University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
MA in International Law, Ethics and Politics
Birmingham, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 27,090 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
* for international students | 28 August 2026 for UK students | Applications for 2027 entry will open in October 2026
** for international full-time | £11,250 - for UK full-time | £5,625 - for UK part-time
Key Summary
About: Explore law, ethics and politics across human rights, global crime, international relations and terrorism. The MA combines law, philosophy and political science with flexible modules and an option for a practice-based dissertation with an NGO placement. It suits those seeking career development or a PhD. Part of the College of Arts and Law (over 1,500 postgraduates; Top 100, QS 2026).
Career Outcomes: You'll gain analysis, argument and communication skills. Potential careers include policy analyst, human rights officer, legal researcher, NGO programme officer, academic researcher/PhD candidate, data scientist, civil servant, bid writer; employers include NGOs, governments, international organizations, think tanks and media.
Explore the intersections of law, ethics and politics, examining key debates from multiple perspectives. Learn about issues such as international human rights, global crime, global justice, international relations, and terrorism in a unique programme that brings together three subject areas.
Ideal for anyone looking to enhance their career or pursue a PhD, you'll broaden your understanding of global issues such as poverty reduction, international trade and climate change.
Explore ethical challenges in the legal world and political spheres alongside experts from law, philosophy and political science. Learn from a range of perspectives, studying with researchers working across subject boundaries. Mix academic theory with opportunities to gain practical experience working on real-world problems.
- Explore current issues through a range of perspectives, from philosophy to law and political science, learning from experts in each area.
- Choose to write a practice-based dissertation responding to real-world issues.
- Flexible range of modules - build your degree around your interests.
Gain valuable experience
Kickstart your career and gain real-world experience with our practice-based dissertation option. You'll spend time at an NGO or policy-based organisation, working alongside industry professionals to develop a practical response to a real-world challenge.
- Reach across subject boundaries to gain a rounded view of important issues.
- Gain practical experience through the practice-based dissertation option.
- Flexible range of modules which explore challenging legal, ethical and political problems.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
- Become part of a Department of leading philosophy academics with the highest ranked research in the UK in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education)
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student, you can take advantage of our wide range of university-run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organisations.
College of Arts and Law Masters Scholarships
For Home and International students, the College of Arts and Law (CAL) awards cover tuition fees at the Home fee-rate for Master's courses in CAL's five Schools
Value: Fee waiver at the Home fee rate
By studying a postgraduate degree in Philosophy at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to articulate your ideas clearly, analytical skills, and the ability to present a strong argument.
Our Philosophy postgraduate students have gone on to work in careers such as 'Data Scientist/Data Engineer', 'Civil Servant' and 'Bid Writer' in organisations such as The Philosopher's Yard, ITV News and the UK Civil Service.
Join a global community and discover a course that matches your interests and aspirations with our huge range of postgraduate programmes in the College of Arts and Law.
Study options
We offer full-time or part-time study for many of our courses. We're proud to offer many courses by distance learning so you can access our exceptional teaching and resources from anywhere in the world.
Looking to study for a shorter period? Some of our courses offer PGCert and PGDip qualifications.
Innovative postgraduate degrees
Benefit from our interdisciplinary approach with opportunities to develop your skills. Whichever programme you pick, you’ll expand your knowledge and be ready for your next career step.
2nd in the UK: The University of Birmingham is consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2026, High Fliers report.
Ways you can enhance your career prospects include:
- Placement opportunities on the MA Film and Television: Research and Production
- Optional public history placement module on our MA History courses
- Practice-based dissertation options on MA International Law, Ethics and Politics
First-class facilities
Take your learning to the next level at Birmingham. Benefit from our incredible facilities available to College of Arts and Law students, including:
- The Film Editing Suite: Access content creation and podcasting studios, professional cameras, and filming equipment with beginner-friendly training by media technicians.
- The Barber Institute of Fine Arts: Our on-campus art gallery with paintings spanning seven centuries, from Botticelli to Monet and Van Gogh. The History of Art and Art History and Curating programmes are taught in the Barber for direct access to artwork. [The galleries of the Barber Institute are currently closed due to essential building works. Teaching will recommence in the galleries from autumn 2027.]
- Bramall Music Building and our Music Hub offering state-of-the-art performance, concert and rehearsal spaces.
- Shakespeare Institute: Our Shakespeare Studies students access a wealth of resources and a dedicated library at our Shakespeare Institute, based in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum including over 2,000 archaeological objects and an environmental archaeology collection.
Experts in distance learning
You don’t need to be in Birmingham to make the most of our outstanding teaching and research. Study from anywhere in the world through our range of distance learning options.
With over 25 years’ experience delivering distance learning courses, we’ll make sure you’re supported from day one.
You won’t be alone in your studies – on our taught programmes you’ll connect with your peers through our Virtual Learning Environment. If you choose a postgraduate research degree by distance learning, you’ll access remote research supervision meetings.
“I studied International Heritage Management as a distance learning student. My time at the University of Birmingham had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional.” – Josh, MA International Heritage Management by Distance Learning alumnus and Senior Operations and Events Executive at Historic Royal Palaces.
Birmingham Law School
For almost a century Birmingham Law School has led the way in legal education and research. Today, we continue to provide our students with innovative, challenging, and research-driven education.
We are a truly global, civic and diverse community reflected through our staff and students who have important impacts around the world through research, teaching and enterprise.
The Shakespeare Institute
An internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of Shakespeare's beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. Established in 1951 to push the boundaries of knowledge about Shakespeare studies and Renaissance drama. Study in Stratford-upon-Avon or online.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Philosophy.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation - you can choose to undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area of philosophy, law or politics that interests you, or a practice-based dissertation that involves a placement, practical deliverable, and an up-to 12,000-word report. Note: word count limits vary by department.
Autumn term
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms. Part-time students usually take all compulsory modules in the first year and optional modules and the dissertation in the second year
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
Spring term
January - April (12 weeks)
Full-time students usually take three modules per term in the first two terms. Part-time students usually take all compulsory modules in the first year and optional modules and the dissertation in the second year
During term two you are assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic.
Summer term
May – August
There are no taught modules during term three. You’ll continue your research and writing, ready to submit your dissertation at the end of August.