Why study this course?
Explore how law and international relations interrelate and how to use your legal knowledge in an international, diplomatic and political context. This degree specialises in two disciplines, increasing your career prospects with transferable skills and opportunities for work placements and study in European and American universities. With its expert staff and extensive resources, this course appeals to students from across the world.
More about this course
On this degree you’ll examine ideological and ethical questions about international relations as well as legal debates and policies, and have the opportunity to look at terrorism, the environment, poverty, nuclear proliferation, religion, human rights, cyber warfare, intelligence and the complex relationships between states.
You’ll develop the capacity to think critically about events, ideas and institutions in a research culture that promotes academic inquiry and debate, and in your second and third year, you’ll be able to pursue your own areas of interest including power politics, foreign policy analysis, regional studies, security studies and the impact of globalisation.
Taught by expert staff with extensive experience, this degree appeals to students both in the UK and overseas. You’ll enjoy regular lectures and presentations from practitioners such as Supreme Court judges, diplomats and politicians, and access to the opportunities that London offers such as visits to embassies, courts and the Houses of Parliament.
There’s a strong emphasis on developing the essential skills sought by employers. This is achieved through targeted teaching sessions and hands-on experience, and the exciting opportunity to undertake a work placement in the final year. In previous years, students have undertaken placements with the European Union, the United Nations, aid agencies, think-tanks and embassies. It’s also possible to spend part of the course studying in another European country or the USA.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
Administrative Law (core, 15 credits)
Constitutional Law (core, 15 credits)
English Legal System (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to International Relations (core, 30 credits)
Legal Method (core, 15 credits)
Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy since 1945 (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Approaches to International Relations and Foreign Policy (core, 30 credits)
Law of the European Union I (core, 15 credits)
American Foreign Policy (option, 15 credits)
Consumer Rights Law (option, 15 credits)
Contemporary US Politics (option, 15 credits)
Contract Law II (option, 15 credits)
Diplomacy Old and New (option, 30 credits)
Employment Law (option, 15 credits)
Empowering London: Working within the Community (option, 15 credits)
Governance and Public Policy (option, 30 credits)
Immigrants and Nativists (option, 15 credits)
Law of Advocacy and Mooting (option, 15 credits)
Law of Evidence (option, 15 credits)
Legal Research Methods (option, 15 credits)
Medical Law (option, 15 credits)
Peace and Conflict in Theory and Practice (option, 30 credits)
Politics of the Middle East (option, 15 credits)
Shifting Global Power in the 21st Century (option, 15 credits)
Strategy in the Contemporary World (option, 15 credits)
The Politics of the European Union (option, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
International Security in an Era of Globalisation (core, 30 credits)
Law of the European Union II (core, 15 credits)
Dissertation (alternative core, 15 credits)
Extended Essay (alternative core, 15 credits)
Placement 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
Project 1 Semester (alternative core, 15 credits)
Project 1 Year (alternative core, 30 credits)
Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation (option, 15 credits)
African Politics (option, 15 credits)
Civil Liberties and Human Rights (option, 15 credits)
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (option, 30 credits)
Empowering London: Working within the Community (option, 15 credits)
Environmental Law (option, 15 credits)
Family Law (option, 15 credits)
Human Rights and International Conflict (option, 15 credits)
International Trade Law (option, 15 credits)
Latin American Politics (option, 15 credits)
Law of Immigration (option, 15 credits)
Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (option, 30 credits)
Public International Law (option, 15 credits)
The Politics of Modern States (option, 30 credits)
Where this course can take you
The course prepares you for careers in organisations ranging from the The Foreign Office, the United Nations and the European Union, to international companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) specialising in international development, overseas aid, human rights and environmental fields, and the media.
Students have also gained employment in research and teaching, international business, the media and political campaigns. Additionally, we have students working in a variety of overseas positions throughout the world.
Many also go on to be successful in postgraduate study.
