LLM in International Law
Engage with contemporary legal challenges shaping international relations – from human rights and armed conflict to trade law and international tribunals – with our LLM in International Law
Overview
The LLM in International Law offers a balance between specialised expertise and a strong grounding in Public International Law (PIL). The specialism covers a broad range of PIL subject areas in depth, and teaching is grounded in the general framework of international law.
This programme is suitable if you have a strong interest in international law, including areas such as human rights and the wide range of issues they raise.
Apply for the Master of Laws (LLM)
Applications are now open via the UCL Prospective Students page. The page also includes details about tuition fees and any extra costs.
Apply nowHighlights
- Complete your LLM degree in just 10 months when studying full-time, giving you a head start in your career.
- Study in the heart of legal London, with access to the UK’s government, legal, and financial communities.
- Gain practical skills with pro-bono opportunities offered at the Centre for Access to Justice, allowing you to provide legal advice and give back to the local community.
- Develop your skills and legal knowledge by taking part in mooting and debating competitions.
- Access specialist careers support from our in-house Careers Consultant.
- Be a part of our global student community and benefit from the Graduate Law Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.
- Engage with our PIL extracurricular activities such as the PIL Pro Bono Project, or in international law moots which the Faculty supports.
Why choose this course?
This specialism offers both breadth and depth, covering a wide range of public international law topics while maintaining a strong foundation in core legal principles.
You will be taught by leading experts whose research informs their teaching, ensuring that you engage with current legal developments and debates. You can also apply your learning beyond the classroom through extracurricular opportunities, including the PIL Pro Bono Project and international law moot competitions supported by the Faculty.
You will study alongside a globally diverse cohort, enriching discussions and broadening your perspective on international legal issues.
Who should apply?
This course is suitable if you have a strong interest in public international law and its role in shaping international relations.
You may be a recent graduate looking to specialise in international law, or to build on an interest developed during your undergraduate studies.
You may also be looking to shift into international law from another legal background, or to deepen your expertise in specific areas of practice.
Some students join with professional experience in international law and use the degree to develop specialist knowledge and enhance their career prospects.
Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements page to find out the exact requirements.
LLM applying and entry requirements
Our entry requirements and guidance to help you successfully complete your LLM application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible.
Postgraduate scholarships and funding
UCL Laws offers a range of scholarships to support students on both our Master's courses, including awards based on academic excellence, financial need, and widening access
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the UCL Master of Laws (LLM), including entry requirements, the application process, and how to apply.
Offer holders: Master of Laws (LLM)
From meeting your conditions, to accepting your offer and choosing your modules, you can find lots of information to help you prepare for life at UCL Laws in this section for LLM offer-holders
Course structure
The course is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. You will be expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly for seminars and tutorials.
Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or through a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessments such as oral presentations, output for the audience or group projects.
During the course, you will research and write a 9000-word Research Essay, which counts towards your final grade.
Terms one and two
During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM.
In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes.
There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the UCL Graduate Law Society.
Term three
Your assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two.
During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.
You will follow the same course as full-time students above, except for the following:
- Your degree will be completed over two academic years
- In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules
- In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay
- You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your degree and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.
You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and flexi LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
You will follow the same course as full-time students above, except for the following:
- You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree.
- You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5-year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years).
- We will prompt you to select modules each year. You may wish to have a year or more without taking any modules; this is possible.
- It is recommended that you only complete your Research Essay at the end of your degree, in the same year that you are due to complete all of your taught module credits.
- You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
Master of Laws (LLM) – Modules
Explore the full list of modules for the UCL Master of Laws (LLM) for the 2026/27 academic year, including core and specialist pathway modules across all LLM specialisms.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees and support
You can find full details about tuition fees for both UK and international students on the UCL Prospectus for this degree. This includes information on any additional study-related costs you may need to budget for.
For guidance on paying your fees, budgeting tips, and support with financial planning while you study, head over to managing your money on the UCL website.
Scholarships and external funding
UCL Laws offers various scholarships for LLM students based on academic merit, financial need, and widening access, including new awards as part of the UCL200 Scholarships initiative ahead of UCL’s 2026 Bicentennial.
In addition to the scholarships, students may be eligible for a range of other external funding options.
Please visit the Scholarships and Funding page for more information.
Career prospects and employability
Graduates of the UCL LLM in International Law are highly sought after worldwide. Alongside advanced legal knowledge, you will develop transferable skills in critical thinking, international legal analysis, research, communication, and advocacy – qualities valued across multiple sectors. You can also strengthen your professional profile through extracurricular activities such as potential participation in the PIL Pro Bono Project or international law moot competitions.
You will be well placed for careers in government, international organisations, NGOs, and legal practice. Many graduates work in foreign ministries, international law departments, or organisations focused on human rights, global governance, and the rule of law.
Others pursue careers in areas such as trade, investment, or treaty law, or undertake roles at international courts and tribunals.
The degree also supports pathways into consultancy, policy, regulatory work, and academic research. If you intend to practise law in a specific jurisdiction, you can combine your LLM with the relevant professional training.
According to recent Graduate Outcomes data (2022-23), UCL Laws graduates have gone on to work at leading international law firms, professional services organisations, and public bodies. Recent employers include Allen & Overy, Slaughter and May, White & Case, Milbank, Bird & Bird, KPMG, PwC, and UK and international government departments. Many students go on to undertake professional legal training, PhD, or other further academic studies.
LLM Student Spotlights
Meet some of our 2024/25 LLM students as they share reflections on a transformative and rewarding year at UCL Laws.
