International Commercial Law

Having a solid understanding of today’s global business environment is imperative. Successful leadership skills and an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of the business world are crucial for any successful career within this field. The International Commercial Law LLM offers a professional and firm academic degree that will provide a solid foundation in the current global market. 

Why study LLM International Commercial Law at Aberystwyth University?

• 96.5% of the Department of Law & Criminology publications were judged to be of an internationally recognised standard or higher in the most recent research assessment – REF 2014
• Academic staff in the Department of Law and Criminology are active in research and publication and participate in national and international debate and policy-making in legal and related fields
• Aberystwyth is a multinational community. The Department of Law & Criminology participates actively in international and European academic networks and frequently hosts visits by academics and experts from other countries
• Expansive research is carried out within the Department across a range of research areas and within a range of research centres (including the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice see: https://choice.aber.ac.uk/about/)
• Postgraduates integrate into our research culture through Departmental research seminars and student conferences
• Opportunity to meet regularly with your Personal Tutor who will guide and assist you with both your studies and future career planning
• Benefit from a mature and well-stocked library for Law and Criminology, supported by a subject specialist librarian to assist you with your studies, and from generous information technology provision
• We are adjacent to the National Library of Wales, one of five UK copyright libraries
• Aberystwyth University is a top 50 university for research power and intensity – REF 2014.

Duration:

One year full-time or two years part-time. The academic year (September to September) is divided into three semesters: September to January; January to June; June to September. The taught element is completed between September and May, and the dissertation between June and September. Students who require even greater flexibility or who cannot attend regularly at Aberystwyth might be interested in our LLM programme by distance learning.

Assessment:

Assessment in the first two semesters is via written assignments and oral presentations. Each student will complete a Masters dissertation of 13,000-15,000 words which deals with an area of chosen study in the third semester. 

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Possible funding opportunites can be found in our funding calculator.

This degree will suit you:

• If you want to study an area of law with urgent contemporary significance and practical relevance
• If you wish to develop a critical appreciation of legal responses to business commercial uses
• If you wish to nurture a legal career within government, non-governmental or corporate structures
• If you desire skills highly sought-after in any postgraduate workplace.

Employability

Combining both theoretical and practical perspectives, the subject matter covers the growth areas of the future as well as subjects and skills of traditional importance. The course also aims to impart knowledge of legal rules relevant to the business field and emphasis is placed on the practical implications of the rules and the economic and political context in which they have evolved. In addition, throughout the duration of the course you will develop your broader skills of legal analysis and research. You will be pushed to improve your approaches to planning, analysis and presentation so that you can tackle complex projects thoroughly and with professional independence, making you a highly-desirable candidate for a career in government, non-governmental and corporate contexts alike.

Study Skills

You will learn to quickly assemble, assimilate and interpret a wealth of legal data and you will refine your professional practices by engagement with multiple case studies. You will learn how to deploy your knowledge to assert your expertise and build your legal case. These skills in analysis and discourse, supported by your mastery of rigorous methodologies, will stand you in good stead for any professional workplace.

Self-Motivation and discipline

Studying at LLM level requires discipline and self-motivation from every candidate. Though you will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff, you are ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your Masters degree. This process will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Transferable Skills

The LLM programme is designed to give you a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organising information, working effectively with others and working within timeframes and to specific deadlines. Whether you pursue a legal career, further research or unrelated employment, these skills will enable you to progress to a significantly higher level.

How will I be taught?

You will study six taught modules totalling 120 credits, including a core module in Legal Studies. All modules are taught through weekly small group seminars. Each module is assessed by a combination of coursework and an oral presentation.

You will also write an extended dissertation on a topic relating to the specialist area (60 credits). The dissertation is completed under the supervision of a member of staff. You are not required to stay in Aberystwyth while you research and write your dissertation.