Who is this course for? 

The LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy is designed to provide a rigorous and progressive learning experience over the course of one academic year (full-time) or two years (part-time). This specialised programme equips students with the legal, political, and policy tools necessary to address global challenges related to migration, displacement, and international protection. 

Students will engage with a curriculum that blends core legal theory with applied, policy-focused learning. The structure combines compulsory foundational modules with a wide range of optional modules, enabling students to shape their individual learning pathways and career focus areas. 

Core modules (55 modules): 

• Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law (10 credits) 
• International Refugee Law (10 credits) 
• Minor thesis (30 credits) 

Optional Modules (35 credits) may include: 

The School reserves the right to amend or withdraw modules subject to demand and other operational considerations. 

• The EU Common European Asylum System (5 credits) 
• European Migration Law (5 credits) 
• International Human Rights Law (10 credits) 
• Public International Law (10 credits) 
• International Criminal Law (10 credits) 
• International Humanitarian Law (10 credits) 
• Peace Support Operations (10 credits) 
• Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law (10 credits) 
• Policing, Security and Rights (10 credits) 
• Gender and Human Rights (10 credits) 
• International Humanitarian Law (10 credits) 
• Business and Human Rights 2 (10 credits) 
• Climate Justice (5 credits) 
• European Convention on HR: Law and Politics (10 credits) 
• Transitional Justice (10 credits) 
• Procedure before International Criminal Courts (5 credits) 
• Counter Terrorism and Human Rights (5 credits) 
• Transnational Lawyering (5 credits) 
• International Child Rights (5 credits) 
• Islam and Human Rights (5 credits) 
• Minority Groups and the Criminal Justice System (5 credits) 

Curriculum Information

• Practice-Oriented Skills Development: Build expertise in oral and written advocacy (legal and policy), strategic litigation, fact-finding, international development, and transnational lawyering through immersive, clinical-style teaching. 
• Specialised, Future-Ready Curriculum: Engage with pressing global challenges such as climate-induced displacement, trafficking, statelessness, and EU border governance through targeted elective modules. 
• Research-Led Teaching: Learn from globally recognised scholars actively influencing international migration and refugee law through cutting-edge research and real-world policy work. 
• Global Perspective, Local Relevance: Analyse how international, EU, and Irish legal systems respond to migration and asylum issues - bridging global frameworks with domestic application. 
• Sustainability & Justice Focus: Investigate the legal dimensions of climate migration, inequality, and forced displacement, and explore innovative, rights-based solutions for sustainable change.

The LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy prepares graduates for dynamic and impactful careers at the crossroads of law, human rights, and global policy. As migration challenges continue to evolve worldwide, there is increasing demand for legal professionals and policy experts equipped to address complex issues of displacement, asylum, and refugee protection. 

Graduates will gain the specialist knowledge and practical skills that employers across international organisations, NGOs, government agencies, legal practice, and academia actively seek. This expertise positions them well for roles such as legal advisers, policy analysts, human rights advocates, migration programme officers, and researchers. 

Employment opportunities exist across sectors including United Nations agencies, refugee and humanitarian organisations, immigration services, law firms specialising in asylum law, public policy institutions, and universities. This LLM also provides a strong foundation for those considering progression to PhD-level study or careers in academic research and teaching.

The programme responds to emerging global trends such as climate-induced displacement, mixed migration flows, and the reform of international refugee protection systems. These trends are driving a growing need for qualified professionals with expertise in migration law and policy, offering graduates a competitive edge in this expanding field. 

By combining rigorous legal training with a deep understanding of migration dynamics and human rights, the LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy offers a future-focused education designed to open doors to rewarding and meaningful career paths around the world.

• Professor Ciara Smyth (Programme Director)
• Professor Ray Murphy  
• Professor Siobhán Mullally 
• Professor Shane Darcy  
• Dr Paul Bradfield
• Professor Emeritus William Schabas
• Dr Ekaterina Yahyaoui Krivenko 
• Dr Anita Ferrara
• ‌‌Dr Maeve O'Rourke
• Dr Edel Hughes
• Professor Roja Fazaeli
• Dr Roisin Mulgrew 
• Dr Illan Wall
• Dr Rory Kelly 

How will I learn? 

Students in the LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy will engage with a dynamic and future-focused learning environment that blends rigorous legal education with real-world applications.

You will learn through interactive lectures, small seminars, workshops, and peer collaboration, all guided by expert faculty who are active researchers in law, migration, and policy. The programme emphasises practical, applied learning. You will explore how legal systems and international frameworks respond to emerging challenges within the context of migration and refugee protection. 

Case studies, simulated legal scenarios, and policy analysis exercises will help you connect legal theory with current developments in refugee and migration policy. Workshops in legal research, ethics, and regulatory writing will strengthen your ability to construct well-reasoned legal arguments and policy briefings. Group-based tasks and classroom discussions encourage collaboration, while independent projects and your final thesis foster deep critical reflection and problem-solving. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Throughout the programme, your progress will be assessed through a combination of essays, presentations, and an independent research thesis, designed to support both academic development and practical skill-building.  

1. Taught Modules: Most modules are assessed through written essays. Students are engaging with formative assessments and presentations, where feedback is provided to support continuous improvement.  
2. Presentations and Class Participation:  Students will have opportunities to deliver presentations and participate in discussions, helping to develop oral communication and argumentation skills. These components often form part of the continuous assessment.  
3. Minor Thesis (30 ECTS credits): You will complete a substantial, independently researched thesis on a topic of your choice related to law and digital innovation. Supervised by an academic advisor, this project allows you to demonstrate advanced legal research, writing, and analytical abilities. 

This assessment structure supports the development of high-level skills in legal research, regulatory analysis, digital literacy, and interdisciplinary thinking, preparing you for both professional and academic success. 

Explore our News and Events to discover our seminars, research talks, and activities at the Irish Centre for Human Rights that will expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect you with experts while you studying at University of Galway. 

The Irish Centre for Human Rights has partnered with the Immigration, Asylum and Citizenship Bar Association to host a major international conference on the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is due to enter into force in June 2026. This collaboration has allowed students and staff at the ICHR to lead cutting edge discussions on the human rights implications of this Pact, in Ireland, Europe and beyond. It is anticipated that this collaboration will continue into the future. 

The LL.M in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy fosters a culture of research excellence. The Programme Director, Professor Ciara Smyth, has been involved in the reform of the Irish asylum system for over 20 years and is a leading academic commentator on the EU asylum system. The Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, Professor Siobhan Mullally, who teaches on the LL.M, has decades of experience in the anti-trafficking field and is the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

A significant number of LL.M graduates from the LL.M on International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy and related LL.Ms at the Irish Centre for Human Rights have gone on to cutting edge PhD research, on such topics as: 

• Vulnerability as a legal tool in refugee status determination 
• Human rights violations and EU migration control in the Aegean
• The right to health of irregular migrants
• Trafficking for labour exploitation in the East Africa
• The treatment of unaccompanied minors in refugee law
• So called ‘hot returns’ at land and sea borders and the prohibition on collective expulsion
• Free movement agreements in East Africa as a response to climate change migration 

ciara.smyth@universityofgalway.ie 

Or  

lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):  

Professor Ciara Smyth 
School of Law, 
College of Business, Public Policy and Law 
E: ciara.smyth@universityofgalway.ie 

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of international legal frameworks and policies governing migration and refugee protection 
• Analyse complex issues involving human rights, state sovereignty, and global migration trends using interdisciplinary methods 
• Retrieve, interpret, and synthesise international treaties, legal instruments, and academic research to develop well-supported legal arguments 
• Apply advanced legal reasoning and ethical considerations to challenges in refugee status determination, asylum law, and humanitarian protection 
• Plan, manage, and execute an independent research project through a supervised thesis on migration or refugee law topics 
• Reflect critically on the social, political, and human rights impacts of migration and displacement in global contexts 
• Exhibit strong self-direction, time management, and the ability to work independently within dynamic academic and professional environments 
• Develop communication skills tailored to legal, policy, and advocacy audiences in both written and oral formats

Minimum Entry Requirements 

Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1, Level 8 primary degree in in law or in another relevant discipline including law , human rights, or political sciences.

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law or in another relevant subject area such as human rights. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements 

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents  

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.   

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle. 

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance. 

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Fieldtrips 

As part of the LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy, students can participate in extracurricular field trips that offer real-world insight into asylum, migration, and human rights law. These visits include institutions such as the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, NGOs like the Irish Refugee Council, and, where possible, international bodies such as UNHCR. Field trips enhance academic learning, provide practical experience, and help students connect with legal professionals, policymakers, and affected communities. 

There are some travel costs attached to participating in extracurricular fieldtrips.

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway, 
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.  

School of Law Global Scholarship:  

Eligible postgraduate students can receive a scholarship covering up to 50% off their tuition fees. Full details available here. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.  

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