International Law

The SOAS LLM in International Law provides a diverse and unique range of courses that interrogate critically the theory and practice of international law and explore cutting edge topics of contemporary significance particularly as they relate to the global south.

At SOAS you will not only gain fresh insights into the fundamentals of international law; you will have the opportunity to engage with issues that reflect the research specialisms of our expert teaching staff.

Why study LLM International Law at SOAS

• SOAS is ranked 14th in the UK for Law (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We're ranked 12th in the UK for Academic Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• The LLM in international law adopts an innovative, interdisciplinary, and critical approach to teaching and learning that draws on the wider international community of academics, legal practitioners and NGOs both in London and internationally
• We deploy a range of innovative teaching and learning methods including: student-led research conferences, student blogs; meet-the-author book review sessions; film reviews; re-enactments of historic international legal events; international law mooting or pleading; and simulated peace negotiations
• You will join the International Law Master Class. This is a non-assessed course designed to build a research community and nourish your legal research and writing skills, your powers of critical thinking, and your international legal imagination

Centre for the study of Colonialism, Empire and International Law (CCEIL)

International Law occupies a central place in the SOAS School of Law and the SOAS School of Law occupies a central place in the wider international law community in London and internationally. The School of Law is home to the Centre for the study of Colonialism, Empire and International Law (CCEIL) – a hub for inter-disciplinary collaboration and research on international law and its historical and contemporary relationship to colonialism and empire.

As a post-graduate student on the LLM programme you will be invited to become a member of the Centre and join a vibrant research community of international legal scholars and a diverse community of students from all over the world.

Together with our Doctoral students, you will have the opportunity to play a role in CCEIL’s research and other activities: hosting the Student Salon; assisting with CCEIL’s events; and organising Afternoon Teas as part of the International Law Master Class. You will also benefit from the various collaborations with other research communities in the Law School, at SOAS and beyond.

Why you

This programme is ideal for LLB or other graduates from a related discipline as well as legal or other professionals with an interest in the theory and practice of international law, particularly as it relates to the global south. You will join an international alumni of graduates from the LLM at SOAS many of whom are now working at the UN, in NGOs, in government, in private practice, in policy work or in academia.

Please note that the LLM is open to applicants from different disciplines and is not restricted to applicants who hold an UK law degree or international equivalent. 

Global Partnerships

This programme can be offered as part of a dual LLM degree with a number of our partnering Universities.

For further information about our LLM Dual degree partnerships, please visit Global Partnerships.