Course description
The LLM Transnational Dispute Resolution develops advanced expertise in the procedures and substantive rules that govern the settlement of international and cross-border disputes.
You will study how cases proceed before courts, arbitral tribunals and alternative dispute-resolution (ADR) bodies, focusing on commercial arbitration, mediation and investor–state disputes under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) frameworks.
Two 30-credit core units anchor your learning – International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Law and International Investment Law, while a wide choice of options lets you tailor the degree to shipping, trade, finance or human-rights disputes.
The blend of clear legal theory and practice-based workshops means you finish ready for specialist practice, government service or doctoral research.
Aims
On this course, you will:
- Gain advanced knowledge of how international and transnational disputes are resolved, including key legal rules and procedures
- Explore the political and legal dynamics that shape global dispute resolution processes
- Develop the critical tools to analyse complex legal conflicts across borders
- Understand how international arbitration, mediation and litigation work in practice
- Graduate ready to advise or act in legal disputes involving multinational corporations, states, and international bodies
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 Transnational Dispute Resolution is taught in small groups by an interdisciplinary team using a variety of delivery methods:
- seminar style-lectures;
- workshops;
- student-led presentations and debate;
- group work;
- individual research.
Part time
This course is available part-time, making it accessible to learners who are balancing professional commitments.
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 of a mix of mandatory and optional units, worth 15 or 30 credits each. On the LLM Transnational Dispute Resolution, there are two mandatory 30-credit units:
- International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Law (30 credits);
- International Investment Law (30 credits).
You then choose optional course units – see the indicative list below – to reach a total of 120 credits (selecting four to eight units in all).
Indicative optional units include:
- 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.
Unit availability can change each year; your August registration pack confirms the options running in the year ahead.
The remaining 60 credits are awarded through a 14,000- to-15,000-word dissertation on a topic linked to one of your chosen units. Weekly research-methodology lectures in both semesters support 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 |
| 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 |
| Intellectual Property Law | LAWS70101 | 30 | Optional |
| Trade Mark Law and Policy | LAWS70261 | 30 | Optional |
| Patent Law and Policy | LAWS70271 | 30 | Optional |
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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 .