Greek historian Thucydides (460-395BC) became the first academic to understand international relations. It is a highly interdisciplinary area to include areas such as technology, economics, history, geography, sociology, criminology, diplomacy, international security, finance, human rights and more. The oldest known peace treaty within international law dates from 3100BC between two Sumerian city states and a number of treaties in the Middle East.

There is an increasing need for governments to respond to complex international legal frameworks to manage inter-state relationships between countries. The International Relations and International Relations postgraduate programme conducted jointly by the School of Social Science and the School of Law provides you with an advanced understanding of International Relations and International Law and how their interaction impacts upon international politics.

Drawing on the expertise of staff from the two Schools, this innovative programme combines courses in the theory and practice of International Law and International Relations, offering you a unique interdisciplinary perspective on a range of contemporary issues related to the transformed nature of global governance.

You will develop key skills regarding critical legal and political analysis of current international issues through coursework and the completion of a Master’s thesis in International Law.

You have the opportunity to attend the research seminars of the Law School, the research seminars of the School of Social Science, events organised by the Centre for Sustainable International Development, as well as by the Centre for Global Security and Governance. You can also take part in a language course at the Language Centre.