LLM in International Law, Edinburgh Law School

Taught Postgraduate Degrees

LLM in International Law

Programme Director:
Professor Bill Gilmore

Introduction to the Programme

Edinburgh University has been one of the leading centres for teaching and research in Public International Law since 1707. The LLM in International Law has three objectives. Firstly it provides students from a very diverse range of countries with the opportunity to study the fundamentals of international law and international relations at an advanced level. Secondly it also offers the opportunity to take more specialised courses on issues of contemporary significance that reflect the research interests of members of staff. Lastly, the LLM in International Law encourages and supports the development of research skills and seeks to prepare students for a career in international law or international organisations. Students will ideally have a first degree in law or international relations. Previous knowledge of international law is not a prerequisite, but those unfamiliar with the subject are advised to take Fundamental Issues in International Law as one of their options.

The Staff

Professor Alan Boyle, Professor of Public International Law. Specialises in international environmental law, law of the sea, international law-making, and international dispute settlement. Co-author of International Law and the Environment (2002) and The Making of International Law (2007). Also a barrister representing governments in the ICJ, the ITLOS and the PCA. General Editor of the ICLQ until 2006.

Navraj Ghaleigh, Lecturer in Public Law. Specialises in international and EU law relating to climate change, constitutional law, regulation.

Professor Bill Gilmore, Professor of International Criminal Law. Specialises in international criminal law, international law on the use of force and law of the sea. Publications include Dirty Money (2004) and Policing the European Union (1996). Served as legal adviser to the Commonwealth Secretariat and consultant to the OECD and the Council of Europe on money laundering, extradition, and mutual assistance in criminal investigations.

Dr James Harrison, Lecturer in International Law. Specialises in law of the sea, WTO law, international investment law, international environmental law.

Dr Stephen Neff, Reader in Public International Law. Specialises in history of international law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Author of War and the Law of Nations: A General History (2005), The Rights and Duties of Neutrals: A General History (2000) and Friends But No Allies: Economic Liberalism and the Law of Nations (1990). A qualified solicitor and consultant to the International Commission of Jurists and Human Rights Watch.

Professor Stephen Tierney, Professor of Legal Theory. Specialises in theory of international law, human rights law and comparative constitutional law. Author of Constitutional Law and National Pluralism (2004) and co-editor of Towards an International Legal Community: The Sovereignty of States and International Law (2006).

Programme Structure

You may take the LLM in International Law either full-time (over one year) or part-time (over the course of two years).

The LLM in International Law consists of (a) compulsory and optional courses amounting to 120 credits in total of which at least 80 credits must be courses from the LLM in International Law list and (b) a dissertation of not more than 10,000 words on an approved topic in international law. All taught courses are assessed mainly or exclusively by essay.

Compulsory courses: You must take at least one full course (40 credits) from the list below. You may take up to three full courses from the same list (total 120 credits). Students who have not previously studied international law may find it helpful to take Fundamental Issues in International Law.
Optional courses: You may take either two or four half courses (20 credits each) from the list below, in combination with one or two full courses from the list* below (total 120 credits). If taking half courses you will have to chose an equal number of 1st semester and 2nd semester credits.
Other courses: You may take any other non-international law LLM courses up to a total of 40 credits.

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