Essex launches double degree programme with Canadian university

An exciting new partnership will offer students in Canada the chance to secure a senior law degree at the University of Essex.

The double degree programme in Human Rights Law launched by Essex and United College at the University of Waterloo will provide better choice for Canadians wanting to study for the LLB law degree.

Students will be able to complete a three or four-year Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Waterloo, before then studying a Bachelor of Laws at Essex for a further two years and achieving senior qualifying status.

The programme enables students to customise their path to a career in human rights, combining a BA in their own interest area, a minor in human rights and a legal education.

Canadians often travel to the UK to study law due to similarities in the respective legal systems in both countries.

Law is typically studied at postgraduate level in Canada and it is hoped the new double degree programme with Essex will provide more opportunities due to the limited number of courses and places available in the country.

David O’Mahony, Dean of Partnerships at the University of Essex, said: “We are really looking forward to this unique partnership with United College.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for students studying human rights and legal studies to further develop their human rights and legal training while studying at Essex.

“The partnership brings the very best of both the programmes at Waterloo and Essex, giving a truly international dimension to human rights and legal scholarship.

Andrew Fagan, Director of the Human Rights Centre at Essex, said: “I am delighted by the establishment of our new international partnership with the University of Waterloo.

“Now, more than ever, the world urgently needs committed and highly educated human rights defenders.

“Essex has welcomed a great many human rights students from Canada over the past 40 years of our human rights teaching and this partnership will enable even more such students to benefit from our world-class education.”