University of Warwick

What you'll study

The programme combines core legal doctrine with interdisciplinary perspectives on the governance of the global economy. Teaching typically covers the substantive law and institutional frameworks that shape cross-border economic activity, dispute settlement mechanisms and regulatory responses to global market challenges.

• International Trade Law: principles and institutions of multilateral trade law, including treaty interpretation, most-favoured-nation and national treatment obligations, and contemporary issues in trade policy.
• International Investment Law: investor–state dispute settlement, standards of protection for foreign investors, treaty arbitration and reform debates.
• International Financial Regulation: legal responses to cross-border finance, regulation of international capital flows, and systemic risk management.
• Dispute Settlement and Arbitration: procedural and substantive aspects of international commercial and investment arbitration, enforcement of awards and strategic considerations in dispute resolution.
• International Economic Governance: the role of international organisations, public–private interaction, development policy and the law of economic sanctions and trade remedies.
• Research Project or Dissertation: a substantial independent piece of legal research supervised by faculty, allowing students to specialise in a topic of their choice.
• Optional Modules: students may choose from modules that reflect current faculty expertise—examples include EU economic law, competition law in the global economy, human rights and economic activity, and comparative law approaches.

Teaching methods include seminars, workshops, case-based classes and one-to-one supervision for the research project. Assessment is by a mixture of essays, take-home exams, oral presentations and the dissertation or major research paper.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a good honours degree in law (or a closely related discipline) or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. Candidates with substantial relevant professional experience in law, government, international organisations or related fields may also be considered. International applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements; those who need additional preparation may be advised to take a recognised preparatory course.

Typical application materials include academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining motivation and relevant experience, curriculum vitae and references. Where applicants have a clear research intention, a short research proposal can strengthen the application.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move into careers that engage with cross-border economic regulation, dispute resolution and policy. Typical destinations include:

• private practice in international trade, investment and arbitration departments;
• legal and policy roles in international organisations and trade institutions;
• government ministries and trade negotiator or regulatory posts;
• in-house legal teams at multinational companies and financial institutions;
• consultancy firms advising on trade policy, sanctions, compliance and market access;
• NGOs and think tanks working on development, trade justice and regulatory reform;
• academic and research careers, supported by the programme’s strong research training.

The University’s careers service and the Law School’s employer engagement programme support internships, moot competitions and recruitment for international legal roles.

Why study at University of Warwick

Warwick Law School combines rigorous legal scholarship with an outward-looking approach to global economic issues. The programme benefits from faculty whose research spans trade, investment, finance and regulation, and from an interdisciplinary campus culture that encourages links with politics, economics and international studies.

Students study on a compact campus with strong pastoral support, access to research resources and frequent events featuring practitioners and visiting scholars. Small-group teaching and supervision ensures personalised feedback on substantive and research skills, preparing graduates for demanding roles in law, policy and international institutions.