Masters Degrees (International Commercial Law)

Take advantage of one of our 100 Master’s Scholarships to study International Commercial Law at Swansea University, the Times Good University Guide’s Welsh University of the Year 2017. Postgraduate loans are also available to English and Welsh domiciled students. For more information on fees and funding please visit our website.

The focus of the LLM in International Commercial Law is on the legal and practical challenges arising out of the diverse international commercial transactions. The International Commercial Law programme offers the opportunity for an intensive but integrated education in different areas of commercial law. The course in International Commercial Law aims to develop an in-depth and specialist knowledge of International Commercial Law with a view to enhancing graduate employability.

Key Features of International Commercial Law

The LLM in International Commercial Law requires commitment to study throughout one calendar year. International Commercial Law students are given the opportunity to develop a number of important skills which are not only essential to those wishing to become lawyers but are valuable, transferable skills in themselves in other employment contexts. The Department of Postgraduate Legal Studies offers its postgraduate students dedicated resources, including IT facilities and teaching rooms. Students are fully supported by the College's dedicated Law Librarian and the Law Library holds an extensive selection of legal materials and on-line services such as Lexis and Westlaw. Students on the International Commercial Law programme are encouraged to make full use of the facilities offered by the Postgraduate Faculty and, in particular, to take advantage of training sessions run by the Faculty, such as the legal research methods and Employability sessions, as well as of the Visiting Lectures’ series.

Modules

The LLM in International Commercial Law degree is modular, with students required to accumulate 180 credits to graduate. In appropriate circumstances, a student may graduate with a merit or distinction. Each programme is divided into two parts: Part I consists of 4 taught modules each weighted at 30 credits. Students undertaking an LLM in International Commercial Law are required to take four modules from the following list. At least two of the options must be drawn from the asterisked (*) modules.

Competition Law (*)

E-Commerce (*)

International Corporate Law and Governance (*)

International Intellectual Property Law (*)

Law of Intellectual Assets Management and Transactions (*)

Ships and other Mobile Assets Finance Law (*)

International Commercial Arbitration

Law and Practice in International Banking and Commercial Payments

Part II is composed of two projects (LLM Research Projects) and is weighted at 60 credits. The LLM Research Projects will customarily be researched and written up over the summer period following the successful completion of the taught modules and are designed to enable LLM in International Commercial Law students to develop their research skills.

For further information on modules please visit the LLM in International Commercial Law page.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Throughout their studies, LLM students are provided with the opportunity to take part in a number of extra-curricular activities and enhance their practical understanding of shipping, insurance and commercial practice. Such activities include;

- employability lectures
- guest lecture series delivered inter alia by former judges, directors of international organisations and prominent partners from city law firms
- networking events, including an Annual LLM Career Fair
- visits to a number of leading enterprises within the City of London which also give our students another chance to network with professionals working in the commercial and maritime field
- mooting training throughout the year, including tailored guidance and weekly training classes
- free English language classes designed to assist you in improving your critical legal thinking and writing

Careers & Employability

The International Careers Adviser at Swansea runs weekly workshops for international students for example, on how to improve career prospects and improve interview techniques. The Postgraduate Department also employs two dedicated LLM employability officers who run a series of talks to develop the skills of LLM students and inform their career plans.

The Department also enjoys close links with many City law firms. For example, one of our professors on the LLM programme was a senior partner, and is now a consultant with, Ince & Co, a leading London law firm, specialising in international trade, insurance and shipping law. The ISTLprovides training programmes for London City solicitors, P & I Clubs and shipping organisations. The Swansea LLM is well known internationally. Many of our graduates secure employment shortly after completing their degrees. Several international firms keep a close relationship with the Department of Shipping and Trade Law and regularly send representatives for guest lectures and graduate recruitment purposes. Also every year the Department hosts the LLM Careers Fair which is attended by representatives from a wide range of local and international organisations. The Fair enables our LLM students to meet and talk face to face with prospective employers. For further information on the Employability initiatives, please visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/shipping-trade-law-department/llmemployabilityinitiativesandresults/.

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An increasingly globalised economy requires international commercial law professionals to have a wide range of knowledge on issues relevant to international commerce, such as the World Trade Organisation and the law of international trade, and legal research. The PG Cert in International Commercial Law has been designed as a starting point for international commercial law professionals and legal practitioners who want to continue their professional development in this area. You will gain specialist legal knowledge within a practical context, whilst developing expertise in chosen areas and enhancing your research skills.

With maximum flexibility in mind, this distance learning course allows you to work towards the LLM in International Commercial Law in stages. Once you have completed the PG Cert you have the option to continue to PG Dip then onto LLM.

Learn From The Best

Study on the PG Cert in International Commercial Law and you will learn from inspirational academics that have a real passion for their subject. The course has been designed with input from the sector and shaped by internationally excellent research to ensure the course is up-to-date and relevant.

Lecturers on this course have research expertise and practice-based experience in the areas of partnership law, travel law, legal education, international business transactions, international commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration and corporate personality; knowledge that you can draw on as you progress through the course.

The course is delivered by Northumbria Law School, three times winners of the prestigious “Best Law School” accolade, awarded by the Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards.

Teaching And Assessment

This innovative distance learning PG Cert in International Commercial Law course is delivered through three core modules. You will examine legal aspects of international trade, world trade organisation law, and legal research, with an emphasis on the practical application of the law in a professional environment. You will learn through a combination of online lectures and seminars and eLearning technology.

You are able to tailor the course to suit your interests and career aspirations as once you have completed the PG Cert you have the option to take an additional three modules and exit with the PG Dip or choose to then complete a 15,000-17,000-word project, based on an area related to your own practice or intended practice and graduate with the LLM in International Commercial Law.

Module Overview
LW7003 - Legal Research (Core, 20 Credits)
LW7042 - Law of International Trade (Core, 20 Credits)
LW7044 - World Trade Organisation Law (Core, 20 Credits)

Learning Environment

Technology Enhanced Learning (‘TEL’) is an integral part of this innovative distance learning course. The eLearning portal provides access to detailed learning materials including lecture materials, study notes, discussion boards, virtual classrooms, self-evaluative tasks and opportunities to engage with your tutor and fellow students.

We offer optional study days in the Law School to help distance learning students get the best out of the course. Panopto software will be used to record teaching activity taking place on study days and the footage will be made available online, meaning that you can learn at your own pace and at times that suit you.

Research-Rich Learning

Research is embedded throughout the course, and you will encounter all quadrants of research rich learning: research-tutored, research-led, research-based, and research-orientated. Starting with Legal Research, you will be exposed to a variety of research-informed experiences within subject modules.

Law School research focuses on the areas of Law and Society, Legal Education and Professional Skills, and the Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies. These internationally recognised groups act as a focus for research activity across the Law School, and their work feeds into the courses to ensure taught course content is informed by research developments in the sector.

Give Your Career An Edge

The PG Cert is designed to enhance your employability in the international commercial law arena. Employers in the legal profession actively encourage practitioners to undertake continuing professional development and this course provides the most flexible option with the ability to graduate with a PG Cert or continue on to PG Dip and LLM.

Throughout the course, you will be supported in reflecting upon your own practice, applying legal skills to the common problems you are experiencing or are likely to experience in practice, examining policies and undertaking independent legal research to update your knowledge. The course is accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the Law Society of England and Wales and the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales.

You will also have access to specialist careers support within the Law School, including employer engagement sessions.

Your Future

The PG Cert in International Commercial Law has been designed to meet the distinct, identified needs of international commercial law professionals and legal practitioners. It will also enhance their employability of both lawyers and non-lawyers working in international commerce, as well as law graduates.

You will graduate fully equipped with expert legal knowledge, greater awareness of legal commercial issues, the ability to apply specialist knowledge to practical problems and to critically evaluate legal issues in the context of international commercial law. You will develop your critical, analysis, research and the professional and reflective skills to progress in this exciting field.

The nature of the course means that, on completion, the majority of graduates progress to the PG Dip and LLM International Commercial Law.

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An increasingly globalised economy requires international commercial law professionals to have a wide range of knowledge on issues relevant to international commerce, such as the World Trade Organisation and the law of international trade, and in areas such as international finance, intellectual property or international energy law. The LLM in International Commercial Law has been designed to meet the distinct, identified needs of international commercial law professionals and legal practitioners. You will gain specialist legal knowledge within a practical context, whilst developing expertise in chosen areas and enhancing your research skills.

With maximum flexibility in mind, the course allows you to work towards your LLM in stages. To access the LLM you will have previously completed the awards of PG Cert and PG Dip.

Learn From The Best

Study on the LLM in International Commercial Law and you will learn from inspirational academics that have a real passion for their subject. The course has been designed with input from the sector and shaped by internationally excellent research to ensure the course is up-to-date and relevant.

Lecturers on this course have research expertise and practice-based experience in the areas of partnership law, travel law, legal education, international business transactions, international commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration and corporate personality; knowledge that you can draw on for your LLM project.

The course is delivered by Northumbria Law School, three times winners of the prestigious “Best Law School” accolade, awarded by the Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards.

Teaching And Assessment

This innovative distance learning LLM is delivered through a series of modules with an emphasis on the practical application of the law in a professional environment. The optional modules and the dissertation give you the opportunity to focus in on areas of the law that are most relevant to your career aspirations.

You will learn through a combination of online lectures and seminars and eLearning technology, able to tailor the course to suit your interests and career aspirations. Modules are assessed through coursework and for the award of LLM, you will complete a 15,000-17,000-word project, based on an area related to your own practice or intended practice.

Module Overview
LW7034 - International Dispute Resolution (Optional, 20 Credits)
LW7035 - Legal Research (Core, 20 Credits)
LW7037 - Commercial Contracts (Optional, 20 Credits)
LW7039 - Intellectual Property (Optional, 20 Credits)
LW7040 - International Finance (Optional, 20 Credits)
LW7042 - Law of International Trade (Core, 20 Credits)
LW7043 - Transnational Competition Law (Optional, 20 Credits)
LW7044 - World Trade Organisation Law (Core, 20 Credits)
LW7060 - PROJECT (LLM) (Core, 60 Credits)

Learning Environment

Technology Enhanced Learning (‘TEL’) is an integral part of this innovative distance learning course. The eLearning portal provides access to detailed learning materials including lecture materials, study notes, discussion boards, virtual classrooms, self-evaluative tasks and opportunities to engage with your tutor and fellow students.

We offer optional study days in the Law School to help distance learning students get the best out of the course. Panopto software will be used to record teaching activity taking place on study days and the footage will be made available online, meaning that you can learn at your own pace and at times that suit you.

Research-Rich Learning

Research rich learning (RRL) is embedded through the course. Law School research focuses on the areas of Law and Society, Legal Education and Professional Skills, and the Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies. These internationally recognised groups act as a focus for research activity across the Law School, and their work feeds into the courses to ensure content is informed by research developments in the sector.

The LLM culminates in the project module in which you will undertake a piece of independent legal research, informed by current practice and advanced scholarship and research, including a critical awareness and evaluation of current issues and developments in the field.

Give Your Career An Edge

The LLM is designed to enhance your employability in the international commercial law arena. You will be encouraged to reflect upon your own practice, applying legal skills to the common problems you are experiencing or are likely to experience in practice, examine policies and undertake independent legal research to update your knowledge. You will have the opportunity to produce a project in your chosen field undertaking research and personal development in an area of particular relevance to your work.

The course is accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the Law Society of England and Wales and the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales.

You also have access to specialist career support within the Law School, including employer engagement sessions.

Your Future

The LLM in International Commercial Law has been designed to meet the distinct, identified needs of international commercial law professionals and legal practitioners. It will also enhance their employability of both lawyers and non-lawyers working in international commerce, as well as law graduates.

You will graduate fully equipped with expert legal knowledge, greater awareness of legal commercial issues, the ability to apply specialist knowledge to practical problems and to critically evaluate legal issues in the context of international commercial law. You will develop the critical, analysis, research and the professional and reflective skills necessary for practice in this exciting field.

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With the enormous growth in international commerce over the last few decades knowledge of international commercial law has become an essential element of legal practice in all major law firms. The programme is also especially relevant to those seeking opportunities in the commercial world. Members of staff in the Sutherland School of Law have engaged in major research in this area spanning the full range of international commercial law from the World Trade Organisation through competition law in the domestic, European and international contexts to the issues arising out of the complexities of regulation.

A sound knowledge of international commercial law is increasingly necessary given the demands imposed by globalisation, whether
you wish to join a major law firm or be engaged in a company with european and international aspirations.

Directed at well-qualified graduates in law and related disciplines, this programme promotes critical analysis of different aspects of international commercial law. Leading the analysis and discussion, the members of staff in the Sutherland School of Law involved in the programme have engaged in major research. This spans the full range of international commercial law from the World Trade Organisation through competition law in the domestic, European and international contexts to the issues arising out of international
commercial arbitration.

See the website http://www.ucd.ie/law/graduateprogrammes/llminternationalcommerciallaw/

Your studies

The Sutherland School of Law and the Smurfit School of Business offer a wide range of modules for this Master’s programme. Of special interest to those undertaking this programme are modules such as: Corporate Governance; International Economic Law; International Commercial Arbitration; International Tax Law; International Aviation Law; and, Law of International Finance. Having completed six modules, students will complete the LLM by undertaking a supervised dissertation.

On completion of this programme, students will be able:
- to understand and think critically about various facets of Law;
- to apply their knowledge and understanding of Law to real and hypothetical factual situations; and,
- to conduct independent research and write coherent, well-structured papers.

Studying abroad

The School affords its students the opportunity to spend a semester abroad as part of the Comparative, International and European Law (CIEL) Graduate exchange programme with our partner Universities in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. Students participating in the programme will have their dissertations jointly supervised by staff in UCD and in the institution which
they are visiting. Successful completion of the semester abroad will lead to the award of a Certificate in Comparative, International and European Law.

Your future

The deeper understanding and knowledge of International Commercial Law acquired through the programme is highly regarded by employers and has been the basis for many successful careers, both domestically and internationally. The legal skills acquired through the programme will be particularly useful if you intend to practise with the large Irish and international specialist corporate law firms, or want to work as an in-house legal adviser.

Features

The Sutherland School of Law offers a wide range of modules for the Masters programmes. Modules of especial interest to those undertaking this programme include:

- Corporate Governance which examines the legal and regulatory environment and the informational and market infrastructures which apply in Ireland and the wider EU to promote an understanding its importance to companies and their stakeholders.

- Insolvency Law which examines the legal principles relating to the insolvency of corporations and individuals in Ireland and other common law jurisdictions to develop an understanding of the legal mechanisms available for the distribution of the estates of insolvent debtors.

- EU Competition Law which offers a critical examination of how EU competition law governs particular actions of private market actors, considering the rationale behind this area of law and how it fits into the EU's economic order and philosophy.

- Regulatory Governance which offers insights into competing conceptions of regulatory governance and explanations both for emergence of and variety in regulatory regimes as well as normative arguments concerning arrangements for regulatory regimes.

CIEL

Any student admitted to an LLM programme in the Law School also can apply on a competitive basis to spend their second semester at one of our sister Law Schools:
- University of Antwerp
- Maastricht University
- The University of Mannhein
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
- Universite de Toulouse 1 – Capitole

Students must score 6.5 in IELTS or 90 in the internet TOEFL exams in the relevant language of instruction (English, French or German). Spaces are allocated on a competitive basis. Students who are accepted onto this programme graduate with an LLM and are awarded a certificate in International and Comparative Law (CIEL).

Careers

The LLM in International Commercial Law is highly regarded by employers and has been the basis for many successful careers both domestically and internationally. It is particularly useful for students wishing to practise with the large Irish and international specialist corporate law firms or wishing to work as an in-house legal adviser.

We have an excellent Careers Development Centre here at UCD, designed to help you with information regarding future employment or studies. UCD hold a number of graduate events throughout the year including a dedicated law fair at which at which many of the big Law firms will be in attendance. The School of Law has a dedicated careers advisor on it’s Academic staff, Dr. Oonagh Breen, and a staff member from the careers office will be in attendance at the School of law on a number of occasions throughout the academic year. To see the full range of services offered by the careers office go to http://www.ucd.ie/careers/

Find out how to apply here http://www.ucd.ie/law/graduateprogrammes/llminternationalcommerciallaw/apply,80078,en.html

See the website http://www.ucd.ie/law/graduateprogrammes/llminternationalcommerciallaw/

Scholarships

The University and UCD Sutherland School of Law have a list of scholarships that are open to Irish, EU and International applicants.
For further information please see http://www.ucd.ie/scholarships
International students may wish to visit: http://www.ucd.ie/international

Why you should choose UCD

In the state-of-the-art UCD Sutherland School of Law, graduate students engage in advanced study with internationally renowned specialists to develop the transformative potential of law.

The School is ranked by the authoritative QS World University Rankings as Ireland's number one law school and amongst the world's 100 leading law schools. Students benefit from the School’s strong links with university partners; businesses; NGOs; and, domestic, EU and international governments.
We place particular emphasis on the quality and breadth of our graduate programmes across Diploma, Masters and Doctoral levels. Our graduate degrees are available on a full-time or part-time basis, beginning in either January or September.
We also offer part-time Diploma programmes and single subject certificates with the possibility of securing CPD points and building study up to achieve diploma or masters awards.

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Explore the main areas of international commercial law and regulation, covering a wide range of exciting subjects from international trade law, to shipping, to business regulation.

Who is it for?

The Specialism in International Commercial Law will appeal to students at all stages of their career and from around the world who have an interest in the commercial dimension of legal issues. It will enable you with this focus to develop your career in private commercial practice at law firms or in house across in a variety of sectors. With the broad knowledge available under this wide-ranging specialism, you will also be well-placed to embark on policy-oriented careers in the private or public sector.

Objectives

One of the more popular specialisms, the LLM in International Commercial Law offers you expert guidance and academic support in the main areas of international commercial law and regulation. This course provides you with the opportunity to study an extensive range of distinct but related subjects in international commercial law.

Our internationally-renowned International Commercial Law specialism is in serious demand in legal practice, government and industry. This specialism offers an impressive selection of commercial modules covering areas as widespread as international trade and shipping, finance and banking, competition law and tax. This amazing selection allows students to tailor the focus of their studies to suit their interests and career goals.

Academic facilities

As a City Law School student you will benefit from everything City has to offer including the Learning Success department and Lawbore, an online resource designed to help you find the information you need for the course modules. All course modules have online depositories through Moodle. As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card

You will benefit from City, University of London’s extensive library of hard copy and electronic resources, including its comprehensive database of domestic and international caselaw, legislation, treaties and legal periodicals. There are two law-specific libraries – one at the Gray’s Inn campus and one at our Northampton square campus - with individual study spaces and dedicated rooms for group work.

Additionally, we are a short walk away from the British Library and the Law Library of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

Placements

Each year a small number of internships become available and you will be provided with information about such opportunities and how to apply during the year of your study.

Teaching and learning

This course is taught by leading academics as well as visiting practitioners including barristers and solicitors who work in private practice and in legal departments of major companies.

All modules are structured as 10 weekly two-hour seminars which comprise both lectures as well as interactive tutorials. All modules are supported by our online learning platform - Moodle.

Assessment

Assessment is by way of coursework which comprises 100% of the final mark in each module. Each module carries the same weight in terms of the overall qualification.

You will be allocated a dedicated supervisor for your dissertation who will help you develop a specific topic and provide support in terms of resources, content and structure.

Modules

As with all LLM specialisms at City, University of London, you may take either five modules and a shorter dissertation (10,000 words) or four modules and a longer dissertation (20,000 words). All modules are of the same duration and are taught per term (September – December or January – April) rather than the whole academic year. If you take four modules you will take two per term in each term and if you take five modules you will have three in one term and two in the other. Dissertations are written during the summer term when there are no classes.

In order to obtain this specialism, you must choose at least three modules from within this specialism and write your dissertation on a subject within the specialism.

Specialism modules - each module is worth 30 credits.
-International Banking Law
-International Insurance Law
-International Tax
-Substantive EU Competition Law
-European Business Regulation I
-European Business Regulation II
-World Trade Law
-Comparative Antitrust Law
-Admiralty Law
-Marine Insurance
-Carriage of Goods by Sea
-Law of International Trade
-International Corporate Finance
-International Energy Litigation
-Project Finance and Law
-International Commercial Arbitration
-Energy Law
-International Investment Law
-EU Litigation
-Energy, Environment & Security
-EU Banking Law
-EU Tax Law
-International Cartels
-International Intellectual Property Law
-Mergers
-Air & Space Law
-Regulation of Online Entertainment.

For your remaining modules you can choose from more than 50 modules covering a diverse range of subjects.

Career prospects

As a graduate of this specialist LLM you will be well placed to pursue careers in this area of law in private practice, in-house in a law firm, policy and government, non-governmental organisations and a wide range of non-legal careers in trade and commerce. The City Law School has a vibrant Pro Bono programme including our award-winning commercial law clinic for tech start-ups Start-Ed

Students who complete the LLM may wish to continue their academic studies by enrolling in a PhD offered by The City Law School.

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Commercial law in a fast-moving globalised economy presents challenges and opportunities. Expert lawyers are needed to meet the challenges as well as to make the most of the opportunities, particularly when giving advice that can have considerable financial consequences.

The LLM International Commercial Law programme is one of our most popular and long established LLM programmes and is respected by top international commercial law firms. It is designed to meet the needs of students and lawyers who wish to study commercial law from an international perspective with emphasis placed on international conventions and agreements and their practical application.

Distinctive features

The LLM International Commercial Law programme:

• Provides you with a general appreciation of current issues in specific areas of law, both domestic and international.

• Stimulates a critical approach to evaluation of current and proposed regulation and cultivates independent and original thought.

• Enables you to undertake in-depth research and demonstrate advanced knowledge in specific areas of law.

The LLM International Commercial Law programme is very flexible and offers a wide range of modules which provide you with the ability to customise the programme to meet your own professional and/or employment needs or interests.

Structure

The course can be completed in one year with full-time study and in two years by part-time study.

You must select at least two of your four taught modules and complete the dissertation in the area of International Commercial Law. You may also select up to two modules from those listed in any other LLM programme or from a combination of LLM programmes.

The programme is delivered in two stages. Stage One (the taught component) comprises four 30 credit modules. Stage Two comprises the dissertation.

For a list of modules for the FULL-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/international-commercial-law-llm

For a list of the modules for the PART-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/international-commercial-law-llm-part-time

Teaching

Study for an LLM is intensive and challenging and it is important that you take full advantage of the teaching that is provided in order to succeed. Attendance at classes and dissertation supervisions is compulsory and we will expect you to be well prepared.

Our teaching is very flexible and your modules may be delivered through seminars or a combination of lectures and seminars. Other teaching methods include the online use of discussion boards, self-access study packs and formative quizzes and activities.

Modules may be diverse in content to cater for a high proportion of overseas students or students with previous qualifications other than in law. Modules are typically led by experienced staff actively engaged in research relevant to their subject area.

Assessment

We make use of both formative and summative assessment.

Formative assessments do not count towards your degree but are designed to give you the opportunity to practice for your summative assessments and enable you and your tutors to assess your progress in your modules. Formative assessments will normally involve written coursework or a class test or may comprise individual student presentations.

Summative assessments count towards your degree. Your marks in these assessments count towards your formal progression from stage one (taught modules) to stage two (the dissertation), and towards the determination of your final award. Summative assessments in stage one will vary by module but will typically involve written coursework (5,000 word essays), unseen examinations or pre-release examinations. The dissertation (up to 15,000 words) comprises the stage two summative assessment.

Career Prospects

A law degree doesn’t restrict graduates to careers within the legal profession and law graduates enter professions as diverse as finance, sales and marketing, digital communications and recruitment.

We are committed to extending extracurricular opportunities to our students, helping to enhance their CVs in a competitive graduate job market. We work in partnership with lawyers, charities and voluntary organisations to give students the opportunity to practise and extend their skills and we run several Pro Bono schemes and provide advice to members of the community on different legal issues.

Students successfully completing the LLM programme may have the opportunity to continue their legal study through the School’s PhD programme or through the Centre for Professional Legal Studies professional programmes (the Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course).

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Take advantage of one of our 100 Master’s Scholarships to study International Commercial and Maritime Law at Swansea University, the Times Good University Guide’s Welsh University of the Year 2017. Postgraduate loans are also available to English and Welsh domiciled students. For more information on fees and funding please visit our website.

The wide range of LLM degrees including LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law offered by the Swansea College of Law and Criminology gives students the advantage of choice and specialism. For the student who does not wish to specialise to that extent, the College of Law and Criminology offers a general LLM postgraduate degree (LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law). This general LLM provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in both Commercial and Maritime Law by choosing specialised modules from both areas of law.

Key Features of International Commercial and Maritime Law

The LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law course is built upon the wide range of research of high calibre produced by the members of the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law, who are also teaching diverse modules at the course. Teaching is research-led and practice-driven aiming at producing global graduates educated and equipped for distinguished personal and professional achievement. Teaching methods on the International Commercial and Maritime Law LLM are geared towards our students’ needs, conducted mainly through seminars and tutorials in small classes.

The LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law requires commitment to study throughout one calendar year. Students on the International Commercial and Maritime Law course are given the opportunity to develop a number of important skills which are not only essential to those wishing to become lawyers but are valuable, transferable skills in themselves in other employment contexts. The Shipping and Trade Law Department offers its students dedicated resources, including IT facilities and teaching rooms. Students on the International Commercial and Maritime Law course are fully supported by the College's dedicated Law Librarian and the Law Library holds an extensive selection of legal materials and on-line services such as Lexis and Westlaw. Students are encouraged to make full use of the facilities offered by the Postgraduate Faculty and, in particular, to take advantage of training sessions run by the Faculty, such as the legal research methods and Employability sessions, as well as of the Visiting Lectures’ series.

Modules

The LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law degree is modular, with students required to accumulate 180 credits to graduate. In appropriate circumstances, a student of the International Commercial and Maritime Law course may graduate with a merit or distinction. Each programme is divided into two parts: Part I consists of 4 taught modules each weighted at 30 credits. Students pursuing the LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law may choose any four options from the modules listed below. At least one module must be chosen from the asterisked (*) modules and at least one module from the double asterisked (**) modules.

Admiralty Law (*)

Carriage of Goods by Sea, Land and Air (*)

Charterparties: Law and Practice (*)

Law of the Sea (*)

Marine Insurance Law (*)

Oil and Gas Law: Contracts and Liabilities (*)

Competition Law (**)

E-Commerce (**)

International Corporate Law and Governance (**)

International Intellectual Property Law (**)

International Trade Law (**)

Law of Intellectual Assets Management and Transactions (**)

Law and Practice relating to International Banking and Commercial Payments (**)

Ship and other Mobile Assets Finance Law (**)

International Commercial Arbitration

Part II is composed of two projects (LLM Research Projects) and is weighted at 60 credits. The LLM Research Projects will customarily be researched and written up over the summer period following the successful completion of the taught modules and are designed to enable LLM students to develop their research skills.

For further information on modules please visit the LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law page.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Throughout their studies, LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law students are provided with the opportunity to take part in a number of extra-curricular activities and enhance their practical understanding of shipping, insurance and commercial practice. Such activities include;

- employability lectures
- guest lecture series delivered inter alia by former judges, directors of international organisations and prominent partners from city law firms
- networking events, including an Annual LLM Career Fair
- visits to a number of leading enterprises within the City of London which also give our students another chance to network with professionals working in the commercial and maritime field
- mooting training throughout the year, including tailored guidance and weekly training classes
- free English language classes designed to assist you in improving your critical legal thinking and writing

Careers & Employability

The International Careers Adviser at Swansea runs weekly workshops for international students, for example, on how to improve career prospects and improve interview techniques. The Postgraduate Department also employs two dedicated LLM employability officers who run a series of talks to develop the skills of LLM students and inform their career plans.

The Department also enjoys close links with many City law firms. For example, one of our professors on the LLM programme was a senior partner, and is now a consultant with, Ince & Co, a leading London law firm, specialising in international trade, insurance and shipping law. The IISTL provides training programmes for London City solicitors, P&I Clubs and shipping organisations. Many of our graduates secure employment shortly after completing their degrees. Several international firms keep a close relationship with the Shipping and Trade Law Department and regularly send representatives for guest lectures and graduate recruitment purposes. Also every year the Department hosts the LLM Careers Fair which is attended by representatives from a wide range of local and international organisations. For further information on the Employability initiatives, please visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/shipping-trade-law-department/llmemployabilityinitiativesandresults/

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The LLM in International Commercial Law covers the core issues relevant to the resolution of commercial disputes together with contractual principles.

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the area of corporate law with subjects specifically pertaining to e-commerce, intellectual property, contracts and more.

Why study International Commercial Law at Dundee?

The International Commercial modules that we offer will provide you with a detailed understanding of core issues relevant to the resolution of commercial disputes and an appreciation of contractual principles.

Central to this are the courses in International Business Transactions, Problems in International Commercial Litigation and International Dispute Resolution. These modules are complemented by the comparative contract law course, Principles of International Contract Law.

What's so good about International Commercial Law at Dundee?

In the Times Good University Guide 2012 Dundee Law School was placed 7th in the United Kingdom law school rankings, and we were ranked 1st in Scotland in the 2011 National Student Survey (NSS).

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise Dundee Law School was one of only two law schools in the United Kingdom to achieve a 100% international standard classification, with half of our submissions being graded internationally excellent or world leading. Our commitment on is to provide high quality instruction, with a focus on matters of practical relevance, to prepare students for a successful legal career, whether at home or abroad.
Postgraduate culture

Dundee Law School prides itself as being a friendly Law School where all members of staff are accessible and students are treated as individuals and valued members of our legal community.

We offer all new students an induction programme at the start of each semester, to ensure that all students have the necessary understanding of the UK and European legal systems as well as core principles of public and private law.

We seek to integrate all LLM students into the life of the Law School, and invite you to all guest lectures and seminars. We also have an annual reading party to a beautiful country house location, where you are joined by senior staff and can work on academic skills and dissertation preparation.

"Studying at Dundee University helped me develop my legal writing, speaking, and analytical skills and as a result to become a real specialist in the legal field."
Margarita Khegay, LLM 2009

Who should study this course?

This course is designed for individuals with a background in law, i.e. a good honours degree in law (acquired or anticipated to have by the expected start date), or in exceptional circumstances non-law graduates with a considerable amount of relevant legal experience.

This course has January and September start dates and can be taken part time and full time.

How you will be taught

Students are taught through a mix of lectures, seminar discussions and tutorials.

What you will study

Core modules

Principles of Corporate Law
Competition Law
Corporate Governance
International Taxation Law
Intellectual Property Law

Candidates for this programme must take at least two of the following modules:

International Business Transactions I
Principles of International E-Commerce
Principles of International Contract Law

Private International Law (Common Law Perspectives)
International Insolvency Law
International Dispute Resolution

How you will be assessed

Substantive modules: continuous assessment plus end of semester examinations in December and March/April. Compulsory dissertation: 12-15,000 words.

Careers

Dundee graduates have reached the highest levels of success in the profession as senior partners, Queen's Counsel, judges and front bench politicians.

We have close links with employers and we offer programmes to support and develop the employability of our students. Our good reputation throughout the profession and close links to employers help Dundee graduates find employment.

The Law School runs an annual Law Fair which attracts law firms and employers from around the UK and further afield. Law firms also regularly visit the law school on an individual basis for recruitment purposes.

While many students study law in order to qualify to practise, the skills acquired in a law degree are also attractive to many prospective employers in professions such as:

The Police
Banking
Journalism
Management
Civil service

Find out more about legal careers from our Careers Service.

"At present I do work at Deloitte TCF, LLP as a legal consultant in Tax and Legal Department. Our Department deals with clients from various professional fields: construction, telecommunications, energy resources and others. In future I ... hope to be able to draw on my good experience and skills from the School of Law of Dundee University and make my own contribution on the commercial issues in my country, on the development of International Commercial Law in Kazakhstan."
Margarita Khegay, LLM 2009

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About the course

The International Commercial Law LLM allows you to study from home by Distance Learning — whether in the UK or overseas — and keep in contact with tutors by email, telephone, fax and/or post. You can also maintain contact with one another, both during and after your studies, offering invaluable peer support and networking opportunities.

Having a solid understanding of today’s global business environment is imperative. Successful leadership skills and an in depth knowledge of the fundamentals of the business world are crucial in any successful career within this field. The International Commercial Law LLM offers a professional and firm academic degree that will provide a solid foundation in the current global market. This course is delivered via Distance Learning making it a good choice for those that wish to study International Commercial Law but cannot commit to relocation for study.

This degree will suit you:

• If you want to study an area of law with urgent contemporary significance and practical relevance
• If you wish to develop a critical appreciation of legal responses to business commercial uses.
• If you wish to nurture a legal career within government, non-governmental or corporate structures
• If you desire skills highly sought-after in any postgraduate workplace

Course structure

here are two start dates for the International Commercial Law LLM by distance learning in each academic year - 1 April and 1 October. Although students are allowed up to a maximum of five years to complete the course, it is possible to complete six modules per academic year. However, the flexible nature of the programmes means that you can work at your own pace through the modules. Each of the twelve modules is worth 10 credits and the dissertation is worth 60 credits. To gain the LLM qualification you will be required to complete 180 credits worth of study – 120 from taught modules and 60 from the dissertation. It will be possible to complete 60 credits (six modules) to gain a Postgraduate certificate recognising your achievement. On completion of all twelve modules but in the absence of the dissertation, you will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma in law. You can also choose to study individual modules to enhance your knowledge in a particular area. All the modules are assessed by an assignment of up to 5000 words.

The dissertation provides you with an excellent opportunity to study an aspect of the law in your chosen area of study which is of particular interest to you. Students often, but not exclusively, select project topics which have a direct bearing on their professional lives. The standard of the work produced is very high indeed and several of our students have graduated with distinction.

Attendance at the biennial residential weekends is highly recommended. The programme of lectures, seminars and workshops at the residential school both stimulates and encourages, as well as providing an invaluable opportunity for debate and discussion with staff, visiting lecturers and fellow students.

Course content

Core modules:

Dissertation

Optional modules:

Ec Competition Law Theory and Practice
Ec Competition Policy
Electronic Commerce, Law & Policy: Key Issues
Eu Copyright Law
Intellectual Property Rights in Computer Software and Related Products
International Business, Environment & Human Rights
International Copyright Law
Negotiating International Contracts
Regulation of the Transnational Internet
Strategies of Cartel Regulation
Study Skills
Substantive Issues in Commercial Contracting
The Law and Electronic Commerce: Substantive Topics
The Regulation of Business Cartels in Europe

Assessment

You are guided through each of the LLMs by a module handbook containing notes, reading lists and self-assessment questions. All the documents on the reading lists are provided either electronically through the University’s electronic resources, by direct links to the worldwide web, as digitised documents on Blackboard (the University’s on-line learning/teaching facility) or, exceptionally, as hard copy. Core text books are issued on loan with the module handbook and returned with the module assignment. Staff-student interchange is facilitated by coursework materials, telephone contact, email and written responses to coursework submissions.

Employability

Combining both theoretical and practical perspectives, the subject matter covers the growth areas of the future as well as subjects and skills of traditional importance. The course also aims to impart knowledge of legal rules relevant to the business field and emphasis is placed on the practical implications of the rules and the economic and political context in which they have evolved. In addition, throughout the duration of the course you will develop your broader skills of legal analysis and research. You will be pushed to improve your approaches to planning, analysis and presentation so that you can tackle complex projects thoroughly and with professional independence, making you a highly-desirable candidate for a career in government, non-governmental and corporate contexts alike.

Key Skills and Competencies

Study skills

You will learn to quickly assemble, assimilate and interpret a wealth of legal data and you will refine your professional practices by engagement with multiple case studies. You will learn how to deploy your knowledge to assert your expertise and build your legal case. These skills in analysis and discourse, supported by your mastery of rigorous methodologies, will stand you in good stead for any professional workplace.

Self-Motivation and discipline

Studying at LLM level requires discipline and self-motivation from every candidate. Though you will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff, you are ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your Master’s degree. This process will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Transferable skills

The LLM programme is designed to give you a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organizing information, working effectively with others and working within timeframes and to specific deadlines. Whether you pursue a legal career, further research or unrelated employment, these skills will enable you to progress to a significantly higher level.

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The aim of the new LLM International Commercial Law is to introduce you to the legal and normative concepts underpinning International Commercial Law as well as the challenges this area of law will face in the coming years. You'll also explore its interaction with other systems and fields of law.

One of the key aims of this programme is to provide you with the knowledge base and intellectual and practical skills necessary to develop a career in the area of international commercial law. As a student on the LLM International Commercial Law you'll have the opportunity to pursue your own interests and have a large degree of flexibility to tailor your degree to your intended career path.

What you’ll study

This programme is available full-time and part-time, with three potential exit points. You can choose to study for a:
-Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
-Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
-Masters degree (LLM)

Core classes
-The Law of the World Trade Organisation
-International Business Law
-Legal Research (compulsory for PgDip and LLM)

Elective classes
In addition to the core classes, you'll have the opportunity to pursue elective classes from other Masters programmes in Law. Choices may include:
-Business & Human Rights
-Labour Law in the Global Economy
-Intellectual Property Law
-E-Commerce
-International Investment Law
-International Banking Law
-Financial Regulation & Compliance
-Comparative Company Law & Regulation
-Comparative Law of Obligations
-Cybercrime
-Competition Law of the UK and EU

Please note that the elective classes on offer may change from year to year.

You could also consider taking one of the following classes, if it's relevant to your future career path:
-International Environmental Law
-International Human Rights Law
-European Human Rights Law
-Global Health Rights and Development
-Climate Change & International Law

Students on the LLM degree also require to undertake a dissertation over the summer.

Field dissertation

A unique aspect of this degree is the opportunity for a select number of students to undertake a field dissertation overseas within a non-governmental organisation that has an international focus.

This opportunity is offered on a competitive basis. If successful, your placement will last for up to 12 weeks between July and September. Work completed for the placement will focus on a specific area of law and will form the subject of your dissertation.

Previous students have undertaken placements in a wide range countries including Sri Lanka, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Cambodia, India and Kenya though our current focus is on providing placements in Ghana, Uganda and Zambia. Examples of projects which our students have previously undertaken include:
-Assessing the extent to which Indian environmental and energy laws promote the development of micro-renewables
-An analysis of whether Tanzanian land law discriminates against women and what reforms would be needed to address the discrimination
-An exploration of the low take-up of Clean Development Mechanism [CDM] in Sub-Saharan Africa and how the situation could be improved
-An assessment of environmental justice in Nigeria and South Africa
-Market access barriers in respect of honey produced in Mozambique
-A comparative analysis of shea production in Ghana and Uganda

The project/field work is organised and supported by Challenges Worldwide. Challenges Worldwide is an innovative, award-winning, social enterprise working in international development.

The University of Strathclyde provides comprehensive travel and health insurance for all participants in the field dissertation. We also pay for the costs of your placement. You're responsible for the costs of flights, visas, and accommodation and living expenses while overseas. Such costs have tended to be in the region of £1,500 to £2,500 per student.

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Programme description

This general LLM programme is the ideal choice for students wishing to expose themselves to diverse areas of advanced legal scholarship.

Edinburgh Law School offers a very wide range of specialist courses, many taught by internationally recognised experts in their fields.

At present, key areas of research and teaching include:

international law

commercial and corporate law

criminal law

international economic law

international banking and finance

medical ethics

criminology

intellectual property

information technology law

European law

private law

comparative law

human rights

public law.

This allows students on the general LLM to take courses which make up a diverse and challenging curriculum and through which they will be able to develop a broad expertise in cutting-edge legal scholarship.

Programme structure

To ensure a programme of general interest there are no mandatory courses, however you may only select a certain number of credits (60 per semester) from particular fields. This is indicated in the course options list below. Please note that courses in bold are mandatory courses for other programmes and therefore may have waiting lists in operation.

Commercial Law

Choose a maximum of 40 credits:

Company Law (40 credits, full year course)

Contract Law in Europe (40 credits, full year course)

The Law of International Trade (40 credits, full year course)

Corporation Law and Economics (20 credits, semester 1)

International Commercial Arbitration (20 credits, semester 1)

Principles of Corporate Finance Law (20 credits, semester 1)

The Law of Secured Finance (20 credits, semester 1)

Comparative Corporate Governance (20 credits, semester 2)

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Law (20 credits, semester 2)

European Labour Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Insolvency Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Principles of Insurance Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Criminal Law and Evidence

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

General Principles of Criminal Law (20 credits, semester 1)

Current Issues in Criminal Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Sexual Offending and the Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Criminology

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

Criminological Research Methods (40 credits, full year course)

Theoretical Criminology (20 credits, semester 1)

Criminal Justice and Penal Process (20 credits, semester 1)

Global Crime and Insecurity (20 credits, semester 1)

Cybercrime (20 credits, semester 2)

Mental Health and Crime (20 credits, semester 2)

Responding to Global Crime and Insecurity (20 credits, semester 2)

Surveillance and Security (20 credits, semester 2)

EU Law

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

EU Competition Law (40 credits, full year course)

EU Constitutional Law (20 credits, semester 1)

EU Fundamental Rights Law (20 credits, semester 2)

IP, Media and Technology Law

Choose a maximum of 40 credits:

Intellectual Property Law 1: Copyright and Related Rights (20 credits, semester 1)

International Intellectual Property System (20 credits, semester 1)

The Legal Challenges of Information Technologies (20 credits, semester 1)

Robotics and the Law (20 credits, semester 1)

Contemporary Issues in the Law and Policy of e-Commerce, the Digital Economy and International Information Governance (20 credits, semester 2)

Data Protection and Information Privacy (20 credits, semester 2)

Information: Control and Power (20 credits, semester 2)

Intellectual Property - Law and Society (20 credits, semester 2)

International and European Media Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Law and New Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Risk and the Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Law of E-Commerce (20 credits, semester 2)

Managing Intellectual Property (20 credits, semester 2)

International Law

Choose a maximum of 40 credits:

Fundamental Issues in International Law (40 credits, full year course)

International Criminal Law (40 credits, full year course)

International Environmental Law (40 credits, full year course)

WTO Law (40 credits, full year course)

History and Theory of International Law (20 credits, semester 1)

International Climate Change Law (20 credits, semester 1)

International Human Rights Law (20 credits, semester 1)

International Investment Law (20 credits, semester 1)

International Law of the Sea (20 credits, semester 1)

Advanced Issues in International Economic Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Diplomatic Law (20 credits, semester 2)

EU Climate Change and Energy Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Inter-State Conflict and Humanitarian Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Legal History and Legal Theory

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

Traditions of Legal Inquiry (20 credits, semester 1)

Reasoning with Precedent (20 credits, semester 1)

Law and the Enlightenment (20 credits, semester 2)

The Anatomy of Public Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Medical Law

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

Fundamental Issues in Medical Jurisprudence (20 credits, semester 1)

Risk and Regulation: Health and the Environment (20 credits, semester 1)

Contemporary Issues in Medical Jurisprudence (20 credits, semester 2)

Life Sciences, Society and Law (10 credits, semester 2)

Medical Negligence (10 credits, semester 2)

Private Law

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

Comparative Property Law (20 credits, semester 1)

Delict and Tort (20 credits, semester 1)

Principles of International Tax Law (20 credits, semester 1)

Comparative and International Trust Law (20 credits, semester 2)

EUCOTAX Wintercourse (20 credits, semester 2)

Family Law in Comparative Perspectives (20 credits, semester 2)

International Private Law: Jurisdiction and Enforcement of Judgments (20 credits, semester 2)

Principles of European Tax Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Public Law

Choose a maximum of 60 credits:

Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (20 credits, semester 2)

Human Rights Law in Europe (20 credits, semester 2)

The Anatomy of Public Law (20 credits, semester 2)

Learning outcomes

By the end of this programme, you should have acquired a more sophisticated understanding of your chosen subjects, including the diverse functions of law in contemporary society, differing approaches to the subject and a greater familiarity with research materials and methods.

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An increasingly globalised economy requires commercial law to meet a wide variety of exciting challenges, from the transactional to the regulatory, from shipping to finance, from access to markets to dispute resolution. The LLM in International Commercial Law at the University of Nottingham reflects international business in its diversity, innovation, and contemporary relevance.
You will take 120 credits’ worth of full and/or part-time subject options during the taught components of this course.

You will conclude the LLM International Commercial Law by undertaking a 60-credit dissertation; this is an extensive piece of independent research in a subject of your choice. You will benefit from the support of a dedicated project supervisor, the School of Law’s Skills Programme, as well as the generic research skills training offered by the University’s Graduate School.

The LLM (Master of Laws) in International Commercial Law can be taken on a full-time basis over 1 year or part-time over 2 to 4 years.

In order to qualify for the LLM, you must take four full-year options (120 credits in total), or the equivalent number of full and half options in the taught element of the programme. Full options comprise eighteen two-hour seminars, held during the Autumn and Spring Terms. Half-options comprise nine two-hour seminars, held in either the Autumn or Spring Terms.

All seminars offer dedicated teaching, open only to postgraduate students, including postgraduate research students, where an option is relevant to a student’s doctoral research.

The precise availability of individual options differs from year to year, depending on the availability of staff to teach them, but in a typical session LLM students are able to choose from around a dozen full-year options (30 credits) and up to 50 half-year options (15 credits) over the programmes. In addition, LLM students may elect to take up to two half-year options in relevant modules offered by the School of Politics as part of its MA in International Relations.

To qualify for a particular specialist degree, candidates must choose at least three full options (or their equivalent in full and half options) from the list of qualifying options within the relevant specialisation. Students may choose any full module (or equivalent half modules) within the LLM programme as their fourth, “free” option.

In addition, the candidate must choose a dissertation topic within the relevant area of specialism. The dissertation is worth 60 credits and taken over the summer period towards the end of the course for submission in September.

Assessment for options is by essay, examination or a combination of bot

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The past few decades have seen enormous growth in international commerce, increasing the importance and prominence of international commercial law. This area of law provides a basis for international business transactions and the development of international markets. The increasing relevance of this programme makes it an excellent choice for those seeking opportunities in the commercial world.

The LLM in International Commercial Law is ideally suited to those students wishing to specialise in the international dimension of commercial law. The School has a leading reputation for excellence in its research and teaching in this area and the modules available on the LLM in International Commercial Law draw on these strengths.

About the Birmingham Law School

Birmingham Law School has a long tradition of producing cutting-edge research that has real-world impact and informs the challenging and exciting learning environment our students experience. As a community of world-leading scholars, teachers and students, Birmingham Law School continues to make an important contribution to our understanding, teaching, and practice of law. In 2016 it was named as one of the world’s Top 100 law schools in the QS World Rankings.
We provide an expansive range of programmes, for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies and employ a range of approaches in our teaching and our research, from the theoretical and doctrinal to the empirical and applied. Our research is recognised on a global stage, and our academics are frequent participants in legal debates and contribute to the policy-making process.
We provide students with more than just a degree, and enable them to develop the skills required to enhance their employability. Our Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) presents our students with opportunities to increase their knowledge of law in action through Pro Bono and Mooting as well as the 50+ legal specific career events CEPLER organises annually. CEPLERs work is one of the many things that have led to Birmingham being recognised as the University of the Year for Graduate Employability in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk
 

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The LL.M. in International Commercial Law offers students the opportunity to specialise in International Commercial Law, to facilitate enhanced career opportunities, or to lay the foundations for Ph.D. study. The LL.M. is an internationally recognised postgraduate law degree and the international focus is a key advantage in today's globalised legal landscape.

Course Structure

The LL.M. in International Commercial Law is one year in duration or can be divided over two years. The student will complete six modules and a dissertation. In the first semester, the student will complete three mandatory subjects and in the second semester, they will choose three commercial electives. Assessment in the taught modules in semesters 1 and 2 is by way of assignments and examinations. A dissertation of 20,000 words is completed throughout the academic year and written up over the summer months under the guidance of a designated supervisor.

Core modules:

• Public International Law
• Advanced Legal Research and Writing

Optional modules:

• International Commercial Arbitration*
• International Tax Law*
• International Financial Services Law*
• EU Internal Market and Competition Law*
• International Intellectual Property Law*
• Corporate Governance*

* These electives run subject to demand and discretion of the Faculty of Law.

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This programme explores the many facets of international commercial law; addressing the many conflicts that arise of which law applies between international parties when a dispute occurs. The course will also establish the challenges of International Corporate Crime (ICC), and what measures are in place to tackle it.

The LLM International Commercial Law equips law graduates and professionals with the understanding and skills to enable them to address these issues of economic globalisation. As a student, you will be able to apply these skills to enhance your professional and academic development.

You will benefit from studying in a University with an established reputation for the excellence of its teaching and research within Law, with a dedicated team of lecturers, many of whom have substantial commercial and professional legal backgrounds.

Course content

This course will develop analytical, evaluative and research skills and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the tensions that exist in the contemporary domestic and international legal framework.

The modules offer you a chance to explore international bodies such as the EU, its member states and the wider international community from the perspective of private, corporate and intellectual property law. You will also have the opportunity to investigate into an area of particular interest when you produce your dissertation. You will be supported by experienced lecturers who use a range of innovative teaching methods, which will enhance your studies.

You will generally study three or four modules in each semester, followed by the dissertation.

To be eligible for the award of LLM International Commercial Law, you must successfully gain 180 credits from the below compulsory modules. If you must successfully gain 120 credits from the below but not including the Dissertation you would be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma, if you gain 60 credits not include the Dissertation you would awarded the Postgraduate Certificate.

Course modules (16/17)

-Principles of European Law
-Private International Law
-International Corporate Law
-Intellectual Property Rights Law
-Research Methods
-International Corporate Crime
-Dissertation
-Research Methods

Methods of Learning

The LLM is offered for full-time study over 12 months, there are also options for part time and distance learning study. You will typically study three or four modules in each semester. This is followed by the dissertation period of 18 weeks.

This course is also available through distance learning, as well as taught at the University of Northampton. The distance learning element of the course delivery will vary module by module but typically includes podcasts of lectures combined with weekly or fortnightly online reading, exercises and discussions using a range of platforms, including blogs and discussion boards.

Where appropriate, Powerpoint slides will be available online at the same time as the lecture podcast. The readings will be in the form of links to online documents, case reports, book extracts or similar and will be available through online systems. Formative assessment is carried out regularly so that you can ensure on a regular basis that you are at the right place in the course. You will be allocated a personal tutor and will be able to arrange live one-to-one tutorial sessions using Skype or Google Hangout as necessary.
Assessments

Formal course assessment is centred on module essays and submission of a dissertation, although the precise method of assessment may vary across modules. In addition, students may be informally assessed in a number of different ways, including individual presentations.

Facilities and Special Features

-Strong staff expertise, with substantial teaching experience on both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
-An enthusiastic teaching team providing a supportive atmosphere for research.

Careers

On completion of the course, students have gone on to pursue careers in academia, in the United Nations, and many have used the LLM as a stepping stone for promotion in their existing legal careers.

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