International Law LLM

Lancaster University

Course Overview

Would you like to gain an in-depth understanding of the structure of the international legal system, its relationship with national law, and the sources and subjects of international law? This Masters degree combines core and elective modules, enabling you to explore a wide range of globally-significant contemporary issues such as how the law applies to diverse areas such as the environment, territory and the use of force.

The degree is taught by many of our research-active academics based in the Law School and offers you the opportunity to engage with teaching staff who are working in this specialised legal field.

Our Law School is home to the centre for International Law and Human Rights, the Centre for Crime, Law and Justice, the Centre for Law and Society, and the Centre for Child and Family Justice; these influential centres underpin our postgraduate teaching, which is often research-led and research-informed.

The dissertation is an independent, in-depth inquiry into a research topic of your choosing. The topic will link to a key legal question or issue and may also directly relate to your professional/career interests. This is your opportunity to make a contribution to the legal and academic community with new, original research and writing. A dissertation supervisor can provide you with support and introduce you to relevant legal material and research; their personal research interests will closely align with your chosen topic wherever possible.

Our teaching approach is international in scope and comparative by nature, and we actively encourage you to build a beneficial network of academics, peers and alumni during your time with us. All of this will help you to broaden your experience, deepen your understanding, and prepare for your next step.

Your postgraduate LLM degree can open doors to a range of careers. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills required to critically evaluate research relating to international law; skills which can be highly prized by employers in the UK with international interests, and by businesses and organisations based overseas. Whilst on the degree you will also have the chance to develop your analytical and communication skills which can help to build on your employability in any sector. The LLM is also an ideal stepping stone to PhD study and academia.