International Business Law LLM

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 in any successful career within this field. The International Business Law LLM offers a professional and firm academic degree that will provide a solid foundation in the current global market. 

On completion of this course you will have a professional knowledge of international business law that will reflect the changing environment and realities of the current global economy.  Through this course we deliver the skills and knowledge required for any high level career in a legal environment whether it be an international law firm, government organisation or a private company.

 


Overview

The course involves two parts:

  • study of six taught modules totalling 120 credits.
  • a dissertation (max 20 000 words) on a topic relating to the specialist area (60 credits)

All modules are taught through weekly small group seminars. Each module is assessed by a combination of coursework and an oral presentation. Students must pass the assessment to proceed to the dissertation.

Students are required to write a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words on a topic of their choice, which relates to the specialist area. The dissertation is completed under the supervision of a member of staff. Students may choose to stay in Aberystwyth to do this, or may return home and research their dissertation there.

The normal period of full-time study is twelve months. The taught element, including written examinations, is completed between September and May, and the dissertation between June and September.  It is also possible to complete the LLM on a part-time basis over two years. Students who require even greater flexibility or who cannot attend regularly at Aberystwyth might be interested in our LLM scheme by distance learning.


Subjects normally offered include those listed below.

  • International Corporate Rescue
  • International Copyright Law
  • Aspects of Commercial Contracting
  • The Law Relating to E-Commerce
  • Regulation of Business Cartels

 

Fact File

Duration: There are two start dates for the International Business Law LLM by distance learning in each academic year - 1 April and 1 October.  Although students are allowed up to a maximum of five years to complete the course, it is possible to complete six modules per academic year.
Assessment: You are guided through each of the LLMs by a module handbook containing notes, reading lists and self-assessment questions. All the documents on the reading lists are provided either electronically through the University’s electronic resources, by direct links to the worldwide web, as digitised documents on Blackboard (the University’s on-line learning/teaching facility) or, exceptionally, as hard copy. Core text books are issued on loan with the module handbook and returned with the module assignment. Staff-student interchange is facilitated by coursework materials, telephone contact, email and written responses to coursework submissions. The weekend residential schools provide the opportunity to meet with tutors, guest lecturers and fellow students and to reinforce students’ understanding of the subjects during lectures, discussion sessions and tutorials.
English Language Requirements:

Please see our English Language Requirements by
Entry Requirements:

The programme has been designed to be open to graduates of all disciplines who have a good honours degree, including those from a business background and those who have no experience of law. Those who can demonstrate suitable professional qualifications or skills are welcome to apply. The wide range of backgrounds that are attracted to the LLM courses contribute to the quality of the discussion – various experiences, viewpoints and backgrounds enhance the level of debate between students.
Course Structure: Each of the twelve modules is worth 10 credits and the dissertation is worth 60 credits. To gain the LLM qualification you will be required to complete 180 credits worth of study – 120 from taught modules and 60 from the dissertation.  It will be possible to complete 60 credits (six modules) to gain a Postgraduate certificate recognising your achievement. On completion of all twelve modules but in the absence of the dissertation, you will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma in law. You can also choose to study individual modules to enhance your knowledge in a particular area. All the modules are assessed by an assignment of up to 5000 words.

The dissertation provides you with an excellent opportunity to study an aspect of the law in your chosen area of study which is of particular interest to you. Students often, but not exclusively, select project topics which have a direct bearing on their professional lives. The standard of the work produced is very high indeed and several of our students have graduated with distinction.

Careers

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 a 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.