International Relations and Legal Studies

International Relations and Legal Studies at Aberdeen is an ideal combination, giving you solid grounding in the role of power, states, and governments in an ever-changing global context. The programme takes a closer look at the law, including European law and how it affects our lives today. You will study issues both topical and controversial. You will graduate with excellent skills to open up career options including European and international affairs and business.

In International Relations, you will look closely at how states and organisations interact, global wealth and poverty and the ever-present concerns of conflict and peace. You will study regional and international tensions, nationalism, concepts of democracy and be taught by internationally renowned academics with strong track records in publishing international papers and articles and who appear regularly in the media, analysing and explaining national, European and world developments from the viewpoint of their own area of expertise and research.

Our Law school has an outstanding reputation, ranked 12th in the UK out of more than 90 law schools, positioned in the top five for graduate prospects and scores an impressive 95% for student satisfaction.

You will add value to your studies in the interactions between states through exploring what law teaches us about a society, including looking at European and international law, and topical issues including human rights within the EU. Studying law develops important academic qualities including clear, careful and independent thinking, extending your already-bright career opportunities in European business and organisations, NGOs, charities and international development, government service, marketing, and much more.

We are ranked 4th in the UK for International Relations and 8th in the UK for Politics by the Guardian University Guide 2023.