International Banking and Finance Law LLM
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in Law or a related subject
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £14,250 (Total)
- International fees
- £28,250 (Total)
- Contact
- pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Develop an in-depth and specialised understanding of the legal frameworks governing banking and financial services, both at a domestic and international level.
The LLM International Banking and Finance Law course stands out due to its comprehensive focus on the intersection of financial regulation and banking supervision, offering a deep dive into the complex and dynamic world of banking and finance law.
Covering a broad range of topics, this course exposes you to current practices and emerging challenges in the field while equipping you with the skills needed for leadership roles in the financial sector.
You’ll critically evaluate legal rules and policies, undertake independent research, and effectively articulate your arguments, while developing transferable skills such as critical thinking, time management, and advanced communication abilities.
The course provides you with a unique opportunity to engage with current global challenges in the rapidly evolving world of banking and finance law, thereby preparing you for advanced research degrees or professional roles in these sectors.
Research and professional insight
The course is offered within the dynamic Centre for Business Law and Practice (CBLP) with all the facilities that a leading research-led university offers. This includes opportunities for extra-curricular activities to enhance transferable skills and develop your knowledge of the law and its impact on the wider world.
The CBLP offers a wide range of experience and expertise in a number of fields. It has links to the business community through, for example, the Advisory Board, which includes practitioners among its members. Industry and professional speakers regularly participate in conference and seminar events, which you’re encouraged to attend.
The Centre includes amongst its members internationally renowned researchers and teaching staff who are qualified in the legal profession.
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Course details
Compulsory modules will give you the opportunity to:
explore the catalysts and consequences of modern banking crises
examine international approaches to banking supervision
discover the legal process involved in the regulation of banks
study syndicated lending and the issuing of bonds on the international capital markets.
All these topics will be examined from an international perspective and don’t focus exclusively on English law. These modules will also enable you to hone your legal research and writing skills, which you’ll be able to demonstrate in your dissertation – an independent piece of research on your chosen topic.
The wide-ranging list of optional modules means that you can explore a diverse range of related subjects of interest to you.
Our School-based Skills Team will help you to develop the key academic skills necessary to thrive on your course. Through one-to-one appointments, we offer individual skills development advice for your module assessments, dissertation and wider studies.
Our workshop series also offers training in key skills areas including critical thinking, researching, planning, time management and editing. These skills will help you both during your studies and in the workplace.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| International Banking Law: The Regulatory Framework | 15 |
| International Banking Law: Capital Markets and Loans | 15 |
| Principles of International Financial Law | 15 |
| Postgraduate Legal Research Skills | 15 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 60 credits from the below:
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Intercultural Business and Organisational Communication | 15 |
| Cyberlaw: Regulation of Cyberspace | 15 |
| International Competition Law | 15 |
| International Corporate Insolvency Law | 15 |
| Corporate Finance and Securities Law | 15 |
| International Corporate Governance | 15 |
| International Trade Finance Law | 15 |
| Financial Crime | 15 |
| The International Law of Foreign Investment | 15 |
| World Trade Organisation Law | 15 |
| International Economic Law | 15 |
| Conflict of Laws in Business Transactions | 15 |
| Central Issues in Arbitration | 15 |
| Corporate Law | 15 |
| International Tax Law and Policy | 30 |
| International Sales Law | 15 |
Learning and teaching
At Leeds we use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies and develop the specialist skills that will become indispensable in your career.
These include a range of smaller group weekly seminars, lectures, and online learning. All students receive weekly academic skills training in the first semester. Support for the dissertation is provided in group sessions, one-to-one meetings and comments on draft work.
Independent study is integral to this course – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment is undertaken by a variety of methods but typically involves the writing of an essay at the end of each module. We assess the dissertation through your submission of a written piece of work of up to 10,000 words.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in law or a related subject such as banking, finance, economics, or business.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
Please note that meeting the entry requirements of this course doesn't guarantee an offer of a place.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Law (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Law (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Friday 27 June 2025
UK – Friday 15 August 2025
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
- original or certified copies of your transcripts in English and the original language
- original or certified copies of your degree certificate in English and the original language
- original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language) or an equivalent English language test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
Contact us
School of Law Postgraduate Admissions Office
Email: pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £14,250 (Total)
International: £28,250 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School of Law usually offers a number of scholarships each year.
Career opportunities
From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career.
The International Banking and Finance course enables graduates to pursue careers where success is built on the ability to understand, analyse and respond to developments in international banking and finance law.
Recent graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in organisations such as Pinsent Masons, Fidelity International, KPMG, Alpha FMC and beyond.
The course also provides a stepping stone to further research projects. Many students pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Careers support
The School of Law offers career and personal development support through the School’s dedicated Employability Officers. You can book one-to-one appointments with our Employability Officers throughout the year to discuss your career aspirations and get advice on how to make the most of your time at Leeds.
The School also arranges a number of community engagement (pro bono) and work experience opportunities, career development workshops, guest speaker events and careers fairs throughout the year. These opportunities will allow you to develop new skills, enhance your career prospects and network with prospective employers.
Find out more about how we support your career development.
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you’ll also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. It offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.
Find out more about the Careers Centre
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.