University of Ghana

What you'll study

This programme brings together doctrinal law, feminist theory and empirical methods to examine how law shapes and is shaped by gender. Teaching combines compulsory core modules, elective options and a research dissertation or supervised project.

• Core topics: feminist and critical legal theory; gender, human rights and constitutional law; gender and social policy; research methods for gender and law.
• Typical legal modules: family law and gender; sexual and reproductive rights; gender-based violence and criminal law; labour law and gender equality; land, property and inheritance law from a gender perspective.
• Comparative and policy modules: comparative gender jurisprudence; gender and development policy; international human rights law and gender; customary law and gendered outcomes.
• Practical components: clinic or practicum-based placements (legal aid clinics, NGOs or policy bodies), moot or litigation workshops, and opportunities for fieldwork or placement with partner organisations.
• Research project: a supervised dissertation or extended project allows students to pursue an original enquiry into a gender-and-law topic under academic supervision.

Entry requirements

Entry is competitive and intended for candidates with a clear academic background relevant to the programme.

• For LLM-route applicants: a qualifying first degree in law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognised institution. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance and potential for postgraduate study.
• For MA-route applicants: a first degree in a relevant social science, humanities or related discipline (for example sociology, political science, development studies, anthropology or gender studies) with evidence of interest in legal or policy dimensions of gender.
• Supporting documents: academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining research interests and career aims, at least two references (academic or professional), and a CV. Mature applicants with relevant professional experience in law, gender advocacy, human rights or public policy are encouraged to apply and should set out their experience in the application.
• Language and other requirements: applicants whose first language is not English will normally need to demonstrate proficiency in English to the level required by the University of Ghana. Specific additional requirements (such as interviews or sample work) may be requested by the programme team.

Career prospects

Graduates gain a combination of legal, policy and research skills suited to a broad range of careers that address gender issues in national, regional and international contexts.

• Legal practice with a gender or human rights focus (private practice, public interest law firms, legal aid providers).
• Judiciary and public legal institutions, including roles in gender desks, law reform commissions or human rights commissions.
• Non-governmental organisations and civil society working on women’s rights, gender-based violence, development and advocacy.
• International and regional organisations (UN agencies, AU bodies, ECOWAS, etc.) with programmes on gender, human rights and development.
• Policy and legislative advisory roles in government ministries and parliamentary committees concerned with gender, social policy and justice reform.
• Research and academia, including PhD progression and teaching or research posts in gender studies, law and related fields.

Why study at University of Ghana

The University of Ghana provides a strong environment for interdisciplinary gender-and-law study, drawing on the Faculty of Law’s legal expertise and the University’s established centres for gender research and advocacy. Students benefit from access to local and regional case law, engagement with Ghanaian legal reform processes and practical training through the University’s legal aid and clinic programmes.

• Interdisciplinary teaching that links doctrinal legal analysis with feminist theory, policy and empirical research.
• Opportunities to engage with active civil society, governmental bodies and regional networks based in Accra, offering real-world exposure to law and gender practice.
• Supervision from academics experienced in gender, human rights and African legal systems, and opportunities for supervised field research in Ghana and the West African region.
• Access to University of Ghana libraries, specialised collections and seminar series that support advanced research in law and gender.