University of Ghana

What you'll study

This programme blends doctrinal legal study with practical skills and empirical methods. Core themes include international and regional human rights law, comparative constitutional protection of rights, mechanisms of enforcement, and thematic areas such as economic, social and cultural rights, gender and children’s rights, refugee and migration law, and transitional justice.

• Core modules: Foundations of human rights law; International human rights instruments and monitoring; Regional human rights systems (African, Inter‑American, European); Remedies and enforcement mechanisms.
• Thematic modules: Economic, social and cultural rights; Human rights and development; Gender, sexuality and rights; Refugee and migration law; Business and human rights; International criminal law and accountability.
• Research and methods: Legal research methods; Qualitative and quantitative methods for human rights practice; Strategic litigation and case management.
• Practical components: Clinic placements, internships with NGOs, institutions or government agencies; moot courts and simulation exercises; policy brief writing and advocacy workshops.
• Dissertation / Major research project: A supervised independent research project or practice-based dissertation that demonstrates mastery of a substantive human rights issue and appropriate research methodology.

Teaching is typically a mixture of seminars, lectures, supervised research, and assessed practical work. Students are encouraged to undertake placements with civil society organisations, national institutions or regional bodies to gain direct practice experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree in law (LLB) for the LLM route or a relevant first degree in social sciences, humanities or a closely related discipline for the MA route. Relevant professional experience in human rights, legal practice, public policy or development work strengthens an application.

• Minimum academic requirement: a recognised undergraduate degree with classification considered equivalent to a good upper second class honours (or as specified by the Faculty of Law/Graduate School).
• For applicants whose first language is not English, proof of English-language proficiency may be required.
• Application materials typically include a CV, academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining motivation and research interests, and at least one academic or professional reference.
• In some cases applicants may be invited for an interview or asked to submit a short writing sample.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue careers across the public, private and non‑profit sectors. Common pathways include:

• Legal practice and litigation focused on human rights, constitutional law and public interest law.
• Roles with national human rights institutions, ombuds offices, and government ministries dealing with justice, human rights and social policy.
• Employment with international and regional organisations such as UN agencies, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and regional human rights bodies.
• Positions in domestic and international non‑governmental organisations, advocacy groups and think tanks working on policy, research, monitoring and campaigns.
• Academic or research careers in universities and specialised research centres.
• Consultancy and advisory work on human rights compliance, impact assessments and programme design for development donors and corporate actors.

Why study at University of Ghana

The University of Ghana offers this programme within a campus context that combines a long tradition of legal scholarship with active engagement in West African and continental human rights issues. Students benefit from access to experienced faculty in the School of Law and affiliated centres, practical training opportunities in Accra with courts, national institutions and NGOs, and a multidisciplinary environment that integrates law, development and policy perspectives.

Location in Ghana’s capital provides proximity to regional legal institutions, diplomatic missions and an active civil society sector, facilitating internships, networking and practical placements that enhance employability. The programme emphasises both rigorous academic analysis and applied practice to prepare graduates for varied roles in human rights work.