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We will examine what is meant by the term refugee, the classical definition, as well as investigating the main international instrument which determines whether or not someone is defined as a refugee. This course also covers the European dimension to refugee law, the rights of refugees and contemporary issues in refugee law and will give you a strong overall understanding of International Refugee Law and its ongoing importance.

Module A: The development of, and responsibility for, international protection of refugees

LWM60A

• Historical perspective
• The legal framework: The 1951 Refugee Convention and other instruments
• Who is a refugee?
• Assessment in refugee status determination procedures
• Regional approaches to refugee protection

Module B: The EU dimension of refugee law

LWM60B

• Europe and asylum: the history
• The Common European Asylum System
• Asylum rights in the EU
• The EU New Pact on Migration and Asylum

Module C: International law instruments and rights in depth

LWM60C

• The rights of refugees – introduction
• Other rights of refugees and asylum seekers
• Solutions for refugees put forward by the UNHCR
• Pushbacks of refugees at sea

Module D: Contemporary issues in refugee law

LWM60D

• Internally displaced persons and victims of trafficking and smuggling
• Specific categories of people applying for asylum
• Refugees from armed conflicts and temporary protection
• Policies externalising asylum procedures

Assessment

Each module will be assessed by a 45-minute unseen written examination.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended you complete Module A first.

How to apply

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification. (In either scenario, they must be studied in order.)

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

• Human Rights Law
• International Justice
• Law and Development
• Public International Law