Law with Human Rights

Human rights law asks some of the most fundamental questions in the legal canon: what protections does every person possess simply by virtue of being human, how are those protections enforced, and what happens when they come into conflict with state power or other rights? Studying law with a specialisation in human rights at Essex, a university with an internationally recognised reputation in this field, places you at the intersection of legal doctrine and urgent contemporary debates about dignity, equality, freedom and justice.

Over three years of full-time study you will cover the core areas required of a qualifying law degree, including contract, tort, criminal law, public law, land law and equity, as well as European Union law and jurisprudence. The human rights strand takes you into international human rights instruments, the European Convention on Human Rights, domestic human rights law under the Human Rights Act and the evolving relationship between national courts and international tribunals. You will study specific rights in depth, from the right to life and freedom from torture to rights of expression, assembly and equality.

The programme develops your ability to read cases and statutes with precision, construct sustained legal arguments and engage critically with the values that underpin different legal systems.

Essex's particular strength in human rights means you will be studying in an environment where academic expertise and practical engagement with rights issues are closely connected. Graduates from this programme are well prepared for the Bar or solicitor qualification, and many go on to practise in areas with a strong human rights dimension, including public law, immigration, criminal defence, equality law and international law. Others pursue careers in non-governmental organisations, international bodies, journalism, policy-making, the civil service or academia.

For those who wish to continue studying, the degree opens clear pathways to postgraduate work in international human rights law, public international law and related fields.