LLM/PG Dip/PG Cert Minorities, Rights and the Law

Overview & facilities

The Minorities, Rights and the Law Masters is set within the significant and growing field of human rights law and focuses on the specific area of minorities, rights and the law. It is taught by leading exponents in the field and enables you to concentrate on your chosen interest while gaining an advantage in a competitive field through links with non-governmental organisations. The Head of the Law Department, Professor Joshua Castellino, helped to establish one of the world's most respected programmes in Human Rights Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He is also an international expert on minority rights and this expertise is fully integrated into this new course.

• The group of academics teaching on the programme are experts in migration, international human rights, vulnerable groups, globalisation and discrimination
• We offer innovative teaching methods with small group work and close contact with a supervisory tutor.
• You have opportunities to focus on issues of particular interest both in the taught modules and through the dissertation.
• You will be supported to find placements through our dedicated placement service - our London location ensures you have access to the best opportunities.
• Open to non-law graduates, provided they take the short non-assessed -Introduction to Law - module during the induction period.

Download the Law Department brochure.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Discrimination and the Law (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to provide a basic knowledge and understanding of anti-discrimination law in relation to gender, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. The relevant laws and regulations will be introduced, as will the practical, social and philosophical context in which these operate. Attention will be given to the limitations of laws in these areas. Students should gain an overview of this field of law and an in-depth knowledge of a specific aspect, chosen by the student in consultation with the tutor.

  Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  Provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of research methods in law; Develop further students capacity for research, analysis and evaluation; Develop further students ability to undertake sustained writing at postgraduate level in an appropriate style and at an appropriate level; Enable students to acquire deep knowledge and understanding in their chosen area of study.

  Globalisation and Trade (30 Credits) - Optional

  To provide students with specialised knowledge and understanding of: The history and theory of globalisation; The regulation of international trade through the World Trade Organisation; The relationship between international trade, harmonisation of the law and related disciplines such as business organisations and economics. The module aims to deepen students understanding of legal processes, methods and concepts. Its objective is to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge, analytical skills and understanding through extended writing in a cogent and appropriate writing style.

  International Human Rights (30 Credits) - Optional

  To provide the student with an overview of the human rights related structures and functions of the international and regional systems for the promotion and protection of human rights and of how they interact with interdependent international law areas such as development, and security.The module will also provide students with a conceptual understanding of the international legal issues involved in the promotion and protection of human rights at international, regional and domestic level. It will enable students to critically analyse the political, cultural, philosophical context underpinning the international human rights discourse.

  International Migration and the Law (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of how international migration may be regulated; To enable students to understand the practical, political, social and other contexts which influence regulation; To examine UK immigration control as a case-study; to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of an aspect of migration law.

  International Organisations International Dispute Resolution (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module is aimed at providing students with an understanding of the rules and principles of International Law and International Relations to the extent that these are relevant towards explaining the legal personality and activities of International Organisations and defining their role in the settlement of international disputes and armed conflicts. The course will provide advanced conceptual insights into the legal, political and structural issues that underpin dispute resolutions at international level within International Organisation through a thematic focus on issues such as labour, trade, title to territory, and international peace and security.The module will enable students to think strategically about different means of settlement of disputes and their applicability to existing or potential conflicts.

  Issues in EU Law (30 Credits) - Optional

  To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the legal basis of EU law; To provide an opportunity for students to specialise in an area of EU law of particular interest; To enhance the student s understanding of the legal, economic and political context of EU law; To encourage critical evaluation of developing policies and strategies in relation to EU law.

  Minorities and Groups in Vulnerable Positions (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Specific groups are often the main victims of human rights violations, hence specific regimes of protection have been developed to protect the most vulnerable . This module aims to analyse the specific human rights regimes for the protection of minority groups, indigenous peoples, women, children, and other groups in vulnerable positions. This module aims to provide participants with an overview of the legal, political and philosophical issues pertaining to minorities, indigenous peoples and other groups in vulnerable positions. Students will seek to understand, assimilate and critically evaluate legal arguments with respect to the circumstances that exclude such groups from the reach of the law. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of the underlying legal and political basis within the discourse of vulnerable groups and how it pertains to the overarching issue of access to justice. Students will become familiar with current debates and cases with a special focus on discrimination, minority rights, indigenous peoples, women s rights and child rights.

This is a particularly unique pathway to the LLM that enables you to focus on the extent to which minorities, indigenous peoples and others in vulnerable situations can truly access the fruits of international human rights law. Students following this pathway must take two compulsory modules: Minorities and Groups in Vulnerable Positions, and Migration Law. They will also choose two other modules from a range of subjects including International Human Rights, EU Law, International Organisations and International Dispute Resolution, Globalisation and Trade, and Discrimination and the Law.

The course is available as:

• The postgraduate certificate (two 30-credit modules studied on a part-time basis)
• The postgraduate diploma (four 30-credit modules studied full or part-time)
• The LLM (four 30-credit modules studied full or part-time plus a dissertation)

You will also be able to sign up for single modules if this suits your needs, and then progress onto a higher qualification.

Assessment in the taught modules is principally by coursework although this may take various forms and each module may include both shorter forms of assessment (such as a literature review or case study) and more extended work. In some modules, you may be partly assessed on your contribution to classes and discussion boards.

The teaching staff all have doctorates and/or appropriate professional qualifications. The Law Department has a growing reputation for its high level academic research and members of the department have written numerous academic books and articles and presented at many international conferences . A selection of the departments specific research and expertise include: Ethics and Law; Public International Law; Human Rights and the Environment and Minorities and Indigenous Peoples' Rights.

Entry & applying

We believe in the importance of inter-disciplinary study and are keen to ensure diversity of skills among the student cohort. An undergraduate law degree minimum 2:2 is usually necessary for meeting our entry requirements; however graduates from related disciplines may still apply for an LLM degree if we can be convinced that they possess the skills to study law at a Masters level. Those without a law background would be required to undertake a course entitled Introduction to the Law during induction week. In appropriate cases, we also ask for an IELTS score of 6.5.

Standard entry requirements

We believe in the importance of inter-disciplinary study and are keen to ensure diversity of skills among the student cohort. An undergraduate law degree (minimum 2:2) is usually necessary for meeting our entry requirements; however graduates from related disciplines may still apply for an LLM degree if we can be convinced that they possess the skills to study law at a Masters level. Those without a law background would be required to undertake a course entitled 'Introduction to the Law' during induction week. In appropriate cases, we also ask for an IELTS score of 6.5.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas university, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Apply now

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. The quickest way to apply is by making an online application, once you have created your account and completed your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application online. Alternatively, you can fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £7,500.

Careers & placements

Those at the start of their careers will find that an LLM makes it easier to obtain work in their chosen field while established employees will be better placed to apply for more senior positions. This course is designed to prepare students for careers in diplomatic or government-based work, for national policy framing and analysis, with human rights organisations, or a variety of NGOs, in addition to pursuing legal practice in this specific area. Securing employment within this competitive field necessitates initiative, with candidates encouraged and guided towards obtaining practical experience and placements in addition to the academic experience gained on the course.

Where do our graduates go?
Based on data from the respondents of the 2007 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

• 75% of Middlesex law graduates were in employment
• 25% were doing further studies 

Middlesex graduates from this group have been successful at gaining employment in the following companies:

Metroploitan Police
Voluntary services
Social Services

Graduate Roles
Below are just a few career opportunities that would be open to you as a graduate.  

Solicitor
A solicitor provides legal advice and assistance that covers any issue arising in private or business life for a variety of clients from private individuals to large companies. They represent clients in the lower courts and, with specialist training, in the higher courts. Qualified solicitors have a variety if career options and can choose to work in a private practice, within a business or organisation, in local or national government, or in the court services.

Barrister
Barristers are specialists offering advocacy and advice on legal matters and points of law and plead cases on behalf of their clients. There are a wide range of specialist areas including criminal law, chancery law and civil law and not all appear in court. Most barristers work from Chambers and are self-employed. An increasing number of employed barristers work in private and public organisations.

Legal Executive
A legal executive does similar work to that of a solicitor but do a more limited range of work often specialising in a particular branch of the Law for example, conveyance, wills and probate. 

Court Reporter
Court reporters record verbatim court hearings for official transcripts. They attend court cases and record all that is said using either a computer-aided transcription system or traditional shorthand.

Paralegal
A paralegal provides administrative and legal assistance for a firm of solicitors. Their duties range from clerical, to similar duties that would be undertaken by a trainee solicitor.

Community advisory work
If you are interested in the 'welfare' side of law you could consider social and probation work, welfare advice and housing management. At a professional level these careers require relevant experience and further training and qualifications. Considerable voluntary work experience is usually a pre-requisite for entry.

In-house Legal Departments
You will be involved with the legal aspects of your company. The areas of law dealt with will depend upon the legal issues arising within that company, ranging from routine contractual duties and dealing with external solicitors.