Welcome to the LLM!  We have designed the degree programmes to reflect the modern reality of international law and to allow you to engage with its adaptations to the challenges of an increasingly globalised world.

International law has never been more important than it is today.  The British Institute for International and Comparative Law explains the contemporary status of international law says:

‘The dynamic development of international law across so many areas has required more international lawyers. International lawyers are found working on refugee camps, managing international financial organisations, on a government trade mission, in transactional and litigation areas of law firms, arguing and deciding human rights cases, drafting tax legislation, advising environmental non-governmental organisations, enthusing students at universities, and doing a wide variety of other legal and non-legal jobs’.

Even this description does not adequately convey the importance of international law.  In addition to providing a normative framework for inter-state relations, international law also deals with human rights, trade, investment, banking, shipping, the environment, terrorism, peacekeeping and warfare, amongst many other fields.  Moreover, it can affect the daily lives of ordinary people and, in many cases, has directly impacted on the legal systems of individual states.  Indeed, not a day passes without a newspaper or television channel reporting on some contemporary issue of international law.  The first challenge for any student on the LLM programme is therefore to appreciate the full extent of international law.

The programme recognises both the breadth of contemporary international law and the increasing need for specialisation, by offering a range of specialist pathways.  Some offer exposure to a broad range of topics, others are more focused.  Experienced academics with specialist knowledge will guide your studies and provide you with the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and hone your legal skills.  Throughout the programme, you will study International Law from the traditional doctrines and principles to the challenges that modern international law faces to evaluation of core areas of international endeavour such as human rights, the environment and international economic law.  In the second semester, you will be able to choose from specialised modules to allow you to explore particular branches of international law.  We offer five LLM degrees:

• LLM in International Law
• LLM in International Human Rights Law
• LLM in International Economic Law
• LLM in International Trade and Commercial Law
• LLM in International Law, Globalisation and Development

In addition, we offer a PGDip. (Postgraduate Diploma) in each of the five named fields and a PGCert. (Postgraduate Certificate) in International Law

Tuition fees

Home/EU - full time fee: 2018/19: £6,580

Home/EU - part time fee: 2018/19: £3,360

International - full time: 2018/19: £13,770

Where part time fees are quoted this is for the first year only. Fees will increase by approximately 2% each year.

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed in the 'This course in detail' window above.

Funding and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see:

• Funding for Postgraduate students from the UK and EU
• Funding for Postgraduate students from outside the EU

English language requirements

An IELTS minimum score of 6.5 (with 6.0 in reading and writing) is required.

Please also see the university's standard English language requirements

Careers

Graduates from the LLM succeed across an impressive range of careers from policy makers and human rights activists through to diplomats and commercial lawyers. LLM staff can advise you and direct you to possible careers and employers depending on your particular needs and ambitions. 

Pursuing an academic career in law
Research is fundamental to the Law School and is one of the reasons we performed so well in the last REF. Your own interests will be reflected in the modules you choose and many students feel moved to continue their academic studies and become specialists themselves. Several former LLM students have chosen to become researchers, publishing and lecturing on their work and graduating to do a PhD.

See destinations of previous graduates here.