LW907-7-SP-CO:
The Protection of Refugees and Displaced Persons in International Law

The details
2026/27
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
27 November 2025

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

Refugees and internally displaced persons constitute between 68.5 million people. The aim of this module is to examine the protection they receive in international law. Legal definitions of refugee status, both international and regional, are the focus, along with the guarantees provided through international human rights law. In addition, the module explores limitations placed on their international commitments by states in Europe and North America. The final part of the module reviews the interface between international refugee law and international criminal law.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To provide students with necessary understanding of the protection of refugees and displaced persons in International Law as a necessary basis for further study and careers within this field. It is expected that upon successful completion of the course, students will have a thorough knowledge and insight of the pertinent international legal frameworks and the ability to apply them as appropriate.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to have:



  1. An understanding of the nature of international refugee law and relevant aspects of international human rights law and international criminal law,

  2. Learnt about the various regional responses to the protection of refugees and other displaced persons.

  3. Developed analytical and critical skills relating to the protection of refugees and other displaced persons in international law.

  4. Learnt about cessation of status and exclusion from status.

  5. A solid foundation for the further study and research of more specialist areas of international law pertinent to forced displacement.

Module information

Indicative Syllabus



  • Introduction with History and Non-Refugees

  • Refugee status under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

  • Membership of a Particular Social Group, especially gender

  • Non-refoulement under Article 33.1 and Complementary Protection Seminar

  • Regional Mechanisms, including armed conflict Seminars

  • Exclusion and Cessation

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Weekly 2-hour seminars.

The module teaching team will upload all relevant teaching materials on Moodle. You will find reading lists, the textbook, weekly handouts or PPS notes on Moodle. The materials in question are designed both to help you navigate the material to be covered in the seminars and to equip you to analyse the required readings. You will be expected to have completed the required readings in advance of your seminars.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Carla Ferstman, email: cf16045@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Geoff Gilbert
University of Essex, School of Law. Telephone: 01206 872557; Email: geoff (non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address).

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 18 hours, 18 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Essex Law School

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