The SOAS LLM in International Commercial and Economic Law is designed for law graduates and practicing lawyers who would like to acquire in-depth knowledge of the commercial world. Whether you want to join a commercial law firm or become an in-house counsel at a multinational company, or just want to know more about international commercial and economic law, this programme will provide you with the necessary knowledge to achieve your potential.

Why SOAS?

This programme examines commercial and economic law from an international and comparative perspective. It explores the legal, political and social aspects of commercial and economic law in the common and civilian law systems and covers the developed and developing worlds. It provides students with a solid understanding of the legal context within which multinational enterprises operate and the dynamics of international trade. Similarly, it offers an opportunity to develop critical awareness of international investment law, intellectual property, law of Islamic finance and settlement of international commercial disputes. The modules are taught by leading scholars in the field and guest lectures are delivered by experienced practitioners.

Why You?

This programme is ideal for LLB graduates or legal professionals with an interest in the theory and practice of commercial law.  You will join an international body of SOAS alumni many of whom are now working in international commercial law firms, as in-house counsel at some of the major multinational companies, in policy or in academia.

Please note that the International Commercial and Economic LLM programme is restricted to applicants who hold an LLB. If you do not hold an LLB but are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in law at SOAS, please see details of the MA here: Taught MA programmes in Law

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Students must take modules to a total value of 180, consisting of a dissertation (60 credits) and 120 credits of taught modules. Taught modules are worth either 15 or 30 credits.

Students who wish to graduate with a specialised LLM are required to take at least 60 credits associated with his or her specialised LLM, a further 30 credits within the School of Law (General Law Postgraduate Taught Module List), and a final 30 unit which can either be taken within the School of Law or from the Language Open Options or Non-Language Open Options pages with the LLM Programme Convenor’s permission. The dissertation topic will be undertaken within the LLM specialisation.

Please note: Not all modules listed will be available every year. Please see the individual module page for information.

Dissertation

Dissertation (12,000 words), on a topic related to the specialism of the degree

Taught Component

Guided Options

Choose modules from the List A below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from List A OR from the General Law PGT Options list below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from List A OR from the General Law PGT Options list below OR from Postgraduate Open Options* to the value of 30 credits

*subject to approval from LLM convenor & module convenor. Includes language modules.

List of Modules (subject to availability)

List A: Specialism Modules

General Law Options

Note: all PGT School of Law modules, unless explicily restricted to MA or MRES students, should be available to LLM students.

http://www.soas.ac.uk/law/programmes/pgcourses/

Open Options Note

Open options will need approval of deputy PG programme convenor (LLM or MA)

Programme Specification

• LLM in International Commercial and Economic Law Programme Specification (pdf; 260kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

More information is on the page for each module.

Knowledge & Understanding

• Students will acquire specialist knowledge of commercial law in an international and comparative context.
• This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, knowledge and understanding of the following:
  1. the theoretical and practical underpinnings of international and comparative commercial law;
  2. the context in which law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended;
  3. the role played by law, particularly commercial law in  different international and comparative situations;
  4. the role and function of legal institutions in managing commercial relationships in an international and comparative context;
  5. the weight and significance of different sources and methodologies.
• Students will develop knowledge of how to locate relevant materials and assess their relevance and/or importance.

Intellectual (thinking) Skills

• Students should develop rigor in analysis and assessment of legal arguments.
• Students should develop the ability to understand, summarise and critically assess differing perspectives on theoretical debates.
• Students should develop independence of thought and the confidence to challenge the accepted wisdom.
• Students should learn to identify issues and formulate questions for further research through independent work.
• Students will be encouraged to bring to bear their own previous experience and knowledge in addressing legal issues in an interdisciplinary manner.

Subject-based Practical Skills

 The programme will help students develop the ability to:

• Write clear research essays and dissertations.
• Research in a variety of specialized research libraries and institutes and online, and retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources.
• Present seminar papers and defend the arguments therein.
• Discuss ideas introduced during seminars.
• Develop essay and dissertation research questions.
• Read legal source materials rapidly and critically.
• Present legal arguments in moots and debates.

Transferable Skills

The programme will enable students to:

• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Structure and communicate ideas and arguments effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read and comprehend significant quantities of reading rapidly and effectively and develop critical faculties.
• Find and use a variety of written and digital materials, especially legal materials, in libraries and research institutes.
• Present (non – assessed) material orally.
• Develop teamwork skills.

Tuition Fees

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.

This is a Band 7 tuition fee.

Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Request a prospectus
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• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts