LLM Public International Law

Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

Apply now:
Apply now
Visit us:
Visit us
Call us:
Contact us
Request a prospectus:
Request a prospectus

Public International Law has traditionally been concerned with the structure and behaviour of sovereign states and intergovernmental organisations.

In recent decades, however, international law has also progressively affected multinational corporations and individuals. Public international law has increased in use and relevance vastly over the twentieth century, due to a globalised world with an upsurge in global trade, environmental concerns, human rights violations, armed conflicts and a boom in global communications. You will therefore benefit from the study of law in these areas and under the direction of experts in this field.

The course offers a unique blend of delivery including guest lectures, electronic learning, lectures and seminars.

“In a globalised world, public international law has increased in both use and relevance and our students benefit from having experts as their academics.”
Sascha Bachmann, Associate Professor in International Law and Head of CRoLS

Key information

Next start date:

September 2019, January 2020, September 2020 and January 2021

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

1 year full-time (September start); 16 months full-time (January start)

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed by coursework culminating in your final year research project, and you will also undertake group work and written exams. The assessment methods for each unit can be found in the programme specification for your course.

Download the programme specification (pdf 579kb)

Semester 1

Core units

Principles of International Law, International Organisations & the World Trade Organisation: This unit has two aims: to give you a sound grounding in the principles underpinning international law and, building on this knowledge, to examine the World Trade Organisation as a prime example of an international organisation.
International Dispute Resolution: Cross-border and inter-state relations raise complex issues involving the law of more than one country. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) offers an alternative way of resolving disputes other than litigation. You'll be introduced to key concepts, forms and procedures of ADR and discuss its development and merits compared to litigation. This relates to international commercial and public international law disputes.
International Cyber Law & Governance: Understanding the principles of internet law (including human rights, criminal, international and copyright laws) has become indispensable for professionals aiming for a career in the digital economy. Here' you'll gain a thorough grounding and critical appreciation of online policy, regulatory scope for online activities and strategic impact on business decisions.

Semester 2

Core units

International Law of the Environment: Examine sectors of environmental policy that are the subject of international legal regulation and obligations. This involves an appraisal of how international legal regulation has developed in these areas, considering legal and political challenges that have been influential in shaping their respective evolutions.
International Criminal Law & International Criminal Justice: Develop a critical understanding of international criminal law and justice, a subject that has evolved rapidly throughout the past 20 years. You'll be encouraged to review the law in light of these developments at international criminal justice institutions, most notably the International Criminal Court, but also within the wider framework of international human rights and humanitarian laws.
International Human Rights Law: International human rights law has evolved rapidly since 1945. You'll gain an understanding of the content of international human rights law, and appreciate the relationship between international and regional human rights law with particular reference to the protection of human rights by the Council of Europe’s mechanisms.

Semester 3

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Your application

This course will be suited to applicants who:

Have a legal background or demonstrate true passion for law
Are enthusiastic about issues surrounding international commerce and international legal provisions
Can evaluate legal situations, develop arguments and contribute to group discussions and debates
Are prepared to work hard to meet strict deadlines and rise to the challenge of postgraduate study.

What we’re looking for

We encourage applications from individuals with excellent research, analytical skills and enthusiasm for debates. We are looking for self-managed learners who are happy to work hard to meet the demands of this rewarding course.

Furthermore, we seek individuals with a keen interest in developing new skills and who will draw upon their existing experiences to enhance their legal expertise and careers prospects.

Selection methods

How and when to apply

There is no application deadline for this course. However, if you will need a visa to come to the UK to study, think carefully about the length of time it will take for your visa application to be processed and make sure your visa will be ready in time for the beginning of your course.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

The normal requirements for embarking upon a postgraduate taught degree are:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject.
For post-experience and professional qualifications, there may be additional entry requirements set by the association or institute that ultimately administers the qualification in question. The qualification description on the course information pages should tell you what these are but please get in touch with the Future Students Enquiry team if you are in doubt.

If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow. Some of these are based on experience. Contact the Future Students Enquiry team for more information.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level.

Careers

Your career prospects will be enhanced and future career paths include working in the legal profession, for government agencies, in banking and finance, in accounting and professional services, or in academia.

Our alumni’s employers include the likes of Axis Associates International Co. Ltd, the Court of Justice, Spoor & Fisher and UPTX.

All information shown has been taken from Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) or BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

Potential job roles

Industries worked in

Further study

Costs and fees

You can find full information about the deposits required and how to pay your fees in our postgraduate fees and funding section, including details of the Postgraduate Loan (subject to fee status).

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.

Find out more about living expenses for postgraduate students

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick/ DVD
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement.
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.
Optional fieldwork travel, outdoor wear and footwear (where applicable)
Text books, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.

Repeat units

Financial help available from BU

Deposits

International (non-EU) students need to pay a non-refundable £2,000 deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Dr Sascha-Dominik Bachmann – Programme Leader

Sascha-Dominik Bachmann joined Bournemouth University as Associate Professor in August 2013. His teaching and research focus is on international legal subjects and work on research projects involve colleagues from the UK, South Africa, Israel, Sweden, the USA and Australia. Prior to joining Bournemouth Sascha-Dominik worked as a Senior Lecturer in International and European Law at the University of Portsmouth and as a Reader in International Law at the University of Lincoln.

Sascha-Dominik was educated in Germany (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München), South Africa (Stellenbosch University and University of Johannesburg) and the United Kingdom (University of Portsmouth). As a Lieutenant Colonel in the German Army Reserve he served as a peacekeeper in the Balkans (Kosovo) on three occasions while completing his LL.D with the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Trained as a Mountain Warfare Officer, Sascha-Dominik also had the privilege to be seconded to the 23rd Marines as an exchange officer as part of the official US-German Reserve Officers Foreign Exchange Officer Program. Prior to completing a LL.M at Stellenbosch University, he was admitted as a German Rechtsanwalt (attorney at law) at the High Court of Munich. Particular research interests are in the fields of Human Rights Litigation, Historical Justice Litigation, Holocaust/Shoa, Terrorism, Law of Armed Conflict, Hybrid Threats and holistic responses to new 21st century security threats.

Particular research interest are in the fields of Human Rights Litigation, Historical Justice Litigation, Holocaust/Shoa, Terrorism, Law of Armed Conflict, Hybrid Threats and holistic responses to new 21st century security threats. I am at the moment working with colleagues from the Swedish Defence University and the UK Armed Forces on Hybrid War and how NATO and the West is confronting Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine.

View Dr Sascha-Dominik Bachmann's staff profile

Course changes

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
24/10/18	Where the change was made: Key information Change: Location changed to Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus Previous text: Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus.