Diplomacy and International Law (Distance Learning)

LLM

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 years
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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 6th in the UK for Research Impact (REF2021), 88% rated "outstanding"

  • Your gateway to a wide range of rewarding careers

  • Internship and placement opportunities

Why Lancaster?

  • Study at one of the first universities to offer a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy
  • Engage with a range of external organisations via Lancaster’s Richardson Institute, the oldest peace and conflict research centre in the UK
  • Develop your negotiation and diplomacy skills with academics who are researching the latest developments in international law and humanitarian rights
  • Prepare for future roles in foreign affairs through extensive and complex mock negotiation exercises
  • Collaborate with the leaders of tomorrow in the Lancaster Security Institute, a centre exploring the intersection of technology, society and behaviour

Coming to an agreement isn’t always easy, especially when dealing with cultural and economic differences surrounding international disputes. This dynamic degree allows you to explore the complexities of foreign diplomacy in the context of international law.

Understanding strategic negotiations

On this engaging programme you’ll gain a deep understanding of diplomacy, foreign policy and international law. You’ll learn to pick apart the strategic and institutional constraints that affect negotiations, and prepare for a future working on the international stage.

You’ll also spend time looking at how diplomatic theory weighs up against the pragmatic issues involved with making decisions. Our mock negotiations will give you the opportunity to put your theory into practice.

Global rules, laws and customs

Balanced with international law, this course delivers tremendous strength in understanding international norms and law. You’ll uncover immunities and jurisdiction, and look into the nuances of state responsibility and dispute settlement.

Through a combination of theoretical and practical exercises, lectures and visits by guest speakers, you’ll explore topics such as nuclear weapons and foreign policy, arms control and diplomacy, international climate negotiations, and terrorism and citizen protection.

A focus on international law

On our LLM course, you’ll explore the relationship between international law and diplomacy, and you’ll take a module on International Human Rights. You’ll have a keen focus on legal aspects of the topic and you’ll apply everything you’ve learnt to your dissertation.

Want more emphasis on diplomacy? Take a look at our MA Diplomacy and International Law.

Distance learning

Distance learning makes it easier to fit your studies around your other commitments as much of the course can be done at a time and place to suit you. We have provided courses via online learning for many years and have a good understanding of the kinds of support our students need.

Your course will combine recorded material, live and interactive lectures, elements to be worked through autonomously, online collaboration and discussion, and group work.

Before the course begins we’ll invite you to an online introductory session. This is a great chance to meet your tutors and other students and to start to form your own support network. We’ll also tell you about our digital services and software, as well as our extensive e-library resources. After this you should be all set to start the course and get the most from your studies.

Prospectus

LLM Programmes at Lancaster University

Discover the key features of studying LLM Programmes at Lancaster University. Our LLM Programmes will develop your legal expertise – whether you’re new to the field or want to take your career to the next level.

Master's Programmes in Politics and International Relations

Discover the key features of a master's degree in Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University. Learn from a teaching team who have extensive experience in the world of research and policymaking.

The Richardson Institute

Formed in 1959, and based in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, the Richardson Institute is the oldest peace and conflict research centre in the UK. Since 2012 it has provided an internship programme that gives students the opportunity to work with different organisations on issues of peace and conflict.

Richardson Institute

Careers

By the time you finish this degree in diplomacy and international law, you will have developed an abundance of transferable skills in negotiation. As well as roles within government and diplomatic service, graduates can go on to work in think tanks and the private sector.

Graduates of this programme are able to kickstart careers in:

  • Risk analysis
  • Advisory roles in foreign affairs
  • International business consultancy
  • Lobbying organisations and NGOs
  • Project management

Alternatively, students who complete this degree are well placed to further their academic studies at PhD level, deepening their understanding and furthering their research.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

Detailed module information for this postgraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £13,260 £6,630
International £15,600 £7,800

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Why Lancaster?