your opportunity to make a contribution to the legal and academic community with new and original research and writing on a legal issue.
The dissertation is a compulsory component with a 15,000-word limit.
Please note: topics can only be approved if the University has sufficient sources for the research and the necessary staff expertise for supervision.
How do international laws protect, govern and shape your human rights?
This module provides an overview of the various rights that are protected through international instruments: civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
You will also be given a general introduction to regional and universal systems for human rights protection and promotion. This will focus on the UN human rights system but you will be encouraged to take a comparative view of regional human rights protection systems.
You will have the opportunity to gain a substantive and procedural knowledge of human rights through the international system. And you’ll engage with some key debates in this legal arena, such as the development of human rights and the human rights obligations of non-state actors.
To get the most from this module, you will have some knowledge of general international law and have a law or social science background.
Our Law School is home to research-active academics, you will have the chance to benefit from some of their expertise as many teach on areas closely aligned with their own research interests.
The rules, laws and customs that govern inter-state relationships come into sharp focus in this module. It provides you with a base from which you can further your study of specific areas of international law.
As we explore the essential elements of international law, and the way that they are used to shape the world in which we live, you will have the chance to gain an in-depth understanding of both theory and practice. You will be given ‘real’ examples of international law to critically assess, allowing you to identify its shortcomings and challenges.
We will cover fundamental principles and concepts of international law and some topical issues such as:
the nature and sources of international law
the relationship between international and national law
statehood and self-determination
jurisdiction
immunities
state responsibility
dispute settlement
use of force
Our Law School is home to research-active academics, you will have the chance to benefit from some of their expertise as many teach on areas closely aligned with their own research interests.
This module is an essential element in developing skills and understanding of research and writing methods at an advanced level. You will have the opportunity to develop understanding and insights into how to carry out good academic work, what characterises ethical research, how to be conscientious about research methods, and how choices of methods will impact on their research and outcomes. You will also have the chance to address how to design research projects, approach research and writing in an analytical and critical manner, and how to reference correctly. The module will include sessions on critical writing, and how to get one’s own voice through in the text. Typically, the final part of the module will be devoted to preparing you for the dissertation planning and writing.
Optional
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How have the principles of environmental law developed? How effective is the environmental law of England and Wales?
Law students and students from Lancaster Environment Centre study side by side on this module. This presents you with a rare interdisciplinary opportunity to share ideas and perspectives between lawyers and scientists. Together, we will explore the sources, principles and effectiveness of environmental law in England and Wales.
Within your studies you will investigate the efficacy and effect of environmental law. Topics analysed include: water pollution, the history of environmental law, green criminology and the protection of the countryside. The module then builds upon this critical analysis to explain how the aqueous, atmospheric and terraneous environments are protected by law.
Environmental law is typically taught by research-active academics who will introduce you to their research into green criminology, access to the countryside, market mechanisms and environmental protection. This research often informs their teaching and you can choose an essay based on these topics or develop your own question with the support of our lecturers.
This module will enable you to develop your independent research skills in preparation for your dissertation module. It also provides you with the opportunity to study an area of law that is currently unavailable within our optional modules.
You will have the opportunity to:
Identify and define a discrete research topic in Law
Carry out a literature review of the relevant field, incorporating a comprehensive range of relevant legal materials
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the selected legal issues through independent research
Construct and sustain a cohesive argument within your writing
Outline the implications of your findings and how they may inform further research, policy or practice
This is your chance to make a contribution to the legal and academic community with new and original research and writing on a legal issue.
Typically the module structure includes a seminar on Research, Methodology and Writing, workshop sessions and meetings with your supervisor to track your progress and help you to set work plans.
We live in a world where an increasing amount of business is conducted across international borders. International Business Law and Institutions (WTO) considers the role of law, institutions, law makers and regulators in the international business environment.
In this module we will look at the international legal and institutional framework that regulates transnational business and you will analyse the nature of legal and regulatory arrangements, such as:
national laws affecting international investment (and their regulation)
forms of international law affecting transnational business (bilateral and multilateral treaties, codes of conduct, decisions of international organisations)
the basic principles of GATT
the structure and role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
the interplay between the WTO and other areas of global regulation (health and environmental protection)
product standards
international aspects of intellectual property rights
regulatory aspects of the internationalisation of services (especially financial)
A combination of independent reading and seminars with our research-active lawyers and academics will provide you with the opportunity to gain a sound grasp of this legal area.
Three main questions arise when civil and commercial disputes before the English courts contain an international element. These are the questions that you will tackle in this thought-provoking module:
How do we decide which court can legitimately claim jurisdiction in relation to the dispute?
Which system of law will the court claiming jurisdiction apply to the dispute?
And, once a decision has been reached by the courts in one country, under what circumstances will that decision be recognised or enforced in the other country or countries?
For example: a contract between an English company and a French company is to be performed in Germany. Should the French, the German or the English courts hear the dispute? Should the contract be governed by French, German or English law? And, if the dispute is decided in England by an English court applying French law, can this decision be enforced against a German defendant in Germany?
This module is delivered through a series of seminars which aim to facilitate the discussion between you, your peers, and the lecturer who is typically in the field of commercial conflict of laws. The module is informed by the lecturer's research on issues of legal knowledge. You will be encouraged to form your own considered views on contentious issues
What are the merits of international criminal justice? And what are the main challenges that present themselves in this area of law?
This module provides you with an opportunity to consider these key questions as you benefit from an introduction to substantive international criminal law.
You will explore the central theme of international crimes, deepening your understanding of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Within your analysis, you will address the role of international courts and tribunals, mixed and hybrid courts and tribunals, as well as developments in national courts.
This is your chance to critically engage with stimulating examples of prosecution and punishment, which are central to the subject of international criminal law. Your studies will be informed by the convenor’s cutting-edge research on transitional criminal justice and retrospective justice.
A combination of independent reading and regular seminars will provide you with a sound grasp of this fascinating legal discipline.
Our world is facing an ever-increasing number of global environmental challenges. This engaging module examines the international legal response to those challenges.
We will delve into the socio-economic, political and scientific implications of environmental problems. As we do so, we will assess the impact of those implications on law and policy-making.
The module focuses on a number of contemporary environmental problems: climate change, marine pollution, the protection of international watercourses, fisheries and biodiversity, and the relationship between trade and the environment. You will assess the strengths and inadequacies of the law in regulating each of these issues.
We also typically cover topics such as:
fundamental concepts and principles of international environmental law
sustainable development and the precautionary principle
how international environmental law operates (law-making, environmental governance and institutional structure)
compliance with environmental rules and standards
You will be taught by academics in the field many of whom are active researchers. Typically, research within the teaching team informs this module.
Terrorism continues to be one of the greatest global challenges we face in the pursuit of international peace, stability and security.
This is a stimulating module that explores concepts from many areas of the law, including civil liberties, international law, criminal justice and human rights.
During the course of your studies you will look at the legal definitions of terrorism – from a regional, national, and international perspective. And you will have the opportunity to use counter-terrorism case studies to examine specific aspects of preventative justice measures.
This is a fast-moving and unpredictable area of law, so the material that we cover may change in order to track the prevailing issues and latest developments. However, typically you will consider civil liberties alongside some of the contemporary challenges facing domestic and international legal systems.
The examination of the topics is carried out through a vigorous interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach – offering you greater understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.
Our Law School is home to lawyers and research-active academics - you will benefit from their expertise as they teach on areas closely aligned with their own research interests.
This module examines the United Nations in international law. The UN is the only truly global international institution and creates the framework in which much of international law is developed and applied.
The module will explore the UN’s structure, history, legal personality, membership and law-making. It will also look at how the organisation can be legally responsible for its acts, in particular the activities of UN peacekeepers. Lastly, it will investigate the functions of the International Court of Justice as the UN’s principal judicial organ.
The convenor of this module has recently contributed a chapter on International Organisations for the Oxford Handbook on Jurisdiction
National and ethnic tensions lie at the heart of many contemporary international conflicts. But what are the rights of peoples, national minorities and indigenous peoples under international law?
Our Rights of Peoples module takes an in-depth look at this key question and encourages you to critically explore the idea of a national identity and relations between groups within states.
Typically, you will examine:
questions of statehood
the borders of states
their form of government
the allocation of resources
protection of the environment
A combination of independent reading and seminars with research-active lawyers and academics will provide you with the opportunity to gain a sound grasp of this legal area.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
