What are ‘human rights’ and where do they come from? Are human rights effectively protected by national and international reporting and judicial mechanisms? Are human rights NGOs and campaigners accountable and legitimate? These are just some of the questions you will consider on our LLM Human Rights.

This LLM Human Rights programme focuses on your critical engagement with the theory and practice of human rights, as a highly contested ideology and as an increasingly complex set of national and international laws and institutional mechanisms.

We take pride in offering you this exciting and innovative degree, which is one of the leading Master’s programmes on human rights in the UK. Our graduates go on to work successfully in NGOs, in European and other institutions worldwide, and in government and legal practice. You will be taught by specialists in their fields including in legal anthropology, legal practice, feminist legal theory, critical race theory, Marxist approaches, and psychoanalytical approaches to the study of human rights.

This programme is ideal if you are a legal practitioner wishing to change your career path, or develop your knowledge further, as well as for those working in NGOs and in campaigning. It is also ideal for those wishing to critically engage with the history and philosophy of human rights with a view to progressing on to a research degree.

HIGHLIGHTS

In the latest Research Excellence Framework we were ranked in the top 10 for research intensity in the UK and top three in London, while our research environment was judged conducive to producing research of the highest qualit.

This course has close ties to a number of leading human rights NGOs and is informed by critical engagement with, and analysis of, human rights practice. The award of an LLM or an MA allows you to choose a qualification that best suits your existing and future career. The final award will be determined following completion of the course.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates can pursue career paths in archaeology, surveying, planning and policy, government, business and industry, in areas such as: cartography, GIS analysis, remote-sensing applications software development. Possible professions include: geographical information systems officer, higher education lecturer, commercial/residential surveyor. We offer a comprehensive Careers Service - Birkbeck Futures - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.