International Trade 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
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
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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.
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. 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
Application deadlines
UK – Friday 18 August 2023
Due to an exceptionally high number of applications and the competition for places, we’ve brought forward the application deadline for international applicants to 8th May 2023.
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 Taught Admissions Policy 2023
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 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.