International Law and Comparative Law

International law and comparative law is a programme that steps back from the study of any single legal system and examines law as a global and culturally varied phenomenon. International law addresses the rules, norms, and institutions that govern the relationships between states, international organisations, and other global actors, from treaties and diplomatic conventions to the law of the sea, international humanitarian law, and the governance of international trade. Comparative law enriches this by asking how different legal cultures have arrived at different solutions to similar problems, and what can be learned from setting those solutions alongside each other.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year full-time programme teaches law at a conceptual level rather than focusing on the detailed rules of any single jurisdiction, which makes it both intellectually distinctive and practically broad. You will develop an understanding of how different legal systems are organised, how they interact with international institutions, and what the underlying values and assumptions of different legal cultures look like when examined comparatively. The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to engage with a different legal and academic environment, which deepens your comparative perspective.

The typical entry tariff of 200 points reflects the academic demands of a programme focused on rigorous conceptual legal analysis.

You will develop precision of legal reasoning, the ability to work comparatively across legal traditions, and the writing and analytical skills that a conceptually demanding law programme builds.

Graduates are well positioned for careers in international organisations, multinational corporations, non-profit organisations with international remits, diplomatic services, international arbitration, human rights law, and trade law. Postgraduate study in international law, public international law, or comparative legal studies is a well-established continuation.