Overview

Become a human rights law expert

Build your human rights expertise with the Master of Human Rights Law, part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program. Learn from globally recognised human rights specialists as part of a diverse and committed international cohort of students. Choose from the widest range of human rights subjects in Australia and build a comprehensive, contemporary understanding of the field. Graduate ready to work here in Australia or overseas.

Key features

1. Become a human rights lawyer. Graduate with an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of human rights law.
2. For legal and non-legal backgrounds. Develop and expand your expertise in human rights law, relevant for practising lawyers as well as professionals working for organisations like development agencies.
3. Flexible delivery. Designed with busy working professionals in mind, our subjects are delivered flexibly, usually through five-day intensives. Subjects are taught online, on-campus, or as a hybrid of both.

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Melbourne Law Masters | Alumni Stories | Tanya, Peter & Sangeeta

University rankings

#1 in Australia | #13 globally | #8 in graduate employability worldwide
^{QS World University Rankings 2025 / QS Graduate Employability 2022}

Subject rankings

Law
#1 in Australia | #11 globally
^{Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject 2025}

Why study human rights law at Melbourne?

Join a diverse cohort of Master of Human Rights Law students, from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds.

1. Build human rights expertise. Develop an advanced appreciation of the relationship between human rights law and politics, as well as in-depth knowledge of institutional human rights frameworks in Australia and internationally.
2. Ready for debate. Graduate ready to debate matters like the contested universality of international human rights and its application in diverse domestic jurisdictions.
3. Practical applications. Explore how to assess the practical effectiveness of different mechanisms for enforcing human rights; navigate human rights challenges in the context of globalisation; and respond to human rights threats presented by non-state actors.

Student support

Access extensive resources and support while you study.

1. Melbourne Law School library. With access to one of the best law collections in Australia, you’ll have all the resources you need at your fingertips
2. Legal Academic Skills Centre. Enjoy a range of tailored support services, including one-on-one research and legal academic skills consultations.
3. Mentoring opportunities. Match with an experienced practitioner from our mentor network, which includes professionals from leading law firms, the Bar, government, the judiciary, and the not-for-profit sector. Full-time students only.

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Learn more about the Melbourne Law Masters.