(Full time) 2023 start
International Law and Global Governance LLM
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
International Law and Global Governance provides the opportunity to engage with a dynamic and responsive approach to contemporary global challenges through law and legal institutions. It examines topics such as the use of force, climate change, global migration, international justice, and the right to development, which raise urgent questions about the effectiveness of current governance and regulatory regimes worldwide.
International law is increasingly a concern for a wide range of stakeholders, whether public or private bodies, international or national organisations and institutions. Given contemporary and future global challenges – for example, protecting human rights and security, and conserving natural resources – the significance of global governance, as well as its contestation, is growing in a multipolar world.
Together with international scholars and students, we will critically examine and apply the policies, theories, principles, and provisions of international law to novel problems, and real-world, and hypothetical scenarios. We will consider the impact of legal and political institutions such as the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice, and we will investigate the dynamics of power relations among states and between states and non-state actors.
This Programme will enhance your understanding and challenge preconceptions of the complex legal and political nature of international law-making and governance. It aims to explore the often-competing concepts that infuse the subject of International Law providing you with a clear and specialised knowledge of the most pressing and challenging aspects of this area of law.
Research and professional insight
You will benefit from the expertise of leading academics in a stimulating research environment. Our research groups include:
Course content
This Programme includes Global Governance Through Law as a compulsory module and offers many optional modules in specialised areas of International Law. You will critically engage with a rich collection of contemporary themes set against the background of the international community's concerns and activities of states and non-state actors.
You will also examine contested areas of international law including how international laws are created and implemented, the structure of relevant institutions such as the UN, how human rights laws are developed, the role of states and their responsibility for upholding international legal provisions.
The programme will give you the opportunity to:
- explore the legal nature of international law on a global, regional and local level
- examine the impact of international law on contemporary problems
- critically assess whether and how international law has failed to address certain issues and may be harnessed to tackle future problems
- investigate principles relating to sovereignty, universality, jurisdiction, territory, self-determination and human rights
- hone your legal research and writing skills, which you will demonstrate in your dissertation.
You will also benefit from our Support in Academic and Personal Development programme. This runs alongside your taught academic programme in semester one and is specifically designed to complement the School’s induction activities and ongoing academic skills support for both UK and international students.
The wide-ranging list of optional modules means you can explore a mixture of related subjects.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Postgraduate Legal Research Skills 15 credits
- Dissertation 60 credits
- Global Governance through Law 30 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose 75 credits from the below:
- International Criminal Law 15 credits
- Security, Conflict and Justice 30 credits
- Alternative Dispute Resolution 15 credits
- Environmental Law 15 credits
- Comparative Human Rights Law 15 credits
- Globalisation and Crime 15 credits
- Inequalities, Law and Justice 30 credits
- Theories of Social Justice 15 credits
- International Banking Law: The Regulatory Framework 15 credits
- International Tax Law and Policy 30 credits
- The International Law of Foreign Investment 15 credits
- World Trade Organisation Law 15 credits
- International Economic Law 15 credits
- International Human Rights 30 credits
- Human Rights and Disabled People 1 15 credits
- Counterterrorism 15 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include a range of seminars and lectures in which a high level of student engagement and discussion is expected plus online learning.
Independent study is integral to this programme – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills. You’ll be expected to carry out advanced levels of legal research and participate fully in seminars.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Most modules are assessed by essays. This is usually the most effective method for you to showcase advanced legal research.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in law or a relevant social science.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Law (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Law (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Thursday 29 June 2023
UK – Friday 18 August 2023
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
Original or certified copies of your transcripts
Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language)
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £11,500 (total)
- International: £24,000 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School of Law usually offers a number of scholarships each year.
Find out more on the School’s scholarships page.
Career opportunities
Students who have graduated with this degree often choose careers that centre on or involve understanding and applying international law and developing policies at an organisational level. Further training is required but many also go on to practise as lawyers or legal advisors.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in a range of sectors and professions including law firms, the government, higher education institutions and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Our other alumni are working at the European Commission, United Nations, non-governmental organisations and in the government sector.
Careers support
The School of Law offers career and personal development support through the School’s dedicated Employability Officers. You can book one-to-one appointments with our Employability Officers throughout the year to discuss your career aspirations and get advice on how to make the most of your time with us.
The School also arranges a number of community engagement (pro bono) and work experience opportunities, career development workshops, guest speaker events and careers fairs throughout the year. These opportunities will allow you to develop new skills, enhance your career prospects and network with prospective employers.
Find out more about how we support your career development.
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.