LLM International Business and Commercial Law / Course details
Year of entry: 2026
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Course description
LLM International Business and Commercial Law equips you to tackle the legal, regulatory and governance challenges that multinational companies face in today’s interconnected markets.
You will examine corporate governance, international trade transactions, competition and financial regulation, while developing the advanced research skills prized by leading law firms and international organisations.
Our research-led teaching means you learn directly from academics whose work influences global policy, and you will have the chance to apply that knowledge through client-facing projects at our Justice Hub.
With flexible optional course units, you can tailor the LLM to specialisms such as transnational dispute resolution, intellectual property or law and finance in emerging markets – positioning yourself for careers across corporate, commercial and international legal practice.
Aims
On this course, you will:
- Develop a thorough knowledge of the legal fundamentals of international commerce and finance.
- Gain deeper insight into specific problems and critical issues faced by international business today and the international legal frameworks in dealing with them.
- Develop an understanding of the legal framework for business and commerce within regional economic blocs, such as the European Union.
- Understand relevant academic debates and new developments in law.
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 Business and Commercial 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 of these credits are made up entirely of optional course units.
On the LLM in International Business and Commercial Law, there are no mandatory taught course units – you personalise your study by selecting from our approved list of commercial and business-law options.
Course units are typically worth 15 or 30 credits, so you will choose between four and eight units in total depending on your selection.
Course units span a wide range of topics across the legal spectrum, such 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 be subject to change. Information sent to you in August will clearly set out the course units available for the upcoming academic year.
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.
Your research will be supported by weekly research-methodology lectures in both semesters, helping you sharpen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LL.M Dissertation | LAWS70990 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Academic Skills for Legal Studies | LAWS50000 | 0 | Optional |
| International Sale of Goods | LAWS63051 | 30 | Optional |
| International Banking Law | LAWS63071 | 30 | Optional |
| Global Economic and World Trade Law | LAWS67031 | 30 | Optional |
| Transnational Corporate & Capital Markets Law | LAWS70082 | 30 | Optional |
| Intellectual Property Law | LAWS70101 | 30 | Optional |
| Trade Mark Law and Policy | LAWS70261 | 30 | Optional |
| Patent Law and Policy | LAWS70271 | 30 | Optional |
| Copyright Law and Policy | LAWS70292 | 30 | Optional |
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What our students say
Facilities
You will be supported by the first-class resources 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.
You may also access 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.