Program Overview

Engage in a discourse on human rights law, informed by thinking on rights from political, sociological, philosophical, economic and historical perspectives. You are presented with the theoretical foundations, substantive knowledge, and evaluative tools for you to understand and respond to national, regional, and international legal and political developments.

Our LLB Law and Human Rights develops your critical awareness of the nature of law within its social, political, sociological, philosophical, economic and historical contexts.

At Essex we are actively engaged in debates about the meaning of justice in the UK and beyond. Our Human Rights Centre is a recognised international leader. Through our work with the United Nations, governments, human rights organisations and corporations all over the world, we bring a global outlook to our teaching.

As a law and human rights student, not only will you learn legal rules, but you will also consider the function of law in society, the philosophy of law, policy issues and law reform. You study topics including:

• Global distributive justice and human rights
• Protection of human rights in the UK
• Freedom of thought and expression
• European human rights law

Our law course will develop your intellectual and critical faculties, encourage you to think independently and teach you to present rational, coherent and accurate arguments orally and in writing. It will provide you with an excellent foundation for any career.

Placement year

When you arrive at Essex, you can decide whether you would like to combine your course with a placement year. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Student Development Careers Services.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.