LLM Public International Law / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

What stands out the most at The University of Manchester is the expertise of the lecturers here.

They deliver such high standards.

Catherine Coleman / Public International Law LLM Graduate

The LLM in Public International Law allows you to develop recognised expertise in the main areas of international law.

This course draws on Manchester's established reputation in international legal research to offer you a wide range of optional subjects, as well as the opportunity to customise your curriculum according to your career ambitions, needs and your areas of interest.

Aims

The LLM in Public International Law is designed for students who seek a recognised expertise in the main areas of international law and become generalist international lawyers. 

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be all-rounders and have knowledge and understanding of the rules, systems, techniques, practices, dynamics and discourses by virtue of which international law is created, conceived and applied. 

The course will also provide you with the necessary research skills to autonomously continue to expand, sharpen and update your knowledge of international law.

Special features

This course endeavours to offer the strongest students the opportunity of an internship with a renowned law firm or international organisation.

Teaching and learning

The course is based on small-group, seminar-style teaching by our research-active teaching staff as well as invited external experts. This master's degree is offered part-time to allow those with a professional occupation to follow the course.

Coursework and assessment

All course units are assessed by either one unseen written examination, or one coursework essay, or a combination of these two methods of assessment.  

The course will be 180 credits in total and has a compulsory research component. 120 credits will be taught units and the remaining 60 credits in the form of a 14,000-15,000-word dissertation.  

Your dissertation must be within the area of one unit you have chosen. The research element of the course is supported by weekly research methodology lectures delivered throughout semesters one and two, designed to improve your legal writing and research skills. For specialised streams, the dissertation topic must be within those streams.

Course unit details

You will be doing 180 credits in total, 120 of which will be taught course units and the remaining 60 credits in the form of a 14,000-15,000-word dissertation. 

The LLM course will typically offer around 30 different course units in any one year, and will always reflect a wide range of subjects across the legal spectrum. 

There will usually be course units offered on diverse topics, such as: 

international trade and corporate law; 

  • financial services regulation; 
  • European law; 
  • international economic law; 
  • intellectual property law; 
  • human rights law; 
  • corporate governance; and 
  • law and finance in emerging markets.

Course units are worth 15 or 30 credits each. You will be required to select course units to a total of 120 credits, and so must choose a minimum of four course units or a maximum of eight course units. 

Your dissertation must be within the area of one unit you have chosen. The research element of the course is supported by weekly research methodology lectures delivered throughout semesters one and two designed to improve your legal writing and research skills. For specialised streams, your dissertation topic must be within those streams.

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
International Institutions LAWS70021 30 Mandatory
Dissertation (LL.M.) LAWS70700 60 Mandatory
Academic Skills for Legal Studies LAWS50000 0 Optional
International Courts and Human Rights LAWS61082 30 Optional
Foundations of International Law LAWS70431 30 Optional
International Courts and Tribunals LAWS70462 30 Optional
International Investment Law LAWS72042 30 Optional
International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Law LAWS77082 30 Optional

Scholarships and bursaries

The School is offering a number of awards for students applying for master's study. To find out more please visit our  master's funding opportunity search page .

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