In this module, you'll critically explore how environmental harm, injustice, and accountability are defined, regulated, and governed across global contexts. Drawing on perspectives from environmental law, green criminology, and governance studies, you'll examine how states, corporations, and international institutions respond to environmental damage and inequality. You'll analyse how justice and responsibility are constructed through law, policy, and social action, evaluating the effectiveness of existing governance systems and their implications for vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and non-human species. Through case studies and contemporary debates, you'll assess competing models of environmental governance and justice, and propose informed, reform-oriented approaches to sustainability and accountability. By the end of the module, you'll be able to critically synthesise legal, criminological, and governance perspectives and apply them to real-world environmental challenges.
View the full module definitionPrinciples of International Law provides a general overview of some of the key principles relating to the inter-linked fields of private and public international law. It provides you with an ability to appreciate the often multi-faceted international legal system following what has been called the ‘fragmentation of international law’. The module examines the fundamental building blocks of the international legal system namely treaties, custom and soft law. It considers the concept of statehood, sovereignty and territoriality including maritime territorial claims. Institutions play a prominent role in the international legal system and the module reflects this by outlining the United Nations and its associated organs. Awareness is developed of the international human rights and international criminal law regimes, these often interact with other areas of law such as business practices in the case of international human rights law. The international private law perspective of the module is examined through the idea of conflict of laws and trade practices. These various areas of law influence the overall working of the international legal system. The module makes a contribution to the development of problem-solving, research and written skill, coupled with increasing the ability to think critically and analytically. This module develops your employability skills in a number of ways. In particular, you'll develop your ability to analyse complex issues and problem solve in order to identify appropriate solutions, as well asteam working skills, time management skills and a sense of responsibility. You'll be encouraged to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of subject areas.
This module provides an analytical framework within which international trade transactions take place across differing jurisdictions. There is consideration of international sales contracts, carriage of goods by sea and financing of international trade. The legal and commercial rules governing specific trade contracts and accompanying documentation will be examined in the context of English common law, as well as in the context of international rules and conventions concerning international trade. The different methods of financing international trade will also be considered. There is also analysis of the rights and duties of carriers of goods. You will have the opportunity to develop the application of these rules through practical problem solving, demonstrating your ability to apply your knowledge and understanding of your discipline in an original and creative way. You will also be expected to evaluate and critically analyse current legal doctrine and demonstrate advanced legal scholarship. Throughout the module you'll be exposed to and be expected to contribute to a range of skills building activities that underpin your employability. These range from the development of team working activities, communication skills both written and verbal, logical reasoning and the ability to undertake independent research. Criticality is introduced immediately within the module and will be sustained through both formative and summative assessment. The module contributes particularly to complex and creative problem-solving skills and the ability to engage in systematic, conceptual and critical analysis and synthesis of primary and secondary source materials. This module is especially relevant to all students attracted to business, professional or commercial careers, as well as students hoping to work as commercial lawyers.
View the full module definitionIn this module you'll examine and critically reflect on the choices businesses need to make about the methods of resolving commercial disputes. This module examines various methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) with particular focus on international commercial arbitration as this is the most popular method of dispute resolution in the international context. The module will address the main procedural and substantial topics related to international commercial arbitration demonstrating the advantages and disadvantages of such methods of dispute resolution. In particular, it will guide you through the main steps of arbitral proceedings, from the arbitral agreement to the recognition and enforcement of the arbitral award. The study of international commercial arbitration will be done by comparison and applicability of the diverse rules and laws from several jurisdictions in order to analyse difference approaches in developed and developing countries. This will also help you to critically examine the reasons why international commercial arbitration is so popular. This module combines theory and practical application relevant to international legal practice and business. You'll role play within alternative dispute resolution scenarios to develop and enhance your team working, negotiation, strategic thinking and employability skills.
View the full module definitionThis module will provide you with a critical knowledge and understanding of research skills, methods and methodology, including surveys, questionnaires, statistical analysis, interviews, in addition to bibliographical research methods in law. This module includes hands-on training on how to access reliable materials both through the University library and from other reliable sources and databases. Further, this module will discuss learning and teaching styles; academic expectations and learning strategies. This is particularly important for students with a multitude of prior learning experiences. Teaching is informed by active learning pedagogies and organised via practical workshops, hands-on library sessions and E-learning, all providing grounding in the various research methods and techniques. The workshops will focus upon selected topics in of International Business and Commercial Law, to which you are required to analyse and apply appropriate methodological skills. The module contributes particularly to research and analytical and critical thinking skills, which are transferable skills highly valued by employers. Understanding of advantages and disadvantages of legal research methods will be beneficial not only when designing and writing Postgraduate Major Project (LLM dissertation), but also when you carry out research in future career or business planning. This module will develop your cultural awareness when conducting research, including how to identify and address research ethics considerations (and follow the relevant procedures) for their Postgraduate Major Project (LLM dissertation), as required by the University and international research associations and societies. During the module, you will be able to build and enhance social networks and relations with their peers, tutors and law librarians. This will be done via designated class team working activities, tasks to enhance your face-to-face and digital professional oral and written communication skills, and when researching the leading scholars for your Postgraduate Major Project (LLM dissertation).
View the full module definitionIn this module, you'll explore current and emerging challenges at the intersection of international human rights and criminal justice. You'll examine how international, regional, and domestic systems respond to complex issues such as conflict, terrorism, migration, digital surveillance, environmental harm, and gender-based violence. You'll critically evaluate the effectiveness, legitimacy, and accountability of international courts, tribunals, and enforcement mechanisms, while considering the political, cultural, and ethical factors that shape justice and human rights in practice. Through case studies, debates, and research-led discussions, you'll engage with real-world examples that illustrate the tensions between state sovereignty, global governance, and universal human rights principles. By the end of the module, you'll be able to analyse and apply advanced legal and theoretical frameworks to contemporary global justice problems, reflect critically on the operation of international justice mechanisms, and formulate informed, evidence-based perspectives on how human rights and criminal justice can adapt to future challenges.
View the full module definitionIn this module, you'll examine the legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of climate justice in international and comparative contexts. You'll explore how law, human rights, and governance frameworks respond to the global climate crisis, addressing issues of responsibility, accountability, and equity between states, corporations, and individuals. You'll analyse the development of international climate law and its interaction with human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Key themes include the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, intergenerational equity, loss and damage, and the rights of vulnerable and Indigenous communities. Through case studies and contemporary debates, you'll critically evaluate how legal and institutional mechanisms – at global, regional, and domestic levels – can promote fair and effective climate action.
View the full module definitionIn this module, you'll explore the legal and institutional frameworks that underpin global and national efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. You'll examine how environmental law interacts with governance processes, policy-making, and ethical principles to address complex environmental challenges such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. You'll critically evaluate the principles and instruments of environmental law, including prevention, precaution, and sustainable development, and assess their effectiveness in practice. We'll consider the roles of states, corporations, international organisations, and civil society in shaping environmental outcomes, as well as the tensions between economic growth, environmental protection, and social justice. By the end of the module, you'll be able to analyse and apply environmental legal principles to governance contexts, assess the effectiveness of regulatory and policy responses, and formulate informed, justice-oriented perspectives on reform and sustainability.
View the full module definitionThe Postgraduate Major Project in Law represents the culmination of your master’s degree and provides an opportunity for you to undertake a substantial piece of independent research within your chosen area of law. Working under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you'll identify a focused research question or problem and design a project that demonstrates originality, critical engagement, and advanced understanding of legal principles, theories, and methodologies. This module enables you to apply and extend the knowledge and skills developed throughout your course, integrating legal reasoning with wider contextual, ethical, and policy considerations. At this level of study, your dissertation is expected to combine theoretical, practical, and policy-oriented dimensions of research. You'll engage critically with existing scholarship and legal principles (theoretical), apply your analysis to professional or real-world contexts (practice-based), and evaluate or propose developments in law, regulation, or governance (policy-oriented). This integrated approach reflects the expectations of advanced postgraduate research, ensuring your project demonstrates rigorous analysis, methodological robustness, and critical insight while evidencing both academic rigour and professional relevance. You'll plan, conduct, and present your research, engaging critically with relevant literature and data, and communicating your findings with clarity, authority, and scholarly precision. The module develops your autonomy, intellectual independence, and reflective awareness, providing a strong foundation for professional, academic, or research-based career progression.
View the full module definitionEntering third level education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all students to make the most of the opportunities Higher Education provides, so they reach their potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you'll explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and various complete mini tasks. You'll proceed at your own pace, though we expect all students to have completed their Into ARU exploration by week 6. Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete by that date, will be signposted to existing services so that we can be confident that they are supported.
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