The MA in Peace, Security and International Law is a unique master’s programme that focuses on the role, power, and limits of international law in relation to challenges to international peace and security. By integrating the study of international politics, law, ethics and strategy, it provides an essential lens for understanding contemporary global affairs. In addition to developing an in-depth understanding of the role of international law in global affairs, you will also build a range of competencies, including policy and situation analysis expertise.
The MA has just one compulsory module, where you will learn about the relationship between international law, international relations, international politics, ethics and strategies, and then apply this knowledge to case studies. You will also have the opportunity to explore the role of international law in relation to subjects such as the use of force, the protection of civilians, the role of international courts, atrocity crimes, new technologies, forced displacement, climate change, terrorism, sustainable development and the future of multilateralism via the UN and other institutions. There will also be opportunities to develop your professional skills. These opportunities may include learning how to write a policy report and undertaking an assignment that reflects a real-world work example, which you can put in your professional portfolio.
You’ll also get to hear from a wide variety of practitioners, who will be invited to speak and share their experience and expertise with you. In previous years, guests from the UN, the Red Cross, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have visited to speak with students on the Peace, Security, and International Law MA.
There are plenty of extracurricular opportunities to enhance your education and network with leading practitioners. For example, alumni are often invited back to speak and meet with current students. The department’s lecture series regularly draws a list of impressive speakers. For example, in 2025 we had the Advisor to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Gender Persecution discussing the case of Afghanistan.
During the MA in Peace, Security and International Law, you’ll be based within the Department of War Studies, which is one of the only academic departments in the world to focus solely on the complexities of conflict and security. You will be taught by some of the very best academics in the field. Departmental staff come from all around the world and are internationally acknowledged experts in their areas of specialisation.