International Trade Law LLM

Year of entry

Masters Study and Funding online event

Join us online on Wednesday 17 April to receive expert advice on how to make your Masters a reality with funding. Book your place

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)

Course overview

Two students in study area

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 programme focuses on the public international law aspects of international trade and, in particular, the regulation of international trade by international law and international institutions, including the World Trade Organisation.

You’ll examine the significant role that international law has played in the redistribution of wealth and the reform of the global economic order, and develop specialised and detailed knowledge of the law concerning international trade. You’ll also investigate and apply the complex rules of international trade law to novel problems, and real-world and hypothetical scenarios.

The course also gives you the opportunity to critically evaluate the legal rules and underlying policies concerning International Trade Law.

Research and professional insight

LLM International Trade 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 co-curricular activities that enhance transferable skills and develop a 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

The compulsory modules studied over the course of the academic year will give you the opportunity to:

  • Examine the framework of international law governing the economic relations between states
  • Analyse bilateral investment and free trade treaties, and explore regional trade agreements
  • Investigate the workings of World Trade Organisation law
  • Study international trade regulation.

These modules will also enable you to hone your legal research and writing skills, culminating 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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read International Trade Law LLM in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Module Name Credits
The International Law of Foreign Investment 15
World Trade Organisation Law 15
Postgraduate Legal Research Skills 15
Dissertation 60
International Economic Law 15

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
International E-Commerce Law 15
Alternative Dispute Resolution 15
Environmental Law 15
International Competition Law 15
Insolvency Law 15
Corporate Law 15
Corporate Finance and Securities Law 15
Corporate Social Responsibility 15
International Banking Law: The Regulatory Framework 15
Law and Economics of Business Regulation 15
International Banking Law: Capital Markets and Loans 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
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 lectures, seminars, 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 law, finance, economics or business or 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. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

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

School of Law

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 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.

Find out more about the scholarships we offer

Career opportunities

The International Trade Law programme will enable you to embark upon a career in legal practice, or any career, where success is built upon the ability to understand, analyse and respond to developments in international trade law.

Graduates have secured employment as lawyers, legal managers and international trade consultants. A number of our students remain with us to pursue a further 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.

Find out more about the Careers Centre