International Commercial Law  LLM

Overview

Our LLM in International Commercial Law is a flexible high level masters programme. The programme provides you with the opportunity to obtain a much deeper understanding of cutting edge international commercial law in a wide range of subjects. In addition to providing real depth of international commercial law scholarship the programme provides real world insights and strong practitioner contact.

This unique masters programme, provides a real opportunity for you to launch your career with major national and international commercial law firms. Taught at our Gray's Inn campus in the heart of the legal community by high profile professionals from around the world this masters truly opens up the world of commercial law.     

The City International Commercial Law LLM offers three major programme options. First, students can take an LLM in International Commercial Law. Students are able to choose four courses from approximately 30 different course subjects. They can then take their dissertation in any one of the four courses they have already undertaken.

Alternatively, you can gain a subject LLM in a particular area of law by taking four courses and a dissertation in your chosen area of law. We offer subject LLMs in International Banking Law; EU Commercial Law; International Competition Law; International Energy Litigation; and Maritime Law.

Thirdly, you can also choose to add a specialism to your LLM in Commercial Law by taking two courses a dissertation in a chosen specialist area of law. We offer specialisms in: International Banking Law; International Competition Law; International Dispute Resolution Law, International Energy Litigation Law; IT and Media Law and Maritime Law. Hence your degree will be an LLM in International Commercial Law with International Competition Law/International Dispute Resolution Law/International Energy Litigation Law/IT and Media Law or Maritime Law.

Why City's LLM?

  • Learn in small classes of between 6 and 30 students
  • Choose a specialism in an area of international commercial law
  • Gain a dedicated LLM award in an area of your choice
  • Meet leading industry professionals
  • Undertake an internship at a leading international law firm

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £12,750
  • Part-time EU: £6,375
  • Full-time Non EU: £12,750
  • Part-time Non EU: £6,375

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

The City Law School accepts candidates for postgraduate study who have very strong academic potential and good English. Applicants should normally hold a good first degree in law or an equivalent qualification (for some courses an appropriate professional qualification and relevant experience will also be acceptable).


Postgraduate preparation Programmes

If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Business, Law and Social Science at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.

Kaplan International College (KIC) London

Additionally, the University works in partnership with KIC London to provide preparatory courses for international students.  Foundation and Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students including regular one-to-one tuition. Progression to the University is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London course at the required level.



English Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English, the following qualifications are also required:

  • IELTS: 7 or above
  • TOEFL (internet based): 107 or above 

Language Programmes

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Please click the links below for more information.

English for Postgraduate Study
Pre-sessional English



 

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

When and Where

Duration:
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Course Content

We offer a wide range of courses in approximately 30 areas of commercial law, including: antitrust, banking law, energy law, maritime law, international energy litigation and international tax. We also offer a suite of EU Law courses led by Professor Lorna Woods, the author of, 'EU Law'. Published by Oxford University Press, 'EU Law', is the best selling legal text in the world written in English on the subject of the law of the European Union.

Course Structure

The courses offered are expected to include:

Competition Law


Martime Law


International Banking Law


International Energy Litigation Law


EU Commercial Law


IT & Media


Subject LLMs

You can choose to take a full subject LLM in a particular distinct area of law. You can be awarded a dedicated subject

LLM in the following areas:


To be awarded a dedicated subject LLM you must complete four courses and a dissertation in your chosen specialist area.

Specialisms

Or, you can gain a specialism in a distinct area of law. You can be awarded a specialism in the following areas:


To be awarded a specialism in any of the above areas you must complete two courses and a dissertation in your chosen specialist area.


Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

There are ten two-hour seminars for each course, which are delivered by distinguished City Law School lecturers, visiting lecturers and practitioners from major international law firms.

One of the core values of the LLM is that we try and provide a strong level of support to our student and this means that we keep our classes small. All our classes run on the basis of a minimum of six students and a maximum of 30, which provides you with a positive and interactive learning environment to study in.

You will have an allocated personal tutor who will support you throughout your time at City. In addition to your allocated personal tutor, we have tutors who can offer you individual careers support reviewing CVs, including providing advice on gaining a  training contract, assessment of law firm placement or considering internship opportunities.

Find out more about our LLM in International Commercial Law teaching staff.

Assessment

Each course is assessed by a 6,000 word paper. During the summer term you are required to complete a 20,000 word dissertation.

Opportunities

Law and Practice Forum
We run a suite of seminars throughout the year where we bring in lawyers, economists, public affairs specialists and in house counsel to the School provide you with an insight into modern commercial law practice.

For more information visit the Law and Practice Forum.

Legal London
We encourage you to make the most of legal London and attend specialist lectures across the City related to law and business. We highly recommend that our students  take up membership of British Institute of International and Comparative Law to enable them to access the organisation's high quality commercial law seminars.
 
Social Events
We run an extensive social events calendar for our LLM students. This ranges from receptions at the begining of the academic year, through to walking trips across the Southdowns to London theatre trips and a ball at the Inner Temple in following March.


LLM in Maritime Law (Greece)
Our LLM in Maritime Law (Greece) is delivered in the exceptional Laskaridou Library of Piraeus, Athens. The course is taught in English in weekend blocks, by experienced British academics and legal practitioners.


Fees

  • Full-time EU: £12,750
  • Part-time EU: £6,375
  • Full-time Non EU: £12,750
  • Part-time Non EU: £6,375

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

For further information and ideas about how to fund your course, visit Financing your study.

Scholarships

The City Law School is offering eight full fee scholarships for LLM students starting with us in September. Worth over £12,000, students awarded a scholarship will pay no fee for their chosen LLM. We encourage applications from all over the world, from civilian and common law jurisdictions. We are looking for bright young lawyers who are determined to make the most of a London based postgraduate programme.

How to Apply?

Please submit a full application for one of the following LLM programmes:

In addition (at the same time as filing the LLM application), you must also submit a 3000 word essay.


When to Apply?

Applications must be submitted by: Friday 01 June 2012

Successful applicants will be notified by: Monday 02 July 2012.

You will be assessed by the quality of your application and your essay.

Essay Questions

There are six essay titles to choose from covering a range of commercial law subjects.

Please choose ONE.

  • World Trade Law: "The WTO is the corner stone of an equitable and open global trading system" Discuss.
  • Competition Law: "Price-fixing is 'the supreme evil of antitrust". Do you agree with Justice Scalia's view? If so, why?
  • Legal Systems: "Common Law jurisdictions provide a better framework for conducting international commercial litigation than civilian law systems." Discuss.
  • Energy Law: "Shale gas and greater LNG liquidity will transform the prospects for both European gas market liberalization and European energy security". Discuss.
  • Maritime Law: "The Rotterdam Rules fundamentally transform Maritime Law" Discuss.
  • EU Law: "The exhaustion of rights doctrine is vital for the proper functioning of the single market". Discuss.

There is no requirement that the essay chosen has to be linked to the type of LLM chosen. Hence it is perfectly acceptable to submit an essay on competition law and apply for an LLM in Maritime Law.

Terms & Conditions

  • A full application for one of the LLMs listed above has to be received by City Law School along with a covering letter indicating that the applicant also seeks to apply for the tuition fee scholarship.
  • The applicant for the scholarship is required to have obtained a first class honours degree or a high 2:1 or equivalent. The applicant must also have an IETLS score of not less than 7.0.
  • The applicant must submit a 3000 word essay in English: There are six essay titles to choose from covering trade, competition, energy, maritime and EU law.
  • Applications together with essays must be received by 1 June and a final decision will be made by 1 July. Only successful applicants will be notified.
    Successful applicants will have their deposit fee refunded. (Applicants who are not in a position to fund the initial deposit can apply for a deposit waiver from the law school before they make their application).

Placements

Internships

We encourage all of our students to obtain internships and placements with organisations, whilst they are studying with us. A number of internships are on offer to The City Law School students each year. We offer the following internships in 2010/11:


 
For more information visit Internships. 

Career Prospects

The LLM in International Commercial Law, subject LLMs and specialisms provide you with a sound basis for developing a career in international commercial legal practice; whether it be with a national or international firm, in-house or with a national or international regulator.

Postgraduate Experience

Students who complete the LLM may wish to continue their academic studies by enrolling in a PhD or MPhil offered by The City Law School.

Find out more about City University London

LLM in International Commercial Law

Including:

LLM in EU Commercial Law
LLM in International Banking & Finance
LLM in International Competition Law
LLM in International Energy Litigation
LLM in Maritime Law (UK)


To apply for any of the above LLM programmes you must complete an application form for the LLM in International Commercial Law. Applications can be made directly to The City Law School.

You can apply online for both the full-time and part-time course or you can complete a paper application. Applications open in September each year for enrolment the following September. Late applicants run the risk that the course may be full after the initial round of offers has been made. Don't miss out, make sure you get yours in early! 


Full-time Application

Part-time Application

Paper Application