LLM in International Banking and Finance Law

This is a distinctive programme that provides a comprehensive postgraduate study package in the area of banking and finance law.

The programme will enable you to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the legal rules regulating the financial and capital markets in the UK, as well as at a global level. It will provide you with the opportunity to learn about the international regulatory frameworks in which banks and other financial institutions operate, as well as commercial financial issues such as the legal framework for international syndicated loans, bond issues, secured credit and insolvency.

You’ll investigate and apply the complex rules of banking and finance law to novel problems and real-world and hypothetical scenarios.

Research and professional insight

LLM International Banking and Finance 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 extra-curricular activities that enhance transferable skills and develop your knowledge of the law’s impact in 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 amongst 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.

Course content

Compulsory modules studied throughout the year will give you the opportunity to:

• Explore the catalysts and consequences of modern banking crises.
• Examine international approaches to banking supervision.
• Discover the legal process involved in the regulation of banks.
• Study syndicated lending and the issuing of bonds on the international capital markets.

All of these topics will be examined from an international perspective and do not simply focus on English law. These modules will also enable you to hone your legal research and writing skills, which you’ll be able to demonstrate 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.

If you are a part-time student, you’ll take four compulsory and choose two optional modules in your first year. You’ll then take the compulsory dissertation module and two optional modules in your second year to complete your programme.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Insolvency Law
• International Banking Law: The Regulatory Framework
• International Banking Law: Capital Markets and Loans
• Postgraduate Legal Research Skills
• Dissertation

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You will choose 60 credits from the below:

• Financial Crime
• Cyberlaw: Regulation of Cyberspace
• International E-Commerce Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• International Competition Law
• Corporate Law
• Corporate Finance and Securities Law
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Law and Economics of Business Regulation
• International Corporate Governance
• International Law of Credit and Security
• Principles of International Financial Law
• International Trade Finance Law
• International Sales Law
• International Tax Law and Policy
• The International Law of Foreign Investment
• World Trade Organisation Law
• Trade Marks, Geographical Indications, Designs and Trade Secrets
• International Economic Law
• Conflict of Laws in Business Transactions

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Learning and teaching

Our compulsory and optional modules are taught through a range of smaller group seminars and lectures, depending on the module. All students meet weekly in the first semester for academic skills training. Support for the dissertation is provided via two group sessions, a number of one-to-one meetings and comment on draft work.

Independent study is integral to this programme – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills.

Assessment

Assessment is by a variety of methods but primarily involves the writing of an essay of up to 4,500 words at the end of each module. We assess the dissertation through your submission of a written piece of work of up to 15,000 words.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in a related area.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

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.

How to apply

Application deadlines:

• UK/EU students: 31 July
• International students: 30 June

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.

Fees

See our website for the latest fee information.

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.

The School of Law usually offers a number of scholarships each year.

Career opportunities

The International Banking and Finance programme enables graduates to pursue careers where success is built on the ability to understand, analyse and respond to developments in international banking and finance law. Recent graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in organisations such as Pinsent Masons, Fidelity International, KPMG, Alpha FMC and beyond.

The programme also provides a stepping stone to further research projects. A number of our students choose to remain with us to pursue a 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.

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.