Short Course: International Migration and Refugee Law
Date: 5 Sessions: 13, 20, 27 April, 4, 11 May 2026
Time: 13.00 - 15.00 (UK time)
Venue: Online
Course Outline
This course offers a unique overview of International Migration and Refugee Law, linking theory and practice to allow participants to gain a meaningful understanding of the law and of the challenges in its implementation. The course is designed to provide participants with a working knowledge of the main legal frameworks, concepts, and actors in the field of International Migration and Refugee Law, as well as of the rights of refugees and other migrants - and the obstacles they face in accessing such rights.
During this course, participants will develop a solid and critical understanding of the sources and legal frameworks of international migration law, the sources and legal frameworks of international refugee law (including climate displacement), the laws regulating labour migration and labour exploitation, the phenomena of human trafficking and migrant smuggling (including the law on maritime migration), and the rights of refugees and other migrants under international human rights law.
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Be aware of the sources of International Migration and Refugee Law and of the relevant regional and domestic laws, as well as of the relevant International Organisations working in the field;
- Understand the core concepts and principles established in the Refugee Convention and their application
- Be aware of the core concepts and principles established by the International Labour Organisation and Human Rights treaties with respect to labour migration;
- Understand the risks associated with migration and the drivers of 'voluntary' and 'forced' migration;
- Be aware of the rights of migrants and understand the obstacles to accessing such rights.
Indicative course topics:
- Sources and Framework of International Migration and Refugee Law
- Risks associated with migration
- International protection of displaced persons
- Rights of migrants
- Labour Migration
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Jean-Pierre Gauci, Arthur Watts Senior Research Fellow in Public International Law and Director of Teaching and Training (BIICL), Dr Noemi Magugliani, Research Fellow in Anti-trafficking Law and Policy (BIICL), and Dr Rosana Garciandia, Research Leader in Labour Exploitation and Human Rights, (BIICL).
Who is the course for?
The course is beneficial to anyone with an interest in migration and displacement issues including those working for NGOs and civil society organisations, government (including national and sub-national governments), inter-governmental organisations, legal practice (including law firms and chambers), businesses, and academia (including students).
Course format
The virtual course format will consist of a series of 5 sessions in which live (synchronous) teaching is offered via Zoom. Participants will be able to interact with the tutors and amongst themselves on screen.
Testimonials from past attendees
"Really excellent"
"Excellently delivered all round.."
"This training class is great experience for me."
Training scholarships
We are delighted to be able to offer scholarships designed to enable individuals from communities currently under-represented in the legal field to access our world-class courses and benefit from unparalleled learning experiences.
Scholarships are aimed at 3 categories: individuals from communities and backgrounds that are under-represented in the legal field in the UK and abroad; individuals who have recently received a needs-based bursary from their university or further-education college and representatives from Small Charities, NGOs, and Community-Based Organisations.
Applications for training scholarships must be received at least three weeks ahead of the course start date (23 March 2026). Applications must be made via the online form and applications received via any other means will not be considered.
Find out more about training scholarships
