We are excited to announce that we have refreshed our Master of Laws course to make it more applicable to a wider range of legal practitioners and businesspeople.

Based on our long-running LLM International Trade and Commercial Law, our new LLM International Business Law covers the essential topics needed to succeed within this field.

 

What’s changed?

The biggest change is the new International Business Law module. This provides a foundation for the rest of the course and will cover the general principles of international commercial contracts, international trade finance and commercial agency. You’ll develop an understanding of the relationship between international business dealings and the law, and examine the legal instruments necessary for conducting business across borders. There are many complexities inherent in transnational business transactions, and this module will help you develop an appreciation for them.

We have also refocused two of our optional modules: Commercial Conflict of Laws and International Commercial Arbitration Dispute Resolution. Alongside our existing Intellectual Property Law module, you can choose two of these to tailor your studies towards your specific career goals or personal interests.

 

What else will I study?

You will still study the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Established in 1995, this crucial organisation deals with the global rules of international trade between nations, and an understanding of its remit, procedures and operations is crucial to tackling the challenges of international trade.

International competition law is also an important topic that will be covered. Competition law is designed to ensure that the customer gets the best deal possible from the companies that manufacture and sell goods and services, and to uphold safeguards at a national and international level. You will gain an understanding of the concepts behind international competition law and have the opportunity to critically analyse its effectiveness in protecting consumer welfare.

You will also complete the Legal Research Skills and Methods module, which will prepare you for your final dissertation. This is an original research project on the topic of your choice within the field, and you will be encouraged to explore a legal issue in depth, review and analyse legal opinions, and develop and justify a personal position on the issue. This will culminate in a 14,000-word dissertation and a 15-minute virtual viva.

 

What are the entry requirements?

In order to study this specialist Masters degree, you will need either:

• an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification
• at least five years’ senior level work experience

You will also need to meet our English language requirements, equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5.

 

Where could this degree take me?

Many undergraduate degrees don’t cover international business law in depth, so this degree is of great value to lawyers looking to specialise in this field. However, it is useful for non-lawyers, such as government employees within organisations that regulate trade, those working for multinational businesses who seek to have a greater understanding of the legal issues at play, and anyone researching the future of business in an increasingly global environment.

If you are a qualified solicitor or barrister, you will also be able to meet your annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements through the study of this course.

 

What is the course duration?

The indicative duration of the LLM is 24 months, but this programme is also available as a shorter PG Cert (8 months) or PG Dip (16 months). After completing either of these short courses, it is easy to progress onto the full LLM.

Due to the online and part-time duration of the course, the actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study choices and module availability. It may be possible to complete your studies faster by doubling up on modules at certain times. There are regular intakes throughout the year, so you can start the course when it suits you.

 

What is it like to study online?

By studying online, you have the freedom to study where and when it suits you, from anywhere in the world. You will use our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to access course materials 24/7, including multimedia lecturecasts, interactive discussion forums with classmates, live Q&A sessions with your tutor, and our comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals.

The VLE is also where you will complete your assessments. With no exams at all, this course is entirely assessed through assignments, such as taking part in discussion forums, completing reflective journal entries, or completing longer written pieces.

But despite the virtual nature of the course, you will never feel alone. Support is provided from day one of your course by our dedicated Student Support team, who are there to guide and mentor you throughout your studies. You will also receive academic support from our knowledgeable module tutors.

 

Want to find out more? You can download our prospectus to read the full course details. Or, if you’re already keen to get started, you can apply online now.