Master of Human Rights Law & Policy

Program code: 9211

Units of credit: 48 uoc

No. of courses: 8 courses (up to 2 compulsory)

Duration: 1 year full time, 2 years part time

Semester start: Semester 1 & Semester 2

Entry requirements: Undergraduate degree in law, the social sciences or humanities (minimum credit average)

UNSW Handbook: 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.

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.