LLM Transnational Dispute Resolution / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

The LLM in Transnational Dispute Resolution course allows you to develop advanced knowledge of the procedural and substantive law and the rules that govern the settlement of international and transnational disputes.

As such, the course focuses on the contemporary rules, procedures and practices of international courts and tribunals. The course focuses particularly on arbitration and other ADR mechanisms as well as the dispute resolution mechanism of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The programme also offers the opportunity to examine other courts and tribunals, including that of the World Trade Organisation.

The course also deals with mechanisms allowing the settlement of disputes which are of a hybrid nature, eg partly international and partly domestic.

Aims

The LLM in Transnational Dispute Resolution course provides you with advanced knowledge of the rules and procedures along which international and transnational disputes are settled.

In addition to the critical tools to understand, apprehend and analyse the politics and the dynamics of international and transnational disputes.

Teaching and learning

The course is based on introductory lecturers and seminar-style teaching by our research-active staff. Including external experts and renowned practitioners.

This degree is offered part time to allow those with a professional occupation to follow the course.

Coursework and assessment

All course units are assessed by either one written exam, or one coursework essay, or a combination of these two methods of assessment.

The course will be 180 credits in total and has a compulsory research component. 120 credits will be taught units and the remaining 60 credits in the form of a 14,000 to 15,000 word dissertation.

Your dissertation must be within one of your core units. The research element of the course is supported by weekly research methodology lectures delivered throughout semesters one and two designed to improve your legal writing and research skills. For specialised streams, the dissertation topic must be within those streams.

Course unit details

The LLM course typically offers around 30 different course units in any one year, and will always reflect a wide range of subjects across the legal spectrum.

There will usually be course units offered on diverse topics, 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.

You will be taking 180 credits in total, 120 of which will be taught course units and the remaining 60 credits in the form of a 14,000 to 15,000 word dissertation.

The course includes two 30 credit compulsory units: International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Law and International Investment Law.

Your dissertation must be within the area of one unit you have chosen. The research element of the course is supported by weekly research methodology lectures delivered throughout semesters one and two, designed to improve your legal writing and research skills. For specialised streams, the dissertation topic must be within those streams.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
LL.M Dissertation LAWS70990 60 Mandatory
International Investment Law LAWS72042 30 Mandatory
International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Law LAWS77082 30 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
International Institutions LAWS70021 30 Optional
Transnational Corporate & Capital Markets Law LAWS70081 30 Optional
Intellectual Property Law LAWS70101 30 Optional
Trade Mark Law and Policy LAWS70261 30 Optional
Patent Law and Policy LAWS70271 30 Optional
Foundations of International Law LAWS70431 30 Optional
Displaying 10 of 13 course units

Scholarships and bursaries

The School is offering a number of awards for students applying for master's study. To find out more please visit our  master's funding opportunity search page .

Facilities

You are supported by first-class resources.

In addition to the networked study spaces at the Williamson Building, you can access a specialist moot courtroom, enabling future legal minds to hone your debating skills in a realistic court setting.

As well as The University of Manchester Library , which houses a substantial collection of law books, periodicals and texts to support you.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email dass@manchester.ac.uk .