Master of Human Rights Law & Policy

Program Overview

“Whatever career you may choose for yourself - doctor, lawyer, teacher - let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it. Become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life. It will make you a better doctor, a better lawyer, a better teacher. It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Human rights law is a system of international and domestic laws designed to protect and promote rights and freedoms which have been identified as essential to human dignity. Human rights norms purport to set standards in a broad range of areas, including political, civil, social, economic and cultural rights, the distribution of socio-economic resources and the status of particular social groups, including women.

Yet these standards will not be achieved without a continued demand by informed human rights professionals. Although human rights are universal and the entitlement of everyone, regardless of status, race, gender, nationality or other distinction, too often they are imperfectly understood and poorly observed. 

In recent decades, there has been a great expansion in thinking about and applying human rights concepts and standards, including in Australia and our region. The development of human rights law has altered the ways in
which nation states, governments, individuals and groups interact at the international, regional and domestic levels.

The aim of this degree program is to train and support future professionals and scholars as leaders in the exciting, dynamic and expanding field of international human rights law and policy.

Read what leading Human Rights and Law experts say about the Master of Human Rights Law & Policy

Who should enrol?

The Master of Human Rights Law & Policy degree will particularly benefit those working in:

• domestic human rights organisations, regional and international human rights, United Nations agencies
• the public sector, in fields such as international relations, international development, humanitarian aid, civilian peacekeeping, migration, foreign affairs, international social welfare
• NGOs, in rights and social justice research and advocacy
• the business sector, in international finance, transnational corporations, in corporate social responsibility, labour policy,development economics
• law and justice, law reform, international tribunals and the International Criminal Court
• legal practice with a human rights focus, international advocacy
• related areas, such as medicine, the media, education, security

Candidates for entry must have been awarded a Bachelors degree in law, the social sciences or humanities with performance at a credit average (65%) or higher. Work experience will be taken into consideration for admission purposes where a candidate can demonstrate extensive experience in the area of expertise. The program does not lead to professional qualification for legal practice.

Students can also enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law & Policy.

Program Structure

Students must complete 48 units of credit in order to complete the requirements for the degree.

The Master of Human Rights Law & Policy may be taken full time in two sessions or part time in a minimum of three sessions.

Compulsory Course – all students

• International Human Rights (6uoc)

Compulsory Course – graduates from disciplines other than law

• Legal Systems, Research & Writing (6uoc)

Elective Courses

• 2010 Law Courses
• All Law Courses

Up to two non-Law courses offered at UNSW may be taken, with the approval of the Program Director/s and the Coordinator of Postgraduate Education.