The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 13 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Overcome cultural, language and legal differences in cross-border transactions with this thought-provoking online professional course. 

The course explores a range of legal tools, as well as performance and breach of commercial contractions, and termination of agency and relevant remedies. Ultimately, you’ll develop a strong familiarity with the general principles of transnational contract law. 

You’ll cover a range of interesting topics, including:  

  • principles of international trade finance 
  • general principles of international commercial contracts  
  • principles of commercial agency  

At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to progress on to one of our popular postgraduate courses. 

Why we’re great 

  • Expand your knowledge of international business law in just 13 weeks. 
  • Accelerate your current career or take the first step in a new industry.  
  • Study 100% online, part-time around your current commitments.  
  • Receive your certificate from the University of Essex, a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2025).  
  • All modules are taught by experienced subject experts and industry leaders. 

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • nature, structure and characteristics of International Business Law 
  • legal instruments in international business law 
  • negotiation, conclusion and terms of international commercial contracts (INCOTERMS 2020) 
  • performance and breach of international commercial contracts  
  • remedies in international commercial contracts 
  • international Bank Payment Undertakings 
  • principles of documentary credits law (UCP) (part i)  
  • principles of documentary credits law (UCP) (part ii)  
  • demand guarantees 
  • introduction to the law of commercial agency; commercial agency contracts 
  • authority of an agent, relations between principal and agent; relations between agent and third party 
  • termination of agency and relevant remedies 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café. 

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including: 

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students 
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals 
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students. 

 

Assessment methods 

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start 
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform 
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

  

Study duration 

Our International Business Law online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The International Business Law online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. On successful completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate confirming you’ve achieved 20 academic credits at postgraduate level. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or take the first step into law – helping you stand out amongst the competition. 

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional law online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress on to a PG Cert International Business Law (60 credits); PG Dip International Business Law (120 credits) or the full LLM International Business Law (180 credits). 

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Full tuition fee:
£1,386 UK / £1,455 International (2024-25) Δ
 

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.   
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach on our International Business Law online professional course are experts in the business field.

What our students say

testimonials

Adam Newman -LLB (Hons) Law with Business

It’s never too late to follow your passions.

I’m considered a mature student and the first thing I want to say is it’s never too late to follow your passions. I’ve always had a keen interest in law, mostly because when you think about it, there isn’t much in life that isn’t affected by law in one way or another.  As the owner of a company, I couldn’t afford to take time away to attend university. The University of Essex Online offered and delivered on flexible learning, the course structure is easy to follow and I can fit studying around work and family life. It’s a struggle at times, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy. <span...

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