Qualification : MASTERS IN LAW
Award Type and NFQ level : TAUGHT MASTERS (9)
CAO/MU Apply code : MH65J
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 30 June 2025
The LLM programme in International Justice provides students with critical insights into the field of international justice. It focuses, in particular, on issues of human rights, equality, and social inclusion in the context of international law. It provides insights into how the international legal order works, and how it seeks to protect vulnerable groups, including minorities, migrants, and people with disabilities. It critiques the applicable legal regimes, and illustrates how these systems operate in practice.
Teaching is delivered by means of small class lectures, in-class simulations, workshops, and master classes. In addition to the modules, The School works with leading academics and practitioners who provide seminars in various fields of law throughout the academic year.
We partner with leading international law firms such as Matheson and A&L Goodbody on several initiatives. We also offer students the opportunity to apply for our Postgraduate Placement module, which gives successful applicants the chance to work part-time for one semester at one of our partner organisations. We have partnerships with a broad range of organisations across the public and private sector, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Forsa, PrivacyEngine, and Alcohol Action Ireland.
What our students say:
I thoroughly enjoyed my LLM in International Justice in Maynooth. I choose to my Masters in Maynooth as the modules and options offered broader than other LLMs I had researched.
The LLM course is designed to not only encourage academic excellence, but also personal growth in the array of modules and assessments offered. There is a strong emphasis on independent research, collaboration with peers and public-speaking skills - all of which are vital to any industry you proceed to work in. The small class groups harness an atmosphere of support and collegiality.
As part of the programme, I opted to undertake the Research Placement, where over the course of three months, I gained practical insight into daily life as a legal researcher, a profession I am interested in. This opportunity proved invaluable when it came round to writing my own dissertation.
A highlight of my LLM was the International Mooting module, in which, one team enters the Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Competition. I was honoured to be part of the Maynooths first ever team, and to win the national rounds of the competition in 2023. We travelled to Washington DC to represent Ireland during the international rounds of the competition - a truly once in a lifetime opportunity!
Overall, I could not recommend the International Justice LLM in Maynooth enough - it was by far my best academic experience to date! Eimear McCaffrey, Paralegal, Lewis Silkin, LLM International Justice Class of 2022/23
The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a 2:2 overall classification in a Level 8 undergraduate degree. This degree must be in law or a cognate discipline in the humanities, or social/political sciences (including but not limited to business, finance, economics, international relations, sociology, etc).
Applicants from certain non-EU countries are required to meet different minimum entrance criteria, which can be found here.
The international office will be able to advise international applicants on the compatibility of their degree with these criteria [email protected].
Applicants who are required to demonstrate English language proficiency can find the minimum required scores in a variety of accepted tests here.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of entry onto this programme. Decision on admission to the programme are at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Applications by applicants with other types of diplomas or who do not reach this minimum level of qualifications will be determined by the Admissions Committee in line with the Universitys policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which can be accessed here.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Head of Department
Department of Law
Department of Motherhood Project
Department of Sexualities and Gender
Department of ALL Institute
Department of Faculty of Social Sciences
Academic
Academic
Academic
Academic
Department of Law
Department of Jean Monnet Chair in EU Law and Fundamental Rights
Department of Centre for European and Eurasian Studies
Academic
The International Justice programme allows students to choose from a range of postgraduate law modules with a focus on human rights and justice.
Students must complete 90 credits in total 50 credits from the optional modules, plus the compulsory module Public International Law (10 credits). Students must also complete the compulsory Professional Development (5 credits) and Dissertation (25 credits) modules.
Professional Development is undertaken in year 1 of the programme, and the Dissertation is undertaken in year 2. Students should then register for 30 credits of optional modules each year, and can elect how to spread these modules across the year.
Not all modules offered will run every year, offerings are dependent upon demand and other potential constraints. Please note that some modules will have prerequisites attached to them.
Students can elect to graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma instead of an LLM, if they find that they are unable to complete the Dissertation.
Course Duration: 2 years part-time.
Online application only. To make an application please click here.
To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:
- Evidence of your primary degree
- Academic transcripts
- A copy of your passport
- A personal statement
- An academic letter of recommendation (Non-MU students only)
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants