Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) is a full-time programme running for 9 months or a part-time programme running for 18 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme. A full-time candidate may not, during the currency of the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy), simultaneously pursue any other form of education training or employment, without the advance permission of the School of Law.

Progression: LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy)

Candidates who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) may undertake the LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy).

Exit Award

Postgraduate Certificate in International Law

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 30 credits that meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate in International Law, students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in International Law (NFQ Level 9 Minor Award).

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Full-time: Students take 60 credits over one academic year.

Part-time: Students take 60 credits over two academic years, completing a total of 30 credits in Year 1 and 30 credits in Year 2.

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (25 credits) and 35 credits of elective modules: 1, 2
Core Modules
LW6606	International Human Rights Law	10
LW6633	Public International Law	5
LW6648	Human Rights Law in Practice (Clinic)	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 35 credits from the following lists of elective modules - at least 30 credits must be chosen from List A and up to 5 credits may be chosen from List B: 3		35
List A
Students take modules to the value of at least 30 credits from the following:
LW6544	Criminology: Core Theories, Context and Critique
LW6545	Penology
LW6550	International Criminal Law
LW6560	Law of Cybercrime
LW6566	Contemporary Issues in International Law
LW6568	The Family and the Law
LW6592	Mental Capacity Law
LW6618	Climate Change Law and Policy
LW6619	Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice
LW6623	Global Maritime Security
LW6627	International Environmental Law
LW6634	Refugee and Forced Displacement Law
LW6651	International Law and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
LW6655	Foundations of International Children's Rights
LW6668	Business and Human Rights
LW6670	International Child Justice
LW6671	Children's Rights and Climate Justice
PH6012	Human Rights
List B
Students may take modules up to the value of 5 credits from the following:
LW2208	Law of the European Convention on Human Rights 4

¹

It may be that not all modules listed will be offered each year and/or other options may become available.

²

In order to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload, when choosing modules for all programmes, students should take a balance of credits between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who wish to deviate from this rule must seek permission from their Programme Director.

³

In certain cases, with the permission of the Programme Director, students may elect to take 5 credits from the modules available in the LLM (Taught) (other than those listed above) in substitution for 5 credits of elective modules.

⁴

Students may not choose an undergraduate module if they have already taken that module or equivalent subject matter at undergraduate level.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate and analyse key concepts in International and European human rights law;
  
• Critically evaluate and analyse the conceptual and practical challenges that arise in the implementation and enforcement of human rights law;
  
• Analyse and evaluate the impact of International and European human rights law in selected areas of legal practice;
  
• Critically evaluate primary and secondary legal materials of relevance to International Human Rights Law and Public Policy including legislation, international legal instruments, case-law and academic commentary;
  
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal problems in International Human Rights Law;
  
• Demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking in relation to relevant legal issues;
  
• Connect changing values and sentiments in society with legal developments in respect of Human Rights Law;
  
• Formulate research questions and develop appropriate research methodologies;
  
• Undertake scholarly research exploring legal themes of relevance to Human Rights Law and Public Policy;
  
• Use information technology appropriately for high-level legal research and writing;
  
• Express complex legal and/or policy analysis in an appropriate legal style, in accordance with legal writing standards.