Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Why study LLM Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (Distance Learning) at Aberystwyth University?

This course balances the academic with the urgently practical – for example, combining the necessarily comprehensive detail of human rights legislation in conflict with the harsh reality of the threats posed to human rights and the conflicts and tensions within the system of human rights protection.

There are two start dates for the Human Rights and Humanitarian Law LLM by distance learning in each academic year - 1 February and 1 October. Although students are allowed up to a maximum of five years to complete the course, it is possible to complete the degree in just two years. The flexible nature of the programmes means that you can work at your own pace through the modules. Each of the modules is worth 20 credits and the dissertation is worth 60 credits. To gain the LLM qualification you will be required to complete 180 credits worth of study – 120 from taught modules and 60 from the dissertation. It will be possible to complete 60 credits (three modules) to gain a Postgraduate certificate recognising your achievement. On completion of all six modules but in the absence of the dissertation, you will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma in Law. You can also choose to study individual modules to enhance your knowledge in a particular area. All the modules are assessed by an assignment of up to 6000 words and a poster.

The dissertation provides you with an excellent opportunity to study an aspect of the law in your chosen area of study which is of particular interest to you. Students often, but not exclusively, select project topics which have a direct bearing on their professional lives. The standard of the work produced is very high indeed and several of our students have graduated with distinction.

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014) assessment 96.5% of publications submitted by the Department of Law & Criminology were of of an internationally recognised standard and that 98% of research activity in the department was rated as internationally recognised.

Duration:

Of flexible duration, generally taking between two and five years.

Assessment:

Assessment takes the form of research proposals including a related bibliographic element, case studies, oral assessments and essays. You will also complete a Masters dissertation of 13,000-15,000 words which deals with an area of chosen study in the third semester.

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Possible funding opportunities can be found in our funding calculator.

This course will be particularly attractive to those seeking to establish or expand careers in government departments, think tanks, international organisations, humanitarian and human rights advocacy, business organisations, international law firms and a wide range of NGOs.

Transferable skills

On this course you will gain a wealth of skills vital for success in legal and more general employment. You will:

• develop expertise in the latest legal developments in the field of human rights and humanitarian law
• develop a critical appreciation of legal responses to humanitarian and human rights issues
• master a range of legal methodologies
• learn to quickly assemble, assimilate and interpret a wealth of legal information regarding human rights and humanitarian law
• learn how to deploy your knowledge to assert your expertise and build a winning argument based on your own rigorous research and analysis
• develop your abilities in structuring and communicating complex ideas efficiently
• develop your planning, analysis, presentation, project management and professional independence
• enhance your problem solving and creative thinking skills
• devise and sustain a self-initiated programme of study
• develop study and research skills
• work effectively with others.

How will I learn?

This programme is offered via flexible distance learning and students may take between two and five years to complete their studies, meaning that you can work at your own pace through the modules. Each module is worth 20 credits and the dissertation is worth 60 credits. To gain an LLM you will be required to complete 180 credits worth of study: 6 taught modules (120 credits) followed by the 60 credit dissertation. It is also possible to complete 60 credits to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, 120 credits to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, or to study individual modules to enhance your knowledge in a particular area.

You are guided through modules by a range of material, including reading lists, reading material such as articles and book chapters, self-assessment questions and lecture recordings, all of which are made available on Blackboard (the University’s online learning/teaching facility). Staff-student interchange is facilitated by coursework materials, telephone contact, email and written responses to coursework submissions.

What will I learn?

Modules provide the necessary grounding in international law, humanitarian law, and human rights legislation. You will have the flexibility to choose from a comprehensive and wide range of optional modules, allowing you to tailor your study to your needs and interests. Whichever modules you take, you will be given a thorough grounding in legal theory and practice to make you ready for the rigorous demands of the modern legal workplace. The study of legal theory is balanced with the investigation of an array of fascinating case studies to illuminate your study and put you in touch with an authentic experience of legal cases.

Students wishing to complete the LLM will, following completion of 120 credits, complete a detailed dissertation within a specialism of their choice. Students often, but not exclusively, select project topics which have a direct bearing on their professional lives, and previous LLM students have also found this opportunity to be invaluable in establishing a successful career.

How will I be assessed?

All the modules are assessed by a written assignment of 6000 words and a poster presentation.

Successful submission of the dissertation following the completion of 120 credits leads to the award of an LLM.