Course description
The LLM in Corporate Governance at The University of Manchester gives you the legal, ethical and theoretical insight to challenge corporate power and shape better business practices.
Taught by specialists in corporate governance and corporate social responsibility, this master’s course explores key theories about the nature of corporations, the drivers of governance reform, and the evolving role of business in society.
You’ll examine corporate accountability, boardroom dynamics and stakeholder engagement across national, European and global legal frameworks. You’ll also assess how corporate governance standards are converging around the world, and where reform is most needed.
Your learning will be shaped by academics with active research links to global institutions like the United Nations and World Trade Organization, bringing international perspectives and real-world relevance into every seminar.
You’ll have the opportunity to specialise your studies through a wide range of optional course units, including:
- international trade and corporate law;
- financial services regulation;
- European law;
- international economic law.
To support your research, you’ll attend weekly legal research and methodology workshops across both semesters, designed to sharpen your academic writing, critical analysis and research skills.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop advanced skills in legal reasoning, critical analysis, research design and persuasive argumentation, preparing you for careers in corporate law, regulatory compliance, in-house legal teams, international organisations and more. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and credibility to operate across borders, advise on high-stakes legal matters, and shape governance from within.
Aims
This course will:
- Provide you with specialist knowledge about the law of conducting business in today's global society.
- Deliver insights into major theories concerning the nature of corporations, and the concerns driving corporate governance law and practices.
- Examine how corporate governance helps organisations set and achieve their goals, both in the UK and internationally.
- Help you explore whether corporate governance is becoming more similar across Europe and the world, and how this could change in the future.
Special features
Leading expertise
Learn from leading legal researchers whose work influences global institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization, bringing international depth and practical insight to your studies.
Real-world impact
Contribute to real-world change through social justice projects focused on issues like wrongful incarceration, access to legal support, and corporate responsibility.
Outstanding support
Build your academic confidence through weekly legal research and methodology workshops held across both semesters, designed to develop your writing, critical thinking, and advanced research skills.
Teaching and learning
The LLM in Corporate Governance 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 of these credits are made up of a mix of mandatory and optional course units, typically worth 15 or 30 credits each. You will need to select a minimum of four and a maximum of eight course units. On the LLM in Corporate Governance, there are two mandatory course units:
- The Principles and Practice of Corporate Governance;
- Transnational Corporate & Capital Markets Law.
You will also choose optional course units from a wide selection, potentially including:
- Corporate Governance;
- International Trade and Corporate Law;
- Financial services regulation;
- European law;
- International economic law;
- Intellectual property law;
- Human rights law;
- Law and Finance in Emerging Markets.
Each academic year, approximately 30 optional course units are offered, covering diverse legal areas. The availability of individual optional course units may be subject to change. Information provided in August during registration will clearly indicate the course units available for the academic year ahead.
The remaining 60 credits are awarded through a compulsory research component in the form of a 14,000-to-15,000-word dissertation. Your dissertation must relate directly to one of the course units you have studied. This research component is supported by weekly research methodology lectures delivered throughout semesters one and two, designed to enhance your legal writing and research skills.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transnational Corporate & Capital Markets Law | LAWS70082 | 30 | Mandatory |
| The Principles and Practice of Corporate Governance | LAWS70361 | 30 | Mandatory |
| LL.M Dissertation | LAWS70990 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Academic Skills for Legal Studies | LAWS50000 | 0 | Optional |
| International Banking Law | LAWS63071 | 30 | Optional |
| Intellectual Property Law | LAWS70101 | 30 | Optional |
| The Regulation of International Finance | LAWS70352 | 30 | Optional |
| Global Environmental and Climate Change Law | LAWS70442 | 30 | Optional |
| International Law and Practice of Securities Markets | LAWS72021 | 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 of a top law school.
In addition to the networked study spaces at the Williamson Building, 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.