The Department of International Law is responsible for the Public International Law module in the LL.B. course which unit is designed to introduce the student to the main principles of international law. Special emphasis is made on the Maltese perspective and while the core of the syllabus remains the same, emphasis on various subjects varies according to prevalent international developments. The course covers the basic general principles of the subject such as: the nature, workings and sources of international law, treaty law, and the relationship between international law and municipal law. It also deals with the legal personality of the subjects of international law (States, organisations, individuals and controversial candidates), principles of jurisdiction, State responsibility, and the recognition of States and Governments.  

The second part of the course is tailored to train students to apply the basic principles examined during the first part of the course to specialised branches of international law. The following are examples of branches examined in this section: the law of diplomatic privileges and immunities, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, the law of human rights, the law of environmental protection with special emphasis on the protection of extraterritorial areas, and the law of the sea, with special emphasis placed on the situation pertaining to Malta. As part of this unit the Department organises a series of seminars addressed by eminent foreign speakers.

The Department of International Law also coordinates the Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Law, a postgraduate research degree whereby students are required to select an area of research within Public International Law and are tutored by members of the Department.