Law and International Relations

Why study LLB Law and International Relations at Aberystwyth University?

• With University staff and students from over 100 different countries, Aber (as it is known to the locals) is a friendly, outward-looking community, situated in a beautiful location on the West coast of Wales between Cardigan Bay and the rolling Cambrian hills.
• You will be joining the Department of Law and Criminology, the oldest and most established Law Department in Wales, and the Department of International Politics which was founded in 1919 after the end of World War I - the world’s first university department of International Politics.
• You will be taught by legal professionals who are active for large organisations such as the Youth Justice Board and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and International Relations lecturers who are world leading researchers; the department was rated the best in Wales with its pioneering Research (Ref 2014).
• The LLB Law and International Relations degree is a well balanced course combining theory and practice and 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.
• In the International Politics department you will 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'.
• In the Department of Law and Criminology you will have the option to participate in our Mooting Society which is a chance to develop your key advocacy and litigation skills. The society takes part in competitions at both national and international level, and the Aberystwyth team has done very well in recent years.

Our Staff

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

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).

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.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and Year in Employment Scheme (YES) managed by our Careers Service.

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three-year degree scheme.

First Year:

In your first year, you will be introduced to Legal and Criminal Justice Systems, central concepts and core skills in International Relations with the choice of other modules such as Criminal Law or Politics in the 21st Century.

Second Year:

In the second year, you will be able to tailor teaching and learning to your academic interests by picking modules from a range of topics including commercial law, international law, international relations and global inequality & world politics.

Third Year:

In the third year, there is a sole focus on Law-related modules. You can build on modules chosen in your second year or choose something completely new. These include criminal law through to the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a combination of innovative and high-quality lectures, tutorials, and seminars which will allow you to realise your potential.

In your lectures, you will be introduced to key concepts and relevant up-to-date information. You will also have access to recorded versions of lectures. Tutorials and seminars take place in a more informal setting and are an opportunity for you to discuss particular legal, international or political themes or topics, and to improve your skills in constructing an argument. You will also have the opportunity to evaluate your individual learning and obtain feedback on your progress.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through essays, reports, exams, study logs, book reviews, individual/group projects and oral presentations, including mooting exercises.

Personal Tutor

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your time at Aberystwyth. Your personal tutor will be able to help you with any issues or queries, whether academic or non-academic.