International Children’s Rights (Advanced LL.M.)

Career prospects

Lauren O’ Neill (UK) - Global Events Manager at Internet Society Foundation

Alumna

"The LL.M. has provided me with an opportunity to broaden my knowledge on various fields of children's rights. After graduating, I worked in an NGO with a special focus on children's rights in Amsterdam. I later worked to prioritize youth participation at an international organisation focused on climate adaptation in Rotterdam. I now work as Global Events Manager at the Internet Society Foundation. It is thanks to the programme that I have been able to apply what I have learnt in many different settings."

Chunya Primrose Boonyawan (Thailand) - Lecturer at Faculty of Law Chulalongkorn University

Alumna

"The LLM deepened my understanding of how children’s rights apply across different settings and contexts. I particularly valued learning from children’s rights experts working in different roles, which showed me how cross-cutting the field really is. After graduating, I worked with Terre des Hommes Netherlands on programmes in Thailand and Laos before moving into academia as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, where I still draw on the questions and ideas I first explored during the programme."

This course equipped me with a deep understanding of children's rights and the skills and creativity needed to tackle progressive and complex challenges in child protection works. During the course as we would have opportunities to visit different organisations and be connected with alumni and experts, it helps me have a better understanding of how things work in this industry and have a clearer picture of my career path."

Begüm Simsek (Turkey) - PhD Candidate and Research and Teaching Assistant at the Centre Interfacultaire en Droits de l’Enfant (CIDE)

Alumna

“One of the most important qualities of Leiden University's International Children's Rights Advanced LLM Programme is the opportunity to become a member of an international network of people who share the same passion for advancing children's rights.”

Career

This programme aims to nurture a new generation of scholars and practitioners, and prepare its students to address the issues impacting the rights and interests of children across the globe.

Our graduates meet the requirements for a range of positions including:

1. governmental and inter-governmental bodies and public administration (both national and international)
2. national, regional and international (non-governmental) organisations dealing with children’s rights issue
3. national human rights institutions (e.g. ombudspersons)
4. civil society organizations dealing with children’s rights issue
5. monitoring and advisory national and international bodies or
6. law firms or companies involved with children and/or family matters.

The market for attractive positions within the field of children’s rights is often competitive. The aim of the programme in relation to professional prospects is to provide an advanced and solid academic education that can constitute the basis for a successful career.

Children’s rights specialists

The Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights programme equips its graduates with the relevant skills and expertise to pursue a career as children’s rights specialists, and promote child-friendly policies, legal reform, advocacy and programmes at the national, regional and international level. 

Studying part-time

The programme is also offered part-time (two academic years), with daytime classes and can accommodate working students living in or within easy travelling distance of Leiden, who are already pursuing a career. Due to visa requirements, the part-time option is only available for students living in the European Union.

Alumni community

After graduation, you will become part of a global alumni community and network of professionals working in different areas of children’s rights. To help alumni stay connected with one another and with the Programme, the International Children’s Rights Alumni Board facilitates opportunities for continued engagement, professional exchange and alumni-led activities.

From one of our alumni

Please see alumna Juliette Duchesne's article on the Master of Laws" Advanced Studies in International Children's Rights (LL.M) programme, which was isssued in International Social Service (ISS), International Reference Center for the rights of Children deprived of their Family, Monthly Review, no 208 of January 2017