International Law and Global Security Summer School
How does law operate when there is no global government to enforce it? Can legal rules restrain states in wartime, protect people fleeing persecution, or hold political leaders accountable for international crimes? The International Law and Global Security Summer School explores some of the most urgent legal questions in global affairs.
International law sits at the intersection of law, politics, power and morality. It shapes how states justify military action, how human rights are protected, how refugee status is defined, and how courts respond to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet it is also a legal system with obvious limits: enforcement is difficult, powerful states often resist scrutiny, and legal arguments are frequently entangled with political interests.
Across three days, students examine these tensions through discussion, case analysis and applied legal exercises. They will ask not only what international law says, but how it is used, where it falls short, and why it continues to matter in a world of conflict, displacement and global crisis.
The course is ideal for students considering degrees in Law, International Relations, Politics, Human Rights, Public Policy, or related fields. No specific prior knowledge is required, but the course is best suited to intellectually ambitious students who enjoy debate, current affairs, legal argument and complex moral questions.
Small class sizes ensure lively discussion, in-depth debate and individual support from tutors, who are selected for their strong academic record, communication skills and ability to create engaging classroom environments.
For currently available dates, full practical details, and a link to the booking form please scroll down.
International law and global security sit together because many of the most serious legal questions arise when states, institutions and individuals are under pressure. International law asks how states should behave towards one another, when force can be used, and what legal duties exist beyond national borders. Human rights law asks what protections individuals should have against the state, even in moments of crisis. Refugee law considers what happens when a person can no longer rely on their own country for protection.
Studied together, these areas help students understand why international law is both powerful and limited. A state may have a legal duty but no easy means of enforcement; a military response may seem politically necessary but legally contested; a human rights claim may be morally compelling but difficult to fit within existing legal categories. The International Law and Global Security Summer School gives students the chance to explore these tensions directly, through discussion, case analysis, legal problem exercises and advocacy-style activities.
Practical Details
The in-person International Law and Global Security Summer School is open to students aged 15–18, and will take place on Mon 20th – Weds 22nd July, with each teaching day running from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Please note that this course is fully booked at present – if you would like to attend, then please join the waiting list and we will let you know if any places become available.
📍 Location: Woburn House, Bloomsbury, Central London (nearest tube: Russell Square) [See more location details]. Please note: This is a non-residential course, so accommodation must be arranged independently if needed.
💰 Course Fee: £545
🔒 Booking: Secure your place with a 25% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due eight weeks before the course starts. [See full booking terms and conditions here.]
📞 Questions? Call us on 0800 810 1058 or email [email protected].
Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries to students who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you would like to apply for a bursary then please complete your bursary application form here.