International Law, Ethics and Politics - MA

Are you interested in learning about the issues at the intersections of International Law, European Law, ethics and international politics and how they are all interrelated?

The MA in International Law, Ethics and Politics will cover the application of International Law, European Law, ethics and international politics to problems such as poverty reduction; international trade; war and terrorism; climate change; and democracy.

This programme is ideal for candidates from the NGO world who wish to improve their academic credentials, and students from the humanities and social sciences who want to take Law courses. The course should also be of interest to graduates in public or European law who want to deepen their understanding of issues that they have previously encountered only within a legal framework.

Course details

The programme contains a broad range of optional modules from the Law, Politics and Philosophy departments. 

You will take a core module in theory and methods, choosing from:

• Research Skills and Methods,which provides an introduction to the methods of contemporary Philosophy
• Socio-Legal Theory, which introduces key law and society concepts and theories

You will also attend mandatory pre-sessional generic LLM introductory classes.

In addition, you will take at least one module from each of the Law, Politics and Philosophy departments. You will also be required to take two further modules from any of the three departments. Examples of the modules on offer (split by department) can be found below. 

Assessment

Your core module will be assessed by written assignment; assessment methods for optional modules vary depending on options chosen. You will also complete a dissertation with support from a supervisor; you may choose between a 15,000-word written dissertation or a practice-based dissertation which combines practical research with a written rationale and reflexive essay. Dissertations may be supervised by any of the three schools involved in the MA, or joint-supervision may occur for interdisciplinary dissertations.

Learning and teaching

The MA in International Law, Ethics and Politics has been designed to allow in-depth analysis across multiple disciplines. 

The programme enables you to develop expertise in a range of subjects. You will acquire a systematic understanding of these along with a critical appreciation of the problems that arise these fields. You will be encouraged to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge together with a practical understanding of how established research techniques are used to create and interpret knowledge.

Studying part-time

The programme may be taken part-time and completed over a period of two years. This mode of study is particularly suitable for professionals who wish to combine professional practice with university-level study, gaining CPD points in the process.

Classes for part-time students on the MA will be scheduled between 9am-6pm and students will typically have between 2-4 hours of teaching each week. Fees are the same as for full-time study but are split over two years.

International students

International students are invited to participate in an orientation course run by the university’s International Office before the start of the academic session. For students from outside the UK, there are also lectures on the British constitution, sources of English law and the working methods of the common law system. The Birmingham International Academy provides a range of support in reading and writing academic English.

Support with academic writing

As a postgraduate student in the College of Arts and Law, you have access to the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) which aims to help your transition from undergraduate to taught Masters level, or back into academia after time away. The service offers guidance on writing assignments and dissertations for your MA/MSc programme with individual support from an academic writing advisor via tutorials, email and the provision of online materials.

International students can access support for English Language development and skills through the Birmingham International Academy (BIA).

Visit the International Law, Ethics and Politics - MA page on the University of Birmingham website for more details!