Logo close icon
Section navigation
Main Baner Image

LLM/PGDip/PGCert International Law

Learn about the course below
Code
PGM195
Start
October 2023
September 2023 (EU/INT induction)
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£10,500 (UK) *
£16,800 (EU/INT) *
Course leader
Dr Cathal Doyle
" "

This degree aims to enable students to specialise in subjects related to international law, equipping them with comprehensive knowledge of the foundational principles of public international law and advanced conceptual insights into theories underpinning the legal status of international organisations and their role in the settlement of international disputes.

Why study LLM/PGDip/PGCert International Law at Middlesex University?

You will deepen and broaden your knowledge of law as an academic subject, acquiring a systematic understanding of legal processes, methods and concepts, of the social and political context in which legal processes take place and of appropriate theoretical conceptions of law.

Ultimately, by maximising your academic potential and refining your problem-solving skills in a transnational context you will enhance your professional development and horizons.

The research and writing skills you gain will be transferable to a variety of professional sectors, including the legal profession, policymaking, corporate sector, governmental bodies or academia.

Middlesex University School of Law is truly international in its outlook, with our faculty comprising multilingual expert academics from across the globe. Influencers on the world stage, our academics include business and human rights expert Dr Nadia Bernaz, Associate Professor of International Law Dr Elvira Dominguez-Redondo and Professor of International Law William Schabas, who have both worked with the United Nations.

Course highlights

  • Taught by leading experts in international law worldwide who represent different disciplines and legal traditions, this specialism opens the professional horizons of students to legal careers in any jurisdiction
  • Gain a specialised and comprehensive knowledge in subjects related to international law, and advanced conceptual insights explaining the impact of international law on international relations and contemporary concerns such as globalisation, the use of armed force, transnational trade, terrorism, governance and the regulation of ownership over territory
  • There may also be internship opportunities in national and international organisations such as the United Nations or in the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre on campus.

In light of COVID19 and the need to prioritise a safe academic community, we will offer a blended learning model that will involve online teaching and learning delivered by our expert academics, as well as opportunities for face-to-face teaching on-campus each week. All such decisions will be made in line with Government advice.


Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

What will you study on the LLM/PGDip/PGCert International Law?

Full-time LLM (1 year, 180 credits)

  • Four core plus two optional modules are completed over terms one and two, with a Dissertation period in term three.

Part-time LLM (2 years, 180 credits)

  • Four core plus two optional modules are completed over four taught terms, plus a Dissertation period
  • Two modules in term one, two modules in term two, and two modules in the first term of the following academic year.

Full-time PG Diploma (1 year, 120 credits)

  • You will study four core modules plus two optional modules to be completed over terms one and two
  • Three modules will be taken in term one and three modules in term two

Part-time PG Diploma (2 years, 120 credits)

  • You will study four core modules plus two optional modules to be completed over three or four taught terms
  • In Year 1, you will study two modules in term one and two modules in term two
  • In Year 2, you can choose to study:
    • Two modules in term one or
    • One module in term one and one module in term two or
    • Two modules in term two.

For all pathways, attendance may be required during the day and/or evening, depending on your choice of modules.

Modules

Each module is typically worth 20 credits, except the Dissertation and Work Integrated Learning modules which are worth 60 credits each. The Work Integrated Learning module may be chosen to replace the Dissertation with prior agreement.

Additional optional modules available in international politics, criminology and sociology

In addition to the law modules listed below, students can study one of the following modules from international politics, criminology and sociology either in term one or two.

Term one: Sustainable Development and Human Rights; Environmental Law and Governance; Migration Theories and Approaches.

Term two: Politics of Globalisation

Not all of the modules listed will be available in any one year. Module availability is dependent on staffing and the number of students wishing to take each module.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are not offered on every course. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

  • Core modules

    • Foundations and Principles of International Law (20 Credits) - Compulsory

      Enable students to analyse, critically evaluate and provide authoritative commentary on how international law impacts international relations and contemporary concerns such as globalisation, the use of armed force, terrorism, poverty, governance and the regulation of ownership over territory.

    • International Organisations and International Dispute Resolution (20 Credits) - Compulsory

      Get advanced conceptual insights into the legal, political and structural issues that underpin dispute resolution within international organisations through a thematic focus on issues such as labour, trade, title to territory and international peace and security. You will learn to think strategically about different means of settlement of disputes and their applicability to existing or potential conflicts.

    • Law and Policy of the World Trade Organisation (20 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of global trade regimes through an overview of globalisation and contemporary international economic relations; the regulation of international trade by the WTO; and the relationship between international trade, harmonisation of the law and trade-related issues.

    • Legal Research Skills (20 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module equips students with essential research skills necessary to complete a master's of law successfully, including the technical and conventional systems governing academic writing and the principles and practice followed in legal reasoning.

  • Plus one of the following:

    • Dissertation (60 Credits) - Optional

      The Dissertation module is taught in term two, and assessed by a 15,000-18,000 dissertation. Students demonstrate expert-level knowledge and advanced-level legal research skills by writing a dissertation paper, supported by a supervisor, on a topic proposed by the student and approved by the module leader, Dr Lughaidh Kerin.

      Eligible LLM students can replace this module with the Work Integrated Learning or Practicum in International Organisations module with prior approval.

      Due to the evolving situation as regards COVID19, this work placement module may be suspended in 2020-21. However, where possible, we are working in consultation with our professional partners to develop online work placements until it is safe to resume placements in person.

    • Work Integrated Learning (changes for 2021/22) (60 Credits) - Optional

      The module aims to enable you to apply theoretical knowledge and research to anticipate and respond to challenges in a selected workplace experience. You can undertake this workplace experience as an internship that you negotiate yourself or in your current workplace or an existing voluntary role. It also aims to help you foster sustainable long term learning by requiring that you take responsibility for your own learning, design and negotiate learning goals and make informed judgments about your performance across the programme of study. The module will ask you to engage as active subjects in the assessment process, thus enhancing your capacity for transformative learning. By selecting a topic of interest grounded in your workplace experience you’ll be expected to demonstrate reflexivity, self-regulation and self-assessment in your journey towards personal and professional development.

      Due to the evolving situation as regards COVID19, this work placement module may be suspended in 2020-21. However, where possible, we are working in consultation with our professional partners to develop online work placements until it is safe to resume placements in person.

    • Work Integrated Learning (typical content) (60 Credits) - Optional

      The module aims to enable you to apply theoretical knowledge and research to anticipate and respond to challenges in a selected workplace experience. You can undertake this workplace experience as an internship that you negotiate yourself or in your current workplace or an existing voluntary role. It also aims to help you foster sustainable long term learning by requiring that you take responsibility for your own learning, design and negotiate learning goals and make informed judgments about your performance across the programme of study. The module will ask you to engage as active subjects in the assessment process, thus enhancing your capacity for transformative learning. By selecting a topic of interest grounded in your workplace experience you’ll be expected to demonstrate reflexivity, self-regulation and self-assessment in your journey towards personal and professional development.

  • Plus two optional modules from the list below

    • Business and Human Rights (20 Credits) - Optional

      The Bophal disaster, the tragedy of the Niger Delta and the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory are all examples of what appears to be systematic corporate human rights abuses which are not being adequately prevented or remedied. This module enables students to understand how the sub-discipline business and human rights challenges State-centred architecture of international human rights law and delves into the responsibility of non-state actors such as multinational corporations in the area of human rights. It also challenges the idea that only individuals can commit international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes looking into corporate criminal and civil liability for human rights violations.

    • Comparative Corporate Governance (not available in 2021/22) (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module equips students with critical understanding of the major theories concerning the nature of corporations, their role and function in society, the concerns surrounding corporate governance and corporate responsibility, and the laws and practices governing directorial conduct and company operation in selected countries.

    • English Commercial Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      Understand and analyse contemporary issues, legal problems and emergent changes to legislation governing the conduct of trade, business and financial services.

    • European Human Rights Law and Practice (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module engages students with the legal, political and philosophical perspectives of the legal frameworks, institutions and remedies available to protect fundamental rights in Europe, both under the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights.

    • Intellectual Property Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      Equips students with systematic understanding of the relevant national and international regimes governing intellectual property focusing on English and EU law including case law, as well as the measures specified by the agreements on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

    • International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration (20 Credits) - Optional

      Gain the knowledge necessary to deal with contemporary and emerging challenges in the practise and management of transnational commercial disputes with a focus on the increasing use of arbitration for expediency and cost savings by medium and large-scale enterprises operating in multiple jurisdictions.

    • International Human Rights Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      Provides an in-depth understanding of the international human rights law framework under the United Nation organisations and ability to assess its efficacy engaging the complementary American, African and Asian regional systems of promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

    • International Maritime Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      Equips students with detailed knowledge and understanding of English and international normative frameworks regulating the carriage of goods by sea and the laws governing maritime causalities and their aftermath, such as collision, oil pollution, salvage and general average.

    • Law of the International Sale of Goods (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module presumes familiarity with the principles of contract law and extends these into the international arena in the field of international sale of goods. It deals with the English law governing trade in wet and dry commodities and international law, principally the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods. It aims to enhance the student's ability to tackle the practical, policy and economic implications of legal regimes enabling trade and transactions between parties divided by or purposely straddling legal and geographic boundaries.

    • Minority Rights and Indigenous Peoples in International Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module enables students to understand, analyse and comment upon the international law framework on minority rights and indigenous peoples under the United Nations, American, European, African and Asian systems, assessing their efficacy in dealing with violations.

    • UK and European Anti-Discrimination Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      Understand, analyse and asses the relevant regulations at national and European level governing discrimination as well as the practical, historical, social, economic, ethical and philosophical context in which these operate.

    • Migration: Theories & Approaches (20 Credits) - Optional

      In this module you will look at the relationship between migration, politics and policies from a comparative and European perspective. This relationship is both ‘top down’, with migration becoming an object of contention amongst political parties and migration policies being largely shaped by political divisions, and ‘bottom up’, with the growing presence of NGOs campaigning for migrant rights and migrant activism. First, you will be asked to comparatively examine migration policies, their regulatory role in the attempt to manage and control migratory flows, and how they have been affected by political debates over migration.

      Secondly, you will look at the growth of anti-immigration politics and how anti-migrant mobilisations have become a constant feature at European level, not only for marginal groups but also for mainstream government parties. During this part of the module you will also investigate the growing conflicts between migrants and natives over the uses of space and the distribution of welfare resources. Thirdly, you will look at different forms of migrant participation in the public sphere, from self-organised migrant protest around issues such as freedom of circulation, citizenship rights and labour rights to more institutionalised forms of participation through unions and NGOs.

    • Sustainable Development and Human Rights (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module will help you critically explore the key institutions and frameworks that govern human rights at the international level and of the international policy context that promotes sustainable development, to examine how the two interact. You will examine the notion of rights as competing, contested and co-opted and question their ability to function in crisis situations. It focuses on issues of inclusion/exclusion and reflects on how the rights and ‘development’ of three ‘marginalised groups’ have been promoted. You’ll focus in particular on indigenous peoples, the caste system and gender inequality. The aim of this part of your studies is to question if current legal approaches to human rights are sufficient to bring sustainable development to groups currently marginalised.

    • Environmental Law and Governance (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module will provide students with an in-depth understanding of environmental governance and the central theoretical approaches on which its principles are based. The module introduces the idea of the governance spectrum ranging from a coercive mode and legal instruments to approaches that rely on the agency and knowledge of environmental resource users themselves.

    • Politics of Globalisation  (20 Credits) - Optional

      In this module you will be asked to consider the implications in International Relations of the forces of globalisation, looking at international political processes and institutions at the level of politics, economics and culture. You will analyse the relevance of international organisations, and look at transnational politics and issues of global importance. Additionally, you will explore theoretical debates surrounding these issues and learn to critically evaluate the effectiveness of international policy. The aim of this module is to provide you with a platform to work constructively in groups, gain leadership skills and formulate arguments and coherent debates in a diverse international environment.

    • Postgraduate Legal Work Experience (changes for 2021/22) (0 Credits) - Optional

      Postgraduate Legal Work Experience is a non-credit bearing module and provides students with an opportunity to gain law-related work experience in a support role supervised by experienced legal advisors. Module leader of this course as well as the Employability Service provide information and guidance on finding work experience, but students must be pro-active in finding suitable work experience.

      Due to the evolving situation as regards COVID19, this work placements module may be suspended in 2020-21. However, where possible, we are working in consultation with our professional partners to develop online work placements until it is safe to resume placements in person.

    • Postgraduate Legal Work Experience (typical content) (0 Credits) - Optional

      Postgraduate Legal Work Experience is a non-credit bearing module and provides students with an opportunity to gain law-related work experience in a support role supervised by experienced legal advisors. Module leader of this course as well as the Employability Service provide information and guidance on finding work experience, but students must be pro-active in finding suitable work experience.

    • Citizenship, the Right to Nationality and Statelessness (not available in 2021/22) (20 Credits) - Optional

      The module will analyse how international law addresses the nexus of statelessness and human rights, and the importance of citizenship and the right to a nationality for the enjoyment of human rights. It will span the standards, recommendations and jurisprudence of UN and regional human rights systems as they pertain to statelessness, focusing on its causes and consequences and the measures that can be taken to prevent and remedy it.

      The module will promote an interdisciplinary approach focused on practical solutions to statelessness.

    • International Competition Law (20 Credits) - Optional

      This module aims to examine the main issues in global competition law and policy. You'll focus on EU competition law, with examples from UK, US and Chinese   competition law where appropriate. It will first address the rationale and the conflicting goals of competition law. The course will then tackle its most important doctrines and principles, including horizontal agreements, vertical agreements and abuse of dominant position.

More information about this course

See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module,  or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.

How will the LLM/PGDip/PGCert International Law be taught?

You will gain knowledge and understanding through a stimulating combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, professional internships and self-directed studies and use a variety of resources, including audio-visual media, library books and e-learning materials.

Lectures, seminars and presentations are used to communicate core information, develop themes and ideas, and seek to encourage student participation through interactive exercises and opportunities for peer and self-assessment. You will also be required to engage in intensive programmes of structured reading and research, and to present your findings orally and in writing.

Due to the evolving situation as regards COVID19, we are currently planning to deliver the LLM via a blended learning model that will involve a mix of live/recorded lectures and live seminars, as well as some weekly face-to-face time on-campus if safe access to campus with social distancing in place allows us to do so, in line with Government advice.

Skills training, particularly through our Legal Research Skills module, will equip you with the intellectual tools necessary for postgraduate work, including the identification and location of appropriate materials, critical and analytical reading, writing skills and conventions.

Several sessions within each module and a substantial part of the Dissertation are designed to provide guidance on identifying a suitable research question, carrying out research, writing a literature review and planning and writing a dissertation.

Learning and teaching on all modules is informed by a critical approach that encompasses relevant aspects of the ethical, social, professional, historical and cultural contexts within which the law operates. Ethics are specifically embedded in some modules and students are provided with the opportunity to understand the ethical dimensions of their own research and within which the law operates at each level.

Eligible students who enrol on the Practicum in International Organisations or Work Integrated Learning modules will engage with decision makers in our partner organisations and develop new skills in research, writing, IT and networking.

Due to the evolving situation as regards COVID19, some or all of the work placements we normally make available to our LLM students may be suspended in 2020-21. However, where possible, we are working in consultation with our professional partners to develop online work placements until it is safe to resume placements in person.

Assessment

Student's practical skills are assessed by oral presentations, coursework, peer-marking, exams, literature reviews and, where appropriate, dissertation, diary and report writing.

Should exams and other on-campus assessments not be possible due to COVID19, take-home exams will be organised in lieu of on-campus exams, with oral assessments to be done via an online platform.

Teaching and learning from 2022

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2023 entry and beyond. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our pre-pandemic teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.

Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.

The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.

This information is likely to change slightly for 2023 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.

Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2021/22

Live in-person on campus learning

Contact hours per week, per level:

6 hours

Live online learning

Average hours per week, per level:

N/A

This information is likely to change slightly for 2023 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.

Definitions of terms

  • Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
    • Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We'll schedule all of this for you
    • Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
  • Live online learning – This will include lectures, tutorials and supervision sessions led by your tutor and timetabled by us. It also includes student-led group work that takes place online.
  • Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.

Support

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

  1. Standard entry requirements
  2. International (inc. EU)
  3. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. EU/International
  3. Additional costs
  4. Scholarships and bursaries

How can the LLM/PGDip/PGCert International Law support your career?

This programme is attractive to students seeking to work as academics, practicing solicitors/barristers, policy advisors or other supporting roles in the professional sectors working in relevant areas concerning international law in multiple jurisdictions. This includes national governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, private firms, armed service or academia in a wide range of areas such as territorial disputes, armed conflict, human rights or maritime and commercial law.

As well as access to the University's Employability Service students are offered specialist advice by the Programme Leader and other contributors to the programme, including guidance on how to enter and pass recruitment processes for national and international organisations. Students have access to the support services offered by the Clinical Legal Education programme and are invited to attend career-focused workshops, skills sessions and events.

Our team of world renowned lecturers will provide the latest thinking and practice on legal issues. Our students benefit from their considerable network of contacts and connections within their sectors, notably for internship opportunities within international and domestic organisations, such as the United Nations, our on-campus litigation centre, the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), the Legal Advice Centre, and a range of local companies providing professional legal services.

Dr Cathal Doyle
Programme Leader

Programme Leader for all LLM courses, is actively engaged in promoting the realization of human rights at local, national and international levels. His works focuses on the protection of the rights of indigenous, tribal, forest and other land dependent peoples in the context of large scale development activities impacting on their territories and way of life. You can find out more about his work and research, as well as his contact details should you wish to discuss any aspect of the LLM programmes, by visiting his staff profile.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

LLM/PGDip/PGCert Law (General)

Start: October 2023, September 2023 (EU/INT induction)

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Code: PGM302

LLM/PGDip/PGCert International Business Law

Start: October 2023

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Code: PGM303

Back to top