MA International Law, Ethics and Politics
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
29 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,900 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students full-time | £24,120 for international students full-time
Introduction
Are you interested in learning about the issues at the intersections of International Law, European Law, ethics and international politics and how they are all interrelated?
The MA in International Law, Ethics and Politics will cover the application of International Law, European Law, ethics and international politics to problems such as poverty reduction; international trade; war and terrorism; climate change; and democracy.
This programme is ideal for candidates from the NGO world who wish to improve their academic credentials, and students from humanities and social sciences who want to take Law courses. The course should also be of interest to graduates in public or European law who want to deepen their understanding of issues that they have previously encountered only within a legal framework. This programme can also be used as a route into PhD research.
The programme is truly interdisciplinary, allowing you to explore subject areas through a range of modules from three schools:
- Department of Philosophy
- Birmingham Law School
- Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)
Why Study This Course?
- Multidisciplinary – you have the opportunity to work both within and across three different disciplines
- Flexibility – the wide range of modules on offer allows you to both identify and explore your specific interests within each discipline
- Optional practice-based dissertation – you can choose to write a practice-based dissertation instead of a standard dissertation. This allows you to spend time at (e.g.) an NGO or policy-based organisation, produce a practical output, and write a theoretically informed dissertation about the experience. This may be especially appealing to those already established in their careers or those who want to enhance employability skills
- Small classes – teaching on the Masters-level modules involves mainly small-group seminars allowing you to really get to grips with the learning material
- Be a part of an active postgraduate community – although you will work across departments, the programme is based within the Department of Philosophy, a lively and stimulating department where you can contribute to and engage in research seminars, workshops, a weekly speaker series, reading groups, and conferences.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £5,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student you can take advantage of our wide range of University run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
Curriculum
Please visit the course webpage below for up to date information on modules.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Philosophy at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to articulate your ideas clearly, analytical skills, and the ability to present a strong argument.
Our Philosophy graduates enter many roles, including:
- Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Victims Adviser
- Policy Advisor
- Deputy HR Manager
- Tutor
Employers our Philosophy graduates have worked for include:
- Regional police forces
- University of Birmingham
- Migrant Help
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Program delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Philosophy.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation - you can choose to undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you or you can undertake a practice-based dissertation.