Who is this course for? 

Programme Structure 

The LLM in Gender and Human Rights at the University of Galway offers a unique and cutting-edge exploration of the intersection between gender and international human rights law. This programme critically engages with global and regional human rights systems, while examining key themes such as gender equality, gender and conflict, peacebuilding, and the complex relationship between gender, law, and religion. 

As the only programme of its kind in Ireland and the UK, the LLM provides students with an unparalleled academic and professional foundation to analyse, apply, and shape gender-sensitive approaches to law and public policy - particularly in conflict and post-conflict contexts. 

Taught by leading international experts, the programme draws on the deep academic and practitioner expertise of staff at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the School of Law at the University of Galway. Faculty and researchers are actively engaged in groundbreaking collaborations with global organisations including UN Women, the Council of Europe, UN CEDAW, and Women’s Link Worldwide, as well as key national actors such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland, CUAN, COPE Galway, and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. 

Core modules (40 modules): 

• Gender and Human Rights (10 credits)
• International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
• Minor Thesis (30 credits) 

Optional Modules (50 credits) may include: 

The School reserves the right to amend or withdraw modules subject to demand and other operational considerations. 

LLM Programme Modules 

• Public International Law (10 credits) 
• International Criminal Law (10 credits) 
• International Humanitarian Law (10 credits) 
• Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law (10 credits) 
• Peace Support Operations (10 credits) 
• Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law (10 credits) 
• Policing, Security and Rights (10 credits) 
• International Humanitarian Law (10 credits) 
• Business and Human Rights 2 (10 credits) 
• International Refugee Law (10 credits) 
• Climate Justice (5 credits) 
• The Common European Asylum System (5 credits) 
• European Convention on HR: Law and Politics (10 credits) 
• Transitional Justice (10 credits) 
• Procedure before International Criminal Courts (5 credits) 
• Counter Terrorism and Human Rights (5 credits) 
• Transnational Lawyering (5 credits) 
• International Child Rights (5 credits) 
• Islam and Human Rights (5 credits) 
• Minority Groups and the Criminal Justice System (10 credits) 
• Equality and Law (10 credits)

Curriculum Information

• Specialist Focus on Gender Justice: Explore the intersections of gender, law, and human rights with a curriculum centred on feminist legal theory, reproductive rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and gender-based violence. 
• Practice-Oriented Learning: Develop real-world skills in legal advocacy, strategic litigation, policy drafting, and human rights fact-finding through experiential teaching methods. 
• Expert Faculty with Global Impact: Learn from leading scholars and practitioners actively engaged in gender equality advocacy, international law reform, and global human rights initiatives. 
• Opportunities for Applied Research & Policy Work: Undertake independent research aligned with current legal and policy challenges, often in collaboration with NGOs, government bodies, and UN agencies. 
• Career-Ready Skills Development: Gain professional competencies in gender-sensitive legal analysis, international development, equality law, and transnational lawyering - preparing you for impactful roles across sectors. 
• Commitment to Equality & Sustainability: Study within a programme that foregrounds intersectionality, decolonial approaches, and long-term strategies for building inclusive and sustainable justice systems. 

Graduates of the LLM in Gender and Human Rights Law and Policy at University of Galway are prepared for impactful careers across a wide range of sectors including international organisations (such as UN Women and OHCHR), NGOs, government agencies, legal practice, academia, and private consultancy. They typically qualify for roles such as gender and human rights legal advisors, policy analysts, programme officers, advocates, and researchers. Employers value graduates’ expertise in international human rights law, gender justice, policy analysis, and practical skills in advocacy and legal research, equipping them to address complex issues like gender-based violence, discrimination, and intersectional inequality. 

The programme also positions graduates for career progression into senior leadership roles within NGOs, governmental departments, and international bodies, or for academic and policy research careers, including PhD study. Emerging global trends - such as increased focus on gender-based violence prevention, women’s roles in peacebuilding, and corporate accountability for gender equality - are expanding demand for specialists in this field. Graduates interested in legal practice may pursue further professional qualifications, with the University providing support and guidance for these next steps. 

Students are placed with a wide range of respected partners, including government agencies, international health organisations, pharmaceutical companies, consultancy firms, research institutes, and hospital networks. These placements not only allow students to develop industry-specific skills, but also to build professional networks, enhance their employability, and gain insights into the diverse career paths available within the field of Health Economics. 

Supervised by experienced professionals, students may contribute to projects involving economic evaluations, health technology assessments, data analysis, policy development, or strategic planning. The placement experience is structured to encourage reflection and learning, with support from academic mentors who help students connect their work-based learning to their broader educational goals. 

Ultimately, the placement component of the programme plays a critical role in preparing graduates to meet the demands of a dynamic and evolving sector, equipping them with the confidence, competence, and credibility to succeed in a wide range of roles both in Ireland and internationally. 

The work placement is normally a paid work placement (for example, monthly earnings of between x and y).

• Professor Roja Fazaeli (programme director)
• Dr Anita Ferrara  
• Professor Siobhán Mullally  
• Professor Shane Darcy  
• Professor Ray Murphy  
• Professor Ciara Smyth 
• Professor Emeritus William Schabas 
• Dr Ekaterina Yahyaoui Krivenko  
• ‌‌Dr Maeve O'Rourke 
• Dr Edel Hughes 
• Dr Roisin Mulgrew  
• Dr Illan Wall 
• Dr Rory Kelly 
• Dr Paul Bradfield 

How will I learn?

The LLM in Gender and Human Rights Law and Policy offers a blend of expert-led lectures, interactive seminars, and practical workshops designed to deepen your understanding of key legal concepts. You will engage in real-world case studies, policy analysis, and simulations that build your skills in legal reasoning, advocacy, and human rights protection. 

Collaborative group work and lively class discussions encourage diverse perspectives and critical thinking. Additionally, you will complete an independent research thesis, allowing you to explore a specialised topic in depth. 

This comprehensive, practice-oriented approach equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue impactful careers in human rights organisations, international institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and academia. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Throughout the programme, your progress will be assessed through a combination of essays,  presentations, and an independent research thesis, designed to support both academic development and practical skill-building.  

1. Taught Modules: Most modules are assessed through written essays. Students are engaging with formative assessments and presentations, where feedback is provided to support continuous improvement. 
2. Presentations and Class Participation:  Students will have opportunities to deliver presentations and participate in discussions, helping to develop oral communication and argumentation skills. These components often form part of the continuous assessment. 
3. Minor Thesis (30 ECTS credits): You will complete a substantial, independently researched thesis on a topic of your choice related to law and digital innovation. Supervised by an academic advisor, this project allows you to demonstrate advanced legal research, writing, and analytical abilities. 

The assessment structure of the LLM in Gender and Human Rights Law and Policy is designed to foster your development as a critical legal thinker and effective advocate. It builds core competencies in gender-sensitive human rights law, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills essential for making a meaningful impact in human rights advocacy, international organisations, NGOs, and legal practice. 

Explore our News and Events to discover our seminars, research talks, and activities at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Centre for Law, Religion and Society that will expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect you with experts while you studying at University of Galway. 

Course queries: 

roja.fazaeli@universityofgalway.ie 

Or

lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):  

Professor Roja Fazaeli,  
Director of the Centre for Law, Religion and Society  
Irish Centre for Human Rights, 
School of Law, 
College of Business, Public Policy and Law 
E: roja.fazaeli@universityofgalway.ie 

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

This programme is designed to provide early and mid-career accountants with the skills and knowledge needed to engage with big data in a variety of roles in practice and industry. 
 
Candidates who have completed all of the professional accounting examinations and have been admitted as full members by a recognised professional accountancy body including the following: ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS or other IFAC member body assessed as equivalent by the academic programme director, are eligible for consideration. 

Or  

Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications for entry purposes, but have relevant work experience in cybersecurity or business risk management, may also be entitled to apply under the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. Further, students may apply for exemption(s) from some programme courses based on equivalent courses already completed. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website.

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of international human rights law and gender-specific legal frameworks protecting equality and fundamental freedoms 
• Analyse complex issues involving gender justice, discrimination, intersectionality, and human rights using interdisciplinary approaches 
• Retrieve, interpret, and synthesise international treaties, gender equality instruments, case law, and academic research to build persuasive legal arguments 
• Apply advanced legal reasoning and ethical considerations to challenges in advancing gender equality and enforcing human rights protections 
• Plan, manage, and execute an independent research project through a supervised thesis on gender, human rights law, and policy topics 
• Reflect critically on the role of international human rights law in addressing global challenges such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and social inequality 
• Exhibit strong self-direction, time management, and the ability to work independently within dynamic academic and professional environments 
• Develop communication skills tailored to legal, policy, and advocacy audiences focused on gender and human rights issues in both written and oral formats

Minimum Entry Requirements 

Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1, Level 8 primary degree in in law or in another relevant discipline including business, computer science, or statistics. 

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law or in another relevant subject area. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements 

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents  

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course. 

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Fieldtrips 

Students in the LLM in Gender and Human Rights Law and Policy have opportunities to participate in extracurricular field trips and events, including visits to organizations and institutions engaged in gender justice and human rights advocacy. These experiences offer valuable practical insights into how gender and human rights laws are applied in real-world contexts and promote a deeper understanding of policy and advocacy efforts.  

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.  

School of Law Global Scholarship:  

Eligible postgraduate students can receive a scholarship covering up to 50% off their tuition fees. Full details available here. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.

News & Events - University of Galway 

Research and Public Policy Engagement - University of Galway 

Centre for Law, Religion and Society - University of Galway