2-Term Pathway - Pre-Master's in Social Sciences and Law - Continue to Master of Arts - International Law and International Relations

This program will prepare students for entry to a postgraduate degree in a wide range of subjects at Lancaster University, including law, design and a world top 10 linguistics program (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

The MA International Law and International Relations examines global politics and international law and the interplay between the two. Jointly delivered by the Law School and the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion (PPR), it enables students to explore the theory and the practice of international relations and international law, and deepen your understanding of the ways that legal principles apply to inter-state relations.

The Law School is home to the Centre for International Law and Human Rights, Centre for Crime, Law and Justice, the Centre for Law and Society, and the Centre for Child and Family Justice. These influential centres underpin the postgraduate teaching and students will have access to the expertise of academics researching in the field of international relations, international law and other legal and socio-legal issues.

The pathway for the MA ensures a duality: a total of five modules from the Law School and PPR, and a 20,000 word dissertation, enabling students to pursue their own interests whilst becoming practiced at looking at issues from different perspectives.

The core modules are International Law, Major Approaches to the Study of International Relations, Theory and Methods in Postgraduate Studies or Research Methods in Law and the MA Dissertation.

Students will study further elective modules from the Law School and PPR. Lancaster prides themselves on the breadth of options available and students can focus on the issues that most interest them. Elective modules typically include (among many others): Theorising Security and War; Environmental Law; International Relations and Politics of the Middle East; Law and Global Health; Conflict Management and Contemporary Conflicts; and, the Rights of Peoples.

The dissertation is an independent, in-depth inquiry into a research topic of students' choosing. The topic will link to a key legal and/or political question or issue and may also directly relate to your professional/career interests. This is their opportunity to make a contribution to the academic community with new, original research and writing. A dissertation supervisor can provide students with support and introduce them to relevant research; their personal research interests will closely align with your chosen topic wherever possible.

The teaching approach is international in scope and comparative by nature, and students are actively encouraged to build a beneficial network of academics, peers and alumni during their time at Lancaster. All of this will help students to broaden their experience, deepen their understanding, and prepare for their next step.

The postgraduate MA degree can open doors to a wide range of careers and provides a training opportunity for those pursuing careers in areas such as foreign and international affairs, national and international non-governmental organisations, journalism and international business.

Whilst on this degree students will have the chance to develop: the skills required to critically evaluate cutting-edge research; inter-disciplinary skills; and, analytical and communications skills. All of which can be a real boost in any sector and highly prized by employers.

The MA is also an ideal stepping stone to PhD study and academia.

Please note: Applications are welcomed from students without prior study of politics, law or international relations, but they would be expected to work hard to make up the gap to master advanced level study of these subjects.