Ireland · Master's
University of Galway
LLM International Human Rights
University of Galway
Course Overview
The University of Galway's LLM in International Human Rights is one of the world's most respected human-rights law programmes, run by the renowned Irish Centre for Human Rights — a globally recognised hub for human-rights scholarship and advocacy that has trained leading practitioners across the UN system and the NGO world. The one-year LLM covers international human-rights law, international humanitarian and criminal law, transitional justice, and the protection mechanisms of the UN and regional systems, taught by leading academics and practitioners.
Sri Lankan applicants — law graduates and human-rights professionals — choose Galway for: a world-leading human-rights credential, English-medium delivery, a one-year completion, and Ireland's generous 2-year post-study work pathway. Given Sri Lanka's transitional-justice and human-rights context, this expertise is directly relevant. The LLM suits those targeting careers in the UN and international organisations, human-rights NGOs, advocacy, and academia.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle An honours law degree (2.1 / second-class) or a degree in a cognate discipline with strong relevant content and demonstrated interest in human rights.
- check_circle Relevant experience (advocacy, NGO, legal) strengthens applications from non-law backgrounds.
- check_circle Sri Lankan applicants with LLB degrees from Colombo, Open University, or relevant social-science degrees with human-rights experience are competitive.
- check_circle A statement of purpose outlining human-rights interests and goals.
- check_circle Two references and certified transcripts submitted through the University of Galway portal.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 88 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English: C1 Advanced.
- check_circle Waived if your prior degree was taught and examined entirely in English (Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium degrees qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, non-EU) | €18,500 | Rs. 7,400,000 |
| Living Expenses in Galway (12 months) | €11,500 | Rs. 4,600,000 |
| Student Visa & Immigration Registration (IRP) | €500 | Rs. 200,000 |
| Books & Materials | €600 | Rs. 240,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | €31,100 | Rs. 12,440,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Graduates qualify for Ireland's 2-year Third Level Graduate Programme (Stay Back), allowing job-search and work after the LLM. Galway human-rights graduates work across the UN human-rights system (OHCHR, treaty bodies), international and humanitarian NGOs (Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, ICRC), advocacy organisations, and academia worldwide. Sri Lankan returnees route into human-rights organisations, the legal and NGO sector, the Foreign Service, international organisations, and academia. Note: practising law in Sri Lanka requires Bar admission — an LLM is a specialist academic qualification.
Related Programs
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ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.