Course description
The MA in Security and International Law course offers the benefits of a specialist master's without the requirement of an undergraduate law degree.
You will gain advanced knowledge in the main areas of international security and the UN system, and the tools necessary to understand the issues surrounding armed conflicts, terrorism, modern warfare, and the security of international transactions and intellectual property.
Aims
The MA in Security and International Law course is designed for those who seek to acquire a recognised expertise in the main areas of security and international law and become generalist in international security and the UN system.
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 security discourse develops.
The course gives you the necessary research skills to autonomously continue to expand, sharpen and update their knowledge of international organisation and the UN system after the completion of the course.
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
The assessment method of each individual course unit is listed in the course unit description on the website. You must also submit two research papers for the MA degree (one research paper submitted in April, and one submitted in September).
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 two research papers (30 credits each).
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.
The course has a compulsory research component, in which you must submit two research papers of 7,000-8,000 words each (each worth 30 credits). The taught element of the degree course will total 120 credits and the research element will total 60 credits, therefore 180 credits for the MA. The first research paper must be within the area of a semester one course unit that you have chosen, and the second research paper within the area of a semester one or semester two course unit you have taken.
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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations of International Law | LAWS70431 | 30 | Mandatory |
| International Law and Security | LAWS70451 | 30 | Mandatory |
| MA Research Paper One | LAWS70901 | 30 | Mandatory |
| MA Research Paper Two | LAWS70902 | 30 | Mandatory |
| International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law | LAWS61082 | 30 | Optional |
| Global Environmental and Climate Change Law | LAWS70442 | 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
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 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.