MA International Law, Security and Diplomacy
This degree utilises the strengths of the School of Law and the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS).
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Course overview
About the course
The underlying philosophy of this collaborative degree is to afford students an interdisciplinary learning experience at the intersection of International Law, Security and Diplomacy. The University of Buckingham offers a distinctive opportunity to study these intersecting themes through a collaborative programme combining the strengths of the School of Law and the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS).
This innovative degree fuses rigorous legal analysis with cutting-edge studies in security and intelligence, creating a bespoke interdisciplinary learning experience. Students will explore critical global challenges by engaging with modules such as International Law, the Law of War, and International and Comparative Human Rights Law from the Law School, alongside BUCSIS modules in Cyber Security and Globalization, Diplomacy, Terrorism, and National Security. By merging these dynamic fields, this programme equips students with a holistic understanding of international legal considerations and contemporary security issues, preparing them to thrive in careers that demand expertise in both domains. You will explore relevant and highly topical case studies from both legal and defence perspectives. These will include ongoing conflicts across the international community and continuing regional unrest in other parts of the world.
The final dissertation project allows students to take either an MA or LLM degree, depending on the research area on which they wish to focus.
Course Highlights
This programme is designed to:
- Develop professionals that are equipped to tackle the legal and security challenges of the modern world with confidence and expertise.
- Create a nuanced understanding of international legal principles alongside the critical security and intelligence frameworks.
- Leverage the expertise of both the Law School and BUCSIS, this course fosters academic rigour, practical insights, and a future-oriented professional outlook.
- Ensure close interaction between students and faculty with its intensive teaching model that combines lectures and small-group seminars.
Course breakdown
Students will have the opportunity to engage with a rich blend of modules that reflect the breadth of this interdisciplinary field, including Cyber Security and Globalisation, Diplomacy, and Terrorism and National Security.
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Teaching and assessment
We keep class sizes small so you won’t get lost in the crowd. You will be assigned a personal tutor to support you every step of the way, and our academic and student support teams will ensure you have the tools to success in your studies. We value the quality of your learning experience.
Teaching methods
The small size of Buckingham’s academic community guarantees a supportive learning environment. A key feature of the Buckingham intensive teaching method is the use of small seminar or tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. The approach ensures close interaction between students and faculty staff at all levels. Seminars and tutorials encourage the development of clear analytical skills and create a forum where you can test your ideas against the arguments of your peers.
Course material is available on the University’s own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Moodle. This allows students to download lecture notes, submit assignments and share resources in an electronic forum within the University’s computer network.
You are expected to read the cases and other materials relevant to the particular modules in advance of classes. You will be asked to support your opinions and discuss your analysis of the area with your fellow students. In some modules, you may be expected to deliver a presentation on a topic given to you by your tutor. Whilst these tasks may seem daunting at the beginning of the year, you will rapidly gain confidence as your debating skills develop. Entering any profession, you will find it is essential to have developed persuasive abilities.
Students will also benefit from foundational teaching such as Introduction to Postgraduate Legal Study and Research Design and Methods, which provide essential legal and interdisciplinary research skills.
Timetabled activities
Throughout your studies, you can expect:
| Lectures | 2 hours per module |
| Seminars | 1 hour per module |
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed via a diverse and inclusive range of assessment methods across both faculties, which may include:
- Group projects
- Individual projects
- Presentations (individual and group)
- Report writing of different lengths
- Essays
- Dissertations
The programme includes dissertation options tailored to students’ specific interests in either law or security studies.
Note that we do not utilise exams for these programmes.
After your course
This exciting programme could prepare you for a career in one of the areas below, and will allow you to develop a number of key skills.
Career opportunities
- Think tanks
- NGOs
- IOs
- Foreign Ministries
- Civil Service
- Academia
- Legal Practice (additional to any jurisdictional requirements and qualifications)
Career skills
- A robust understanding of their chosen areas of law and security.
- Analytical skills for interpreting complex legal cases and statutes.
- Advanced oral and written argumentation skills.
- The ability to apply interdisciplinary approaches to global challenges.
Careers and Employability Support
As current students and alumni of Buckingham, you will have continued access to our fantastic Careers and Employability services in both Law and BUCSIS who will support your future career endeavours.
Many of our in-house expertise come from staff who are currently or have previously been practitioners and are leading scholars within their various subject matter specialisms.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
Further study
This programme also provides an ideal platform for those interested in the academia route to undertake a PhD with us at Buckingham.
Browse our doctoral degrees.
“Upon completing my postgraduate degree, I have undoubtedly obtained the necessary independent and research skills to embark on my professional journey. The extensive knowledge I have acquired through this advanced degree sets me apart from other candidates, giving me a distinct advantage.”
Eleanor, Postgraduate student
Entry requirements
For a list of course specific requirements, please see our typical offers below. To see our full list of general university requirements including information for flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications, see our Postgraduate Entry Requirements.
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
- 2:2 LLB/BA (Hons) degree from a UK institution (or equivalent from a foreign institution)
- Relevant professional experience
International Offers
Find out about our requirements and see useful information for international applicants:
If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Admissions team.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
As this programme is delivered on campus it is advisable for students to live within easy travel distance.
Discounts
Students with an undergraduate degree from The University of Buckingham that plan to continue their studies with a postgraduate degree at Buckingham can benefit from a discount on their fees.
Postgraduates who have completed their Master’s at The University of Buckingham are eligible for a discount on tuition fees for selected Buckingham PhD programmes. Find out more about the Buckingham Postgraduate Discount.
Bursaries and scholarships
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. These are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
How to apply
We welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form or through UCAS.
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as:
- The most flexible option.
- You can apply until shortly before the course starts.
- There are no application fees.
- Apply as an additional option to your UCAS courses.
You can apply directly through our website by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button below.
Apply via UCAS
Alternatively, if you do not wish to apply directly with us, you can apply via UCAS where you can easily make Buckingham one of your UCAS choices.
Do bear in mind that the application and decision deadline are set by UCAS and there is an application fee to UCAS.