Overview

Course overview

Develop advanced expertise in international law and explore how legal frameworks shape global governance and international relations.

  • Build the legal insight and global perspective to pursue a career across international organisations, government, NGOs and legal practice.
  • Join a university with a strong heritage of legal education and benefit from first-class facilities, including a purpose-built moot court to develop practical legal skills.
  • Work on real cases in our Justice Hub Legal Advice Centre, gaining valuable practical experience before you graduate.
  • Graduate from the UK's most targeted university by top employers (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2025).

Our students. Real experiences. Visit the Students Stories page to hear from our students as they share what it's really like to study here.

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Ibrahim Olabi on how studying at Manchester helped him to help his country

Open days

The University holds regular events throughout the year, including webinars and the annual on-campus Master’s Expo, all of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.

We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year.

For more details on how you can meet us, visit out events page: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/meet-us/

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Social Sciences
Contact name
School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 306 1270
Email
Website
https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/law/
School/Faculty overview

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a UK bachelor's degree with a First or Upper Second classification or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.

When assessing your academic record we consider your degree subject, grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

While we welcome applicants from non-legal backgrounds, it is important to note that this LLM remains a law-focused degree.

English language

Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:

  • IELTS Academic test score of 7 overall, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
  • TOEFL IBT 100 with 25 in writing and no further score below 22 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757. From 2026: 5 overall, with 5 in writing and no other subskill below 4.5
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 76 overall, with 76 in writing and no further score below 70

Further information on accepted language requirements can be found here .

Pre-Sessional English Courses

We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.

To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:

6 Week Pre-Sessional Course : IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no more than one sub-skill of 6.0.

10 Week Pre-sessional Course : IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 or above in each sub-skill

If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate to ensure that you are eligible for a separate visa for the English language course.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries

If you are a national of a   majority English-speaking country   (or have studied for a full bachelor's degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students, the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our   country-specific information page   for guidance on the academic and English language qualifications which may be accepted from your country.

Fees and funding

Fees

Fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026 were as follows:

  • LLM (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £16,800
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £31,000
  • LLM (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £8,400
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £15,500

The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.

Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .

Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Application and selection

How to apply

Staged admissions

As there is a high demand for our courses we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high-ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application to avoid a delay in processing.

Applications for 2027 entry:

Stage 1:Application received by6th December 2026; Application update by19th February 2027

Stage 2:Application received by1st March 2027; Application update by2nd May 2027

Stage 3:Application received by4th May 2027; Application update by18th June 2027

Stage 4:Application received by4th July 2027; Application update by30th July 2027

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note:All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

Tuition fee deposits

If you are successful in receiving an offer, you will be required to pay a tuition fee deposit of £2,500 by the deadline stated in your offer letter to confirm your place. We ask for the deposit as competition for places is high and there is limited availability. The deposit amount is then deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Grete Labunski

Manchester is the ideal destination for studying public international law. Led by a team of renowned experts, this programme is designed for students to develop their own voice and drive social change.

Choosing this programme has been incredibly rewarding. I recommend it to anyone eager to make a meaningful impact in the field of international law.

Grete Labunski / Public International Law LLM Graduate

From armed conflict to climate change, many of today's most pressing challenges demand international solutions. Our LLM Public International Law gives you a thorough understanding of how international law is created, interpreted and applied to address issues that transcend national borders.

You will study key areas including international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international security and the use of force, environmental and climate change law, international investment law and international dispute resolution.

You’ll explore the foundation of public international law and have the flexibility to shape your studies around your own academic interests and professional goals. Our wide range of optional course units enables you to build specialist knowledge of issues affecting states, organisations and individuals worldwide.

You will learn through innovative and research-led teaching, including problem-based learning, interactive seminars and discussion-based classes. These student-centred approaches encourage you to engage with complex, real-world legal questions, and help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Our course pairs advanced academic study with hands-on legal practice. Through our Justice Hub Legal Advice Centre and our specialist moot courtroom, you can put legal knowledge to work on real issues while sharpening the reasoning, advocacy and research skills that set you apart.

Throughout your studies, you will strengthen your legal analysis, research, problem-solving and communication skills while completing an independent dissertation. Our unique blend of academic rigour and flexibility makes the course ideal whether you aim to practise law, move into policy or continue into doctoral research.

You will graduate as part of one of Europe's leading law schools, ready to critique, design and apply the legal tools that underpin international economic activity.

Join our diverse, inclusive and inspiring global student community.

Aims

On this course, you will:

  • Develop recognised expertise in the main areas of public international law, equipping you to work as an international lawyer;
  • Gain a critical understanding of the systems, rules, and practices through which international law is created, interpreted, and applied;
  • Explore the global dynamics and discourses that shape international legal processes and institutions;
  • Build advanced research skills that enable you to continue learning and engaging with developments in international law throughout your career;
  • Graduate with the confidence and flexibility to apply your legal knowledge across a broad range of international legal roles.

Special features

Strong partnerships

The Law School works with organisations beyond higher education – from leading NGOs to blue-chip companies – so your research tackles real-world issues.

Manchester International Law Centre

The Manchester International Law Centre is a world-renowned intellectual hub for cutting-edge discussions, events and debates on topical international law issues, allowing students to stay on top of recent developments and deepen their knowledge.

International impact

You learn from academics whose evidence is cited by bodies such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization and national governments. Their policy-shaping work feeds directly into seminars, ensuring the LLM stays aligned with the latest developments in international business and commercial law.

Teaching and learning

The LLM in Public International Law is taught in small groups by an interdisciplinary team using a variety of delivery methods:

  • seminar style-lectures;
  • workshops;
  • student-led presentations and debate;
  • group work;
  • individual research.

Coursework and assessment

Most course units are assessed by standard methods, either:

  • one unseen written examination;
  • one coursework essay;
  • or a combination of these two methods of assessment.

Course unit details

A master’s degree is formed of 180 credits.

On the LLM Public International Law, there are two mandatory course units, including a dissertation worth 60 credits. The dissertation is a compulsory research component of around 12,000-words. Your dissertation must be within the area of one of the course units you have chosen.

You will also choose three optional course units worth 30 credits each, giving you the freedom to tailor your studies to your interests.

The availability of individual optional course units may be subject to change. Information that is sent to you in August about registration onto the course will clearly state the course units that are available in the academic year ahead.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
LAWS70431 30 Mandatory
LAWS70990 60 Mandatory
LAWS61082 30 Optional
LAWS67031 30 Optional
LAWS70442 30 Optional
LAWS70451 30 Optional
LAWS72042 30 Optional
LAWS77082 30 Optional

What our students say

Meet some of our postgraduate students studying for a master's in International Law, Healthcare Ethics and Law and Financial Law in Student Spotlights .

Facilities

At The University of Manchester Law School, you are supported by the first-class resources you would expect of a top law school.

In addition to the networked study spaces at the Williamson Building, you can access a specialist moot courtroom, enabling future legal minds to hone your debating skills in a realistic court setting, as well as The University of Manchester Library , which houses a substantial collection of law books and periodicals, as well as texts to support all the degrees we offer.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Career opportunities

The University of Manchester is the most targeted university by the UK’s top graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2026, High Fliers Research).

Today's legal landscape calls for graduates with broad legal knowledge, strong analytical skills and the ability to tackle complex challenges.

Our LLM Public International Law equips you with advanced legal knowledge and specialist skills for careers in international law, global governance and public policy. Our graduates go on to work in areas such as:

  • legal and policy roles within international organisations (for example, the United Nations, Council of Europe and International Criminal Court);
  • government departments and diplomatic services (ministries of foreign affairs, defence, justice, home affairs and development);
  • advocacy and advisory positions in non-governmental organisations and humanitarian agencies;
  • international litigation and arbitration teams in global law firms;
  • judicial clerkships and research posts in regional and international courts and tribunals.

You will also develop skills in legal research, treaty interpretation, policy analysis, negotiation and cross-border dispute resolution, opening opportunities across sectors including:

  • risk assessment and consultancy;
  • corporate social responsibility and ESG compliance;
  • international project management and development;
  • academia and further legal research.

Throughout your time at Manchester, you will develop transferable skills including legal analysis, research, critical thinking, contract drafting, negotiation and communication. You could also progress to a PhD in Law at Manchester or another university.

Careers support

At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability , such as careers fairs, employer presentations, and workshops through the University's dedicated Careers Service . As a student at Manchester, you would have full access to this service during your studies and for two years after you graduate.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.