LLM International Commercial and Competition Law

The LLM International Commercial and Competition Law degree is a unique interdisciplinary programme which examines the issues, concepts and principles that underpin the substantive law, and promotes understanding of the economic, social and political forces that continue to shape competition law development.

The number of countries with competition (antitrust) laws has increased from 31 in 1985 to over 100 in 2012, creating the need for legal specialists to practice in law firms, enforce policy in competition authorities and teach in universities. This LLM is ideally suited to those working or intending to work in the area of competition law.

The LLM International Commercial and Competition Law is offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time. Students are required to take the compulsory module 'International Competition Law'. In addition, they must also write a dissertation on a competition law topic and take at least one optional module from a choice of three competition law-related modules: 'Competition Law in the Global Economy'; 'Media Regulation and Markets'; and 'Theory of Competitive Markets'. If they wish, students can take all of these optional modules. In any case, any remaining credits will be fulfilled by taking other optional LLM modules. Students 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 for those working or intending to work in competition law and regulation
2. Examines issues, concepts and principles that underpin the substantive law
3. Promotes understanding of economic, social and political forces that shape competition law development
4. Research-led Teaching: The ESRC Centre for Competition Policy

ESRC Research Centre for Competition Policy

Students undertaking the LLM International Competition Law and Policy degree also benefit from close collaboration with research conducted by the ESRC Research Centre for Competition Policy - one of the University's Research Centres working at the forefront of policy debates in competition policy at international level, with senior advisory links with the European Commission, the UK Office of Fair Trade and the UK Competition Commission. Students are encouraged to attend the Centre's workshops, seminars and conferences and so are able to interact with leading academics and practitioners from across Europe and the United States.

Student Testimonials

"The decision to join UEA for my Master's was the best I could make, from both academic and personal perspective. The programme is exceptional for its close connection to the internationally renowned Centre for Competition Policy... with students working on a daily basis with the leading academics from the area - both lawyers and economists. Although I was encouraged to perform my own research, due to small teaching groups, it is made sure that nobody is left behind."

Katerina Perkarkova, 2008/09

“I really enjoyed doing my Masters, studying issues in competition law and the interdisciplinary approach involving law, economics and policy. I liked the academic programme and support offered by the Centre for Competition Policy. I wanted to have a mixture of courses covering areas of competition law and economics of competition. The LLM in International Competition Law and Policy offered exactly that.

The support I got from UEA from the time of my first inquiry until my final choice was encouraging too. The academic and personal support I received during my Masters, excellent supervision, good facilities for research and the Centre for Competition Policy provided very strong arguments for staying at UEA.

I met people from all over the world. Discussions were and are very interesting because of different cultural and legal backgrounds. The social life is very colourful.

The advantages are manifold: I love to learn and study. Postgraduate studies offer a good opportunity to meet people and establish a social and professional network in a chosen field. One’s career might benefit from a postgraduate degree as well. The LLM is beneficial for the job market in general, especially if I wanted to work as a lawyer in an international law firm.”

Sebastian Peyer (Germany), Masters of Law, International Competition Law and Policy 2007/08

“UEA had a great campus atmosphere and student life and offered interesting postgraduate programmes. The LLM enabled me to learn a lot about the interface of law and economics which I have always found interesting … the Centre for Competition Policy has an excellent reputation with respect to research in competition law and economics. The seminar groups were small and our lecturers encouraged us to actively participate and were happy to help if questions arose outside the seminars. In addition, students on my course were integrated into the academic life of the Centre for Competition Policy. We were invited to attend seminars organised by the Centre and got to know several PhD students.

My further studies gave me the opportunity to specialise in an interesting field of law which I could not study in such detail during the undergraduate studies. An additional year at university also gives you a great opportunity of broadening your horizon and making friends with interesting people from all over the world.”

Eike Eden (Germany), Masters of Law, International Competition Law and Policy, 2006/07

“The manner in which competition law mixes law and economics attracted me. The modern day relevance and growing importance of competition law meant that my degree would be interesting and also enhance my career prospects. The international nature of the student population (and the subject matter) has allowed me to learn more about different legal systems around the world. UEA provides the opportunity to engage with students and lecturers who are as interested in the subject matter as you are.

The economics section of the course allowed me to engage with a completely different subject and learn how it influenced the law. Being able to concentrate and specialise in an area of law that grabs your attention motivates you to dig deeper and learn things that you wouldn’t during an undergraduate degree.

Focusing on context and the real world application of the law is valued by employers and gives you great material to discuss in your applications and interviews. I now work with one of the foremost experts on cross-border mergers and was able to refer to my dissertation during my interview for my training contract.”

Terence Devane (UK), Masters of Law, International Competition Law and Policy, 2006/07

“LLM is really a very well-regarded additional study, which is very helpful – for an occupation in a specific area of law as well as for possible further academic studies. Especially UEA with its fine lecturers and a high reputation Centre of Competition Policy offered a very good opportunity. It provided a very comprehensive introduction as well as an academic focus and helped me to gather specific expertise and a greater opportunity to work in a preferred field of law. My LLM year was full of positive experiences, both academically and privately.”

Christopher Both (Germany), Masters of Law, International Competition Law and Policy, 2006/07

Course Organiser:Mr. Andreas Stephan

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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.