Law and International Relations

Law and international relations is a combination that addresses the formal rules and institutions through which states and other actors interact, both domestically and globally. Law provides the analytical framework of rules, precedents, and principles through which disputes are resolved and conduct is regulated, while international relations examines the political, economic, and social forces that shape how states behave toward each other and why the international order takes the form it does. The two disciplines are deeply interconnected: international law cannot be understood without understanding the political context in which it operates, and international relations cannot be fully grasped without knowing the legal frameworks that constrain and enable state action.

At Aberystwyth University, this three-year full-time programme brings together both disciplines through a mix of topics covering traditional and contemporary legal and international relations practice. You will study core areas of English and Welsh law, including constitutional, criminal, contract, and tort law, alongside international relations theory and the political dynamics of international institutions, conflict, and cooperation. The programme recognises that law and international relations exist in a global context and explores the ways in which culture, social forces, and international dynamics influence both legal systems and political relationships.

Aberystwyth has a long tradition in international relations and a committed law school, giving the programme a strong academic foundation in both fields.

You will develop legal reasoning, critical political analysis, research skills, and the ability to write clearly and persuasively in both legal and social science registers.

Graduates pursue careers in law, the foreign service, international organisations, human rights, journalism, public policy, and the civil service. Some proceed to qualify as solicitors or barristers, while others bring the combination of legal and international analytical skills to roles in diplomacy, development, and research. Postgraduate study in law, international relations, or international law is a natural continuation.