Overview

Human rights are central to contemporary politics and international governance. They have become a dominant language of political struggle, in which the actions of governments and other institutions are judged, justified and challenged.

This LLM provides an advanced conceptual and practical understanding of how international law promotes human rights and responds to their violation. The course sets international human rights in their broader philosophical, historical and social contexts, and engages students in an interdisciplinary study of the international legal processes designed to ensure their realisation. It also encourages students to think critically about the limits, ambiguities and contradictions of the international human rights movement.

Why Study International Law and Human Rights at Keele?

The Keele Law School has a long tradition of academic expertise in the field of international law and human rights. These subjects have been taught at Keele by world-renowned experts such as Michael Akehurst and Patrick Thornberry. In recent years, the Keele Law School has invested heavily in the area of international law and human rights. Students will be taught by dynamic academic staff with a wide range of expertise and research interests.

Careers

The LLM in International Law and Human Rights is a gateway to a range of employment opportunities. These include careers in human rights NGOs, charities, international organisations like the UN, policy think-tanks, advocacy groups, government and academia. Increasingly, the private sector is also looking for professionals with a strong background in human rights due to the rapid development of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and 'business and human rights' standards.