Human Rights

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Law (LLM or LLB).

We may also accept degrees in International Relations, Politics, or another relevant Social Sciences or Humanities subject area at a UK 2:1 Honours degree, or its international equivalent.

If applying with a degree that is not in Law (LLB or LLM) please provide a personal statement and an academic reference. Your personal statement and reference should demonstrate why you are well-prepared to undertake a law-focused degree, and explain how you would benefit from studying it.

While we welcome applicants from non-legal backgrounds, it is important to note that this LLM remains a law-focused degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This LLM in Human Rights 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.

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.
• Law at Glasgow is ranked 4th in the UK by the Good University Guide 2026 and 8th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026.

Watch: Human Rights LLM programme overview

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.

Find out more about career paths and opportunities in the field of international law.

Information for international students

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

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.