Law - International Law

The LLM in International Law will provide students with critical insights into the operation of international law. It will provide a critique of international law frameworks and institutions and an analysis of how the international legal order works and how it seeks to protect vulnerable groups, including minorities and refugees. Teaching will be delivered mostly online but supported by a number of face-to-face workshops and masterclasses during the semester. The programme will be open to students with degrees in law and cognate areas, including international relations, social studies, sociology, politics, and other inter-disciplinary degrees. The programme will, in particular, be of interest to those already working in the field of law, including barristers, solicitors and civil servants who want to upskill in the area of international law and those with an NGO background who want to expand their knowledge of international law.

Students complete a total of 90 ECTS over the course of the programme.

Students will undertake a compulsory module in Public International Law and will choose 5 additional modules, in addition to undertaking a Dissertation. Optional Modules include: International Human Rights Law, International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, Migration Law and Policy, International Law and Vulnerable Groups, International Law and Justice in Practice, International Trade Law, International Law and Europe.

Candidates should have a minimum 2.2 grade, honours (level 8) undergraduate degree in law or a cognate discipline, such as international relations, social studies, sociology, politics etc). This must be a recognised primary degree that is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. A personal statement of up to 1,000 words outlining why an applicant is suitable for the programme should be included as part of an application. This personal statement will form part of the assessment by the Admissions Committee.

These are the minimum entry requirements and meetings these requirements will not guarantee an offer of entry onto the programme. Applications by applicants with other types of diplomas or who do not reach this minimum level of qualifications will be determined by the Admissions Committee in line with the University's policy on recognition of prior experiential learning. The programme will also be accessible to international students from all jurisdictions, as no prior knowledge of the common law is required.

Minimum English language requirements:

•IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
•TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
•TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
•PTE (Pearson): 62

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850.

2 years part-time - Blended Learning Offering

As the programme offers numerous modules concerning current societal challenges it would be of great benefit to those working in, or seeking to work in, NGOs, including in the field of migration and refugee law and the rights of vulnerable groups. It would also provide graduates with excellent skills for future employment in policy research and the civil service. This programme will also be of great benefit to qualified solicitors / barristers who want to practice in the sphere of international law, including at international tribunals, as modules in international criminal law and international humanitarian law are offered.