A master’s degree in law is a fantastic way for law graduates to develop a specialisation, or for non-lawyers working in related fields to gain a deeper understanding of legal issues.

This pathway connects research in law, social science and contemporary politics to provide you with a solid grounding in international human rights and international humanitarian law. You’ll focus on responses to violations of these legal regimes through transitional justice and international criminal justice. You will learn how these issues are addressed in the context of conflict-affected countries, where human rights and international law violations often arise.

You’ll also have the chance to choose from a wide range of optional modules to supplement this core teaching, and opt to either write a 15,000 word dissertation or conduct a work-based project that will give you valuable experience of dealing with a specific legal issue in detail.

The course is perfect for lawyers and law graduates looking for career development, although all of our LLM courses can be studied by students without a background in law, since you will be trained in the necessary analytical and legal skills.

As such, the programme will also provide ideal training for paralegals, journalists, NGO and charity workers, policy advisors, consultants, lawyers, those working in business and finance or anyone who will benefit from a legal education in their career.

All our LLM courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. We extensively use problem-based learning, class discussion and case studies to ensure our teaching is brought to life, while all our lectures are issued as podcasts to give you greater access to learning resources and allow you to revisit specific classes.

The LLM Transitional Justice, LLM International Law and Legal Practice and LLM Human Rights Advocacy pathways are supported by regular events at the Centre for Human rights in Conflict. These involve presentations from prominent experts in the field of human rights in conflict. This year's speakers included Michael Ignatieff, President and Rector of the Central European University and Former Leader of the Canadian Liberal Party, David Malone, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Other recent speakers at UEL have included included Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and the high-profile human rights lawyer (and UEL law graduate) Imran Khan.

All teaching on the programme takes place in the evening at our newly opened purpose built building at University Square Stratford, which has cutting edge facilities and includes a Mooting Room, Harvard Lecture Theatre and our newly re-launched Law Clinic provided to assist the local community. Students also have access to the new library that opened in 2013 on the Water Lane campus at Stratford.

If you go for the placement option, your degree will take an extra year as you will be placed in a workplace for 10 months. Placement is not available to part-time students. Students wanting to do the Placement year must indicate so upon application.

You’ll develop a thorough understanding of the role of international law and human rights legislation in upholding justice in regions affected by war. This pathway takes advantage of our long-standing expertise in transitional justice and conflict, so you’ll be learning about crucial, contemporary topics in the field from leading experts.

The Centre on Human Rights in Conflict – based at UEL – does important work to protect human rights in regions suffering the consequences of war; you will learn from academics, researchers and practitioners in the Centre as well as experts in law and social sciences from across the university. You will also benefit from the regular seminar and lecture series held by the Centre, featuring prominent global practitioners and researchers.

You’ll also be able to choose a further two optional topics from our extensive list of LLM modules. Some of the available options are also related to human rights, transitional justice and international law, so you can develop your specialisation further, or opt to diversify your training with subjects from other areas of law.

As well as choosing your optional modules, you can decide to either write a postgraduate dissertation or carry out a work-based project. Both of these options allow you to conduct independent study on a topic of your choice, developing your practical legal skills while honing your knowledge of a specific legal issue.

The programme also offers an optional placement year, following your first year. Placements will be provided and supported by the London-based NGO, Pro Bono Communities, where you'll gain valuable experience in handling issues relating to aspects of social welfare law. Training and supervision will be provided by Pro Bono Communities and a module leader at UEL will oversee the relationship and assess student performance.

This pathway will leave you well-prepared to pursue a career in transitional justice, international criminal justice, and human rights, in both the domestic and international sphere.

Specialists may go on to work for NGOs, legal firms that specialise in transitional justice, international institutions like the UN or European Court of Human Rights, as well as non-legal professions that require expertise in law and conflict, including journalism, policy advice and charity work.

The course also allows you to undertake a work-based project so you can gain practical experience and build professional links, while our renowned Law Clinic enables you to work on real legal cases with local people to enhance your clinical skills while you study.