LLM in Human Rights is a 2-year master's degree that is 4 semesters long. The course gives a detailed overview of human rights laws at the international level, the laws at the national levels, the legal policies, and the practical practices of human rights. Among the topics it addresses are constitutional rights, humanitarian law, refugee law, gender justice, human rights abuses, and the protection and advocacy mechanisms.
The LLM in Human Rights eligibility criteria are that one should have a bachelor's degree, such as an LLB from a BCI-recognized university, with at least 50% marks. Admission to this course is based on the entrance exam scores; students need to appear in exams like CLAT PG, CUET PG, AILET PG, MH CET Law – PG, AP PGLCET, and TS PGLCET, to name a few.
The average course fee for an LLM in Human Rights ranges between INR 30,000 – INR 2,00,000 based on the type of institutions. Some of the best colleges that have this specialization are the National Law University Delhi, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai, University of Hyderabad, NALSAR Hyderabad, and Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.
Both NGO specialists and academicians are possible careers after an LLM in Human Rights. The common jobs profiles are Human Rights Advocate, Legal Researcher, Policy Consultant, Social Activist, and Legal Advisor in international organizations. The average salary of freshers is between INR 4-7 LPA, whereas experienced workers and post-graduates get a salary of INR 8-15 LPA, depending on the job and company.
- LLM Human Rights Highlights
- What is LLM Human Rights?
- Why Study LLM Human Rights?
- Who Should Study LLM Human Rights?
- LLM Human Rights Eligibility Criteria
- LLM Human Rights Entrance Exams 2025
- LLM Human Rights Colleges in India
- LLM Human Rights Admission Process 2025
- LLM Human Rights Syllabus
- LLM Human Rights Job Opportunities in India
- LLM Human Rights FAQs
LLM Human Rights Highlights
Given below are the basic key highlights for the LLM Human Rights:
What is LLM Human Rights?
The two-year postgraduate degree programme or LLM Human Rights, offers students a deeper reflection of the body of laws, policies concerning human rights, and how best they can be applied both at the local and international levels. It targets law graduates who are keen on justice, equality, and consideration of basic rights using legal foundations.
The course teaches the learner about the different dimensions of human rights such as constitutional rights, international humanitarian laws, refugee law, gender justice, and ways of enforcing human rights and their protection. It deals with legal principles, case laws, treaties and advocacy strategies.
Why Study LLM Human Rights?
The LLM Human Rights program has a purposeful and valuable curriculum that will provide the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help defend the fundamental rights and solve social injustices around the world.
Some of the reasons why an LLM in Human Rights is an excellent degree option are the following:
- The course provides you a thorough knowledge of various legal frameworks, treaties, and mechanisms that support the implementation of diverse countries and cultures to the standards of human rights.
- It hones your intellectual, advocacy and academic abilities: You learn laws, but you also critically weigh human rights issues, formulate legal arguments, conduct research and make policymaking decisions, all of which refine your intellectual, advocacy and academic skills.
- You acquire practical skills in such subjects as legal writing, litigation and international advocacy, which equip you to work in law firms, NGOs, international organizations and government agencies engaged in the work of human rights protection.
- Your learning focuses on social, political, and cultural aspects of human rights abuse and protection, which will allow you to learn the international setting of justice, diversity, and equity and prepare you to be a change-maker in the society.
Who Should Study LLM Human Rights?
Listed below are some of the points on who should pursue an LLM in Human Rights. Let’s have a look at them:
- Law graduates who have a great sense of justice, equality, and a desire to focus on promoting and safeguarding basic human rights in the national and international domains.
- It would befit any individual looking forward to knowing more about the legal systems governing civil freedoms, the rights of refugees, women, and humanitarian regulations, and the possibility of participating in civil litigation or consulting skills in the field.
- It is the most suitable program for those interested in becoming legal advisors, human rights activists, policy analysts, or school teachers in order to take part in social justice and change.
- Students who are thinking about careers in government agencies, human rights commissions, and law enforcement agencies, as well as international agencies that handle law enforcement, compliance, and human dignity.
- Volunteers were passionate about working at the ground in terms of the community outreach and teaching human rights or as a consultant to a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program aimed at ethical, legal compliance.
LLM Human Rights Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission to the LLM Human Rights course is as mentioned below. It must be noted that the eligibility criteria may vary slightly from institute to institute.
- The candidate must have a Bachelor degree in Law, such as LL.B from a BCI-recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
- The candidates are required to have scored an aggregate of at least 50% marks (45 % marks under SC/ ST/ OBC category) in their LL.B degree.
- Candidates might also be required by some universities to have undergone an undergraduate law degree in a full-time course; other degree classes, part-time or distance could be accepted by the institutional norms.
- One can also apply on a provisional basis even after taking final year LL.B. exams; however, he or she is required to produce passing certificates before a final admission can be made.
LLM Human Rights Entrance Exams 2025
Admission to LLM Human Rights programs often depends on national and university-level entrance examinations.
LLM Human Rights Colleges in India
Provided below is the list of some of the Top LLM Human Rights Colleges in India. Students must be eligible in order to pursue an LLM in Human Rights from these colleges.
LLM Human Rights Admission Process 2025
Admission to LLM programs in Human Rights is often based on scores from entrance exams, such as CLAT-PG, AILET-PG, or university-specific exams like TISSNET for TISS.Interviews may also be conducted in some universities or a Purpose Statement (Purpose S) may be taken into consideration. The following is the procedural admission to Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai:
Step 1: Visit the official site of TISS and fill up the form of application in TISSNET choosing LLM Human Rights as your course of preference. You will be able to enter personal, academic, communication, and upload scanned documents.
Step 2: Register and appear in the TISSNET entrance exam on the said date. It usually examines general knowledge, law savvy and analytical capacity.
Step 3: After the result is announced, shortlisted candidates are invited to the Online Assessments holding which can lead to a Personal Interview and Statement of Purpose (SOP) reading.
Step 4: Depending on your score in the entrance test and the assessments, TISS will publish a merit list. Provisional admission will be offered to you in the following cases: when your name is identified among the names in the list.
Step 5: Make payment of the admissions fee to secure your seat. The official email on Orientation Schedule and Date of Commencement will be sent to you.
Required Documents:
- Marksheet and certificate of the LL.B. degree
- Mark sheets of Class 10 and 12
- Transfer Certificate (TC)
- Conduct/Character Certificate
- Identity proof (Aadhaar card, passport, etc.)
- In case of Caste/ Category Certificate (caste/category certificate)
- Passport-sized photographs
- Migration Certificate (where applicable in any other university/state)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Entrance Exam Scorecard (TISSNET/CLAT-PG/AILET-PG)
LLM Human Rights Syllabus
Given below is the LLM Human Rights syllabus generally followed across top Indian law universities. The LLM Human Rights curriculum is divided into 4 semesters spanning a total of 2 years.
Given below is the syllabus followed at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra:
LLM Human Rights Job Opportunities in India
As graduates of the program in LLM in Human Rights, there is a broad spectrum of work profiles to which they are competent in the spheres of law, higher education, social justice and international development. The table below contains a list of the most popular career roles and their experience qualifications, major recruiters and the average salary.
LLM Human Rights FAQs
Why is LLM in Human Rights useful in civil services or any job in policy level in government?
Yes, an LLM in Human Rights can be specifically helpful to the students, who want to get jobs in the civil services, especially in departments such as Labour, Social Justice, Law and Justice and External Affairs. The thorough knowledge of constitution, international and humanitarian laws helps candidates coming to take the UPSC or State PSCs to their advantage in the both General Studies papers as well as the interviews. It is also bound to instill critical thinking and analysis that is required to work in policy-making, governance as well as administration.
Does the L.L.M Human Rights program involve international law, or interdisciplinary?
Absolutely. Human Rights LLM programs are interdisciplinary in nature. The students are exposed to International Relations, Sociology, Public Policy, Gender Studies, Conflict Resolution and Developmental Studies, besides the underlining law related courses. The courses are meant to create a global perspective and awareness of complex socio-political matters that will make students capable of working in the international NGOs, the UN and international think tanks.
Which higher course or career opportunities are available after doing LLM in Human Rights?
After LLM the students may study Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Law, Human Rights or related subjects in India or foreign countries. There is also an academic job like job of an Assistant Professor, which is open, particularly with the people factor of NET/SET candidates. Other career choices are human rights national and international, human rights think tank, human rights research center, and human rights legal consultancy. Some choose special diplomas in areas such as Humanitarian Law, Refugee Law or Environmental Rights as areas of expertise.
