Professor in International Commercial Law
School of Law
LLM International Commercial and Economic Law
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- One calendar year (full-time), two, three or four years (part-time, daytime only). We recommend that part-time students have between two-and-a-half and three days a week free to pursue their course of study.
- Start of programme
- September intake only
- Attendance mode
- Full-time or part-time
- Location
- Russell Square, College Buildings
- Fees
-
Home student fees: £14,550 per year
Overseas student fees: £24,750 per yearPlease note that fees go up each year.
See postgraduate fees for further details. - Entry requirements
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We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant Social Sciences subject. In addition to degree classification in a relevant subject we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.
See international entry requirements and English language requirements.
Course overview
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 study LLM International Commercial and Economic Law at SOAS?
- We are ranked in the UK top 20 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
- 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.
- It offers an opportunity to develop critical awareness of international investment law, intellectual property, law of Islamic finance and settlement of international commercial disputes.
- Modules are taught by leading scholars in the field and guest lectures are delivered by experienced practitioners.
- 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 LLM is restricted to applicants who hold an UK law degree or international equivalent. If you do not hold a law degree but are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in law at SOAS, please see details of our masters programmes.
Global Partnerships
This programme can be offered as part of a dual LLM degree with University of Bergen.
Through the dual LLM, University of Bergen LLM students can spend either Year Four or Year Five of their five year programme at SOAS studying for an LLM and gain an award from both institutions. For more information and eligible programmes included in the dual LLM, please see the SOAS-Bergen partnership on the Global Partnerships website.
For any queries, please contact globalpartnerships@soas.ac.uk
Structure
Students must take modules to a total value of 180 credits, 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 their specialised LLM, and the dissertation topic will be undertaken within the LLM specialisation.
Please note that not all modules listed will be available every year.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.
However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Dissertation
Dissertation (12,000 words), on a topic related to the specialism of the degree
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| LLM Dissertation in Law | 60 |
Taught component
120 credits total
Students take the following compulsory modules (30 credits)
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Multinational Enterprises and the Law I | 15 |
| Multinational Enterprises and the Law II | 15 |
And
- Choose modules from List A to the value of 60 credits and
- Choose modules from List A and List B OR from postgraduate open options to the value of 30 credits
List A (subject to availability)
List B (subject to availability)
Open options
Open options will need approval of deputy PG programme convenor (LLM or MA)
Teaching and learning
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.
Contact hours
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.
Knowledge and 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:
- the theoretical and practical underpinnings of international and comparative commercial law;
- the context in which law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended;
- the role played by law, particularly commercial law in different international and comparative situations;
- the role and function of legal institutions in managing commercial relationships in an international and comparative context;
- 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.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Scholarships
Employment
SOAS Law graduates leave SOAS as civic minded and critically engaged individuals who can effectively contribute to their communities and societies. With a thorough understanding of the legal dimensions underlying many of our global challenges today, our Law students are valued by employers due to their analytical skills, specialist knowledge, and global perspective.
SOAS Law graduates have found the LLM a vital boost to their work as legal professionals and that this Law Master provides an excellent base for further study towards a research degree such as a PhD leading to an academic career.
Recent School of Law graduates have been hired by:
- PwC LLP
- BLM Law
- BloombergNEF
- British Medical Association
- Clifford Chance
- DAC Beachcroft LLP
- Department for Work and Pensions
- EY
- HM Treasury
- Latham & Watkins
- Legal Cheek
- Simpson Millar Solicitors
- The Economist
- Travers Smith
- Vodafone
- World Cancer Research Fund
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