Introduction
Delve into the fascinating world of Human Rights; an ever-popular branch of law that is both challenging and rewarding. You’ll examine a variety of cases in numerous contexts, including international law and politics, providing you with the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and gain a competitive edge in your career.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- LLM
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
With a strong focus on law and politics, Human Rights at the University of Aberdeen explores social and economic rights such as education, health, housing and family rights. Your studies will include the international law of conflicts, how human rights impacts on criminal law and how the rules of law develop over time as social and political change occurs - all enabling you to develop a clearer understanding of human rights in today's society around the world. You will have the opportunity to study subjects such as International Human Rights Law, The Politics of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
This programme was designed with the assistance of human rights experts as well as our internal staff at the University. With this combined input, you will gain unique insights into human rights around the world and will advance your understanding of factors that influence them. The programme has been carefully coordinated to align with the competencies required for today’s international job market.
The University of Aberdeen is known for attracting world-class teaching staff with international experience in their specialist subjects. You will have access to first rate teaching from globally respected staff, such as Programme Director Dr Mátyás Bódig, Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes at the University, as well as Programme Coordinator for LLM in Human Rights. He is a founding member of the Centre for Citizenship, Civil Society and Rule of Law at the University of Aberdeen.
Available Programmes of Study
Please note: Students staring their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.
Duration: 12 months full-time. 24 months part time.
- LLM
-
International Human Rights
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthLLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost UK Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £11,900 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year £11,900 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000 EU / International students Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £15,000 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £15,000 Semester 1
For January students, the first semester covers courses with the prefix LS55 and there is the compulsory course LS551T Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship. Please note that all January Start Students must produce their Dissertation Project during the Summer Semester, preparation for which begins in January.
Compulsory Courses
All candidates must take the following courses:
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS551T)
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This course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which will be required for LLM-Taught courses. The course is delivered as a series of five interactive lectures with two individual assessments designed to encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities for early feedback. It also incorporates a library workshop to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- International Human Rights Law (LS5590)
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30 Credit Points
The course was designed to help students build competence in dealing with the doctrinal issues about international human rights. It involves understanding the place of human rights in public international law, finding one’s way around the foundational human rights documents and the jurisprudence of human rights bodies. The course delivery puts heavy emphasis on classroom discussion on the controversial issues on contemporary human rights law that shape doctrinal development in this field: the justifiability of torture, the limits of freedom of religion, the justiciability of social rights, etc.
Optional Courses
In addition, candidates must take an additional 90 credit points. At least 60 credit points must be obtained from optional courses running in semesters 1 and 3. The remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit on- campus Law course (excluding the Professional Skills courses). Please visit the Course Catalogue for details: Postgraduate Law 2022-2023 - Catalogue of Courses (abdn.ac.uk)
- The use of Force in International Law (LS5549)
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30 Credit Points
The course aims to develop an in-depth and critical appreciation of current issues in the area of the use of armed force in International Law. The course is of interest to students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts.
The course will first analyse the fundamental principle of the prohibition on the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle (e.g., right to self-defence, authorisation to use force given by the United Nations Security Council); further, what types of arguments States tend to use to justify the resort to force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent military interventions on the international plane (e.g., in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and Iran). Teaching will be principally delivered through discussion-based seminars.
- Privacy and Data Protection Law (LS555B)
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30 Credit Points
The course aims to introduce students to the core aspects of privacy and data protection law, exploring its international, European, and national dimension.
The course aims to introduce students to the core aspects of privacy and data protection law, exploring its international, European, and national dimension.
The course addresses, in particular, the role of data privacy regulation in the digital environment, critically discussing key global challenges, such as: international data transfers; artificial intelligence and its impact on data subject’s rights; the balance between the right to data protection and other fundamental freedoms (e.g. freedom of expression).
- World Trade Organisation: Gatt (LS553V)
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30 Credit Points
The course aims to provide a thorough and critical understanding of fundamental concepts, principles and institutions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with emphasis on trade in goods (GATT). The main topics covered include relevant historical and institutional developments, WTO dispute resolution, core principles such as the most-favour-nation (MFN), National Treatment and the prohibition of quantitative restrictions on international trade. The security, environment, human rights, subsidies, economic emergencies and free trade areas and customs unions based exceptions and their challenges are also analytically explored. These are studied in light of relevant WTO panel and Appellate Body cases and recommendations.
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)
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60 Credit Points
Between May and mid-August students prepare a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice related to their specialist LLM programme. Students are instructed through the delivery of a preparatory lecture, two supervisory meetings and a two hour dissertation planning workshop in a small group setting. Students are expected to spend considerable time on independent research throughout the course of the dissertation module, including; preparation of dissertation plan, amendment of plan in accordance with supervisory comments, preparation for the dissertation workshop, and, of course, in the final 10,000 word dissertation itself.
Semester 3
Optional Courses
In addition, candidates must take an additional 90 credit points. At least 60 credit points must be obtained from optional courses running in semesters 1 and 3. The remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit on- campus Law course (excluding the Professional Skills courses). Please visit the Course Catalogue for details: Postgraduate Law 2022-2023 - Catalogue of Courses (abdn.ac.uk)
Privacy and Data Protection Law (LS504B)
- International Law: A Time of Challenges (LS501U)
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30 Credit Points
The course analyses recent developments in international law. It first considers the sources of international law. The question is then asked whether traditional international law can regulate pressing issues on the international plane. Examples of these problems are international terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation, ethnic conflicts, and climate change. The course encourages the student to think creatively as an international lawyer to resolve contemporary international challenges. Teaching will be principally delivered through discussion-based seminars.
- Issues in Criminal Justice (LS5096)
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30 Credit Points
This course is comparative in nature and examines in depth certain aspects of the criminal justice process, focussing upon differences between the adversarial and inquisitorial models. Examples are mainly drawn from Scotland, England and continental Europe. Topics addressed include: prosecution systems; the position of the accused; the status granted to the victim; plea-bargaining; the trial process; and appeals. The emphasis is not so much on ‘black-letter law’ but on the principles and policies, often clashing, which underlie the detailed legal rules and regulations governing the relevant institutions and processes.
- Law and Sustainable Development (LS504E)
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30 Credit Points
The course examines the complex and dynamic relationship between law and development and traces the impact of international development discourse on lower- and middle-income countries’ legal systems. The course focuses on domestic law reforms aiming to promote sustainable development and achieve the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda. It focuses on the role of law in promoting SDG 16 on peace, justice, and inclusive institutions, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production.
- AI and Data: Ethical and Legal Considerations (PH5074)
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30 Credit Points
This course will introduce and investigate a number of legal and ethical issues around the ethics of technology, particularly around the ethics of artificial intelligence. We will address questions such as the moral status of artificial agents; the difference, if any, between human rights and artificial rights, problems of data bias. We will also consider the question of responsibility in this arena and review regulatory frameworks. This course would be of interest to students from computer science, philosophy, law and health sciences.
LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost UK Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £11,900 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year £11,900 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000 EU / International students Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £15,000 Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £15,000
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
Fee Information
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Teaching of the LLM Human Rights programme takes place through a combination of lectures and seminars and you will benefit from being taught by world-renowned researchers and teaching staff. The University adopts a flexible approach to learning and staff use a range of teaching methods to ensure that you achieve the highest grade you can.
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Seminars
Assessment Methods
By course work, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The degree of LLM shall not be awarded to a candidate who fails to achieve a CGS grade of D3 or above in the specified dissertation course, irrespective of their performance in other courses: such candidates may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Certificate.
Why Study International Human Rights?
A foundation discipline in 1495, the Law School is considered one of the UK’s elite training grounds for lawyers - and there’s no substitute for experience.
There are over 40 nationalities within the School of Law community, so you will benefit from the experiences of international students from all over the world.
Students choose to study Law at Aberdeen because of our reputation for academic excellence and unrivalled student experience. At Aberdeen, you will:
- Have the opportunity to study a programme that attracts many international students, who enrich our debates and help broaden our collective knowledge of human rights issues across the globe.
- Benefit from the programme’s strong international focus, enabling you to meet the requirements of employers in the UK and overseas.
- Benefit from the established research strength of the School of Law, which will provide you with valuable insights into the increasingly vital and energised role human rights play in the world.
- Develop essential critical analysis skills that will enable you to explore the legal and political implications of the subject.
- Benefit from the expertise of our world-renowned teaching staff, which will give you the knowledge and skills to prepare you for a career in the law profession.
- Benefit from small class sizes, meaning you will get focused interaction with teaching staff during seminars.
- Benefit from the opportunity to attend our Research Seminar Series, which will provide you with unique insights into current legal issues.
The University also has a leading Careers and Employability Service that organises events focused on providing you with the additional skills needed to make the most of your career potential. You will be part of a vibrant, close-knit community of students that provides a personal and friendly atmosphere where staff have the opportunity to know students by name and can closely monitor progress.
Over 93.8% of our Law graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025)
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Normally, a 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in Law will be required to be accepted onto this programme. Relevant practical experience in a related field will also be beneficial.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipEnglish Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
Careers
This LLM attracts a range of students from a variety of fields – from international relations, to oil and gas programmes and those with a background in international law. The flexible programme means you can choose courses that allow you to explore the areas that interest you. A former European student used the programme to secure an internship with the International Court, afterwards going on to work for the international NGO Human Rights Watch.
Our Experts
You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields. These will include members of the Centre for Scots Law
- Programme Coordinator
- Elizabeth Eleanor Ruth Shaw
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
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School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB