LLM International Commercial and Business Law

The LLM International Commercial and Business Law degree offers those who already have or who want a career in the practice of international commercial law (whether in private practice, with a government or international organisation, or in a corporate or financing environment) one of the widest selections of subjects (modules) offered by any law school in the UK.

The programme offers students more than 30 modules, including traditional subjects, such as International Sales Law, Payments and Finance in International Trade, International Carriage Law, International Commercial Arbitration and International Banking Law and Practice. In addition, students can combine these with a diverse range of further specialised modules in areas such as International Competition Law and Policy, Intellectual Property Law and International Financial Law. Many subjects are innovative and rarely taught at British universities.

The LLM International Commercial and Business Law is offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time. Students undertake a range of compulsory and optional modules taught by the Law School. They may also, with the consent of the Course Director, choose modules worth up to 40 credits from other postgraduate courses offered by the University.

This degree also offers an optional Research Methods Training component. Research methods training is likely to be of particular interest to students who are considering working in the following areas: Academic legal research, including study for an advanced research degree, such as an MPhil or PhD, Law reform bodies and legal pressure groups, for example the Law Commission or Liberty, International organisations with a policy research focus, such as OECD, The World Bank.

Key Facts

1. Designed to develop legal knowledge and skills for those intending to specialise in a legal career in international commerce or trade
2. Focus on international harmonisation and how subjects inter-relate
3. Over 25 subjects to choose from

See what a leading International Commercial Law Practitioner says about our Course

"The subjects available under the LLM in International Commercial and Business Law taught at the Law School will help prepare any prospective law student for international practice, particularly given the wide range of modules available and the way these subjects are taught (often by practitioners with cutting-edge knowledge of their subject areas)."

Laura O'Neill, Partner and Shareholder with Greenberg Traurig Maher, London.

Student Testimonials

“When I was choosing universities, I was mainly looking for a course structure which would offer me the best chances for future development. The LLM course offered by the University of East Anglia is one of the best courses in the United Kingdom, offering a wide range of modules covering the most contemporary and important legal areas.

In addition to this, as an international student, I was also encouraged to choose UEA because of the reputation the university has abroad and the fact that it is situated in Norwich, one of the most beautiful cities in UK.

Norwich is in the eastern part of England and is two hours from London, and is a safe and convenient place to live. The people here are very friendly and there are many places to enjoy life in Norwich, my personal favourite being the spectacular sport facilities. You can practice your favourite sport in the sport park with your friends or you can ask an instructor to really help to improve your skills.”

Emad Almutairi (Saudi Arabia), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2009/10

“The Law School provides a friendly and stimulating academic and social environment. The modules themselves (which are normally taught in groups of not more than twenty students to one or even two lecturers) increase the knowledge of the substance of the course and provide a deeper insight into the interconnectivity of the different fields of law taught within the LLM.

The lecturers and staff are open to discuss your problems and queries and are even happy to welcome you if you just want to talk to somebody. Due to the different backgrounds of the lecturers, academics and practitioners, every aspect of the law studied is covered and it does not become one sided. The constant positive support and feedback received from the academic staff helps you to develop an understanding of the field of law studied and to increase your legal skills, especially if coming from abroad.

In addition, the different social events, organised by both the Law School itself and the Postgraduate Law Society, give you the opportunity to meet a great variety of people with different national, cultural and legal backgrounds and hence increase the internationality of the Masters course.

I would never want to miss the opportunity to do the International Commercial and Business Law LLM as it was an absolutely positive experience both on an academic and personal basis.”

Marc Anthony Pruem (Germany), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2009/10

“Studying an LLM at UEA was a wonderful experience for me. The University has a great atmosphere with excellent facilities which make studying a lot more enjoyable. The library provides postgraduate study rooms with amazing views. There is also a large sports park on campus with free entry for students. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The lecturers are equipped with experience and knowledge and are keen to share it with students. Although very busy, the staff are easy to contact and are willing to answer questions. Norwich is a beautiful quite city ideal for students, with a location not far away from London and approximately 35 minute drive to the beach. There are many attractions nearby including the Broads which can be a refreshing get-away on weekends.

All in all I had a great time in Norwich and learned a lot at the UEA. I strongly recommend studying an LLM at the UEA Law School because it provides a fulfilling experience.”

Fahad Albarrak (Saudi Arabia), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2009/10

“My one year at UEA has been an absolutely amazing experience. I am definitely getting what I want. The Law School provides a variety of courses, it is very helpful to master your specialty and learn some new areas of law.

Being a student of UEA Law School, you will get plenty of opportunities to build on your knowledge, both academic and extracurricular. Discussing with the professors, you can get lots of invaluable insights and ideas in law. Communicating with your classmates, who come from different countries and share different thoughts and cultures with you, is another great chance to get knowledge and inspiration. Furthermore, the most beneficial thing is the teaching method of LLM, which emphasizes more on the personal preparation and active discussion during class. This method forces the students to really familiarize and understand the topic and materials before debating on the class. It makes us more responsible and efficient in learning, benefiting me and my Chinese peers very much.

The UEA Law School is an excellent place for expanding your intellectual and knowledge horizons.”

Lian Guan (China), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2008/09

“Studying my Masters in Law at UEA was an enriching experience. This postgraduate course not only provides me with general legal knowledge, it allows me to specialise in particular areas of law which is contemporary and relevant to my prospective career as a legal practitioner. The critical analytical skills acquired through this course will equip me for my future undertaking, providing me a special advantage over others in practice.

Academic staff at the Law School are committed and approachable in assisting us to resolve problems encountered throughout our studies. Besides academics, the Law School often holds social events to strengthen the relationship between students and the tutors. Such informal events allowed us to have a personal take with the tutors to discuss difficulties faced in the course. As a whole, the LLM in International Commercial and Business Law offered by UEA is highly recommended because it is relevant, comprehensive and practical.”

Brennen Teo (Malaysia), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2008/09

“I was able to choose from an incredibly wide range of modules, covering general areas of International Commercial Law as well as really rare ones... like Islamic Finance Law and Oil and Gas Law... The way my modules were structured showed me how interwoven different legal systems and cultures can get, when it comes to world trade. The international atmosphere added to this and our truly excellent lecturers encouraged us to share our experiences from our various legal backgrounds.”

Andreas Ernst (Germany), 2008/09

Course Organiser:Mrs. Jacqui Longman

• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
  • Postgraduate Taught Degrees
  • Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Science Research Projects
  • Apply
  • Fees & Funding
  • Request a prospectus
  • Open Days
• International Students
• International Preparatory Courses
• Study Abroad
• Information for New Students
• myUEA

Entry Requirements Degree Subject: Law or cognate degree Degree Classification: Good 2.2 pass or international equivalent Entry Requirement

Applicants should normally have a good first degree in Law, or, exceptionally, in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution in the UK or overseas.

The Law School will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant and encourages applications from those wishing to return to academic study to further their knowledge, or those planning to study for a degree while remaining in full-time employment.

It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

• IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 92 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 reading)
• PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

University of East Anglia Law School has a well-established reputation for excellence in its teaching standards and also for world class research. We are committed to supporting students both academically and pastorally and pride ourselves on creating an intellectually stimulating yet friendly environment, with small group teaching, ready access to leading academics and excellent research resources.

We offer a number of specialist taught Masters (LLM) degrees, supported by a diverse range of almost 40 modules. All courses provide foundational modules designed to give students a proper basis for learning and study in their chosen area.

Our postgraduate students come from a wide variety of geographical and personal backgrounds, and it is the vibrant and dynamic community which they create that completes the student experience. Though thriving, the postgraduate community rarely exceeds 100 each year, enabling us to offer small group teaching and thus ensuring that students have access to and benefit from the knowledge and experience of lecturers who are leaders in their field at both national and international levels. All students have their own Academic Adviser and assessment is by written assignment, examination, practical exercises and a dissertation.

A continuous control process ensures that our teaching quality continues to develop, and students have access to a number of quality-control channels including student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, and the Student Liaison Committee to help us monitor, evaluate and develop current practice.

There are many external indicators of the quality of our teaching and research; over 80% of our research has been graded to be of an "international standard" in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The National Student Survey has rated us in the top 10 Law Schools in the UK every year since 2005.

Career Opportunities

Law School graduates have progressed to a wide variety of successful careers, from private practice in local and international firms to government legal departments and international organisations, from universities to industry and commerce.

The University of East Anglia provides a professional Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to choose their career path and develop their employability skills.

Please click to view endorsements from some of the Law School's recent graduates and to view Law School videos.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

You will have the chance to attend subject-specific talks and presentations about student life and finance. You will also be able to talk directly to academics, admissions staff and current students giving you a first-hand impression of life at the University of East Anglia - check out the accommodation, learning resources, student support, and our sport and entertainment facilities.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Fees and Funding Fees for the academic year 2013/2014 will be:

• UK/EU Students: £5,000 (full time)
• International Students: £12,500 (full time)

International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.

Living Expenses

Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself.

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK/EU and International students. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for more detailed information about funding for prospective Law students.