LLM International Commercial Law

LLM International Commercial Law

Key facts

Study mode and duration:

• LLM: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
• PgDip: 9 months full-time; 21 months part-time
• PgCert: 8 months part-time

Start date: September 2017

Field dissertation: opportunity to undertake a field dissertation overseas

Why this course?

The aim of the new LLM International Commercial Law is to introduce you to the legal and normative concepts underpinning International Commercial Law as well as the challenges this area of law will face in the coming years. You'll also explore its interaction with other systems and fields of law.

One of the key aims of this programme is to provide you with the knowledge base and intellectual and practical skills necessary to develop a career in the area of international commercial law. As a student on the LLM International Commercial Law you'll have the opportunity to pursue your own interests and have a large degree of flexibility to tailor your degree to your intended career path.

What you’ll study

This programme is available full-time and part-time, with three potential exit points. You can choose to study for a:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
• Masters degree (LLM)

Core classes

• The Law of the World Trade Organisation
• International Business Law
• Legal Research (compulsory for PgDip and LLM)

Elective classes

In addition to the core classes, you'll have the opportunity to pursue elective classes from other Masters programmes in Law. Choices may include:

• Business & Human Rights
• Labour Law in the Global Economy
• Intellectual Property Law
• E-Commerce
• International Investment Law
• International Banking Law
• Financial Regulation & Compliance
• Comparative Company Law & Regulation
• Comparative Law of Obligations
• Cybercrime
• Competition Law of the UK and EU

Please note that the elective classes on offer may change from year to year.

You could also consider taking one of the following classes, if it's relevant to your future career path:

• International Environmental Law
• International Human Rights Law
• European Human Rights Law
• Global Health Rights and Development
• Climate Change & International Law

Students on the LLM degree also require to undertake a dissertation over the summer.

Field dissertation

A unique aspect of this degree is the opportunity for a select number of students to undertake a field dissertation overseas within a non-governmental organisation that has an international focus.

This opportunity is offered on a competitive basis. If successful, your placement will last for up to 12 weeks between July and September. Work completed for the placement will focus on a specific area of law and will form the subject of your dissertation.

Previous students have undertaken placements in a wide range countries including Sri Lanka, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Cambodia, India and Kenya though our current focus is on providing placements in Ghana, Uganda and Zambia. Examples of projects which our students have previously undertaken include:

• assessing the extent to which Indian environmental and energy laws promote the development of micro-renewables
• an analysis of whether Tanzanian land law discriminates against women and what reforms would be needed to address the discrimination
• an exploration of the low take-up of Clean Development Mechanism [CDM] in Sub-Saharan Africa and how the situation could be improved
• an assessment of environmental justice in Nigeria and South Africa
• market access barriers in respect of honey produced in Mozambique
• a comparative analysis of shea production in Ghana and Uganda

The project/field work is organised and supported by Challenges Worldwide. Challenges Worldwide is an innovative, award-winning, social enterprise working in international development.

The University of Strathclyde provides comprehensive travel and health insurance for all participants in the field dissertation. We also pay for the costs of your placement. You're responsible for the costs of flights, visas, and accommodation and living expenses while overseas. Such costs have tended to be in the region of £1,500 to £2,500 per student.

The Strathclyde Law School

The Strathclyde Law School is well known for its academic research in commercial law and has a large number of experts working in the area of commercial law, broadly defined. This includes:

• Professor Lilian Edwards
• Dr Lorna Gillies
• Professor Barry Rodger
• Dr Stephanie Switzer
• Mr Michael Randall
• Mr Abhilash Nair
• Dr Honor McAdam
• Dr Francesco Sindico
• Professor Bryan Clark

Given the large number of staff working in this area, you'll have the opportunity to attend seminars, guest lectures and other events relevant to your study throughout your LLM studies.

Facilities

Our library has a wide range of law reports, legislation, serials and monographs. It also has duplicate sets of key law report series, houses extensive collections in government publications and other related areas.

You'll have access to a wide range of electronic information sources which can be accessed from home, including all the major legal databases.

The Law School is also home to Scotland’s first Law Clinic. It provides a ‘real life’ learning experience for students and an invaluable service to members of the public who do not qualify for legal aid, and cannot otherwise afford legal advice.

Student competitions

Students will be invited to take part in a selection process to participate in the Climate & Sustainability Project (CASP). This is open also to students on the LLM Global Environmental Law & International Law and the LLM International Law & Sustainable Development. CASP is an annual student-run project that explores a particular area of law and policy related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project culminates every year in an interactive workshop led by students and contributed to by a range of sustainable development experts.

Entry requirements

Normally a first class or second-class honours degree in a related discipline (some law content recommended). Entry may be possible with other qualifications, especially where your work experience is relevant to the course.

English language requirements

For postgraduate studies, the University of Strathclyde requires a minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 (no individual test score below 6.0) or equivalent. Tests are valid for two years.

Pre-sessional courses in English are available.

If you’re a national of an English speaking country recognised by UK Visa and Immigrations (please check most up-to-date list on the Home Office website) or you have successfully completed an academic qualification (at least equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree) in any of these countries, then you do not need to present any additional evidence.

If you are from a country not recognised as an English speaking country by the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration (UKVI), please check our English requirements before making your application.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.

Fees & funding

How much will my course cost?

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Scotland/EU

2017/18

• LLM/PgDip - £6,500
• PgCert - £3,250

Rest of UK

2017/18

• LLM/PgDip - £6,500
• PgCert - £3,250

International

2017/18

• LLM/PgDip - £13,500

How can I fund my course?

There are several scholarship opportunities available for students applying for this course. Opportunities include:

• John Fitzsimmons Memorial scholarships
• Lord Hope Postgraduate scholarships
• International Scholarships (instructional)
• University of Strathclyde Progression Scholarships

To recognise academic achievement, the Dean's International Excellence Award offers international students a merit-based scholarship of up to £3,000 for entry onto a full-time Masters programme in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences.

Check our Scholarship Search for more help with fees and funding.

Scottish students

Students living in Scotland can find out more about funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland.

English students

Students ordinarily resident in England may be eligible to apply for a loan of up to £10,000 to cover their tuition fees and living costs.

Please note

The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.

Careers

The LLM in International Commercial has been designed to provide you with the knowledge base and intellectual and practical skills necessary to develop a career in the area of international commercial law, broadly defined. Students on the LLM in International Commercial Law have the opportunity to pursue their own interests and have a large degree of flexibility to tailor their degree to their intended career path. We also work closely our award winning Careers Service so as to advise students of relevant training, internship and job opportunities.

Positions which previous graduates of similar postgraduate programmes offered by Strathclyde Law School have gone on to take include:

• Associate, Law Firm*
• Company Director
• HR Consultant
• Trainee, Legal Services, Council of the European Union
• Researcher, World Trade Organisation (WTO)
• Trainee Chartered Accountant
• Legal Advisor, Law Centre
• Executive Assistant
• Intern, European Patent Office, UNCITRAL, WTO
• PhD Researcher
• University Lecturer

*Please note that while this degree fosters strong employability skills, it does not in itself qualify students to enter the legal profession.