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.
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Master of Laws
LLM Public International Law Online
An online 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
Duration options
12 months (full-time)
21 months (part-time September)
Apply
Apply for this course directly with the University of Law.
Course Details
LLM Public International Law Online
Public International Law regulates the relationship between states, international organisations and non-state actors across borders. This online 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 Online 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.
- 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.
- Flexible study – studying at our online campus gives you the opportunity to work at your own pace and around your other commitments, within given deadlines, and at your preferred time of day. Our online workshops are taught live by our expert lecturers, but if you're unable to attend then you can catch-up with recorded sessions at a time to suit you.
- Our online programmes will save you the time and money on commuting to and from campus and allow you to study anywhere, across devices, however you can be reassured that the course won’t be compromised on quality or be less demanding than our on campus courses.
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
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LLM Public International Law
- Full-time: Online
- Part-time: Online
September 2025
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LLM Public International Law
- Full-time: Online
- Part-time: Online
Course requirements
The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.
Study On Campus
You can also study these courses at one of our campuses across the UK. If you’re looking for a more traditional university experience, why not consider studying on campus?
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, your chosen specialist area.
This online 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.
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 to 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)
Online: £11,900 (or £11,400 including a £500 International Bursary*)
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.
