Postgraduate taught 

Human Rights LLM

This programme offers the opportunity to study the theory and practice of human rights by way of an in-depth analysis incorporating the law, history and philosophy of international and domestic legal frameworks.

  • LLM: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time

Why this programme

  • The programme will locate substantive human rights issues within a contextual framework, fostering a critical understanding of these issues within their legal and policy contexts.
  • Study from a range of optional courses which offer explorations of the application of human rights in various contemporary contexts.
  • You will be equipped with a human rights specialism incorporating a deep understanding of and appreciation for its origins, historical development, and application to real life legal problems.  
  • You will be taught by a team of academics with a network of a wide range of human rights organisations and NGOs working internationally, providing opportunities for guest lectures and seminars. 
  • Access to excellent facilities, including two dedicated law libraries, extensive online resources, and access to various official publication databases, such as the European Documentation Centre. 

Programme structure

You are required to take at least five courses from the following list (plus one other from the School’s LLM offering) and to submit a dissertation as falling within the area. Courses are delivered through a blend of lectures and seminar style teaching.

Core courses

Optional courses

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The LLM in Human Rights offers a wealth of courses that will equip you with the necessary knowledge to develop a successful career in this field.

Most of our courses include perspectives on professional practice and some also include experiential learning activities, such as analysis of case studies. These activities are designed to consolidate your understanding of key theoretical concepts by putting them into practice in real-world contexts, and to give you practical experience with documents, drafting skills and analytical frameworks used in a professional environment.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2024-25

LLM

UK

  • Full-time fee: £11130
  • Part-time fee: £1237 per 20 credits

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £27090

Deposits

International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.

Deposits: terms & conditions

This programme requires some students to pay a deposit to secure their place.

If you are an international student, we will only issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once the deposit has been paid.

Your offer letter will state:

  • how to pay the deposit payment
  • the deadline for paying the deposit

The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% handling fee will be deducted.

Deposits will be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

  1. Where the University is unable to offer you a place.
  2. Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
  3. Applicant can prove that they have applied for a visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but the VISA has been refused. The applicant must have shown 'real intent' to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to obtain their visa.
  4. Applicant does not meet his / her conditions of offer: this may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide a language test which was taken after the date that the deposit was paid).

Deposits will not be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

  1. Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and credit it against the applicant’s account for securing their place for the following year of entry.

Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the programme start date stated on your offer letter.

Requests made after this date will be subject to discretion.


Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

GREAT Scholarships for Justice and Law 2023

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering seven scholarships to students in China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey who are applying for one-year master’s programmes and will enrol in the 2023/24 academic year. Applicants from Kenya and Thailand are only eldigible if applying for the postgraduate Law prgrammes.

The GREAT Scholarships 2023 programme, launched by the British Council and 49 UK universities, supports postgraduate students accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The programme offers a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 49 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2023, please visit Study UK.

GREAT Scholarships 2023 - China

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering seven scholarships to students in China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey who are applying for one-year master’s programmes and will enrol in the 2023/24 academic year.

The GREAT Scholarships 2023 programme, launched by the British Council and 49 UK universities, supports postgraduate students accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The programme offers a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 49 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The University of Glasgow GREAT Scholarships are open to applications for most postgraduate taught courses for China, Egypt, Mexico and Turkey. Applicants from Kenya and Thailand are only eligible if applying for the postgraduate Law programmes. Please see the eligibility section for a full list of courses and exclusions.

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2023, please visit Study UK.

GREAT Scholarships 2023 - Turkey, Mexico and Egypt

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering seven scholarships to students in China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey who are applying for one-year master’s programmes and will enrol in the 2023/24 academic year.

The GREAT Scholarships 2023 programme, launched by the British Council and 49 UK universities, supports postgraduate students accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The programme offers a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 49 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The University of Glasgow GREAT Scholarships are open to applications for most postgraduate taught courses for China, Egypt, Mexico and Turkey. Applicants from Kenya and Thailand are only eligible if applying for the postgraduate Law programmes. Please see the eligibility section for a full list of courses and exclusions.

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2023, please visit Study UK.

DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

The University of Glasgow will offer a full tuition waiver to those students that successfully apply and are nominated by DAAD to the University. DAAD offers a monthly stipend of EUR 1,100 (for the academic year 2024/2025) and travel bursary of EUR 250.00 as well as health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage in addition to the full tuition fee waiver from the University of Glasgow.

Wichtige Hinweise zu DAAD-Stipendien - DAAD (general info on DAAD tuition fee reimbursement)

Current list of tuition reduction / waiving offers (not including U Glasgow yet) : Stipendien für ein Masterstudium im Ausland - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow African Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students, alumni or staff at one of the University partners in Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

Please see the University of Glasgow Africa Partners List 2023.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 5 scholarships for students, alumni or staff from our partner The University of the West Indies in the Caribbean.  The scholarship is available to International students, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering 5 scholarships for International students from the Caribbean, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

Postgraduate Access Scholarship

The University of Glasgow is pleased to be offering Postgraduate Access Scholarships to support Home students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. Applications are particularly welcomed from applicants who met any of our widening participation criteria, or equivalent, at undergraduate level. The value of each scholarship is £4,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.

University of Glasgow Scholarships for Turkey and Syria

Following the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria, the University of Glasgow is offering 6 exclusive full tuition fee waivers to students from this region, who are facing challenges in progressing on to Higher Education. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Taught (one-year Masters) programme in 2023-2024.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent in law or other subject with at least 50% of the credits in law.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • 7.0 with no subtests under 6.5
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 94; with Reading 19; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 66 with no subtest less than: Listening 59;Reading 60; Speaking 59; Writing 74
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

  • 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • Oxford ELLT 8
  • R&L: OIDI level no less than 7 with Reading: 25-26 and Listening: 18-19
  • W&S: OIDI level no less than 8.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2023

As there is extremely high demand for places on this degree programme, the University has established an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.

Round 1 application dates

1 October to 1 November 2022. All applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 13 January 2023.

Round 2 application dates

2 November to 15 December 2022. All applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 24 March 2023.

Round 3 application dates

16 December 2022 to 15 February 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 6 May 2023.

Round 4 application dates

16 February to 15 April 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 24 June 2023.

Round 5 application dates

16 April to 1 June 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 4 August 2023.

All applications submitted by 15 December 2022 (application rounds 1 and 2) will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 16 December 2022, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

Apply now

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