The National University of Ireland, Maynooth
LLM (International Justice)
Maynooth, Ireland
LLM
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 18,000
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The LLM (International Justice) at Maynooth University examines international justice, human rights, equality and social inclusion. It looks at how international law protects vulnerable groups—minorities, migrants and people with disabilities—and critiques legal regimes. Teaching uses small-group lectures, simulations, workshops, masterclasses and practitioner seminars. The programme offers a Postgraduate Placement module and partnerships with law firms and NGOs.
Career Outcomes: Graduates secure roles at leading law firms, public bodies, commercial organisations and NGOs, or pursue PhD research. The School’s Professional Development, paid Placement, volunteering, work-shadowing and guest lectures support employability, networking and skills in advocacy, policy analysis, research and legal practice.
The LLM programme in International Justice provides students with critical insights into the field of international justice. It focuses, in particular, on issues of human rights, equality, and social inclusion in the context of international law. It provides insights into how the international legal order works, and how it seeks to protect vulnerable groups, including minorities, migrants, and people with disabilities. It critiques the applicable legal regimes, and illustrates how these systems operate in practice.
Teaching is delivered by means of small class lectures, in-class simulations, workshops, and master classes. In addition to the modules, The School works with leading academics and practitioners who provide seminars in various fields of law throughout the academic year.
We partner with leading international law firms such as Matheson and A&L Goodbody on several initiatives. We also offer students the opportunity to apply for our Postgraduate Placement module, which gives successful applicants the chance to work part-time for one semester at one of our partner organisations. We have partnerships with a broad range of organisations across the public and private sector, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Forsa, PrivacyEngine, and Alcohol Action Ireland.
The International Justice programme allows students to choose from a range of postgraduate law modules with a focus on human rights and justice.
Students must complete 90 credits in total 50 credits from the optional modules, plus the compulsory module Public International Law (10 credits). Students must also complete the compulsory Professional Development (5 credits) and Dissertation (25 credits) modules.
Students should register for 30 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Not all modules offered will run every year, offerings are dependent upon demand and other potential constraints. Please note that some modules will have prerequisites attached to them.
Students can elect to graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma instead of an LLM, if they find that they are unable to complete the Dissertation.
Graduates of our postgraduate programmes have secured roles at a variety of organisations including leading law firms such as Mathesons and A&L Goodbody, commercial organisations such as AIB, public bodies such as the NSAI and the Department of Justice, and non-governmental organisations such as the Peter McVerry Trust and the Organization for Women and Children. Our graduates have also successfully pursued PhD studies in a range of fields.
The School of Law and Criminology supports the career development and employability prospects of our postgraduate students though a range of teaching and extracurricular opportunities.
- Our Professional Development module, which is compulsory on all our Postgraduate programmes, helps students to reflect on their skills and career ambitions. The programme of guest speakers within the module exposes students to insights and advice from a variety of legal and criminological career paths. The module assessment helps students to practice articulating their skills, experiences and development needs.
- Our Placement module offers students the opportunity to apply for a paid internship with one of our partner organisations (which are generally public authorities, NGOs, and private sectors organisations in the law or criminology field). This module allows successful applicants to gain work experience in a field that is relevant to their programme of study. It allows them to develop their professional skills and networks.
- Our Volunteering and Work Shadowing Scheme provides students with the opportunity to observe and experience the manner of work that organisations in the legal and criminological sectors conduct. This allows students to network and build valuable professional connections, as well as gain insights into potential career paths. Students can gain an inside perspective on work that relates to their study, and could use the opportunity as a springboard for future volunteering or job applications.
- Our Guest Lectures provide students the opportunity to listen to influential figures within legal and criminological practice. Students are exposed to expert analysis of current events and issues, have the opportunity to network and ask questions that may help their career reflection and development, and develop ideas and opinions that may influence future career planning or applications.
All Maynooth University students can avail of our Careers and Employability Service, which provides advice and resources to help students at any stage of career planning. All of our Postgraduate Students are encouraged to join one of the many legal or criminological clubs and societies such as the Law Society, Criminology Society, Free Legal Advice Clinic, Debating Society, European Law Students Association Society, and more. These provide ideal opportunities for enhancing transferrable skills, networking, and developing leadership capabilities.