Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Course summary
- Gain practical skills to address global human rights challenges.
- Explore topics such as climate justice, refugee rights and gender equality.
- Engage in hands-on projects through real-world opportunities.
- Learn from experienced practitioners and interdisciplinary experts.
- Gain a valuable master of laws qualification (LLM).
On this course you’ll be based in the Institute of Law and Justice – home to the prestigious Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice. Here we’ll combine rigorous academic study with practical experience, equipping you with the tools and knowledge to make a global impact. When you graduate you’ll be well prepared for roles in advocacy, NGOs, policymaking and international organisations.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Our LLM in Global Human Rights and Social Justice in Practice provides a comprehensive understanding of human rights theory, policy and practice – equipping you with the skills to address real-world challenges. You’ll benefit from a learning environment underpinned by ethical and inclusive practice, informed by the latest research and developments.
You’ll gain hands-on experience while exploring critical topics such as environmental rights and social justice. Through our Justice Hubs, you’ll engage in live projects and real-world casework, with your assessments designed to reflect practical and professional demands.
You learn through:
- in-person teaching
- remote learning opportunities for flexibility
- case studies and group projects simulating real-world scenarios
- guest lectures by leading human rights practitioners and experts
- student presentations to develop communication and advocacy skills
- independent research
- applied learning through in-module activities and projects
- written coursework
- a dissertation or final project
Key themes
The course provides a rich and in-depth journey through the field of human rights, starting with the foundations of human rights and expanding into contemporary issues in global human rights and social justice. You’ll explore pivotal topics such as gender, equality and discrimination, alongside the urgent concerns of refugee rights and forced migration.
The curriculum also focuses on environmental rights, sustainability and climate justice – addressing the critical intersection of human rights and the environment. You’ll then examine the vital relationship between global health and human rights – gaining a comprehensive understanding of how health equity impacts human dignity.
A significant component of the programme is the applied project or dissertation, where you’ll have the opportunity to investigate a topic of personal interest, bridging theory and practice in a meaningful way.
Our teaching philosophy is centred on active, collaborative and reflective learning. This helps you to build strong critical thinking skills while applying your knowledge to complex real-world challenges – all preparing you to address global issues with confidence and a sense of purpose.
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to a dedicated academic adviser for personalised guidance
- regular formative feedback to support your development
- detailed feedback on summative assessments
- career advice and networking opportunities through the Careers & Employability Service
Course leaders and tutors
Madhumita Pandey
Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Gender Justice Hub LeadDr Madhumita Pandey Senior Lecturer in Criminology Internationalisation Lead Sheffield Hallam University staff profile.
Applied learning
Live Projects
You’ll engage with practical projects through the renowned Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice and Justice Hubs. These facilities provide real-world experiences – from casework to advocacy projects – enabling you to apply your learning in impactful ways.
The sorts of projects the Centre works on include gender-based violence, global health, environmental rights and sustainability, as well as working with refugees.
Networking Opportunities
Build connections with a global network of human rights professionals through careers sessions, seminars and guest lectures and events. Hosted by leading practitioners and researchers, these sessions provide invaluable insights into current trends and challenges in the field.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- human rights organisations
- policy or development work
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- local and central government services
- research and development organisations
- further studies and academia
With skills aligned to the UN Capability Framework, you’ll graduate ready to pursue meaningful roles and succeed in a competitive global job market.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You’ll have access to Sheffield Hallam’s cutting-edge facilities, designed to enhance your learning experience and support your studies. Our facilities include:
- Blackboard, our virtual learning environment (VLE) for flexible and remote learning
- the renowned Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice and Justice Hubs, where staff, students and external stakeholders collaborate on applied projects and research
- Hallam Facilities Online, including Study Skills, the Library Gateway and student support services
Our teaching spaces have been designed to support interactive learning, and our £100 million investment in campus facilities ensures you have access to 24-hour libraries and study spaces tailored to your needs.
Entry requirements
All students
A degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or international equivalent, or at least three years relevant professional experience.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS 6.5 score with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skill areas or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Contemporary Issues In Global Human Rights And Social Justice
Foundations Of Human Rights
Elective modules
Applied Project
Dissertation
Environmental Rights, Sustainability And Climate Justice
Gender, Equality And Discrimination
Global Health And Human Rights
Refugee Rights
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice (PDF, 141.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
