This course is open for applications
If you would like to study this course from January 2025 please see the 2024/25 course page.
Page last updated 25 October 2024
The modules available on the LLM International Law and Security cover a wide range of legal disciplines, to cater for the diverse learning needs of students from around the world.
Part of our comprehensive range of LLM courses, the LLM International Law and Security offers you an opportunity to study the fundamentals of international law at an advanced level, linking theory to practice.
You'll examine the key legal principles and rules underpinning the international legal system. Develop a critical understanding of contemporary international law and its relationship with topical global issues, from climate change and environmental law to human rights and conflict resolution.
You'll explore the role of international law in tackling military, human, environmental and economic security issues, and develop critical responses, and suggest new concepts or approaches in international law and security.
Pursuing an LLM allows you to focus on a particular area of law by delving deep into the subject and undertaking independent research and learning. The modules available cover a diverse range of legal topics, making it possible to tailor the course towards the specific areas of law you're interested in.
Bristol Law School has a thriving research culture and most tutors on our LLMs are active researchers, publishing in leading journals. Take advantage of the research expertise within theSchool, with specialists in international criminal law and security.
The quality of teaching at Bristol Law School has been recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency as 'excellent'. You can therefore expect to participate in carefully planned informative sessions, designed to give you a thorough grounding in your chosen area of law.
This LLM is aimed at those interested in the law of conflict, the intricacies in the relationships between nations and the complications around national security. The depth and breadth of your studies will equip you for working either in international law or international organisations, such as the United Nations (UN).
The below information is indicative of the course content and is subject to final UWE Bristol approval. When the approved course structure and content is published, any optional modules listed will be those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You'll study:
Plus, four optional modules from:
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we'll inform you.
The course involves both extensive independent research and discussion in the context of workshops, designed to encourage the development of your critical, analytical and reflective skills. You'll be expected to prepare for each workshop and to participate actively in discussion with your tutors and peers.
You'll also have access to course and module information through our online Blackboard system.
For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.
This course takes one year, with approximately six to nine contact hours a week. However, as independent study is fundamental to the course, the total study time should be around 36 hours a week.
Dedicated support
You'll receive a high level of support both during your studies and after you have graduated. You'll be allocated an LLM academic tutor to support you throughout the course. We also organise events to help you plan your career after the LLM.
Taught modules on the LLM International Law and Security course are assessed through a combination of written coursework assignments and oral presentations.
The culmination of the course is a portfolio-style independent legal research project. This project will enable you to show initiative, engage with the available supervision and prove your own scholarship through a viva examination.
For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.
You may have opportunities to engage in Pro Bono work through your LLM, volunteering your time to help the local community.
Supervised by academics and practitioners, you'll work on cases and provide legal advice through projects such as Legal Advocacy Support Project, Elderlaw, the UWE Street Law Programme and Bristol Musicians Advice Service.
Bristol Law School has excellent, state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated LLM study room and mock law courtrooms, where you can put your learning into practice.
The Frenchay library offers students 24-hour access with computer room facilities, as well as a wide range of legal resources, including Hein Online, LexisNexis, Westlaw and iLaw. The library is well stocked with electronic and print books, newspapers, journals, government publications, statistics, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, company information, market reports and DVDs.
Find out more about the facilities and resources UWE Bristol has to offer.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Law facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
We have a student representation system, supported by UWE Bristol Students' Union. LLM student representatives are elected by LLM students to represent them, which means you will have the opportunity to raise any issues and help to shape the course by sharing your views.
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Studying for an LLM provides an ideal opportunity to develop specialist skills that'll be favoured by employers, both in the legal world and beyond. It opens up a range of career opportunities in legal practice and gives our students the edge over other graduates.
The in-depth knowledge you'll acquire in your chosen area of law will give you a thorough grounding in this subject area. The specialist knowledge and skillset you gain will raise your employability prospects, enabling you to become an in-demand specialist within your organisation.
Given the increasingly transnational nature of law, this course is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills which will be attractive to employers both in the UK and beyond.
Recent graduates have gained positions with major employers, such as local government, solicitors' firms and organisations such as the United Nations (UN). Many of our LLM graduates go into academia and further study, choosing to complete a PhD or go into teaching and research.
Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.
You should have:
If you do not meet the above requirements, but have relevant work experience and/or can demonstrate appropriate subject knowledge, we will assess your application on an individual basis.
You are required to complete a personal statement for this course. Please read the personal statement guidance carefully and make sure that you answer the questions on the postgraduate application form within the personal statement tabs, keeping to the advised word count.
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section.
Please apply online. Applications for the LLM course may be submitted at any time of year and the deadline for applications is 1 September for study commencing in September that same academic year, or by 1 January for study commencing in January that same academic year.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.