International Law - LLM
Enter the dynamic world of international law with our International Law LLM. Professionals who can navigate complex global legal issues are in high demand from governments, businesses, and law firms worldwide. As international law increasingly shapes the actions of transnational corporations, NGOs, and individuals from athletes to victims of human rights violations, your expertise will be globally valued.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
- UK - Full time £10,400 per year. Part time £5,700 per year.
International - £18,200 per year.
Duration of study
- Full time - 1 year full-time, or up to 2 years with Placement, Part time - 2 years, Modular - Up to 5 years
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why study International Law at Keele University?
Course summary
Now more than ever, international law is at the forefront of global discussions and public debates on today’s most pressing issues. Study the foundations of international law at an advanced level through our postgraduate programme and explore its vital role in areas such as the prosecution of war criminals, the regulation of global trade and financial markets, and the management of pandemics.
You will gain a solid understanding of the principles of international law, developing both practical and theoretical knowledge of its role, nature, and function. Our programme also fosters a critical awareness of the social, historical, and political contexts in which international law operates, highlighting how it differs from domestic legal systems and functions as a distinct legal framework.
Your research skills will be enhanced through a supervised research dissertation on an agreed topic in public international law, encouraging creative and innovative thinking within your research. You’ll also develop critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills—highly transferable across legal and non-legal settings—enhancing your professional capabilities and career prospects.
As an interdisciplinary programme, you can tailor your studies by choosing from a range of optional modules. These include International Economic and Commercial Law, which examines legal frameworks governing trade, investment, and dispute resolution, and International Human Rights Law, which explores protections related to gender, asylum, disability, and more. International Environmental and Climate Law focuses on global environmental regulation and climate justice, and International Law, Security and Warfare covers the legal use of force, humanitarian law, and post-conflict regulation. Additional options include Continuity and Change in World Politics, which investigates the evolution of global political structures since World War Two, and International Human Rights Law and Theory, which studies the philosophical foundations and limitations of human rights protection.
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Course structure
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Compulsory modules
Principles of International Law
This module will consider the nature, function and development of public international law; exploring the institutions, sources and general principles that form its foundation. You will come to understand international law as a distinct legal system and understand how it differs from domestic legal frameworks. You will also be positioned to critically assess the achievements and limitations of international law. This knowledge will be crucial for study on other modules on the LLM programme.
Dissertation
The dissertation module offers you an opportunity to conduct independent research on an approved subject in which you have a particular interest. In order to meet the criteria for the programme, dissertations must cover the topic of the area of specialism, i.e. Public International Law. You will develop confidence in identifying and using primary and secondary materials in your chosen field in order to demonstrate critical analyses and systematic knowledge of your research topic.
Level 7 module rules: The programme is structured around one compulsory module, Principles of International Law (30 credits), and the Dissertation (60 credits). Principles of International Law sets the scene for the programme by providing an in-depth introduction to the core principles, structures and categories of public international law.
Students in the LLM in International Law will take an additional 90 credits of optional modules offered by the Law School, Social Sciences, and the Language Centre.
Optional modules
International Economic and Commercial Law
This module provides students with knowledge and understanding of the legal framework, principles and theories of international trade, investment, and transnational perspectives of law and commerce. We will study substantive areas of international economic law and transnational commercial law, with emphasis on GATT/WTO law, international investment law, conflicts of laws, sale of goods, and challenges to international dispute settlement. Students will be encouraged to think critically about the structures and contemporary challenges of international economic law and transnational commercial law.
International Human Rights Law
The module encompasses the study of the pluralization of international human rights law and considers the specific protections afforded in relation to, for example, the environment, disability, gender, asylum, trafficking, modern slavery, and medicine. You will be encouraged to critically analyse the achievements and shortcomings of the international protection of human rights.
Continuity and Change in World Politics (Soc Sci)
How have national and international political systems, structures and alliances developed and evolved in the post-World War II period? This module explores the global and national orders that structure the modern world, focusing on the institutions and practices within, between and beyond nation-states, and examining how and why these have evolved in response to changing political, societal, security and economic contexts.
International Environmental and Climate Law
This module offers a critical perspective on the development of international environmental law. Drawing on a range of legal, policy and other literatures, the module highlights key challenges facing the regulation of the global environment today. We will explore the history, development and sources of international environmental law; key instruments, rules and standards; questions related to compliance, effectiveness and enforcement; theories of environmental justice, as well as specific areas of regulation, with focus on the climate change regime.
International Law, Security and Warfare
This module considers the international legal regime for the maintenance of peace and security and the customary and treaty rule on the use of Force in international relations. It also considers the rules which apply in international armed conflicts where they have arisen, considering international humanitarian law including customary rules and the Geneva conventions, the role of Human Rights law on the battlefield and the international regulation of the consequences of armed conflict, including rules on refugees.
International Human Rights Law and Theory
The module will offer an introduction to human rights law and theory, and help you understand the role of theory in shaping the international approach to protecting human rights, and responding to breaches of human rights. You will explore theories of justice, the nature of rights and justice as well as the limits of liberal toleration and the limits of rights protection.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any humanities or social science subject from a public university
or
CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any humanities or social science subject from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any humanities or social science subject or 65% in a degree in any humanities or social science subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in any Humanities, or Social Science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience.
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any humanities or social science subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any humanities or social science subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
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Postgraduate funding and scholarships
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
Living costs
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Additional costs
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching
To help you prepare for studying law at Keele, you will receive an information pack, a pre-course reading list, and access to induction sessions before the programme begins. The taught part of the programme is delivered through lectures, tutor-led seminars and discussions, small group exercises and case studies. Each module is also accompanied by extensive independent study, and you will be encouraged and required to undertake independent reading to supplement and consolidate your learning and broaden your knowledge and understanding of the international law.
Assessment
Assessment methods are designed to reflect the broad knowledge and skills you will develop on this programme and are mainly undertaken through written work. This takes the form of research essays, final examinations, reports, blog discussions or reflective portfolios. The final assessment is your dissertation, an in-depth piece of writing that brings together all the skills you will develop throughout this International Law LLM.
