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    Critical International Law Summer School
    In-person Program

    Critical International Law Summer School

    by King's College London

    Study international law through colonial history, TWAIL, feminist and Marxist critiques, then apply these perspectives to human rights, war and climate justice.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Critical International Law at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Undergraduates, graduates; experienced professionals

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 18+

    Location / Region

    London, United Kingdom

    Cost

    £2,550; £3,525

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Applications open

    9 November 2026

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Law & justiceInternational RelationsHistory
    Accommodation: Single en-suite university residence
    Certificate / Outcome: Completion certificate and results transcript
    Study workload: 45 contact; 105 independent hours
    Teaching cadence: Monday–Friday, 4–5 campus hours daily
    Academic credit: 15 King's credits; 7.5 ECTS; 4 US
    Assessment: Coursework 85%; group presentation 15%
    Tutors / faculty: King's academics

    Critical International Law summary

    Critical International Law is a King's College London module that questions how international legal rules developed and whose interests they serve.

    You connect colonial history with TWAIL, feminist, postcolonial and Marxist perspectives, then apply these ideas to contemporary legal problems.

    The experience combines interactive teaching, independent reading, assessed coursework and a group presentation. It suits students seeking an analytical challenge rather than a broad introductory survey.

    What is Critical International Law Summer School?

    Critical International Law Summer School is an assessed, on-campus module offered by King's College London. It examines the colonial origins of international law and challenges claims that its institutions and doctrines are neutral or universal. The curriculum connects legal history with critical theory and contemporary global disputes.

    Students learn through interactive lectures, seminars, group work and tutorials taught by King's academics. Independent study supports a written coursework assignment and a group presentation. The academic experience emphasizes evaluating competing arguments about sovereignty, human rights, war, migration and climate justice.

    Why Succeed highlights Critical International Law

    • The curriculum offers a distinct critical perspective by connecting international law with colonialism, power and global inequality.

    • TWAIL, feminist, postcolonial and Marxist approaches give students several frameworks for testing legal arguments.

    • A substantial coursework assignment and group presentation turn subject exploration into assessed academic work.

    • Published credit equivalence and a results transcript make the course easier to discuss with a home institution.

    Who is Critical International Law for?

    Best for

    Students who want to question international law's foundations and enjoy connecting legal arguments with history, politics and competing theories.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light sightseeing course or a straightforward survey of legal rules, because independent study and critical assessment are central.

    Is Critical International Law worth it?

    This is a strong option if you want sustained academic engagement with international law's assumptions and consequences. Its named theoretical approaches and assessed outputs provide more substance than attendance alone, particularly when they connect with your existing studies.

    The main limitation is intensity: classroom participation is only part of a much larger independent workload. Credit equivalence can add value, but recognition is not automatic, so confirm your home institution's requirements before treating the course as part of your degree.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    £2,550; £3,525; includes Academic tuition and course materials, On-campus Wi-Fi, Library, classroom and campus facility access, Certificate on completion, Extracurricular activities, excluding travel, Accommodation with the residential package.

    Accommodation

    Single en-suite university residence

    Provider details

    Review the King's College London provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; London, United Kingdom.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Critical International Law need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin document preparation several weeks before the November application opening, allowing longer for travel permissions and credit approval.

    Main challenge

    Building a clear critical argument while managing reading and collaborative work.

    Typical preparation

    • Prepare academic records, any required English-language evidence and a personal statement.

    • Ask your home institution about credit transfer before making financial commitments.

    • Read introductory work on colonialism, sovereignty and TWAIL to identify questions you want to investigate.

    • Plan time for independent study and follow King's advice to avoid buying books before the first lesson unless instructed otherwise.

    Useful if

    You want to evaluate international legal doctrines through competing theoretical perspectives.

    What do students do on Critical International Law?

    You study how international law developed, compare critical explanations of its power structures and apply those perspectives to contemporary doctrines. Interactive classes, independent reading and group work support the assessed coursework and presentation.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore colonial foundations, including discovery, terra nullius and the civilizing mission.

    2. 2

      Compare TWAIL, feminist, postcolonial and Marxist critiques.

    3. 3

      Apply these approaches to war, human rights, sovereignty, climate justice and migration.

    4. 4

      Develop a 2,125-word coursework assignment.

    5. 5

      Prepare and deliver a group presentation.

    Critical International Law dates and deadlines

    Programme dates

    5-16 July 2027

    Upcoming

    Applications open

    9 November 2026

    Opening date for the 2027 summer school.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be at least 18 at the course start.

    • Be currently or previously enrolled in an undergraduate degree.

    • Alternatively, have substantial relevant professional experience.

    • Meet the minimum 2:1 degree-equivalent grade requirement.

    • Have English proficiency of at least CEFR C1.

    How much does Critical International Law cost?

    Tuition-only fee

    £2,550 — One two-week course; 2026 fee.

    Funding or discounts

    • Residential package: £3,525 — Tuition and accommodation; 2026 fee.
    • Application fee: £65 — Non-refundable; partner-institution applicants may be exempt.

    What's included

    Academic tuition and course materials, On-campus Wi-Fi, Library, classroom and campus facility access, Certificate on completion, Extracurricular activities, excluding travel, Accommodation with the residential package

    How to apply to Critical International Law

    1. 1

      Complete your personal details in the undergraduate application form.

    2. 2

      Select Critical International Law and choose the residential package if wanted.

    3. 3

      Provide academic eligibility evidence and English-language evidence when required.

    4. 4

      Prepare the required personal statement.

    5. 5

      Pay the application fee and add its reference unless your partner-institution exemption applies.

    6. 6

      Review and submit the application.

    7. 7

      After an offer, pay the course fee to confirm your place.

    Next step with Succeed

    Interested in this programme?

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    What does Critical International Law cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Colonial foundations

    Examine discovery, terra nullius and the civilizing mission as foundations of international legal power.

    Critical legal approaches

    Compare TWAIL, feminist, postcolonial and Marxist explanations of structural biases in international law.

    War and human rights

    Question the legitimacy of humanitarian intervention and examine human rights as emancipation and potential control.

    Sovereignty and statehood

    Analyze how sovereignty, recognition and self-determination developed in relation to imperial interests.

    Climate, migration and exclusion

    Apply critical perspectives to climate justice and migration and refugee law.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Critical International Law?

    A typical day during the program.

    Campus teaching

    Expect 4–5 campus hours daily, usually 09:00–13:00 or 14:00–18:00, totaling 45 contact hours.

    Independent study

    The module specifies 105 independent study hours for reading, preparation and assessed work.

    Illustrative social activities

    The Monday–Thursday example includes a welcome reception, Westminster tour, outdoor cinema and comedy show.

    Who teaches on Critical International Law?

    King's academics teach the summer modules in disciplines where the university has expertise. Critical International Law uses interactive lectures, seminars, group work and tutorials.

    Where do students stay on Critical International Law?

    Residential plan

    • Great Dover Street Apartments: Undergraduate residents stay in King's housing at 165 Great Dover Street, London.
    • Single en-suite room: Rooms have a private shower, with linen and towels supplied.
    • Residence security: King's residences have security cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

    Non-residential plan

    • Tuition-only option: Students can book the course without the residential package.
    • Campus access and activities: Tuition includes campus facilities and extracurricular activities, with activity travel excluded.
    • Food outlets: Campus cafés and student union venues provide food and refreshments for purchase.

    Linen and towels are provided; students should budget separately for meals and local travel.

    What happens after Critical International Law?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop a 2,125-word piece of assessed legal coursework.

    Demonstrate collaborative analysis through a group presentation.

    Receive a final mark on a results transcript.

    Receive a certificate on completion.

    Discuss potential degree credit transfer with your home institution.

    Credit transfer depends on your home institution's approval.

    Where does Critical International Law take place?

    The course involves on-campus study at King's College London in central London, with undergraduate residential accommodation at Great Dover Street Apartments. King's campuses are connected by public transport, and students must arrange their own airport transfer.

    Critical International Law FAQs

    It questions international law's claims of neutrality and universality by examining colonial history and structural power. Students compare TWAIL, feminist, postcolonial and Marxist perspectives.

    Yes. The module information describes it as Level 4, first-year undergraduate study, with assessment equivalent to university standards.

    The module specifies 105 independent study hours alongside 45 contact teaching hours. Plan for substantial reading, preparation and assessed work beyond classroom attendance.

    You complete a 2,125-word coursework assignment worth 85% of the mark and a group presentation worth 15%.

    The module is equivalent to 15 King's credits, 7.5 ECTS or 4 US credits. Your home institution decides whether to accept the credit, so obtain approval in advance.

    Undergraduate residents stay at Great Dover Street Apartments in single en-suite rooms with showers. Linen and towels are provided, and residences have 24-hour security cover.

    Students are advised to budget separately for meals, local travel and consumables. Campus cafés, food outlets and student union venues provide options for food and refreshments.

    To pass, you must attend at least 80% of classes and meet the assessment requirements. Students who meet attendance requirements but audit assessments may receive a certificate of attendance.

    Alternatives to Critical International Law

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Student Experience | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Information for applicants | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Summer at King's | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Undergraduate Summer School | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Summer School, Winter School and Bespoke Programming Terms and Conditions 2027
    • Critical International Law — Module Information
    • Critical International Law

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official course information reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Session dates cross-checked

    • Assessment weightings checked

    • Historical fees identified

    • Accommodation details reviewed

    • Cancellation terms reviewed

    • Example timetable identified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.