External relations law of the European Union

It explores the legal routes and procedures on the basis of which the EU relates to the rest of the world. The European Union makes its presence felt on the international scene in various ways, it has trade agreements with dozens of countries, it participates in international organisations and it has security operations and missions in various areas of the world. This course will help you understand the law which determines how the EU is carrying out these external relations.

Module A: Constitutional foundations

LWM55A

• European Union and European Community legal order
• International legal personality
• Express competence
• Implied competence

Module B: International law and European Community law

LWM55B

• Negotiation, conclusion and implementation of international agreements
• Mixed agreements
• Effects of international law in European Community legal order
• Relationship between World Trade Organisation and European Community law

Module C: External economic relations

LWM55C

• Autonomous measures - Common Commercial policy
• International Agreements: European Economic Area, Partnership and Cooperation agreements, Stabilisation and Association agreements, Euro-Mediterranean agreements
• European neighbourhood policy

Module D: External political relations

LWM55D

• Common Foreign and Security Policy, including Common Security and Defence Policy
• Relationship between European Union and Common Foreign and Security Policy (sanctions, exports of dual-use goods)

Assessment

Each module is assessed by a 45-minute unseen written exam.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended that you attempt Module A first.

How to apply

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification.

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

• European Law
• Public International Law
• Public Law

Apply via Postgraduate Laws.