Master of Laws - International Human Rights Law

University of Hertfordshire

Ethics and human rights are always hot topics, both domestically and internationally. The LLM International Human Rights Law will enable students to explore a wide range of subjects in this area, examine the latest developments and critically analyse the arguments on all sides of the debates. The two compulsory modules – International Human Rights Law and Medical Law and Ethics – will offer students a firm foundation for human rights specialisation, particularly with an ethical and medical law perspective. Practical work and case studies underpin solid theoretical teaching, equipping them with everything they need to work in this dynamic and challenging area of international law.

In the International Human Rights Law module students will gain a critical understanding of human rights law from a comparative and cross-cultural perspective. The module also includes examination of theoretical and philosophical discussions on human rights, international and regional systems of human rights protection and the effectiveness of the United Nations system, and a focus on civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights.

The Medical Law and Ethics module offers analysis of a wide range of areas within medical law and ethics, particularly from an international perspective. Students will cover topics such as medical negligence and legal and ethical dilemmas, medical law and ethics from ‘birth to death’, the impact of modern technologies in areas such as gene editing, embryo testing, surrogacy and organ donation, and the law and ethics of end-of-life issues, such as assisted suicide.