International Trade Law LLM
Year of entry 2024
- Start date
- September 2024
- 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
- £13,000 (Total)
- International fees
- £26,500 (Total)
- Contact
- pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
This course focuses on the public international law aspects of international trade. It explores 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.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
develop specialised and detailed knowledge of the law concerning international trade
investigate and apply the complex rules of international trade law to novel problems, and real-world and hypothetical scenarios
critically evaluate the legal rules and underlying policies concerning International Trade Law
Research and professional insight
This 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 co-curricular activities that 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 several 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 several teaching staff who are qualified in the legal profession.
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Course details
Compulsory modules studied 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.
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. Moreover, our workshop series 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 |
|---|---|
| The International Law of Foreign Investment | 15 |
| World Trade Organisation Law | 15 |
| Postgraduate Legal Research Skills | 15 |
| International Economic Law | 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 E-Commerce Law | 15 |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | 15 |
| Environmental Law | 15 |
| International Competition Law | 15 |
| International Corporate Insolvency Law | 15 |
| Corporate Law | 15 |
| Corporate Finance and Securities Law | 15 |
| Corporate Social Responsibility | 15 |
| International Banking Law: The Regulatory Framework | 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 |
| Central Issues in Arbitration | 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 will include a range of seminars and lectures in which a high level of student engagement and discussion is expected plus online learning.
Independent study is integral to this course – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills. You’ll be expected to carry out advanced levels of legal research and participate fully in seminars.
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) or equivalent 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.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
International – Friday 28 June 2024
UK – Friday 16 August 2024
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
- original or certified copies of your degree certificate
- original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language)
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: £13,000 (Total)
International: £26,500 (Total)
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.
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
From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career.
This course 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. 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’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.