International Business Law LLM

Course overview

Develop a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the legal frameworks governing business activity within the United Kingdom, Europe and globally.

The LLM in International Business Law distinguishes itself through its extensive focus on the legal aspects of international business activities, encompassing a broad spectrum of legal issues.

You’ll gain the professional skills necessary for leadership roles in international business while developing a comprehensive understanding of the laws regulating international business, including their application to real-world and hypothetical scenarios.

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 delve into the complexities of international business law, thereby preparing you for advanced research degrees or professional roles in legal and business sectors.

Research excellence 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 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 amongst its members. Industry and professional speakers regularly participate in conference and seminar events, which you’re encouraged to attend.

The Centre includes among its members internationally renowned researchers, and teaching staff who are qualified in the legal profession.

Studying in the School of Law

Watching in China? View this video on YouKu

Course details

The course’s structure consists of a combination of compulsory and optional modules, offering you a wide range of specialisations, including financial, corporate, competition, tax, trade, and investment law.

As a compulsory module, Postgraduate Legal Research Skills enables you to develop your legal research and writing skills, culminating in an independent piece of research on your chosen topic, the Dissertation.

This modular structure provides you with the flexibility to pursue specific areas of interest within the realm of international business law.

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.

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

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You will choose 105 credits from the below:

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 seminars, lectures, and online learning. 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) or equivalent in law or a related subject such as banking, finance, economics, or business.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

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

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible; details of our deadlines can be found below:

International applicants: Friday 27 June 2025

UK applicants: Friday 15 August 2025

Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.

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

School of Law

Contact us

School of Law Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £13,750 (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. Find out more on the School’s scholarship page.

Career opportunities

From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career.  

This course will help enhance your career prospects, not only in terms of the legal profession, but in any career where analysis, initiative, problem-solving and an understanding of legal concepts and rules within the business environment are desirable.

Recent graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in the UK and overseas in a range of organisations including law firms, investment companies and banks.

International Business Law LLM also provides a stepping stone to further research projects. Students can choose to 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.