Law and Human Rights

Law and human rights is a combination that sits at the intersection of two disciplines that are mutually dependent. Human rights are not self-enforcing: they exist as law, are interpreted by courts and tribunals, and are given practical effect through the legal frameworks of states and international bodies. At the same time, law without a grounding in human rights risks becoming a tool of power rather than justice.

Studying both together means understanding the technical rules of the legal system alongside the philosophical and political principles that give those rules their moral weight.

At Birkbeck College in London, this programme is delivered part-time, making it accessible to those who work or have other commitments alongside their studies. You will develop skills and knowledge in human rights law, public law, constitutional law, international law and the domestic legal frameworks through which rights are protected and enforced. You will engage with academics and practitioners who work in these fields, giving you access to expert knowledge and current professional practice.

Human rights questions, including the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, the prohibition of torture, rights of asylum seekers and the enforcement of economic and social rights, are examined with both doctrinal rigour and critical depth.

You will develop strong legal analytical skills, the ability to construct precise arguments from complex sources, and the critical awareness to evaluate how rights discourse operates in contested political environments.

Graduates go on to careers in human rights law, public law, the voluntary and charitable sector, international organisations, policy work, journalism, NGOs and the civil service. Some pursue further training as solicitors or barristers, focusing on human rights and public law practice. Others go into postgraduate study in law, human rights, international law or public policy.