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Course description
The LLM International Financial Law gives you the chance to master one of today’s most topical and high-profile legal fields: the rules that govern global banking, capital markets and fintech.
Led by academics who advise regulators and leading law firms, the course takes you deep into specialist areas of financial regulation and securities markets, so you understand how this complex discipline really works.
First, you’ll study the main regulatory and transactional challenges in international banking and finance.
Alongside this, you’ll take two compulsory 30-credit modules:
- International Financial Services Regulation;
- Law and Practice of Securities Markets;
Together, these modules give you a solid grounding in market supervision and deal-making.
Because we balance clear legal theory with real case studies, you finish the year ready to practise, move into compliance or pursue further research with confidence.
Aims
This course will:
- Provide you with an in-depth understanding of the complex discipline of international financial and banking law.
- Inform you about the current international financial services and banking sector.
- Help you to develop analytical and research skills for the writing of a dissertation based on topics such as: international trade and corporate law, financial services regulation, European law, international economic law, intellectual property law, human rights law, corporate governance, and law and finance in emerging markets.
Special features
Strong partnerships
The Law School works with organisations beyond higher education – from leading NGOs to blue-chip companies – so your research tackles real-world issues. Recent projects have informed national healthcare guidelines and shaped police procedures in Norway, Australia and Brazil, giving you experience that resonates far outside the classroom.
Justice Hub
Our Justice Hub brings together students, staff and local practitioners to provide free, supervised legal advice to the community – giving you hands-on casework experience while making a positive social impact.
International impact
You learn from academics whose evidence is cited by bodies such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization and national governments. Their policy-shaping work feeds directly into seminars, ensuring the LLM stays aligned with the latest developments in international business and commercial law.
Teaching and learning
The LLM in International Financial Law is taught by an interdisciplinary team using a variety of delivery methods:
- lectures;
- workshops;
- student-led presentations and debate;
- group work;
- individual research.
Coursework and assessment
Most course units are assessed by standard methods, either:
- one unseen written examination;
- one coursework essay;
- or a combination of these two methods of assessment.
Course unit details
A master’s degree is formed of 180 credits.
120 credits are made up by a mix of mandatory and optional course units, worth 15 or 30 credits each. You will need to select course units totalling 120 credits. On the LLM International Financial Law, there is one mandatory course unit:
- International Financial Services Regulation (30 credits);
There will usually be course units offered on such diverse topics as:
- international trade and corporate law;
- financial services regulation;
- European law;
- international economic law;
- intellectual property law;
- human rights law;
- corporate governance;
- law and finance in emerging markets.
The availability of individual optional course units may change. Your August registration information will confirm the course units available in the academic year ahead.
The remaining 60 credits are awarded through a compulsory research component in the form of a 12,000 word dissertation. Your dissertation must be within the area of one of the course units you have chosen.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Regulation of International Finance | LAWS70352 | 30 | Mandatory |
| LL.M Dissertation | LAWS70990 | 60 | Mandatory |
| International Law and Practice of Securities Markets | LAWS72021 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Academic Skills for Legal Studies | LAWS50000 | 0 | Optional |
| International Banking Law | LAWS63071 | 30 | Optional |
| Transnational Corporate & Capital Markets Law | LAWS70082 | 30 | Optional |
| Intellectual Property Law | LAWS70101 | 30 | Optional |
| The Principles and Practice of Corporate Governance | LAWS70361 | 30 | Optional |
| Global Environmental and Climate Change Law | LAWS70442 | 30 | Optional |
| International Investment Law | LAWS72042 | 30 | Optional |
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What our students say
Facilities
You will be supported by the first-class resources you would expect from a top law school.
In addition to the networked study spaces, you can access a specialist moot courtroom, enabling you to hone your debating skills in a realistic court setting.
There is also The University of Manchester Library , which houses a substantial collection of law books and periodicals, as well as texts to support all the degrees we offer.