Law and International Relations

The LLB Law and International Relations degree at Aberystwyth University is a well-balanced course combining theory and practice and is designed to meet employer needs and expectations. Elements of the degree are recognised by the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority - a direct route into the legal profession. 

For the Law elements of the degree, you will be taught in our Department of Law & Criminology which has been teaching Law degrees since 1901. You will examine the law, how it functions, and the relationship between law, justice and society. As well as studying the foundational legal subjects, you will also have the opportunity to tailor your degree according to your own interests, choosing from a wide range of optional modules covering contemporary and specialist areas of law. 

In addition, you will be able to enhance your studies by participating in our national and international competing Mooting Society to develop your key advocacy and litigation skills. We also offer a Welsh medium Mooting competition for students who wish to moot through the medium of Welsh. 

For the International Relations elements of the degree you will be taught in our Department of International Politics - the world’s first university department of International Politics - founded in 1919 after the end of the First World War. You will study the concepts, practices, policies, histories and regions that make up international politics as a discipline and explore the ways in which all these factors are undergoing radical transformation in the twenty-first century. 

You will also have exciting opportunities to participate in the renowned three-day role-playing exercise called 'Crisis Games', the prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, and to contribute to the oldest student-run international politics journal, 'Interstate'.  

Our Staff

Department of Law and Criminology lecturers are mostly either qualified to PHD level or have professional experience and qualifications as practicing lawyers. Many staff also have a PGCE (Higher Education).

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.

What can I do with a degree in Law and International Relations?

Employability is embedded within all our courses. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and are able to draw on a range of transferable skills to ensure that they are always in demand.

A degree in Law and International Relations will open up a range of exciting opportunities for you. The Law part of your degree will make you a strong candidate for further training to become a barrister or a solicitor. International relations is a diverse field that allows you to investigate the complexities of relationships between different countries. You will be able to apply this understanding to the world of work.

You will be well placed to work in a range of sectors including law, international relations, the civil service, government research, NGOs, legal work, criminology, business, human resources, journalism and education.

Transferable skills

During this degree you will gain the following skills and abilities:

• the confidence to select and use the most appropriate range of legal methodologies
• the ability to write and communicate with a range of audiences, and evaluate and organise information
• the ability to gather, assimilate and interpret a wealth of legal and political information quickly and accurately
• the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
• the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodate different ideas, negotiate and reach agreement
• the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• research skills
• effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
• time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
• self-motivation and self-reliance.

What opportunities for work experience will be available to me while I study?

Taking part in the Parliamentary Placement Scheme will be an opportunity for you to develop practical skills such as writing reports and speeches, undertaking research projects, and responding to constituency issues.

You may have the option to follow the Employability Skills for Professionals module which provides practical and specific workplace experience to enhance your future employability prospects in chosen fields. Places on the module are not guaranteed for any student and may be allocated through an interview process.

Other Opportunities

Discover more about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers, including the opportunity to enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and the Year in Employment Scheme (YES).