International Commercial Law (LLM) (2024 Entry) (2024)

Course overview

The objective of Commercial Law is to facilitate commercial transactions, whether a sale of goods, dealing in digital content or data, secured financing arrangements, or mergers. Once a commercial transaction crosses jurisdictional borders, complex questions arise regarding the enforceability of all the terms in a commercial agreement, the law(s) which apply to the transaction, and where any disputes which might arise from the transaction can be resolved.

This LLM will provide you with a solid foundation for understanding the legal challenges of international commerce, and will allow you to explore how a range of international transactions are regulated through a combination of contracts, domestic law and internationally agreed rules.

Skills from this degree

• An understanding of the complexity of the legal environment for international commercial transactions
• The ability to develop a reasoned critical discussion of a contested issue in international commercial law, drawing on a wide range of legal and scholarly resources
• Specialist knowledge of the process of making international commercial law
• An understanding of the wider economic, social and environmental context within which international commercial transactions are conducted

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in law or a related subject with a law component.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0 or equivalent, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Foundations of International Commercial Law

The aim of this module is to introduce students to fundamental legal issues affecting international commercial transactions. There will be three broad strands to this: a) the specific issues associated with the international commercial contracts; b) the different instruments and institutions, the process of harmonisation and the lex mercatoria; c) specific areas such as agency and security interest in mobile equipment.

Legal Research and Writing Skills

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to develop critical reading, writing and research skills in preparation for undertaking independent research and writing up academic work. It brings together experts from the Law School, Library and Student Careers and Skills.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• International Commercial Law in the Digital Economy
• International Arbitration
• International Sale of Goods
• International Corporate Finance
• International Commercial Litigation
• The Regulation of Mergers and Acquisitions

To read more about the modules for this course, please visit the Law School website.

Teaching

You will take a selection of modules totalling 120 CATS followed by a 10,000-word dissertation worth 60 CATS. All assessed modules are worth 20 CATS and run for one term. Modules will be taken during terms one and two, leaving you term three and the summer to complete your dissertation. You will also be required to attend a research and writing skills module for two terms. If you choose to study part-time, this will be split over two years of study.

You will be taught by academics who are recognised subject experts with UK and international experience. As well as teaching, most are involved in producing world leading research, often providing expert advice to outside bodies.

How the programme will be taught will depend on the modules you opt to take, but you can expect a mixture of lectures, seminars and group work.

Class sizes

This will depend on the popularity of the modules you select but class sizes can range from between 10 and 40 students per module.

Typical contact hours

You will typically have up to 12 hours of contact time per week on the full-time programme, depending on your LLM programme and modules selected, but will be expected to do additional research and reading outside of the classroom.

Assessment

The programme incorporates a wide and varying range of assessment methods, which may include essays, examinations, portfolios, presentations and the dissertation.

We regard feedback as a vital part of the assessment process. We seek to help you reach your full potential by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your work and the actions needed to develop your understanding. You will be given feedback after your assessments each term.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career in Law

Studying at postgraduate level can provide a platform to a wide range of career opportunities in the commercial and legal sectors, in management consultancy, international development, government and NGOs and in compliance and regulation. 

It enables students to differentiate themselves for opportunities where a postgraduate qualification is a requirement or desirable. Graduates go on to work in:

• International commercial law firms and working in-house
• Financial services industry
• Government, NGOs and research institutes
• National and International Charities and development organisations

The School of Law has a dedicated careers consultant (part of the Student Opportunity careers team) to support your personal career journey during your time at Warwick. She offers impartial advice and guidance (one to one support) and delivers workshops and events tailored to the needs of Law students.

This is in addition to specialist speakers who may be invited to contribute to your LLM programme.  Events are also organised by the wider Student Opportunity team. They include:

• Careers fairs and sector events including a Law Fair, Graduate Recruitment Fair, Management Consultancy events, HR and Management, Working in the Public Sector, and International Development
• Workshops on all aspects of the recruitment and selection process including applications, CVs, covering letters, interviews and assessment centres

School of Law

From the first intake of students back in 1968, Warwick Law School has developed a reputation for innovative, quality research and consistently highly rated teaching. Study with us is exciting, challenging and rewarding. Pioneers of the 'Law in Context' approach to legal education, and welcoming students and staff from around the world, we offer a friendly, international and enriching environment in which to study law in its many contexts.

Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

• Advanced Legal Studies (LLM)
• International Commercial Law (LLM)
• International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation (LLM)
• International Development Law and Human Rights (LLM)
• International Economic Law (LLM)
• LLM by Research
• MPhil/PhD in Law

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course