About the Programme

The programme aims to provide an intensive immersion in international human rights law and practice. Students will learn about key international and regional human rights laws and the enforcement of human rights by courts, quasi-judicial bodies, the UN and other inter-governmental organisations and non-governmental actors.  The introductory morning session aims to provide a basic grounding in the field of international human rights law for students with no prior knowledge. The advanced morning seminars aim to build on students' existing knowledge. The afternoon electives aim to provide students with an opportunity to specialise in a key sub area of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. More broadly, the programme is intended to prepare students to contribute to the improvement of human rights conditions in their homelands and around the world.

The 2026 programme begins on Monday 6 July with arrival and registration. Tuesday 7 July is reserved for orientation, library tours and an introductory lecture. Classes are held mornings and afternoons Wednesday 8 July to Tuesday 28 July. Examinations are held on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 July followed by a farewell dinner. The programme concludes after breakfast on Friday 31 July.

The academic programme consists of:

• A daily lecture programme given by a leading expert within the faculty
• Study in small interactive group seminars led by experienced tutors
• Optional extra-curricular events programme

All students will take a course in:

• The Fundamentals of International Human Rights Law or
• Human Rights Lawyering (advanced)

This involves a morning plenary lecture followed by a smaller group seminar. 

Students then choose one of five afternoon elective seminars: 

• Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights
• Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age
• Individual and Group Rights
• Refugees and International Human Rights Law
• War, Peace and Human Rights

Seminars will usually contain no more than 18 students.

A typical class day looks like this: 

 In addition, there will also be an optional afternoon session on some days.

The programme provides a minimum of 58 hours and 45 minutes, comprising:

• 15 plenary lectures of 1 hour
• 15 seminars of 80 minutes
• 15 seminars of 95 minutes.

This course is an intensive programme of postgraduate-level study and potential applicants should therefore be confident that they are academically and linguistically prepared for such a programme.

Students are expected to:

• undertake preparatory reading before each class
• attend all seminar sessions and lectures
• be actively engaged with their seminar topics

If English is not your first language, you must supply evidence of your proficiency before a place can be offered. You may also apply to have this requirement waived if you are eligible. Further information about accepted English tests and the waiver process is listed in the Applications section.

Assessment for all classes in this programme is by way of timed examination and class participation but examinations are only compulsory for those seeking credit from the programme. Further information about credit can be found in the Certificates and credit section below.

Please note: all examinations take place on Wednesday 29 July and Thursday 30 July 2026 and cannot be re-arranged.

All students who satisfactorily complete the programme will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. To qualify for this, students are required to attend lectures and seminars to the satisfaction of the course tutors.  It is not necessary to take the examinations in order to receive a Certificate of Attendance but those seeking credit from the programme will need to sit the examinations. The certificate will list your name, the dates of the programme and the two courses you have taken.

The programme is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) for 5 semester credits, but these can only be awarded to North American law students who have applied for the programme through George Washington University (see 'Application procedure' on the Applications page).  North American students must take the examinations to receive ABA accreditation.

As Oxford University itself does not offer credit for this summer school, those students outside North America (who will not qualify for ABA accreditation) wishing to obtain credit from their home institution for attending the programme must make appropriate arrangements with that institution in advance.  Students can request information to provide to their home institution that sets outs the contact teaching hours (for lectures and seminars) and confirms the grades achieved in the examinations. Please note that confirmation of your exam results comes in the form of a results letter emailed directly to you when results are available in mid-September. A hard copy can also be sent directly to you and/or your university if this is required. Unfortunately we cannot provide formal transcripts for this course so you must check in advance that your home institution will accept a results letter. The level of credit, if any, must be determined by the home institution.

This course is not eligible for CATS and ECTS points as it is not accredited.

The Faculty aims to treat all students equally and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Individuals' needs are taken into account as far as possible, providing reasonable adaptations and assistance within the resources available.

Students with mobility difficulties may find some areas and buildings in Oxford difficult to access as it is an ancient city with a number of very old buildings which were designed in an age that was less sensitive to issues of disability. 

Accessibility information on each of the three main sites/buildings used for this programme is below.

Bonavero Institute for Human Rights: Plenary lectures take place in the Bonavero Institute. Further information is available in the Access Guide for the Bonavero Institute.

New College: Accommodation and meals are provided at New College. In addition, some classes will also take place here. Students may find that the age and layout of New College means that some areas are only accessible by stairs. Further information is available in the Access Guide for New College. 

Manor Road Social Sciences Building: Some classes and all the optional afternoon lectures take place in the Manor Road Building.  Further information is available in the Access Guide for the Manor Road Building. 

We welcome applications from students with mobility difficulties, visual or hearing impairments, or any other disabilities which may require special arrangements. If you are offered a place, please contact the Oxford Course Administrator at ihrl-events@law.ox.ac.uk for further advice as early as possible before the start of the programme to allow sufficient time for reasonable adaptations and assistance to be discussed and arranged, within the resources available.