Overview
The LLM in International Human Rights Law is a one year full-time or two year part-time programme offered by DCU’s School of Law and Government. We welcome applicants from Ireland, the EU and the wider world who are interested in international legal frameworks of human rights protection.
Students will learn about human rights, international law and how social movements and socio-legal thought and research has influenced the development of human rights law.
The programme is designed to prepare students for the 21st century, where the world needs adaptable and outward-looking critical thinkers. The LLM in International Human Rights Law offers deep insights into how the legal system views human rights and will provide students the opportunity to greatly develop their ability to analyse the importance of human rights and the harms which arise from human rights breaches.
The LLM in International Human Rights Law allows students to take a range of modules related to International law and Human Rights (see the structure section for programme structure and module choice).
DCU People
Hello and welcome, I’m Goran Dominioni and I am the Chair of the LLM Programme at DCU (Master of Laws). I’ve been with DCU’s School of Law and Government since 2020.
Read more about Goran Dominioni
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Law postgraduates from DCU have established careers in the legal professions (including the bar), academia and research (including a high proportion in funded PhD programmes and research positions).
With its European orientation, the LLM in European Law caters well for those interested in access to or promotion within careers with a European focus. The programme is designed to make graduates better problem-solvers and more confident advocates: thus it prepares graduates for work as in-house lawyers in companies and other commercial organisations.
"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path."
Entry Requirements
For admission to the LLM in International Human Rights Law programme, successful applicants will have:
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Normally have achieved a Second Class Honours Grade One (H2.1) in a primary degree (level 08) in law or an interdisciplinary degree which includes law as a significant component.
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Applicants who have not achieved a H2.1 may apply but applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.
- If an applicant has not yet completed their degree, then a conditional offer may be made on the basis of most recent grades and pending the achievement of no less than a H2.1 degree. The applicants eventually achieve H2.2 or below will be considered on a competitive basis.
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Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
- International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU's English language requirements can be found here: https://www.dcu.ie/global
Programme Structure
Students have the choice between 5 alternate pathways : We offer a general LLM, plus four specialisms in European Law; International Human Rights Law; Public Law; and Policing, Crime and Security.
- Students will be on-site for timetabled classes for two or three days a week in each semester (depending on the module choices).
- Each semester runs for 12 weeks, semester one running from September to December and semester two running from January to April.
- Students will undertake a research dissertation on a subject related to European Law (subject to approval from the programme chair) which is usually completed during the summer.
- Students will be supervised in their dissertation work by a member of staff and there will be a collective dissertation workshop after semester two.
- Students must take Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills and EU Institutional Law (semester one) plus the independent research dissertation on any subject of EU law (15,000 words).
- Along with these compulsory courses, full time students choose four modules; one in the first semester, and three in the second semester. In year one, part-time students take the two compulsory modules in semester one and two modules in semester two.
- A School with a strong research and teaching focus in EU law as evidenced by our world leading Brexit institute https://dcubrexitinstitute.eu/
- A programme designed to develop the student’s critical, analytical and interdisciplinary thinking skills so that they are better positioned for access to, and advancement within, higher-end careers in law.
- A School with active links with major law firms; international and European institutions; NGOs; and other potential employers
- An environment that facilitates the student in preparing for a career in academia or research, with opportunities to edit and contribute to academic journals, blogs, and to present academic papers
- Runs in conjunction with postgraduate programmes in international relations, public policy, privacy, climate change, international development.
- To facilitate students analysing key issues in modern European law.
- To create an authentically postgraduate and scholarly orientation with genuine intellectual depth through a small-group seminar model that promotes more intensive lecturer-student interaction
- To make graduates better problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and more confident advocates, thus preparing them for careers in law and policy
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application:
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Application deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
- Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2025
- Closing date for EU applicants is 30th August 2025
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.
All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
If you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2025
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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