Course description

The LLM in Security and International Law allows you to develop advanced knowledge of the regulatory frameworks necessary to secure international relations and transactions between states, non-state entities, multinational companies, and individuals. This course is premised on the idea that governing security at an international level requires not only the regulation of the use of force and methods of warfare, but also the regulation of international investments, international financial transactions and intellectual property.

This holistic approach to the concept of security is at the heart of this course and offers a unique opportunity for you to gain expertise that is relevant to today's changing global landscape.

Aims

The LLM in Security and International Law gives the students the tools to understand, apprehend and analyse legal issues arising in connection with traditional as well as transnational armed conflicts, terrorism, modern warfare, security of international investments and transactions, and security of intellectual property.

Special features

This course offers 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 also offered part-time to allow those with a professional occupation to follow the course.

Coursework and assessment

Most 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 modules and the remainder 60 credits in the form of a 14-15,000 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, dissertation topic must be within those streams while for general LLM dissertation topics must be within one of the modules chosen by the student.

Course unit details

You will be doing 180 credits in total, 120 of which will be taught modules and the remainder 60 credits in the form of a 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 such diverse topics 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 of the value of 15 or 30 credits. 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 may be able to choose a maximum of eight course units to make up your course of study.

The course will be 180 credits in total and has a compulsory research component. 120 credits will be taught modules and the remainder 60 credits in the form of a 14-15,000 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, dissertation topic must be within those streams while for general LLM dissertation topics must be within one of the modules chosen by the student.