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SWPS University - Main page

About the program

The postgraduate programme Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Human Rights Law is designed for individuals who wish to deepen their knowledge of international human rights protection and develop competencies required for work in the legal profession, public administration, international organizations, and the non-governmental sector. The programme is delivered entirely in English.

The classes combine theoretical and practical perspectives. The curriculum covers, among others, issues related to the protection of human rights before international courts, humanitarian law, fundamental rights in the European Union, the impact of new technologies on human rights, and contemporary challenges to democracy and the rule of law.

For whom?

The programme is intended for law graduates and individuals interested in developing competencies in the field of international human rights protection. It has been designed for professionals working in both the public and private sectors.

The programme may be particularly interesting for:

  • advocates, legal counsels, and legal trainees,
  • employees of NGOs and international organizations,
  • public administration officials and ombudsman institutions,
  • professionals dealing with rule of law and democracy issues,
  • law graduates planning further specialization,
  • individuals working in the international legal and business environment.

Why should you enroll?

  1. You will learn about international human rights protection mechanisms and the practice of courts and tribunals.
  2. You will develop the ability to analyze contemporary legal issues related to democracy, migration, technology, and climate change.
  3. You will participate in workshops, simulations, and case study analyses conducted in English.
  4. You will gain specialized knowledge useful in legal, administrative, and social professions.
  5. You will study under experts connected with legal practice, international organizations, and the public sector.

Program details

Mandatory module

Foundations and theory of human rights

Philosophy and theory of human rights

Normative structure of human rights

Basics of international law

Dignity, conscience and memory – on origins of human rights

International protection of human rights

International humanitarian law

Protection of human rights before international courts and tribunals

Litigation before the European Court of Human Rights

UN System of Human Rights’ Protection. Role of NGOs and NHRIs

Protection of fundamental rights in the EU

Litigation before the EU Court of Justice

Democracy, international organizations and contemporary challenges

Diplomacy, international organizations and human rights

Diplomacy, international organizations and human rights – case studies

Human rights, populism and the contemporary crisis of democracy

Accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide

Elective module

Rights of persons deprived of liberty

Protection of women’s rights

Vulnerable groups and anti-discrimination law

Protection of social rights

Freedom of speech and protection of other political freedoms

Human rights and artificial intelligence

Business and human rights

Human rights, environmental protection and climate change

Right to court and judicial independence

Migration, enforced disappearances and modern slavery

Racism, hate speech and memory laws

Religious freedom. Church–state relations

National protectors of rights – institutions and remedies

Protection of children’s rights

Programme organization

The programme lasts two semesters and includes 210 teaching hours and 40 ECTS credits.

The programme is delivered in a part-time format. Classes are conducted in English.

Participants may choose elective courses according to their professional interests.

Part of the programme will be conducted outside Warsaw:

  • a study session in Kraków will include topics related to accountability for war crimes and a study visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum,
  • a study session in the Tri-City area will focus on electoral rights and contemporary crises of democracy.

Participants are required to cover all travel, accommodation, and meal expenses associated with the off-site study sessions.

The Centre for Postgraduate Studies reserves the right to introduce changes to the curriculum, faculty, and mode of delivery.

Completion requirements

  • completion of all mandatory courses,
  • completion of selected elective courses,
  • obtaining the required number of ECTS credits.

Graduation document

Participants who complete the programme will receive a postgraduate diploma issued by SWPS University.

Our Lecturers

The courses are taught by academic lecturers and practitioners involved in the protection of human rights, international law, and the work of non-governmental organizations and public institutions. The teaching staff includes experts with experience in academic research, legislative work, and international cooperation.

Head of the program

Ph.D. / Associate Professor
Adam Bodnar
Ph.D. / Associate Professor
lawyer specializing in constitutional law and human rights
Ph.D. / Associate Professor, FAU
Grażyna Baranowska
Ph.D. / Associate Professor, FAU
migration and refugee rights expert
Ph.D.
Alicja Bartuś
Ph.D.
political scientist, journalist
Ph.D.
Jarosław Bełdowski
Ph.D.
business lawyer, ESG and compliance expert
Anna Błaszczak-Banasiak
attorney, equal treatment and non-discrimination expert
Professor
Władysław Czapliński
Professor
international lawyer
Professor
Mikołaj Cześnik
Professor
sociologist and political scientist, specializes in the analysis of poitical systems
Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
Ewa Dawidziuk
Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
lawyer
Ph.D.
Urszula Gacek
Ph.D.
diplomat, international affairs expert
Ph.D. / Associate Professor, INP PAN
Aleksandra Gliszczyńska-Grabias
Ph.D. / Associate Professor, INP PAN
anti-discrimination law expert, specialist in memory laws and historical justice
Professor
Piotr Hofmański
Professor
international lawyer
Professor
Hubert Izdebski
Professor
lawyer, attorney at law, advocate
Ph.D.
Paulina Jabłońska
Ph.D.
lawyer, expert in freedom of religion
Ph.D.
Basil Kerski
Ph.D.
cultural manager, international affairs expert
Professor
Zdzisław Kędzia
Professor
expert in social rights and the United Nations system
LL.M. (Georgetown University)
Ireneusz Kondak
LL.M. (Georgetown University)
European Court of Human Rights expert
M.A. / Teaching Assistant
Dominika Kuna
M.A. / Teaching Assistant
lawyer
Professor
Philip Leach
Professor
human rights lawyer, expert in litigation before the European Court of Human Rights
Ph.D. / Associate Professor, INP PAN
Aleksandra Mężykowska
Ph.D. / Associate Professor, INP PAN
international lawyer, expert in humanitarian law
Ph.D.
Nils Muižnieks
Ph.D.
political scientist, lawyer, and human rights expert
Professor
Marek Piechowiak
Professor
lawyer, philosopher
Professor
András Sajó
Professor
constitutional lawyer, expert on freedom of expression
LL.M. (American University, Washington, D.C.)
Gerald Staberock
LL.M. (American University, Washington, D.C.)
human rights defender, UN expert
dr hab.
Marcin Stoczkiewicz
dr hab.
environmental lawyer, climate protection expert
Professor
Maciej Szpunar
Professor
European lawyer, EU law expert
Ph.D. / Assistant Professor, UWr
Anna Śledzińska-Simon
Ph.D. / Assistant Professor, UWr
constitutional lawyer, anti-discrimination law expert
Professor
Maciej Taborowski
Professor
European lawyer, rule of law expert
Professor
Paweł Wiliński
Professor
criminal law scholar, expert on judicial independence
Mirosław Wróblewski
attorney, expert in new technologies and digital rights
Professor
Mirosław Wyrzykowski
Professor
constitutional lawyer, expert in civil rights protection

Admissions

Application step by step

Eligible candidates are admitted on the first come, first served basis. Please note that the completion of the online Application Form is just the first step in the Application Process and does not signify your admission to the program. Applicants are required to have a command of English sufficient to participate in classes and work with specialist literature. Language proficiency may be confirmed by a certificate or during an admissions interview.

In case of insufficient enrollment, SWPS University reserves the right to cancel the program.

  1. Complete the online Application Form.
  2. Upload the required documents
  3. Pay the application fee
  4. Start learning

Complete the online Application Form.

To go the Application Form, click the Apply button below. You will be guided through the whole application process.

To apply, you will need:

  • a scanned copy of your Master's degree diploma in Law (PDF or JPG format)
  • Applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum B2 level. This may be confirmed by a language certificate. Applicants who do not hold a certificate will be invited to an admissions interview
Apply

Upload the required documents

While filling in the Application Form, you will be asked to upload a scan of your Master's degree diploma in Law (PDF or JPG format) and proof of English language proficiency at a minimum B2 level, such as a language certificate. Applicants who do not hold a certificate may be invited to an admissions interview.

Please note!

  • Required file formats: .jpg or .pdf.
  • All scans must be of good quality, easily readable.
Apply

Pay the application fee

Once you are admitted to the program, you must pay the application fee and the tuition fee. Upload your payment confirmations to the Application Form. You must pay the application fee via the PayU platform, while completing the Application Form.

Please note!

  • You must upload confirmations of your application fee payment and the tuition fee payment to the Application Form.
  • Students and graduates of SWPS University are exempt from paying the application fee.
Apply

Start learning

We will notify you by e-mail, sent to the address provided in your application, about the status of your application. We will send you a separate e-mail with the admission decision. The information concerning classes will be e-mailed to you seven (7) days before the first weekend meeting.

Please note!

  • Number of places is limited.
  • Eligible candidates are admitted on the first come, first served basis.
Apply

Tuition

Application Fee 300 PLN.

Students and graduates of SWPS University are exempt from the application fee.

Tuition for academic year 2026-2027

  amount of installment fee for the entire program
10 instalments PLN 2, 580 PLN 25, 800
2 instalments PLN 12, 650 PLN 25, 300
1 instalment PLN 24, 900 PLN 24, 900

Participants are required to cover all travel, accommodation, and meal expenses associated with the off-site study sessions.

Candidates should pay the tuition fee to their individual accounts. Account numbers are provided on the Virtual University Platform. First instalment of the tuition fee payment should be paid by October 5th, for the cohort that begins classes in the fall, and by March 5th, for the cohort that begins classes in spring.

We will e-mail you class-related information seven (7) days prior to the first weekend meeting. Please check your student e-mail account and the e-mail account you provided in the Application Form.

Apply