Course description

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 to 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.

Career opportunities

This LLM course is a specialised master's offering you training for a range of legal careers. These include:

• advocacy;
• civil servant;
• legal advisor;
• academia and research;
• official in an international organisation, applicable to international organisations; or those with strong international links.