Law and Finance MSc
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 law or a relevant business degree.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £13,500 (total)
- International fees
- £27,750 (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.
The global financial crisis has triggered greater interest in international finance law. It is broadly believed that multiple causal factors in various domains played their role in this worldwide social-economic crisis. These include international corporate governance, international banking regulation, and accounting and reporting schemes. This course will enable students to obtain a deeper understanding of these issues by studying a range of modules on various aspects of law and finance and will be attractive to those who want to specialise in law in this rapidly developing field. It will, in addition, focus on the policy issues surrounding financial regulation and will enable students to conduct research into these interdisciplinary areas.
This innovative and interdisciplinary programme meets the growing demand for professionals with financial and legal expertise by combining theory and practice to deliver one of the very few specialised law and finance postgraduate programmes in the UK.
The programme will enable you to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the law, economics and finance governing international law and finance both in the UK, Europe and at a global level.
Whether your background is weighted more towards the legal or financial field, dedicated support ensures that you will gain the necessary analytical, financial and legal skills early in the programme to be able to succeed.
You will benefit from a compulsory programme the week before the academic year begins to ensure that all students have the required finance and elementary legal skills prior to the start of teaching. This induction programme is delivered by the School of Law and Business School. The programme focuses on a range of areas including quantitative skills. This combines with support provided by the School of Law early in the programme to ensure that all students have the requisite detailed legal skills required for the programme and to understand the latest legal frameworks and legislation which apply to this rapidly moving sector. International students will have the opportunity for additional in-sessional language support.
Practical experience
As part of the programme you will have the opportunity to gain real hands-on experience, through a range of professional activities and advanced facilities designed to develop your practical skills.
For example, you will gain an understanding of financial markets, whilst developing important professional skills, as part of a one-week trading simulation delivered in partnership with Amplify Trading. Using the same market simulations as companies such as HSBC, JPMorgan and Bank of America, you will have the opportunity to find out what it’s like to be a City trader operating a state-of-the-art trading desk and to apply key financial theories to live market prices.
You will also have access to the Business School’s financial markets lab, equipped with Bloomberg terminals and a virtual trading platform, providing opportunities for skills development and research activity.
Research and professional insight
You will be taught by leaders in research in these complementary disciplines.
Within the School of Law, the Centre for Business Law and Practice is well known for its research in corporate and financial law. Members of the Centre are academic leaders in their specialised fields, including financial law, corporate law, insolvency law, trade law, tax law and competition law and have acted as consultants to law firms, accounting bodies, national law reform bodies, government departments in various countries, and international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Transparency International.
The Business School has strong relationships with the finance, credit and accounting professions, connecting you to the latest practitioner and policy developments. This means you will benefit from a Masters course that is highly relevant to the current business environment.
You will also be able to access the knowledge of the Business School’s advanced specialist research units, which have strong links with leading institutions in the US, Europe and Asia. These include the Centre for Advanced Study in Finance (CASIF), the Institute of Banking and Investment (IBI) and the Credit Management Research Centre (CMRC).
Studying in the School of Law
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Course details
The compulsory and optional modules studied will give you an excellent opportunity to:
- Explore corporate law, corporate finance law, corporate tax law and securities regulation
- Engage critically with domestic and international developments in financial law from practical, regulatory and policy perspectives
- Examine detailed knowledge of financial services and financial derivatives both from a theoretical and practical standpoint
- Understand how to analyse and present statistical data
- Learn how to interpret financial accounting information
- Make effective financial decisions in a corporate enterprise.
There are two dissertation ‘pathways’ available on this programme, depending on your previous experience: the Law and Finance Dissertation OR the Accounting and Finance Dissertation. If you have a good grounding in quantitative subjects you will be able to select which dissertation you complete but anyone without a good grounding in quantitative subjects must do the Law and Finance Dissertation.
You will also benefit from our rigorous support programme which includes a pre-sessional programme, offered by the Law School in conjunction with the Business School. This is designed to support the development of your finance knowledge, particularly for students who do not have a background in finance. Additionally we host a 10-week programme which runs alongside your taught academic programme and is specifically designed to meet the needs of both UK and international students in the School of Law, particularly those who do not have a background in law. It allows you to refine and develop the academic and transferable skills needed to excel during your taught postgraduate programmes, as well as prepare for professional roles after graduation.
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 |
|---|---|
| Corporate Finance and Securities Law | 15 |
| Principles of International Financial Law | 15 |
| Quantitative Methods | 15 |
| Corporate Finance | 15 |
| Financial Reporting and Analysis | 15 |
| Plus 60 credits from the following: | |
| Postgraduate Legal Research Skills | 15 |
| Dissertation (Law and Finance) | 45 |
| Accounting and Finance Dissertation | 60 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 45 credits from the below:
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Intercultural Business and Organisational Communication | 15 |
| International Competition Law | 15 |
| Corporate Law | 15 |
| Corporate Transactions: Practical Skills | 15 |
| Corporate Social Responsibility | 15 |
| International Banking Law: Capital Markets and Loans | 15 |
| International Corporate Governance | 15 |
| International Law of Credit and Security | 15 |
| International Trade Finance Law | 15 |
| International Tax Law and Policy | 30 |
| Financial Crime | 15 |
| Conflict of Laws in Business Transactions | 15 |
| Central Issues in Arbitration | 15 |
| Forensic Accounting and Finance | 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. You’ll also receive separate dissertation supervision. 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
You’ll be assessed through coursework and exams.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in law or a relevant business degree such as accounting, finance, economics or mathematics. Applicants without a law degree will nevertheless be expected to have taken some law modules at undergraduate level or during previous postgraduate study.
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
Leeds University Business School
Contact us
School of Law Postgraduate Admissions Office
Email: pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £13,500 (total)
International: £27,750 (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 further details on the School scholarship page.
Career opportunities
Graduates with Masters-level knowledge in both the legal and financial fields possess a rare skill set, which is highly sought-after by employers.
In addition to the possibility of pursuing further research and/or doctoral study, the course will equip graduates to pursue a range of careers. In particular, the courses will be of benefit to graduates wishing to work in financial institutions; banks; the financial services industry; government; international organisations; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); and international media or journalism. Possible career destinations for graduates from this programme include commercial banking; investment banking; hedge fund managing; venture capitalism; market regulation; compliance; accountancy; management consultancy; or even becoming entrepreneurs by starting their own business.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas in a range of sectors and professions including accountancy firms, law firms, audits, higher education and beyond. Many also 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 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.