Introduction
The concept of security lies at the heart of many of the current international legal regimes. At the same time security interests, prompt nation states to define their national interest in different ways. This interdisciplinary degree provides an in-depth understanding of both International Law and International Relations pertaining to modern security issues, such as responses to terrorism, responses to the use of force generally and responses to threats to environmental security.
Are you thinking of a career in international law or international relations, as a legal practitioner, an adviser to the government, within the military or police forces, or working with or for intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations, or NGOs such as the Red Cross/Red Crescent?
Our LLM is taught by an expert, multi-disciplinary team of international lawyers and political scientists. It allows you to study contemporary issues, both from a legal and international relations perspective. With more than 20 modules to choose from, it also allows you to focus your studies along with your interests and future career plans. The course is relevant to anyone wishing to pursue a career in international law or international relations or to those who want to broaden their horizons and learn about current global issues.
In addition to small group teaching, Dundee is renowned for its vibrant learning environment where students and lecturers interact, both inside and outside the classroom. For anyone interested in international law and international relations, Dundee offers ample opportunity for learning. The University of Dundee is dedicated to the multi- and inter-disciplinary study of security and justice. There is also the student-led Dundee International Law Society, which organises regular seminars, colloquia, debates, roundtables and presentations on a wide range of themes. It allows LLM students to arrange conferences and other events and to interact with leading experts, as well as other students.
Dundee Law School
Dundee Law School is widely recognised as an excellent place to study. We have been ranked as the top Law School in Scotland (Guardian University Guide 2019) and in the top 10 in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Complete University Guides, 2019). This builds on particularly strong results in the National Student Survey, which has repeatedly ranked Dundee as first in Scotland. Over the last two national reviews of research, Dundee is the only institution in the UK to have had all of its submissions rated as “internationally excellent” or “world-leading”.
Our commitment is to provide high-quality instruction, with a focus on practical relevance, to prepare you for a successful career, at home or abroad. We offer an induction programme at the start of each semester, to ensure that you have the necessary understanding of the UK and European legal systems and of what is required of you in a study environment seeking to develop independent learning.
We seek to integrate you into the life of the School, with invitations to guest lectures and seminars. We also have an annual reading party in a beautiful country house, where you are joined by staff to work on academic skills and relax with fellow students.
How you will be taught
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminar discussions and tutorials, with an emphasis on seminars that build on reading done on the basis of the specific reading lists provided.
How you will be assessed
You will be assessed through a combination of exams and essays. The courses taught by Law share a common pattern; those in the autumn semester are assessed by exam and those in the second semester by essays. In each case, you will be given a chance to practice this style of assessment and given feedback on your performance before the formal assessment.
This pattern ensures that you will gain experience of different styles of assessment, testing both breadth and depth of knowledge and developing writing skills in advance of tackling the Dissertation. The Dissertation is assessed wholly on the basis of the final text that is submitted and Legal Research Skills by a combination of a short essay and a presentation.
What you will study
You will take three modules in each semester, plus Legal Research Skills (taught in two blocks at the start of each semester) and will present a Dissertation (written over the summer).
Not every module will be available in every year, depending on staff availability and student demand.
Compulsory modules
LW50107 - Masters Dissertation
LW50108 - Legal Research Skills
LW51123 - International Law & Security
Optional modules
(as approved by Adviser of Studies)
You must take any two of the following modules:
CP51007 - International Law of Natural Resources and Energy
CP51039 - National and Comparative Oil and Gas Law
CP52003 - Transnational Environmental Law for Energy and Mining Sectors
CP52007 - Legal Framework for International Project Finance
CP52008 - International Relations and Energy and Natural Resources
CP52009 - Mineral and Petroleum Taxation
CP52065 - International Energy Arbitration: Practical Exercises
LW51007 - Corporate Governance
LW51111 - Private International Law of Business Transactions
LW51115 - Environmental Regulation
LW51120 - International Criminal Justice
LW51127 - Transnational Crime and Counter-Terrorism
LW51128 - Global Human Rights: Traditions and Inspirations
LW51133 - Private International Law (Common Law Perspectives)
LW51144 - Public International Law
LW51145 - Legal Frameworks for Water Resource Management
LW52003 - Principles of Corporate Law
LW52004 - Banking Law and Financial Markets
LW52005 - Competition Law
LW52022 - UN Human Rights Law
LW52103 - Principles of E-Commerce Law
LW52111 - Intellectual Property Law
LW52135 - International Taxation Law
LW52138 - Governance and Regulation of Water Services
Politics modules
PO51001 - International Relations: Theories and Methods
PO51009 - Middle East and Terrorism
PO52009 - Russian Politics and Security
PO52013 - International Security of Drugs and Organised Crime
PO52017 - Human Rights in International Relations
PO52019 - Human Rights and Conflict: Responding to War and Mass Atrocities
Careers
Graduates of the International Law and Security programme have gone on to work in private law practices, central and local Government, international agencies and several have moved on to doctoral research and academic careers.
Dundee Law graduates have reached the highest levels of success in the profession as senior partners, Queen's Counsel, judges and as front bench politicians. In addition, the focus of the programme on global issues and affairs provide a strong basis for pursuing a career in international law and international political contexts, such as the European Union or the United Nations.
Alternatively, the programme can be a stepping stone for work in civil society, such as charities, environmental organizations or other international non-profit organizations.
Graduates can also put their communication, research and analytical skills to work in a range of careers in the public or private sectors, including education, finance or the media.
With its distinctive interdisciplinary features and distinctive opportunity to combine theory with practice, graduates from this course are highly valuable to employers as they gain expertise across at least two disciplines.
The Master's programme is also an excellent basis for undertaking further postgraduate study in International Law or International Politics, such as a PhD, with a view to a full-time career in academia or research.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have, or expect to receive in the anticipated year of entry, a good honours degree in Law, International Relations or a related discipline; applicants with alternative qualifications and/or relevant experience may be considered.
English Language Requirement
IELTS Overall 6.5
Listening 5.5
Reading 5.5
Writing 6.0
Speaking 5.5
English Language Programmes
We offer Pre-Sessional and Foundation Programme(s) throughout the year. These are designed to prepare you for university study in the UK when you have not yet met the language requirements for direct entry onto a degree programme.
About Dundee
Fantastic culture, beautiful landscapes and famously friendly people, Scotland has passion and innovation at its heart and these are just some of the reasons why it’s an amazing place to live and study.
Dundee is located on the banks of the River Tay on the east coast of Scotland. It regularly appears at the top end of ‘quality of life’ surveys in the UK – offering all that’s great about city life, but being friendly, compact and easy to navigate.
The Wall Street Journal named Dundee as one of their ten hot destinations for 2018.
Dundee’s population is around 150,000. With students making up 1 in 5 of the population, our city is geared towards student life.
Our campus is right in the heart of Dundee’s vibrant and fun West End, with shops, cafes and restaurants all on your doorstep.
“Scottish people are nice and friendly. I remember the first day I arrived, the fellow who was supposed to meet me was not there yet. The taxi driver dropped me off, I knocked on the door and he was not there, so I was waiting outside. Someone came and asked if I was okay and invited me in while I waited. He welcomed me and gave me food and drink, so I started to love the people of Dundee and Scotland from the first day I came.” Willy William Mrema is from Tanzania and is studying MSc Geotechnical Engineering.
