Hey all,

I am currently finishing my MSc Political Science/International Relations in the Netherlands and would like to complement this with a postgrad degree in public international law in 2012-2013. Preferably courses on humanitarian law, human rights, the use of force, globalisation issues (including security).

My main question: where should I go and why? It's hard to decide based on websites.
At the moment considering:
- Nottingham
- Edinburgh
- Lancaster
- Sussex
- SOAS: MA Int. Law

Regarding SOAs, I am wondering: does this MA title make a significant difference compared to the LLM programmes? I don't want to be a lawyer, I would rather work for an NGO, the foreign service or the UN. Studying law is mainly meant to broaden my perspectives.

Thanks!

Have you decided to go to the UK or are you open to programs in other countries?

Yes I am open to other places as well. There are not many programmes that accept students with a non-law background outside the UK however, that's why I ended up there. What would you recommend then?

From the list, I would pick either Nottingham or Edinburgh. Both are very good at PIL. As to why, the Reguis Chair in the Law of Nations is in Edinbugh, so PIL would be a priority in Edinbugh.
Notthingam is also well known for PIL, one of its profs, i can't exactly remember the name haven't done PIL in years, wrote the leading casebook on the subject, which is still being used today.

Thanks. Does it matter not to be in London, for example regarding finding a job? Because at the moment in Holland I am living far away from the 'international centre' and often it feels like I am missing out on opportunities (even for student job/internships). So that's why I would opt for London, cause then it seems you can easily get in touch with international organisations. Or not?

Maybe now holidays are over, some more people would like to comment on my question: where to study public international law in the UK?

What do you know about the programmes in
- Edinburgh
- Nottingham
- Sussex
- Lancaster
- SOAS (MA) --> does this title really make a difference with the LLM, if you don't want to be a lawyer anyway?

Thanks very much!

Hahaha i was browsing through this site and saw your post so id just like to say im glad you chose Edinburgh :p