School of Social Sciences

Security and International Law LLM

Year of entry: 2026

Course length: 12 months Full-Time |27 months Part-Time

About the course

Today's turbulent world is in increasing need of graduates with unparalleled expertise on legal issues of international security. Our Security and International Law LLM will prepare you for some of the most important legal roles within the field.

Our leading academics will give you critical insights on how we govern security at an international level. You will analyse important questions, such as:

How do we regulate the force used and methods of warfare?
What role do international investments, financial transactions and intellectual property play?

You’ll also develop expertise on the essential regulatory frameworks required to maintain vital international relations and secure global transactions.

Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from opportunities to practice and develop your skills, giving you expertise within the subject, and transferable strengths suitable for a range of other careers.

See the full course profile on our website >

Benefit from our first-class facilities, including a purpose-built moot court where you can practically develop your skills

Join a university with a strong heritage of providing legal education since 1872, including graduates such as Lord Stephens, current Justice of the UK Supreme Court

Graduate from one of the UK’s most targeted universities by top employers with the skills needed for a meaningful career

(High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2024)

Compulsory Units

Foundations of International Law;
International Law and Security;
LLM Dissertation.

Optional Units

Academic Skills for Legal Studies
International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Global Environmental and Climate Change Law
International Courts and Tribunals
International Investment Law
International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Law

These are examples of units offered in 2024/25 and are subject to change.

See the full list of units and find out more on the full course profile >

Where will your course take you?

Today's turbulent world is in increasing need of graduates with unparalleled expertise on legal issues of international security.

Our courses allow you to develop a variety of both subject-specific and transferable skills suited to a wide variety of roles, such as critical thinking, legal analysis, research, problem-solving and communication.

Most of our recent graduates have gone on to work with leading organisations such as government agencies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, law firms, multinational corporations, the army, and at top universities, with job titles such as Civil Servant, Senior Legal Counsel, International Lawyer, Consultant, and Researcher.

Many graduates also continue their research by studying a PhD in Law, either at Manchester or at another leading university, where they expand the boundaries of our knowledge and pursue careers in research or academia.

Ibrahim Olabi

Security and International Law LLM Graduate

"This course equips you with the foundations of international law and then gives you ultimate flexibility to pursue the units that match your career ambitions.

Studying in Manchester enabled me to start my own organisation which promotes the rule of law and human rights during my third year. This start-up is now operating in three countries, working with the UN, collaborating with universities and, most importantly, making a change. I plan to continue working in the field of international law and policy once I graduate from my master’s degree."

Danielle Reeder

Security and International Law LLM Graduate

“The University espouses a remarkable international and global approach to all aspects of study. Law at Manchester takes professionalism and academics seriously. I have the privilege to meet students and professors from different backgrounds and fields, which continually allows, and challenges me, to engage with the unfamiliar. The lively nature of the staff has really made a tremendous impact on me. Even when our professors have many students and considerations, they always make time.“