Candidates must be approved by the School of Law. They should preferably hold a Level 8 degree in law or an interdisciplinary degree which includes a substantial law component and in which they have attained a minimum Second Class Honours, Grade 1 standard or its equivalent.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.

An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

Next start date September 2025

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Career Opportunities
Students who have undertaken and successfully completed the programme tend to fall into one of four categories:
1. those who work within the United Nations (UN) or with UN-affiliated organisations;
2. those who work in NGO and quasi-NGOs— both human rights and development;
3. those who work in academic institutions or pursue a PhD/JD;
4. those who work in diplomatic or government-based work (in the human rights division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for example).

Within these umbrella categories, students have pursued work in the ICC, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ICRC, the UN system (Geneva and New York), locally-based NGOs, trade and health organisations, as well as domestic law firm work that draws on international legal mechanisms and research-based work in university research centres, to name but a few.