International Development Law and Human Rights (LLM) (2025 Entry)

Course code

P-M1M2

Start date

29 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

Qualification

LLM

Led by

School of Law

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-M1M2

Start date

29 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

Qualification

LLM

Led by

School of Law

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

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Explore our International Development Law and Human Rights Master's degree at Warwick

Our International Development Law and Human Rights LLM adopts an interdisciplinary approach to examine the relationship between development, human rights and global justice with a particular focus on the global South. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), Warwick Law School was ranked equal 10th out of 69 Law Departments in terms of its Research Environment, 8th in terms of the Quality of its Research, and equal 8th overall. We will challenge you to think critically and creatively about the theory and practice of law for social justice.

Course overview

This course enables you to consider the relationship between development, human rights and global justice. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach which critically examines the place of law within its wider political, social, economic and global contexts in its engagement with issues such as globalisation, economic regulation, climate justice, citizenship (and migration), gender justice and social activism.

As part of your learning, you will gain knowledge and experience in key areas of theoretical debates and substantive law, and develop skills of policy and legal analyses, reflexive public advocacy and cause lawyering. You will pursue independent research and be involved in group work and presentations. In all of this, you will be encouraged to think critically and creatively about issues of development, rights and justice.

Skills from this degree

Critical reading and analysis of theoretical, empirical and legal texts
Research skills and methods
Preparation of diverse forms of written submissions
Oral presentations and advocacy skills
Group work

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in law or a related subject with a law component.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0 or equivalent, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Modules

Core modules

Theory and Practice of International Development Law and Human Rights

This module provides an overview of the main contemporary issues in international development law and human rights. It provides an introduction to topics that all students are expected to have an understanding of and thus provides the background for all modules and the dissertation. Students who read and understand the module materials are more likely to achieve higher grades. Group work is an important part of the module as experience shows that participatory study is a successful pedagogical method.

Legal Research and Writing Skills

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to develop critical reading, writing and research skills in preparation for undertaking independent research and writing up academic work. It brings together experts from the Law School, Library and Student Careers and Skills.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Approaches to Global Justice
International Humanitarian Law
Gender, Law and the Global Economy
International Criminal Law
Climate Change and Development
Civil Society and Activism
Introduction to Islamic Law

Teaching and learning

Teaching

You will take a selection of modules totalling 120 CATS followed by a 10,000-word dissertation worth 60 CATS. All assessed modules are worth 20 CATS and run for one term. Modules will be taken during terms one and two, leaving you term three and the summer to complete your dissertation. You will also be required to attend a research and writing skills module for two terms. If you choose to study part-time, this will be split over two years of study.

You will be taught by academics who are recognised subject experts with UK and international experience. As well as teaching, most are involved in producing world leading research, often providing expert advice to outside bodies.

How the programme will be taught will depend on the modules you opt to take, but you can expect a mixture of lectures, seminars and group work.

Class sizes

This will depend on the popularity of the modules you select but class sizes can range from between 10 and 40 students per module.

Typical contact hours

You will typically have up to 12 hours of contact time per week on the full-time programme, depending on your LLM programme and modules selected, but will be expected to do additional research and reading outside of the classroom.

Assessment

All IDLHR modules will be assessed by essay rather than examination. The core module will be assessed by your dissertation. Assessment methods of optional modules may include essays, examinations, portfolios and presentations.

We regard feedback as a vital part of the assessment process. We seek to help you reach your full potential by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your work and the actions needed to develop your understanding. You will be given feedback after your assessments each term.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Careers

Your career in Law

Studying at postgraduate level can provide a platform to a wide range of career opportunities in the commercial and legal sectors, in management consultancy, international development, government and NGOs and in compliance and regulation. 

It enables students to differentiate themselves for opportunities where a postgraduate qualification is a requirement or desirable. Graduates go on to work in:

International commercial law firms and working in-house
Financial services industry
Government, NGOs and research institutes
National and International Charities and development organisations

The School of Law has a dedicated careers consultant (part of the Student Opportunity careers team) to support your personal career journey during your time at Warwick. She offers impartial advice and guidance (one to one support) and delivers workshops and events tailored to the needs of Law students.

This is in addition to specialist speakers who may be invited to contribute to your LLM programme. Events previously organised by the wider Student Opportunity team include:

Careers fairs and sector events including a Law Fair, a Social Impact careers programme, a Graduate Recruitment Fair, Management Consultancy events, HR and Management, Working in the Public Sector, and International Development
Workshops on all aspects of the recruitment and selection process including applications, CVs, covering letters, interviews, psychometric testing and assessment centre practice

About the Department

School of Law

From the first intake of students back in 1968, Warwick Law School has developed a reputation for innovative, quality research and consistently highly rated teaching. Study with us is exciting, challenging and rewarding. Pioneers of the 'Law in Context' approach to legal education, and welcoming students and staff from around the world, we offer a friendly, international and enriching environment in which to study law in its many contexts.

Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Meet us

Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

2024 entry

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

See 2024 entry »

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2025 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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International Development Law and Human Rights (LLM) (2025 Entry)

Explore our International Development Law and Human Rights Master's degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

After you’ve applied

Applicant Portal

Admissions statement

Join a live chat

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

Page updates

About the information on this page

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