International Law with foundation year

International law is the set of rules, treaties, and principles that govern relations between states, international organisations, and, increasingly, individuals and corporations operating across national borders. It covers everything from the law of armed conflict and the protection of human rights to international trade regulation, the law of the sea, environmental treaties, and the jurisdiction of international courts and tribunals. As globalisation deepens and transnational challenges multiply, the frameworks of international law have become central to how the world attempts to maintain order and protect human dignity.

At Coventry University, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year for students who need additional preparation before the main degree, and a sandwich year and year abroad for those who want substantial professional experience and an international study dimension. Work placement provision is built in. You will examine both domestic and international legal frameworks, exploring the structures and mechanisms of the international legal system alongside the core areas of English law.

The programme develops your legal reasoning, research, and analytical skills while building specialist knowledge of how international law operates in practice, including through institutions such as the UN, the International Court of Justice, the WTO, and regional human rights bodies. The typical entry tariff is 88 UCAS points for the foundation entry route.

Graduates of international law programmes pursue careers in international organisations, government legal services, NGOs and human rights organisations, international arbitration, foreign policy roles in the civil service, and legal practice specialising in international dimensions. Many also go on to postgraduate study in international law, international relations, or human rights, building specialist expertise for careers at the intersection of law and global affairs.