Postgraduate Research Programmes
Doctoral Studies (PhD)
If you decide to undertake your PhD at the Irish Centre for Human Rights you will be joining a team at the forefront
of doctoral research in the field of international human rights law. You will be conducting your research in a
dynamic and rewarding environment.
The doctoral programme is unique not only because of the exceptional standard of research and level of
publication achieved by our students, but also because of the collegial and international environment in which
doctoral students work. Students from a range of countries and academic backgrounds are engaged in research
on a broad spectrum of issues relating to international human rights law, international criminal law, international
humanitarian law and international relations.
Supervision is available in these fields, with specific staff research interests including:
• United Nations human rights mechanisms • Peacekeeping and peace support operations • Socio-legal approaches to human rights • Non-state actors and the laws of armed conflict • Refugees and migration
• Women’s rights • Business and human rights • International criminal justice • Civil and political rights*
In addition to their individual research projects, doctoral candidates participate at seminars and conferences
at the centre. Researchers regularly meet to discuss recent developments and case-law in international human
rights law. The Centre holds an annual Doctoral Seminar week, where doctoral students present on their ongoing
research projects and engage with visiting experts, faculty and fellow students. Doctoral students may also audit
seminars that are offered by the centre as part of the post-graduate teaching programmes and contribute to
research projects carried out at the centre.
Opportunities exist for doctoral candidates to deliver seminars and to gain valuable teaching experience both on
and off campus. A significant number of doctoral students from the Centre have published books based on their
PhD dissertations with some of the world’s leading academic publishers. Many have gone on to secure academic
positions in reputable Universities or to work with international organisations such as the United Nations or the
International Criminal Court.
What our students THINK...
Sinead Coakley
Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict (LLM)
The Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway has an excellent international reputation in the
field of Human Rights, so it was an easy choice to decide to study the LLM in Peace Support
Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict. I find the course to be challenging, highly interesting
and rewarding. I would recommend the Masters Programme to anyone.
Dr David Keane
LLM, PhD
The Irish Centre for Human Rights provides a great environment for postgraduate and doctoral
research. What I enjoyed most were the friends, colleagues and open and engaging staff –
there was always someone to talk to about research. Having a cohort of PhD students as well
as the many activities going on at the Centre made for a really stimulating atmosphere. I went
on to get a lectureship in London after my PhD and will always remember Galway as a great
place to live and study.
Mary Kessi
LLM in Human Rights
I chose the Irish Centre for Human Rights due the Irish Aid fellowship. I was also attracted by the
specialization and the high level of information. The interaction in the seminars and the skilled
lecturers with their very profound experience from field work has amazed me. I am sure that the
programme has enhanced my intellectual capacities, enabled to criticize and scrutinize human
rights issues more.
Career Options
Structured PhD programme
The ICHR offers a Structured PhD programme, whereby various additional courses or credit-bearing modules
are undertaken in addition to the completion of the written thesis. Such courses may include research, teaching
and learning modules, as well as courses offered on the Centre’s LLM programmes or across other disciplines.
Students may also gain the required credits from participating in international conferences, seminars, the centre’s
doctoral seminar, as well as by way of publication. For part-time students or those that cannot be based in Galway,
a research PhD programme is also available on a full or part-time basis.
The postgraduate programmes at the ICHR prepare students for work in the fields of international human rights law,
international humanitarian law, criminal law, and peace operations. Our graduates have found employment with
international organisations, governments, judicial bodies, national human rights institutions, non-governmental
organisations, academic institutions and as individual advocates. Career opportunities are enhanced through
the ICHR’s internship programme which provides support, and financial aid if possible, to students wishing
to undertake internships.
Enquiries to: Dr. Shane Darcy, Director of the PhD Programme
shane.darcy@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/Programmes/phd.html
Irish Centre for Human Rights
National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
LLM by research
The ICHR also offers an LLM by research programme.
Students can undertake an LLM degree by research
in the staff research interest areas detailed above*
on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Enquiries to: humanrights@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/courses/researchpostgraduate-programmes/law.html
+353 91 493 609
humanrights@nuigalway.ie
www.facebook.com/IrishHumanRights
https://twitter.com/IrishCentreHR
www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights
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The Irish Centre
for Human Rights
Promoting human rights through
teaching, research and advocacy
Postgraduate Programmes
The Irish Centre for Human Rights (ICHR)
Postgraduate Taught Programmes
The ICHR at NUI Galway is recognised as one of the world’s most respected university-based
human rights centres, dedicated to the study and promotion of human rights, international
criminal law and international humanitarian law. The Centre has developed a global reputation
for excellence in the field of human rights teaching, research and advocacy.
All enquiries about our LLM programmes can be addressed to Dr. Ekaterina Yahyaoui
ekaterina.yahyaoui@nuigalway.ie. Each programme, unless stated otherwise, is divided into three
semesters, (September to December, January to April and May to August). Students undertake modules,
seminars and associated coursework during the first and second semesters, and complete a dissertation in
semester three.
Our Postgraduate Programmes
LLM in International Human Rights Law
We offer the following LLM programmes:
The LLM in International Human Rights Law provides students with a comprehensive insight into the legal
framework of human rights protection and knowledge of the philosophies and theories that underpin it.
It focuses on international and regional institutions, legal instruments and human rights concepts and
philosophies. The course begins with a general introduction to the framework of international human rights
law and students can chose from a variety of optional modules to complement this, including minority rights
law, sexual orientation and gender identity and a module on the European Convention on Human Rights.
•LLM in International Human Rights Law (full-time
and part-time)
•LLM in International Criminal Law (full-time and
part-time)
•LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law
and Conflict (full-time and part-time)
www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/law-international-human-rights.html
•EMA (in conjunction with the European
Inter-University Centre in Florence, Italy) (full-time)
The LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict focuses on UN peacekeeping and peace operations
and aims to provide insights into the peace operations and conflict resolution frameworks. The course begins with
a general introduction to international peacekeeping and peace support operations and international humanitarian
law and students can complement these modules with optional modules such as conflict and post-conflict studies,
human rights field work, and refugee law.
Course level
Level 9
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Entry
Requirements
It is preferred that applicants hold a degree in Law (Honours 2.1 or higher). However, the Centre also
welcomes students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than law.
Fees
Current fees are €6,015 (full-time, EU); €13,250 (full-time, non-EU) and €3,120 (part-time, EU)
Course Facts
Why Study at the ICHR?
Apply
www.pac.ie/nuigalway; PAC code: GYL00 / GYL01
www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/law-international-peace-support-operations.html
The ICHR has the largest cadre of postgraduate human
rights students of any single university in the world.
Since 2000, there have been over 500 graduates
from the LLM programmes, drawn from all over the
world. The diversity of the group in terms of culture,
nationality, age and experience contributes greatly
to the dynamism of the programmes and the life of
the Centre.
Closing date
Further details on closing dates can be found on www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/closingdates
Course level
Level 9
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Entry
Requirements
It is preferred that applicants hold a degree in Law (Honours 2.1 or higher). However, the Centre
also welcomes students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than law. We also welcome
applications from candidates who have completed a military Command and Staff Course or its equivalent
at an institute recognised by NUI Galway and who have professional experience in peace support operations
or a related field.
Fees
Current fees are €6,015 (full-time, EU); €13,250 (full-time, non-EU) and €3,120 (part-time, EU)
Apply
www.pac.ie/nuigalway; PAC code: GYL02 / GYL03
Closing date
Further details on closing dates can be found on www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/closingdates
ICHR students; winners of Corn Adomnáin competition 2014
We offer opportunities to undertake a postgraduate
degree on a full-time or part-time basis and our
programmes are open to both law graduates and
students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines
other than law.
You will be taught by expert academics and
practitioners, including both members of the Centre’s
staff and invited experts, working in the fields of human
rights, international humanitarian law and international
criminal law. You can choose from a wide variety of
modules which combine both theoretical and practical,
allowing you to gain a holistic and comprehensive view
of important human rights issues.
You will have the opportunity to engage in some
of the many extra-curricular activities at the ICHR,
such as field trips, summer schools and advocacy
competitions and to participate in our programme
of conferences and other events which attract high level
human rights policy makers from across the globe.
You will benefit from the ICHR internship programme
which facilitates student placement in organisations
working in the field of human rights. Internships allow
students to put into practice some of the foundational
work provided by the LLM programme and to provide
assistance to both local and international groups
working on human rights issues.
LLM in International Criminal Law
The LLM in International Criminal Law equips students with an in-depth knowledge of the principles of international
criminal law and its component crimes and procedural issues. It allows them to develop a critical approach to the
relationship between other accountability mechanisms, such as truth commissions. Students undertake a core
module in international criminal law in semester 1 and can then choose from a variety of optional modules, including
international criminal procedure, transitional justice, and counter-terrorism and human rights.
Course Facts
www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/law-international-criminal.html
Course level
Level 9
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Entry
Requirements
It is preferred that applicants hold a degree in Law (Honours 2.1 or higher). However, the Centre also
welcomes students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than law.
Fees
Current fees are €6,015 (full-time, EU); €13,250 (full-time, non-EU) and €3,120 (part-time, EU)
Apply
www.pac.ie/nuigalway; PAC code: GYL06 / GYL07
Closing date
Further details on closing dates can be found on www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/closingdates
INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT
Summer
Schools
at the
Irish Centre
for Human
Rights
Speakers Include:
Professor William Schabas,
Professor Kevin Jon Heller,
Mr. Fabricio Guariglia,
Dr. Mohamed M. El Zeidy,
Dr. Rod Rastan,
Professor Ray Murphy,
Professor Donald M. Ferencz,
Dr. Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua,
Dr. Michael Kearney,
Dr. Noelle Higgins,
Ms. Salma Karmi-Ayyoub,
Dr. Nadia Bernaz,
Mr. John McManus,
Professor Megan A. Fairlie,
Dr. Mohamed Badar
Dr. Shane Darcy.
Summer School
15-19 June |
MRI Annex (MRA201), NUI, Galway
Photo: ICC-CPI
In addition, the ICHR is at the forefront of doctoral
research in the field of human rights and we offer
a thriving and dynamic doctoral programme.
LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict
Course Facts
•LLM by research (full-time and part-time)
Other confirmed keynote presenters include:
Kateřina Šedá, Manfred Nowak, Vered Cohen Barzilay, Sarah Joseph,
Paul Seawright, Bob Collins, Guido Gryseels, Rod Stoneman,
David Petrasek, Julian Fifer, Dominic Thorpe, Rita Duffy, Jennifer Johnston,
Susan McKay, Vincent Woods, Lelia Doolan.
This year’s Summer School will
include a special session on:
PALESTINE AND THE
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT.
For further information and to register for this free event:
Comprises a series of intensive and interactive
lectures over five days given by leading
academics and legal professionals working at
the International Criminal Court. Learn about
the establishment of the Court, its structures,
operations, and applicable law.
The Summer School is suited to postgraduate
students, legal professionals, journalists and staff
of civil society or intergovernmental organisations.
http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=405
To register and for further information go to www.conference.ie
Contact for queries: iccsummerschool@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/
internationalcriminalcourtsummerschool