Masters Degrees in Business & Commercial Law, Ireland

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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Course Outline

The course combines a focus on realities of business law in practice with a broader discussion of relevant theoretical and policy issues. The course builds on the School’s wide range of expertise and knowledge in a broad range of aspects of business law, including banking, commercial, corporate, financial services, and insolvency, and in regulation and compliance in the business area. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to engage with the practical operation of business law. Students also complete a research dissertation in their chosen aspect of business law under expert individualised supervision. Students will also benefit from guest seminars with experts from legal and business practice, relevant Government departments, regulatory bodies and legal practitioners and international experts in this field. 

Applicants for the LLM (Business Law) Degree also have the option of registering for a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Law. Students take 60 credits of taught masters’ modules from those on offer for the LLM (Business Law). The Postgraduate Diploma can be completed over 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time. Those who wish to apply for the Diploma should contact [email protected] for application details.

This shorter programme may be attractive to legal professionals and others who may prefer not to make an initial commitment to a full master’s programme. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma may further progress their studies by completing a 15,000 word research dissertation and graduating with a Masters in Law (LLM). 

The course includes a core Business Law in Practice module where students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage with business law in practice. Students can choose from a range of postgraduate business law modules, business modules and undergraduate law subjects.

Please visit the Law School website here for up to date information on the programme. 

Programme regulations are available in the College Calendar 

Please see the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Why Choose This Course

• The perfect specialist qualification for those seeking to establish a career in all aspects of business law including regulation and compliance.
• An opportunity for professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills
• Includes a core Business Law in Practice module, where students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage the practicalities of business.  
• Students will also benefit from guest seminars with experts from legal and business practice, relevant Government departments, regulatory bodies and legal practitioners and international experts in this field.
• Opportunity to expand your knowledge by taking business courses in Economics, Food Business, Management and Marketing 
• Allows you to develop specialised skills in writing, researching and presenting on all aspects of business law
• Teaching approach is informed by practical experience and academic commitment of teaching School

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this degree will be well placed to seek employment in any area of business law, within Ireland, Europe or internationally. Employment opportunities include specialist legal practice in the commercial and corporate fields as well as general legal practice, regulatory bodies, business regulation and compliance, the financial services sector, the insolvency sector, law reform and research. Because of the transferrable knowledge and skills which this programme develops, graduates may also avail of crossover opportunities using their LLM to pursue careers in the business world.

You can find more information here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ckl38/

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The programme offers students with undergraduate qualifications in both Law and Business (also including economics or finance) the opportunity for advanced study in both disciplines. The Programme will be led by the McCann FitzGerald Professor of International Law Business, established with the generous sponsorship of leading Dublin law firm McCann Fitzgerald.

In the programme there are two core modules which link Law and Business from both a theoretical and applied perspective and in their international context. There is the opportunity to take four elective modules across the two disciplines and the programme is completed by a capstone project. On completion, students will have developed critical thinking abilities not only on the development of and relationship between the two disciplines, but also on the application of the knowledge to the worlds of law and business.

Globalisation has made it necessary to have a sound knowledge of international law and business, whether you wish to join a major law firm or be engaged in a company with european and international aspirations.

This interdisciplinary programme promotes critical analysis of different aspects of international law and business, and is directed at well-qualified graduates in law, business and associated disciplines.

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

Your studies

The Sutherland School of Law and the Smurfit School of Business offer a wide range of modules for this Master’s programme. Students will take the core modules on International Law and Business to develop critical thinking abilities, both in respect of the
development of and relationship between the two disciplines. Optional modules to complete the programme include:
Corporate Governance; Supply Chain Management; Regulatory Governance; International Economic Law; Economic Foundations of Strategy; International Tax Law; Global Competitive Strategies; International Commercial Arbitration; and, Work and Employment in a Global Economy. Having completed six modules, you will complete the LLM by undertaking a supervised dissertation or a structured
and assessed period of internship linked to a project.

Your future

The enhanced knowledge and understanding of law and business and their interrelationship allows you to go on to careers in: leading international law firms; multinational professional services firms as professional advisers; and, inhouse counsel with major multinational businesses. The knowledge and skills acquired will also equip you to work with major international companies located in Ireland, Europe, and beyond.

Features

Our MSc International Law and Business graduates will be expected to be able to select and pursue appropriate learning to enhance their personal and professional competencies

Students will develop learning skills across a range of activities and assessment forms.

Students will demonstrate specialized, detailed knowledge and understanding of global legal systems, of the major branches of law in those systems and of the principles, concepts and methods of business.

Students’ knowledge and understanding of both the legal and business components of their learning will be underpinned by advanced theories, concepts or methods concerning the relationship between business and law and will include a clear awareness of ongoing controversies about how that relationship is to be properly understood and analysed and of the limitations of current knowledge in both fields.

Careers

Graduates from this Programme will go on to careers with leading international law firms, with multinational professional services firms, as professional advisers and in-house counsel with major multinational businesses and as entrepreneurs in fields where outstanding knowledge of and engagement with international law and business are highly relevant.

Find out how to apply here http://www.ucd.ie/law/graduateprogrammes/mscinternationallawandbusiness/apply,187034,en.html

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

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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This one-year postgraduate course is designed to enable civil engineers and other suitable qualified professionals, such as architects and quantity surveyors and lawyers, to acquire a knowledge of construction law. The diploma is accepted by Engineers Ireland as fulfilling criterion no. 2 (Knowledge of Law and Contract Procedure) for admission to the IEI list of conciliators. This Diploma has also been approved by Engineers Ireland as meeting the requirements for continuing professional development. Accreditation has also been given for Part II status of membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Course Organisation:

Lectures are normally held on Friday evening 7 - 10 p.m. and Saturday morning 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. each week throughout the two semesters (September to April). In addition to attending lectures, participants are required to participate in workshops, which comprise a major part of the course and involve coursework to be submitted as part of the students' assessment.

Course Content:

Introduction to Legal Systems and Methods; the Irish litigation process; the law of evidence
The Law of Tort; The Law of Contract
Contracts in construction - procurement methods, engineering and building contracts, tenders
Contracts in construction - claims, insurance, subcontracts; case law; public procurement; contracts for other professions
Risk and insurance; sureties; statutory duties; professional relationships, duties and liabilities
Methods of dispute resolution

Assessment:

Two three-hour examinations are held on two Saturdays in May/June. Each of these constitutes one third of the overall assessment. Coursework, which is done throughout the year, accounts for the remaining one third of the overall assessment. Students must pass each examination paper and each coursework assignment.

Recommended texts:

Extensive notes are provided by individual lecturers, who may also recommend texts.

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The LL.M. is directed at well-qualified graduates in law and related disciplines. It seeks to promote critical analysis of, and reflection on, different aspects of national, European and international law. This programme is delivered over one academic year. Students are examined in six modules and complete a research dissertation of up to 25,000 words over the academic year on an approved theme relating to some aspect of International and/or European business law.
The modules offered might typically include the following:

Advanced Comparative Law: European Legal Systems, Advanced European Union Law, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Chinese Legal System in Comparative Perspective, Comparative Product Liability: Common Law, EU and US Perspectives, Copyright and Innovation, Online, Corporate Governance, Corporate, White-Collar and Regulatory Crime, Corruption Law, Creative Works and Intellectual Property, Employment Litigation, EU Aviation Law, EU Banking and Securities Law, EU Competition Law, EU Consumer Law, EU Copyright, Patents and Design Law, EU External Relations Law, EU Financial Services Law, EU Trademark Law, Globalisation and Law, Intellectual Property Law and Sport, International Aviation Law, International Dispute Resolution, International Economic Law, International and European Tax Law, International Trade Law, Islamic Law, Law and Bioethics, Principles of Corporate Insolvency and Rescue, Principles of Delaware Corporate Law, Public Law of the EU.

The Law School reserves the right to vary the above list and, in particular, the right to withdraw and add courses. Note that timetabling considerations may also restrict choice. Further information on the precise modules available in a given year is available on the LLM website.

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Overview

The LLM in (International Business Law) is a masters degree offered by Maynooth University Department of Law. The programme will enable law graduates to further their legal education by gaining a systematic understanding of the critical issues at the forefront of select areas of international business law. The programme also aims to develop legal research, reasoning, writing, advocacy, and teamwork skills, which are highly sought after by employers.

Certain modules on the programme are run in partnership with leading law firms, offering students the opportunity to apply for work placements at the end of their studies.

“I chose to do the LLM because it offered a unique blend of interesting and challenging modules. I also had the experience of doing my BCL in Maynooth, so I knew how great the law department was. My experience doing my masters in Maynooth was fantastic. I enjoyed this course because the lectures were stimulating and engaging. In addition, the balance of work offered a challenging but rewarding mix of tasks.”

Ethan Shattock, LLM (International Business Law).

Course Structure

Students complete a total of 90 credits over the course of this programme, taking 35 taught credits in year 1 and 30 taught credits in year 2. Students must complete a 25 credit dissertation in the second year.

Students are required to complete modules in International Law on Foreign Investment, Islamic Finance Law, and Professional Development, and then have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional modules.

Course Duration: 2 year Part-time

Duration: 2 year Part-time

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Overview

The LLM in International Business Law is a masters degree offered by Maynooth University Department of Law. The programme will enable law graduates to further their legal education by gaining a systematic understanding of the critical issues at the forefront of select areas of international business law. The programme also aims to develop legal research, reasoning, writing, advocacy, and teamwork skills, which are highly sought after by employers.

Certain modules on the programme are run in partnership with leading law firms, offering students the opportunity to apply for work placements at the end of their studies.

“I chose to do the LLM because it offered a unique blend of interesting and challenging modules. I also had the experience of doing my BCL in Maynooth, so I knew how great the law department was. My experience doing my masters in Maynooth was fantastic. I enjoyed this course because the lectures were stimulating and engaging. In addition, the balance of work offered a challenging but rewarding mix of tasks.”

Ethan Shattock, LLM (International Business Law)

Commences

September

Course Structure

Students must complete 90 credits in total, taking 35 taught credits in semester 1 and 30 taught credits in semester 2. Students must complete a 25 credit dissertation during the summer.

Students are required to complete modules in International Law on Foreign Investment; Islamic Finance Law; and Professional Development, and then have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional modules.

Course Duration: 1 year Full-time

More details in Course Finder...

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Overview

The LLM International Business Law is a dual masters degree jointly offered by Maynooth University Department of Law and the Law School at the Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy); it enables law graduates to further their legal education by gaining a systematic understanding of the critical issues at the forefront of select areas of international business law.

The programme also aims to develop legal research, reasoning, writing, advocacy, and teamwork skills, which are highly sought after by employers. The first semester of the masters is spent at UCLy (from September to December) and the second semester at Maynooth University, (from January to May). At the end of the two semesters, successful students will be awarded a dual qualification: 1.French Master 1 Degree awarded by UCLy and 2. Master of Laws (LLM) awarded by Maynooth University. The language of instruction is English. However, French language courses can be taken for free at UCLy. Experience has shown that students who are comfortable with the language have an easier time assimilating into the culture and have broader experiences during their stay in France.

In addition to reading the information available here, you may wish to consult the UCLy website.

Funding Opportunities

Erasmus

There is a small amount of funding available to students in the form of an Erasmus Mobility Allowance, even where students have previously availed of Erasmus funding at undergraduate level. The exact amount varies each year, but is likely to be approximately €1,000. As soon as you have accepted a place on the programme, you should complete an Expression of Interest Form and submit this to the International Office.

Maynooth University Scholarships

For details, see the Graduate Studies website.

“The LLM in International Business Law (dual degree) was a wonderful opportunity not only to receive a dual qualification but also to experience the wonders of studying abroad. Studying abroad opened my mind and allowed me to mature and grow as a person, and intellectually. I did not have a strong base in the French language, but this was not a problem, as the lectures were in English, and classes in French of all levels were provided by the University.”

Course Structure

The first semester (comprised entirely of mandatory modules) of this programme is taught in Lyon and students are required to be resident there. During the second semester in Maynooth, students choose from a range of optional modules.

Students complete 30 taught credits in each semester. Students must complete a dissertation (30 ECTS) during the summer, which can be supervised by either university.

Duration: Dual degree 1 year Full-time

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Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in International Business Law enables law graduates to further their legal education by gaining a systematic understanding of the critical issues at the forefront of select areas of international business law. The programme also aims to develop legal research, reasoning, writing, advocacy, and teamwork skills, which are highly sought after by employers.

Certain modules on the programme are run in partnership with leading law firms, offering students the opportunity to apply for work placements at the end of their studies.

Commences

September

Course Structure

Students complete a total of 60 ECTS over the course of this programme. Students are required to complete the International Investment Law and Information Technology Law modules in Year 1 and then have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional modules. Students must complete 30 taught credits in each year.

Not all modules offered will run every year; offerings are dependent upon demand and other potential constraints. Students may choose any combination of modules they wish, however, they cannot take more than 30 taught credits per semester.

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Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Legal Studies is an innovative programme that provides students with a world-class legal education, which is grounded in an appreciation of global social, economic, and cultural contexts and challenges. The increased potential for international elements to any legal issue – from trade and business, to crime, to migration, to information technology, to privacy – has meant that legal graduates need to possess skills that transcend one national jurisdiction. The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Legal Studies imparts just those skills. By taking the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Legal Studies, students will be exposed to a range of areas of legal regulation in a manner that goes far beyond one jurisdiction and will gain critical insights from a range of other disciplines, including politics, psychology, economics, and sociology. The programme facilitates career pathways in law, business, politics, non-governmental organisations, and policymaking bodies at the national and international levels. In addition, certain modules on the programme are run in partnership with leading law firms, offering students the opportunity to apply for work placements at the end of their studies.

Modules focus on three areas:

·        Global Business (including International Investment Law; World Trade Law; Funds Law);

·        Social Justice and Human Rights (including International Human Rights Law; Disability Law & Policy; Gender, Sexuality and the Law);

·        Transnational Regulation (including Information Privacy Law; Information Technology Law; Globalisation, Migration and the Law).

Students may specialise in a particular area or choose modules from different areas.

Commences

September

Course Structure

Students complete a total of 60 ECTS over the course of this programme. There are no compulsory modules; students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional modules. Students must complete 60 taught credits over two years.

Not all modules offered will run every year; offerings are dependent upon demand and other potential constraints. Students may choose any combination of modules they wish, however, they cannot take more than 30 taught credits per semester.

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