Course Details

Course Code(s):
MLHRCJTFAD/ MLHRCJTPAD/ MAHRCJTFAD/ MAHRCJTPAD
Available:
Part-Time
Full-Time
Intake:
Autumn/Fall
Course Start Date:
September
Duration:
1 Year Full-Time / 2 Years Part-Time
Award:
Masters
Qualification:
NFQ Level 9 Major Award
Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Type: Taught, Professional/Flexible
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.

Contact(s):

Name: Dr Susan Leahy
Email: susan.leahy@ul.ie Telephone: 00 353 61 202386
Apply Now

Read instructions on how to apply

Express Interest

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

Standard closing date: Thursday 13 August 2026. 

For applicants from Study Visa required countries: Monday 15th June 2026. 

This master’s programme empowers you to explore how law can protect human rights and shape criminal justice systems in Ireland and around the world. 

You’ll study the legal frameworks, institutions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern human rights in criminal justice—while developing practical legal skills for real-world impact. 

Whether you’re a law graduate or from a related discipline, this course prepares you to work in advocacy, policy, legal practice, or international organisations. You’ll learn to challenge injustice, influence reform, and lead change in a fast-evolving legal landscape. 

Choose the LLM if you have a law degree, or the MA if your background is in politics, sociology, or a related field. 

EU application deadline: 14 August 2026 
Non-EU (visa-required) deadline: 10 July 2025 

During this programme, you will:  

  • Explore the intersection of human rights and criminal justice across national and international legal systems. 

  • Choose from a wide range of modules including Policing and Human Rights, International Criminal Law, Criminology, and the Law of the European Convention on Human Rights. 

  • Apply for the LLM if you have a law degree, or the MA if your background is in a related discipline such as politics, sociology, or international relations. 

  • Build practical legal skills through mock trials, clinical legal education, and research-led teaching. 

  • Benefit from flexible study options designed to support working professionals, including part-time pathways and module scheduling. 

  • Access international placements in the US, Canada, and Europe, and take advantage of UL’s Erasmus partnerships. 

  • Learn from expert faculty and engage with legal professionals, public agencies, and NGOs. 

  • Join a vibrant student community at UL, ranked Ireland’s best for student support and welcome. 

Key information: 

  • Complete full-time in one year or part-time over two years 

  • Delivered on campus 

  • Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters 

  • Submit dissertation at the end of the final semester 

  • You will select your dissertation topic during the spring semester, working under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. 

  • Full-time students take 1 core module and 3 elective modules each semester. 

  • Part-time students take 1 core module and 1 elective module each semester. 

You will learn through a blend of: 

  • Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities 

  • Reflective practice and guided research 

  • Regular feedback from faculty and peers 

Full-time 

Autumn Semester 

Core module: 

Electives – choose 3: 

Spring Semester  

Core module: 

Electives – choose 3:  

Summer Semester 

  • Dissertation (LA6150) facilitates students to research and write a high-level research article on an agreed topic. 

Part-time 

Year 1  

Autumn Semester  

Core module  

Electives – choose 1 

Spring Semester  

Electives – choose 2  

Year 2  

Autumn Semester  

Electives – choose 2 (not previously taken) 

Spring Semester  

Core module 

Electives – choose 1 (not previously taken) 

* Elective availability may vary from year to year.   

Summer Semester 

  • Dissertation (LA6150) facilitates students to research and write a high-level research article on an agreed topic. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Module

  • Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in law or in a relevant social science degree. 

  • Applicants with a primary degree in law should apply for the LLM whereas applicants from cognate disciplines to law should apply for the MA. 

  • The university may shortlist and invite you to an interview.  

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.  

International students:  

Checklist of Documents: 

  • *Academic transcripts and certificates
    • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
  • Copy of your birth certificate or passport
  • English translation of your qualifications and transcript
  • Copy of your CV
  • Two written academic references
  • One-page supporting statement outlining your motivation, background, and career goals 

English Language: 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

  • To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
    • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
    • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
  • *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

MA in Human Rights in Criminal Justice Full Time:

EU Full-time: €7,995 Part-time: €4,500 per annum*

Non EU Full-time: €18,600 Part- time: €9,900 per annum*

Master of Laws in Human Rights in Criminal Justice :

EU Full-time: €7,995 Part-time: €4,500 per annum*

Non EU Full-time: €18,600 Part-time: €9,900 per annum* 

*Please note year 2 fees are subject to change

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. Only the full-time version of these programmes qualifies for a study visa.  

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

 
Funding  

Find further information on funding and scholarships 

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

This programme advances graduates' expertise to strengthen their potential to gain employment in the fields of criminal justice and human rights such as roles within the legal profession; criminal justice agencies and organisations involved in the protection of human rights both nationally and internationally. 

Denis Kennedy, LLM in Human Rights in Criminal Justice in 2013 

“I took up a position as a research fellow at the Courts Service of Ireland – my role utilised the research skills that I gained during my LLM every day as I drafted judgments and researched points of law for the judiciary of the High Court.  

What attracted me to the programme was the fact that it combines two distinct disciplines which are traditionally taught separately. The modules offered are designed to emphasise the inter-relationship between human rights and criminal justice. During the programme, we covered key areas such as policing and human rights and the Law of the European Convention on Human Rights.  

I would highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to improve or begin their lawyering skills. The LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice enabled me to study modules that developed my lawyering and research skills both critically and analytically and had the added advantage of being presented in a multi-jurisdictional setting. Studying the LLM also led me to pursue a PhD, which I am currently engaged in under the supervision of Dr. Andrea Ryan of the School of Law, UL." 

Cliodhna Murphy, LLM in Human Rights in Criminal Justice, 2018  

“Having completed my undergraduate degree in the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), I felt that completing a master’s was the route I should take. I decided that after studying in NUIG for 3 years, it was time for me to get more exposure by moving to a different University in Ireland. While completing my degree I had a great attraction to the study of Criminal law, however, I wanted to incorporate Human Rights into my love for Criminal Law. 
 
One of the main attractions to the University of Limerick was not only the similarities between it and NUIG, as both colleges are of medium to large student populations, and both have excellent sporting facilities.  However, it was the fact that they provided a unique combination of two distinct disciplines (Human Rights and Criminal Justice) which are traditionally taught separately and this appealed to me most.  

The modules offered in the course emphasize the ever-growing relationship between human rights and criminal justice. During the course of the programme we covered key areas such are International Criminal Law, Penology and Victimology and Policing and Human Rights. 

I would highly recommend the course of Human Rights and Criminal Justice to all students wishing to gain further knowledge of these diverse areas of law, with their unique inter-relationship. The LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice has enabled me to study modules that have developed my lawyering and research skills both critically and analytically alongside the added advantage of being presented in a multi-jurisdictional setting. 

I chose this master's programme above all others available in the country due to its uniqueness, as well as the background and diversity of staff and students. Which I knew would provide me with the opportunity to work alongside some of the greatest in the industry, both academically and those who work in practice. 

The University campus provides a wonderful atmosphere and setting for studying, this inspired me throughout my year in the University of Limerick." 

Aliyu Usman 

"My interactions with experts in the field of human rights and criminal justice at UL and with Irish police officers have provided me with new avenues to network, share and learn beyond the completion of my course. This was made possible by the unique environment fostered by my lecturers, which encourages networking and innovative exchange of views and ideas.  

Through the program, I have gained more insights into global best practices of policing and supervisory role in applying appropriate legal mechanisms to protect the rights of both the victims and suspected perpetrators of crime. The course has equipped me with multiple skills learned from my lecturers and fellow students of different countries and backgrounds – which has greatly contributed towards my academic and professional growth.  

Upon completing my study at UL, I resumed work in Nigeria where I got promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and transferred to the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.  

Today, I have served as a resource person at electoral violence and security course; secretary technical committee on curbing kidnapping and related crimes; member technical working group in the 2019 general elections as well as various other official engagements. I believe the knowledge and skills acquired from University of Limerick have added much value to my professional growth and emboldened the confidence of supervisors towards me.” 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions 

Aliyu Usman "My interactions with experts in the field of human rights and criminal justice at UL and with Irish police officers have provided me with new avenues to network, share and learn beyond the completion of my course. This was made possible by the unique environment fostered by my lecturers, which encourages networking and innovative exchange of views and ideas. Through the program, I have gained more insights into global best practices of policing and supervisory role in applying appropriate legal mechanisms to protect the rights of both the victims and suspected perpetrators of crime. The course has equipped me with multiple skills learned from my lecturers and fellow students of different countries and backgrounds – which has greatly contributed towards my academic and professional growth. 

Upon completing my study at UL, I resumed work in Nigeria where I got promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and transferred to the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force. Today, I have served as a resource person at electoral violence and security course; secretary technical committee on curbing kidnapping and related crimes; member technical working group on 2019 general elections as well as various other official engagements. I believe the knowledge and skills acquired from University of Limerick have added much value to my professional growth and emboldened the confidence of supervisors towards me.”

Still Curious?

The team from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences host subject webinars and 1:1 calls to support future students on their journey to Stay Curious. If you would like to learn more, or ask questions at an online information session, click below.

Online Information Sessions