LLM Human Rights, Conflict and Justice
London, United Kingdom
LLM
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 16,370 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* home| international: £27,840
Key Summary
About: SOAS University of London’s LLM Human Rights, Conflict and Justice is a postgraduate law programme in central London. It covers core international law—human rights, international criminal, refugee and humanitarian law—and specialist options on peace-building, reconciliation and transitional justice. The School of Law hosts the SOAS Centre for Human Rights Law. The degree can include dual LLM partnerships and study tours.
Career Outcomes: This LLM prepares you for legal practice, policy, advocacy, NGOs, international organisations, consultancy, PhD research. Career opportunities include roles at PwC LLP, Clifford Chance and HM Treasury, among others; a Careers Service supports applications and employer engagement.
The programme offers a wide range of modules combining core international subjects (international human rights law, international criminal law, international refugee and migration law, international humanitarian law, justice, reconciliation and reconstruction in post-conflict societies) with specialised modules (e.g. Human Rights and Islamic Law; Law, Rights & Social Change; Law, Human Rights and Peace-building: the Israeli-Palestinian case; Darfur: Anatomy of a Human Rights Emergency; Human Rights of Women). The School of Law hosts the SOAS Centre for Human Rights Law, which provides research activities, regular events and opportunities for postgraduate engagement. The degree can form part of dual LLM partnerships with partner universities. Postgraduate students may participate in Study Tours to destinations including New Delhi, Lahore, Seoul, Luang Prabang, Almaty, Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg, and Doha.
Why choose this program?
- SOAS is ranked top 20 in the UK for Law (QS World University Rankings 2026).
- Ranked 11th for Academic Reputation in Law (QS World University Rankings 2026).
- Ranked 6th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2026).
- Research publications rated first in the UK and SOAS School of Law rated 6th in the UK in REF 2021.
- The programme combines core international modules with distinctive specialist options and draws on a global community of academics, legal practitioners and NGOs.
All Masters programmes at SOAS consist of 180 credits: taught modules (either 15 or 30 credits) totalling 120 credits and a 60-credit dissertation. Students wishing to graduate with a specialised LLM must take at least 60 credits associated with that specialisation, and the dissertation topic must be undertaken within the LLM specialisation. Not all modules listed are available every year.
- Tibawi Trust Award (listed; no deadline shown on course table)
- Anthony Dicks Memorial Scholarship — deadline: 2 March 2026
- Felix Non-Indian Scholarship — deadline: 2 March 2026
- Felix Scholarships — deadline: 2 March 2026
- Sasakawa Studentships — deadline: 20 March 2026
- Beena Sondhi Scholarship — deadline: 8 May 2026
- SOAS Masters Scholarships: Home — deadline: 30 June 2026
For full details see the scholarships section on the course page and linked scholarship pages.
SOAS Law graduates are described as civic-minded and critically engaged, with analytical skills, specialist knowledge and a global perspective. The LLM supports careers in legal practice and further research (e.g., PhD). Recent School of Law graduates have been hired by: PwC LLP; BLM Law; BloombergNEF; British Medical Association; Clifford Chance; DAC Beachcroft LLP; Department for Work and Pensions; EY; HM Treasury; Latham & Watkins; Legal Cheek; Simpson Millar Solicitors; The Economist; Travers Smith; Vodafone; World Cancer Research Fund. A Careers Service is available (link on page).
Why you?
The programme is ideal for LLB graduates or legal professionals with an interest in the theory and practice of human rights law and related fields, particularly as they relate to the global south. You will join international alumni of graduates from the LLM at SOAS, many of whom are now working at the UN, in NGOs, in government, private practice, policy work or academia.
Please note that the LLM is restricted to applicants who hold a UK law degree or international equivalent.