What is Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law (HRIHL): Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope
Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law course is a specialised legal program that deals with fairness and protection of fundamental rights as well as freedom of persons or groups by governments around the world, especially in times of war. It obligates governments to serve the basic human rights of all individuals irrespective of their ethnicity or citizenship.
Human Rights law focuses on the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds, drawing from international treaties and customs to prevent violations and promote respect.
Human Rights eligibility for postgraduate courses such as LLM or diplomas, a LLB degree with a minimum of 45 to 50 percent is typically required. For undergraduate law courses, a completed 10+2 is required, with a focus on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Admission to the top universities requires entrance exam qualifications such as CLAT, AILET, and university-specific tests like DU LLM and BHU LLM, as well as state-level TSLAWCET.
Some popular institutes for this course are NLSIU Bangalore, SLS Pune, NLU Lucknow, NLU Kolkata, etc.
The Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law course fee can range from INR 5000 to INR 9 lakhs, depending on the institute, location, and the course level.
Career prospects include roles in national and international NGOs like Amnesty International and the Red Cross, UN agencies such as UNHCR and OHCHR, government bodies like the National Human Rights Commission, international law firms, universities, and think tanks.
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Course Details: Highlights
Candidates can pursue undergraduate (UG) as well as postgraduate (PG) programs in the field of Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law. In UG-level courses in this law specialisation candidates need to pursue integrated law programs which offer Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law as a specialisation whereas in a PG-level law course aspirants can straight away specialise in Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law.
Some popular PG level courses offered in the field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law are LLM in Human Rights Law, LLM in Constitutional Law and Human Rights, LLM in Human Rights, etc.
Refer to the table below to get a quick review about the Human Rights Law course details:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name |
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law |
| Course Levels |
Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, and Certificate |
| Eligibility Criteria |
Three-year or five-year degree in Law and entrance examination |
| Course Duration |
2 to 5 years |
| Course Fees |
INR 5,000 to INR 9 lakh per annum |
| Top University |
NLSIU, Symbiosis Law School, NLU Delhi, NALSAR, NUJS |
| Average Salary |
INR 5 lakh per annum |
| Job Profiles |
Advocate, Assistant Professor, Consultant, Legal Advisor, Solicitor, Legal Manager, Law Officer |
| Entrance Exam |
|
| Top Recruiters |
Bar Council of India, Law Firms, Multinational Companies, Public Sector and Private Sector Banks, Government Departments, Legal Process Outsourcing |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
Two distinct but complementary Law specialisations, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law are both concerned with protecting the life, health as well as the dignity of individuals. While International Humanitarian Law applies to a situation of armed conflict whereas International Human Rights Law applies at all times, that is, at the time of peace as well as in times of war.
LLM in Human Rights Laws course can propel you towards various career opportunities in the field of "Human Rights Law" with specialised knowledge and skills that can earn you high salaried jobs in law firms like Trilegal, government sectors like Ministry of Law and Justice and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India.
Other than that graduates can also work in NGOs and international organisations like UNICEF and WHO. Candidates can also learn to apply human rights law in real-world situations, such as conflict, migration, and climate change.
- Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Eligibility Criteria
- Top Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Entrance Exams
- Top Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Colleges
- Popular Private Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Colleges in India
- Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Syllabus
- Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters
- Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law
- Most Popular Courses
- Popular Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law UG Courses
- Popular Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law PG Courses
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for a Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law course may vary from one college to the other. However, candidates are eligible to apply for an integrated course with Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law as a specialisation if they have completed their Higher Secondary School/ Intermediate (10+2) or equivalent education from a recognised board.
Have a look at the table below to get a detailed overview of the criteria for various course levels:
|
Course Level |
Required Qualification |
Minimum Percentage/Grades |
|---|---|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma |
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
45 percent - 50 percent Varies (often no specific minimum) |
|
Master's (LL.M.) |
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognized university |
45 percent - 50 percent (varies by university) |
|
Undergraduate (Integrated Law - BA LL.B./BBA LL.B. with specialization) |
Successful completion of Higher Secondary School/Intermediate (10+2) or equivalent |
45 percent - 50 percent Varies by university |
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Admission Process
Given below are the general steps to enroll in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law courses, including:
- Prepare for national Law entrance exams like CLAT (CLAT PG, in case you are trying for LLM) and AILET. Also, ensure you meet the basic eligibility criteria i.e. a cleared bachelor’s degree in any relevant domain.
- On qualifying you can check the universities and colleges falling under your exam scores or merit.
- Apply to the colleges of your choice and go through their fee structure.
- Once you get selected for admission, complete the documentation process and submit the fees to begin with the classes.
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Course Related Information:
CLAT 2026: Exam Date, Registration Process, Syllabus, Pattern, Preparation Tips, Free Mock Tests
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law can be pursued in the UG level, for which one must have cleared Class 12th from a recognised board. It is also offered as a specialisation in PG courses, for which one must be a graduate.
To be eligibile for LLM in Human Rights Law course, students typically require LLB degree with key skills and knowledge in Human Rights Laws from a recognised university, with at least 45 to 50 percent minimum marks.
Moreover, students should qualify exams like CLAT PG if seeking an admission in reputed Law government colleges of India.
Top Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Entrance Exams
Some popular law entrance exams that aspirants should consider appearing for in order to secure admission in the best law colleges in the country are mentioned below:
|
Entrance Exams |
Exam Dates |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
|
SLS AIAT 2025 |
15 Dec '24 (Closed for 2025) |
|
|
CLAT PG 2025 |
1 Dec '24 (Closed for 2025) |
|
|
AILET 2025 |
08 Dec '24 (Closed for 2025) |
|
|
AIBE 19 |
22 Dec '24 (Closed for 2025) |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.
11 Sep ' 25 - 27 Sep ' 25 | TS PGLCET Phase 2 Counselling |
To Be Notified: | Commencement of Classes |
29 Sep ' 25 - 28 Oct ' 25 | AIBE 20 Registration Date 2025 |
29 Oct ' 25 | AIBE 20 Application Fee Payment 2025 |
15 Sep ' 25 - 25 Sep ' 25 | MH CET Law 2025 Institute Level Round (3-year LLB) |
13 Sep ' 25 - 22 Sep ' 25 | MH CET Law 2025 Institute Level Round (5-year LLB) |
1 Aug ' 25 - 31 Oct ' 25 | CLAT 2026 online registrations |
To Be Notified: | CLAT 2026 Application Correction Window |
Some popular law entrance exams that aspirants should consider appearing for in order to secure admission in the best law colleges in the country are mentioned below:
Entrance Exams | Exam Schedule |
SLS AIAT 2025 | |
CLAT PG 2025 | |
AILET 2025 | |
AIBE 19 |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.
Top Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Colleges
There are more than 100 colleges offering Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law courses. Out of these, public / government colleges are 52, private-owned colleges are 39 and public-private owned are only 2.
Top Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Government Colleges
Some of the top government colleges for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law include the following:
|
College |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 24.8 K |
|
|
INR 12 K |
|
|
NLU Kolkata (NUJS) - The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences |
NA |
|
INR 2.2 L |
|
|
NLU Lucknow (RMLNLU) - Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University |
INR 2.6 K |
|
INR 5.81 K |
|
|
INR 6.5 K |
|
|
INR 5.03 K |
|
|
INR 40 K |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.
Top Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Private Colleges
Here are some popular private colleges for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law courses in Inida:
|
College |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
1.98 L |
|
|
12 K |
|
|
12 K |
|
|
1.38 L |
|
|
9 K |
|
|
3.6 L - 9.25 L |
|
|
30 K |
|
|
1.76 L |
|
|
4.2 L |
|
|
NA |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Applications open. Apply Now
The average fee to pursue Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 9 Lacs per annum. Moreover, fees range depends on the location, college and the course levels.
Popular Private Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Colleges in India
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Syllabus
The Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law subjects/ topics taught as part of a Consumer Law course may vary from college to college. Candidates can view the syllabus of UG Level, PG-level and Diploma courses offered in the field of Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law below:
|
Undergraduate (Integrated BA/BBA LL.B. with Specialization - Likely Introduction) |
|
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Political Theory |
Legal Methods, Introduction to Human Rights |
|
Constitutional Law I |
Law of Torts, Basic Concepts of International Law |
|
Constitutional Law II |
Criminal Law |
|
Public International Law (Introduction) |
Family Law |
|
Environmental Law |
Human Rights Law (Specific Focus Areas) |
|
Law of Evidence |
Administrative Law |
|
Company Law |
Intellectual Property Law |
|
International Humanitarian Law (Basic Principles) |
International Humanitarian Law (Specific Issues) |
|
Master's (LL.M.) (Likely Core & Introductory) |
|
|
Foundations of International Law |
Introduction to Human Rights Law |
|
International Human Rights Law: Concepts & Principles |
International Humanitarian Law: Foundations |
|
International Humanitarian Law: Conduct of Hostilities |
Refugee Law |
|
International Criminal Law |
Regional Human Rights Systems |
|
Human Rights in Specific Contexts (e.g., Conflict, Development) |
Enforcement Mechanisms & Institutions |
|
Postgraduate Diploma (Likely Focus Areas) |
|
|
Introduction to Human Rights |
International Law Basics |
|
Civil and Political Rights |
Economic & Social Rights |
|
Rights of Specific Groups (Women, Children, Minorities) |
Implementation Mechanisms of Human Rights |
Some of the popular courses are the Diploma in Human Rights, Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights, Diploma in Human Rights and Law, Certificate in Human Rights, Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights and Values in Education, Post Graduate Certificate Course in Human Rights, Certificate in Human Rights Law etc.
The various topics taught under Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law include
- Environmental Governance
- Refugee & International Humanitarian Law
- Changing Conception of Justice & Globalised Legal Order
- Concept & Development of Human Rights
- International Criminal Law/ Human Rights, Women & Development/ Human Rights, Child & Development
- International Human Rights Law
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law is an extremely important law specialisation. It is worth knowing that anyone pursuing Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law as a specialisation would have a plethora of opportunities before them, and one of the reasons for this is that Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law affect anyone and everyone.
After completing an integrated UG level course with Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law as a specialisation, aspirants can consider pursuing a PG level course in the same field or even opt to join a job.
One of the most popular job profiles that candidates can pursue after completing a course in Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law is to become a lawyer.
Apart from this, candidates can also pursue other law job profiles after completing their Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law specialized skills in areas like international criminal law, refugee law, or specific regional human rights mechanisms can also lead to better compensation.
Some of the job profiles include the following:
|
Job Profile |
Job Description |
Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
Human Rights Lawyer/Advocate |
Represents individuals and groups whose human rights have been violated, advocating for their rights in courts, tribunals, and other forums. |
3 - 10 LPA |
|
Human Rights Officer |
Works with national or international organizations (governmental or non-governmental) to monitor, promote, and protect human rights. |
3 - 8 LPA |
|
Legal Advisor (Human Rights/IHL) |
Provides legal counsel to organizations (governmental, non-governmental, international) on matters related to human rights and international humanitarian law, ensuring compliance and developing policies. |
4 - 12 LPA |
|
Policy Analyst (Human Rights/IHL) |
Researches and analyzes human rights and humanitarian law issues to advise governments, NGOs, or international bodies on policy formulation and implementation. |
4 - 10 LPA |
|
Researcher (Human Rights/IHL) |
Conducts in-depth research on specific human rights or humanitarian law topics for academic institutions, NGOs, think tanks, or international organizations, contributing to knowledge and advocacy. |
3 - 8 LPA |
|
Advocacy Officer |
Develops and implements strategies to raise awareness and promote human rights or humanitarian causes, often working with NGOs or international organizations. |
3 - 7 LPA |
|
Program Officer (Human Rights/IHL) |
Manages and coordinates projects and programs related to human rights or humanitarian assistance for NGOs or international organizations, including planning, implementation, and evaluation. |
4 - 9 LPA |
|
International Relations Officer (with focus) |
Works with government agencies or international organizations on issues where human rights and humanitarian law are significant aspects of foreign policy and international cooperation. |
5 - 15 LPA |
|
Lecturer/Professor (Law with HRIHL specialization) |
Teaches and conducts research in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law at universities and academic institutions. |
4 - 10 LPA |
|
Legal Officer (International Organizations like UN, ICRC) |
Provides legal expertise and support within international organizations focused on human rights, humanitarian aid, and international law. |
6 - 15 LPA |
|
Compliance Officer (focus on human rights in business) |
Works with corporations to ensure their operations and supply chains comply with human rights standards and international labor laws. |
6 - 15 LPA |
|
Journalist (Human Rights focus) |
Investigates and reports on human rights abuses and related issues, raising public awareness and holding perpetrators accountable. |
3 - 8 LPA |
Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Top Recruiters
Some of the top recruiters for Human Rights and International Law include the following:
|
Top Recruiters |
||
|---|---|---|
|
International NGOs |
||
|
UNICEF India |
UNHCR India |
CRY (Child Rights and You) |
|
National NGOs |
||
|
Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) |
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) |
People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) |
|
Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs) and United Nations (UN) Agencies |
||
|
International Labour Organization (ILO) |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
Following are the average salaries for various job roles in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law:
Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Human Rights Lawyer/Advocate | 3 - 10 LPA |
Human Rights Officer | 3 - 8 LPA |
Legal Advisor (Human Rights/IHL) | 4 - 12 LPA |
Policy Analyst (Human Rights/IHL) | 4 - 10 LPA |
Researcher (Human Rights/IHL) | 3 - 8 LPA |
Advocacy Officer | 3 - 7 LPA |
Program Officer (Human Rights/IHL) | 4 - 9 LPA |
International Relations Officer (with focus) | 5 - 15 LPA |
Lecturer/Professor (Law with HRIHL specialization) | 4 - 10 LPA |
Legal Officer (International Organizations like UN, ICRC) | 6 - 15 LPA |
Compliance Officer (focus on human rights in business) | 6 - 15 LPA |
Journalist (Human Rights focus) | 3 - 8 LPA |
Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.
Those who have pursued Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law can work as:
- Human Rights Lawyers
- Activists
- NGO workers
Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law
Here are some commonly asked questions for this course:
Anyone who wishes to pursue Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law must be:
- Hard-working
- Confident
- Empathetic
- Research-oriented
- Unbiased and intellectually sound.
Most Popular Courses
Popular Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law UG Courses
UG Courses
- B.A.
4 Colleges
- BBA LL.B.
2 Colleges
- UG Diploma
2 Colleges
- B.A. LL.B.
1 College
- B.Com LL.B
1 College
Popular Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law PG Courses
PG Courses
- LL.M.
39 Colleges
- PG Diploma
27 Colleges
- M.A.
8 Colleges
- MBA/PGDM
1 College
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Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law are both concerned with protecting life, health as well as the dignity of individuals. While International Humanitarian Law applies to a situation of armed conflict whereas International Human Rights Law applies at all times, that is, at the time of peace as well as in times of war.