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Master of Laws
LLM Public International Law
A Master of Laws (LLM) in Public International Law, offered by The University of Law, is a postgraduate degree designed for law and non-law graduates to enhance your academic legal knowledge. This internationally recognised Master’s explores the complex issues surrounding the legal framework governing international relations and can open up pathways to careers in judicial review, immigration practice, charity or NGO, international organisations, policy work, and more.
Key Facts
STUDY ONLINE
If you’re looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?
Course Details
LLM Public International Law
Public International Law regulates the relationship between states, international organisations and non-state actors across borders. This course will introduce you to the nature, structure, legal sources and concepts of contemporary international law in addition to a number of key rules and principles. You will examine sources and hierarchy of international law and rules; international legal personality; the relationship between international and domestic law; issues relating to jurisdiction; the Law of Treaties; state responsibility; the peaceful settlement of international disputes and use of force. You will also consider issues of substantive public international law such as international humanitarian law and forced migration.
This course will set you up for employment within public international law such as diplomacy or public relations. It will also assist you if you already work within this sector in taking on a more senior role.
When you study the LLM Public International Law with us you will:
- Be taught by our expert lecturers, including subject matter specialists, former and current practitioners, and research and teaching focused academics.
- Benefit from strategic partnerships with firms, regulators and accreditation bodies, which inform our programme development.
- Improve your employability by gaining important transferable skills and mapping your career with our careers team.
- Strengthen your network - connect with other students, faculty and industry professionals on an international scale, and seek out opportunities for future placements and job opportunities.
- Increase your earning potential - the 2023 Graduate Labour Market Statistics found that postgraduates on average earn £5,000 more than their graduate counterparts.
- Get ahead of the competition - gain in-depth knowledge of your topic of interest and become a subject expert, which will provide you with a competitive edge in the job market.
- Enjoy flexibility - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies.
- 94% of postgraduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2024.
- Prepare for the future of Legal Technology – study modules in legal technology and gain insight into this emerging area of law.
Take a look at our Centre of Excellence for Human Rights, for more information about how you can benefit from our specialist programmes, strategic partnerships, expert teaching and resources to help you succeed in the field of human rights.
Please note that, due to Home Office regulations, students who require a Student Route visa to study with us are not permitted to study online and can only choose face-to-face taught modules.
Upcoming Application Deadlines
It's not too late to apply for our February 2025 intake. The application deadline is Friday 31 January 2025.
Course Structure
Terms 1 & 2 (full-time) or 1-4 (part-time)
In addition to a general induction to the programme, there is a two-week induction covering the Key Principles of the English Legal System. This is compulsory for non-law students, but also open to students wanting a refresher in the fundamentals of the law of England and Wales. This would be useful for any student who has taken a considerable break from legal education.
Compulsory modules include:
- Public International Law
- Research Methods Training to help you prepare for your dissertation
You may then choose three* from the list of elective modules which includes modules such as:
- Domestic Human Rights and Judicial Review
- Immigrational Law
- International Criminal Law
- International Human Rights Law
View the elective module guide
*All elective modules are subject to availability.
Term 3 (full-time) or 5-6 (part-time)
Dissertation in Public International Law
Course Start Dates
February 2025
-
LLM Public International Law
- Full-time: London Bloomsbury
- Part-time: London Bloomsbury
September 2025
-
LLM Public International Law
- Full-time: London Bloomsbury
- Part-time: London Bloomsbury
Online
Study LLM Public International Law Online starting February 2025 or September 2025
Course requirements
The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.
Study Online
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of a flexible study programme to fit around your other commitments together with the benefit of our expertise, experience and employability focus, why not consider our online study option?
open daysUpcoming Dates
Jan 7th
Law Conversion Courses Open Day (Birmingham Campus)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 19:30
Birmingham
Jan 7th
Legal Practice Course Open Day (Birmingham Campus)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 19:30
Birmingham
Jan 7th
SQE Courses for Law Graduates Open Day (London Moorgate Campus)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 19:30
London Moorgate
next open day
24d 12h 24m
Course Information
With so many options for studying this course, you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.
Modules are assessed by a three hour unseen written examination or 4,500 word coursework assignment.
All assessments are conducted online.
The dissertation module will be assessed by submission of a thesis (15,000 words), and provides an opportunity for sustained, in-depth and intensive investigation into, and reflection upon, a specialist area of Public International Law.
The approach to learning and teaching on the Master of Laws programmes is predominantly learner-centred, with live workshops taught by our expert lecturers to encourage conversation and discussion. However, if you're unable to attend then you can catch-up with recorded sessions at a time to suit you.
Each taught module is divided into a number of Units which are presented using the Prepare, Engage, Consolidate approach.
Prepare: this represents all the work the student needs to complete before attending the relevant workshop. Traditional lecture content will be presented in short bite-sized segments of approximately 10 minutes to better engage the modern student. Guided independent research and reading will be expected as part of a student’s preparation.
Engage: this represents the interactive element of the Unit. This could be a face to face
workshop, a synchronous online workshop or an asynchronous online activity.
Consolidate: this represents the final part of the Unit and can be used by students to check their understanding of the Unit immediately after their Engage activity or as part of their revision for the module or both.
Employability We Set You Up For Success
We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.
Discover more
Find a career that suits you
Fees and Applying
You can apply for this course directly with the University.
This course cannot be chosen to study alongside our Legal Practice Course (LPC). For more information on the choice of Master's to study alongside our LPC, please visit the LPC page.
Please note: Our Master of Laws (LLM) programmes are not a direct route to qualification as a Barrister or Solicitor in the UK.
2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)
Domestic students
London: £13,450
Outside of London: £11,900
Non-domestic students
London: £18,500 (or £15,500 including a £3,000 International Bursary*)
Outside of London: £17,000 (or £14,500 including a £2,500 International Bursary*)
See the full fee schedule for our LLMs here.
By studying a Master's degree you could be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £1000 Academic Master's Alumni Discount.
We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available which make studying with us more affordable than ever.
We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.
If you are an international student and are coming to the UK to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the UK Home Office.
The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the UK for 2 years post completion of a UK degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.
Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.
