International Banking and Finance Law LLM
Year of entry 2023
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a related area.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £11,500 (total)
- International fees
- £24,000 (total)
- Contact
- pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview

Please note: Due to an exceptionally high number of applications and the competition for places, this course is now closed to further applications for 2023 entry. Applications for 2024 entry will open in October 2023.
This is a distinctive programme that provides a comprehensive postgraduate study package in the area of banking and finance law.
The programme will enable you to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the legal rules regulating the financial and capital markets in the UK, as well as at a global level. It will provide you with the opportunity to learn about the international regulatory frameworks in which banks and other financial institutions operate, as well as commercial financial issues such as the legal framework for international syndicated loans, bond issues, secured credit and insolvency.
You’ll investigate and apply the complex rules of banking and finance law to novel problems and real-world and hypothetical scenarios.
Research and professional insight
LLM International Banking and Finance Law is offered within the dynamic Centre for Business Law and Practice with all the facilities that a leading research-led university offers. This includes opportunities for extra-curricular activities that enhance transferable skills and develop your knowledge of law’s impact on the wider world.
The Centre for Business Law and Practice offers a wide range of experience and expertise in a number of fields, with 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 a number of teaching staff are qualified in the legal profession.
Studying in the School of Law
Watching in China? View this video on YouKu
Course details
Compulsory modules studied throughout the year 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 of these topics will be examined from an international perspective and do not simply focus 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.
You’ll also benefit from our Support in Academic and Personal Development programme. This runs alongside your taught academic programme in semester one and is specifically designed to complement the School’s induction activities and ongoing academic skills support for students, both UK and international.
The wide-ranging list of optional modules means that you can explore a diverse range of related subjects of interest to you.
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 |
---|---|
Insolvency Law | 15 |
International Banking Law: The Regulatory Framework | 15 |
International Banking Law: Capital Markets and Loans | 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 |
Introduction to UK and Global Public Procurement Law and Practice | 15 |
Cyberlaw: Regulation of Cyberspace | 15 |
Alternative Dispute Resolution | 15 |
Environmental Law | 15 |
International Competition Law | 15 |
Corporate Law | 15 |
Corporate Finance and Securities Law | 15 |
Corporate Social Responsibility | 15 |
International Corporate Governance | 15 |
International Law of Credit and Security | 15 |
Principles of International Financial Law | 15 |
International Trade Finance Law | 15 |
International Sales Law | 15 |
International Tax Law and Policy | 30 |
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 |
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will 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, a number of one-to-one meetings and comments on draft work.
Independent study is integral to this programme – 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 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 a related area.
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. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Due to an exceptionally high number of applications and the competition for places, this course is now closed to further applications for 2023 entry.
Applications for 2024 entry will open in October 2023.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
This course is taught by
Contact us
School of Law Postgraduate Admissions Office
Email: pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £11,500 (total)
International: £24,000 (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 about additional costs.
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
The International Banking and Finance programme 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 programme also provides a stepping stone to further research projects. A number of our students choose to remain with us to pursue a research career as PhD students.
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 with us.
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 will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.