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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.

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Key Facts

Entry requirements

Minimum second-class honours degree

Course requirements ➔

Entry requirements

Locations

London Bloomsbury and Online

Next start date

September 2024

See all Start Dates

STUDY ONLINE

 

If you’re looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?

 

Gain essential in-depth knowledge and insight in your chosen area of law and understand the importance of legal rules as they are applied in the real world.

95% of postgraduate students in employment were in highly skilled employment 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2022.

Taught by a combination of former and current practitioners, as well as research and teaching academics who are focused on legal practice, not just theory.

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 2022 Graduate Labour Market Statistics found that postgraduates on average earn £6,500 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. 
  • 95% of postgraduate students in employment were in highly skilled employment 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2022.
  • 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.

Course Structure

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.

Dissertation in Public International Law

Course Start Dates

  • LLM Public International Law
    • Full-time: London Bloomsbury
    • Part-time: London Bloomsbury
  • LLM Public International Law
    • Full-time: London Bloomsbury
    • Part-time: London Bloomsbury

Online

Study LLM Public International Law Online starting September 2024 or February 2025

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Course requirements

The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.

Find out more ➔

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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?

LLM Public International Law Online ➔

study online

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.

Calendar

 

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.

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The course has an innovatively flexible structure, with specific assessments that are conducive to effective learning.

The approach to learning and teaching on the Master of Laws programmes is predominantly learner-centred. 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.

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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.

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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.

Please note: Our Hong Kong courses are not yet open for applications. If you are interested in finding out more about studying in Hong Kong, please register your interest today.

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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*)

*Terms and Conditions apply

 

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.

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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.

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