LLM Sustainability, Social Justice and Human Rights Law

Explore whether economic, social and cultural rights should be justiciable and investigate the protection of these rights on global, regional and national levels.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Overview

You will study a range of modules focusing on the critical aspects of sustainability, social justice, and human rights. You will explore these areas in particular contexts and have the opportunity to further develop your critical thinking and evaluation skills, research, and communication skills.

The programme concludes with a dissertation module in which you will conduct an in-depth inquiry into your chosen research topic. With the assistance of a supervisor, the dissertation module requires you to undertake independent work which may relate directly to your future career aspirations and which, in any event, reflects your particular interests from within the curriculum.

Graduates of the programme will have the knowledge and expertise required to pursue careers in various areas such as national and international charities, NGOs, local government, lobbying and policy development, communications etc. In addition, an LLM is an essential step on the road to pursuing a PhD and a career in academia.

Key features

You will be taught by legal experts who have a wealth of experience. These will include barristers, solicitors, professors and practitioners from the international legal arena.
You will learn to critically evaluate and adapt theories and concepts of human rights and social justice to reflect underpinning policy objectives and the sustainability demands in practice
You can expand your knowledge of the law in dedicated learning spaces, including access to a crown court – a site of trials since the Middle Ages, a training courtroom and a simulated Judge's Chambers suite. In addition, the university's Hugh Aston Building has a dedicated law library exclusively for law students, allowing you to practise scenario-based learning.
You will develop and apply values, skills, knowledge and behaviours that will enable them to contribute to the development of a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Scholarships:

DMU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International Scholarships

Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students.

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

UK
EU/International

Programme code: M20091

Start date: September 2024

Duration: One year full-time

Fees and funding:
For 2024/25 tuition fees for UK students will be £10,450

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Programme code: M20091

Start date: September 2024

Duration: One year full-time

Fees and funding:
For 2024/25 tuition fees for international students will be £17,950

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Applicants are expected to have background knowledge of law or a discipline related to the LLM (usually an undergraduate degree or professional qualifications). Applicants will normally hold a degree with a minimum pass of 2:2, or equivalent overseas qualification, or an equivalent professional qualification. A degree in law is preferred but is not essential.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

Block 1: Sustainability, Climate Change and Human Rights Issues
Block 2: Gender, Sexuality and Minority Rights
Block 3: International Human rights: Humanitarian Law and Protection of Refugees
Block 4: International Child Law and Social Justice in Human Rights
Block 5: Dissertation

See detailed module descriptions

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, guest lectures and PC labs.

Assessment is through assignments, essays, exams, and projects. Some assessment opportunities will have additional support via groupwork, such as simulations and case studies; and students have access to a personal tutor for mentoring and signposting for additional needs.

Teaching contact hours

This is a full-time course. Most of our courses consist of approximately 2 hours of lectures, 6 hours of workshop and 2 hours of asynchronous activity each week. However, this may differ depending on the course and module choice.

Facilities and features

Hugh Aston Building

You will have access to our purpose-built Hugh Aston Building, equipped with lecture theatres and classrooms, break-out spaces for group work, quiet study zones for individual work and IT labs. Wherever possible, students will be given home access to specialist software.

You’ll also have access to the building’s new £5.5 million extension called The Yard, which provides more than 22,000 square metres of extra space. This is designed to facilitate your learning experience with large and airy breakout spaces, a new Student Advice Centre, and a balcony on the top floor. The Yard also features more comfortable classrooms and self-study spaces, allowing you to carry out independent study as well as group work.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

DMU Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Graduate careers

The LLM Sustainability, Social Justice and Human Rights Law course will open up a wide range of career opportunities as you develop a broad base of skills that are in great demand with global employers.

Take your next steps

Postgraduate research students are nurtured and recognised by scholars and research leaders.