• Postgraduate

International Business and Commercial Law LLM

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Overview

Overview

This International Business and Commercial Law course will introduce you to the theory and practice of international business regulation in a globalised world.

Your studies will cover both legal and financial aspects, giving you a well-rounded qualification which will enhance your ability to work as a legal expert in multinational corporations.

Based in London, the global centre for banking, finance and trade, you will benefit from the excellent links that UWL has with major corporations as well as being close to the centre of legal administration and policy.

Two female students reading in the UWL library

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study International Business and Commercial Law with us?

Why study International Business and Commercial Law with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

Arriving in London as an Australian qualified Lawyer I would definitely recommend the LLM course at UWL as a step toward a further fulfilling and rewarding legal career. During my studies I also gained a work placement in a prestigious international law firm, working in the commercial litigation department.

Melanie Berry
Next
Mock courtroom opened by Lord Finkelstein
study full time or part time
Industry focused teaching
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators logo
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The course will focus on international business law from a global perspective. It will identify the important characteristics of doing business in an international environment, the main sources of regulation, and key concepts of contract and corporate law.

You will explore business dispute resolution and be introduced to the concepts of corporate social responsibility, in particular, doing business in developing countries.

The course will also touch on other common law and civil law jurisdictions, and give you a critical comparative law approach to international commercial law.

Your teaching staff are highly qualified and have extensive current experience in international legal practice. Their expertise will inform your studies and help you to identify a relevant topic, that supports your professional goals, for your dissertation.

Furthermore, you will have access to an on-site courtroom with laptops and video equipment for judges/advocates, which is ideal for student mooting competitions.

Teaching time

This commercial law course is designed to fit around your work commitments. If you are studying full time, you will have on average four hours of teaching time each week. In addition to your regular course time, you will take one module dedicated to research methods in a legal context and produce your dissertation of 15,000 words.

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

Our International Arbitration and International Commercial Litigation modules are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). Upon successful completion of the course, you can become an Associate member of the CIArb and, if accepted, you can: display the globally recognised and respected ACIArb post-nominals.

  • promote your professional skills and experience publicly through the CIArb’s Membership Directory
  • access CIArb’s global professional standards, guidance and law updates
  • develop your knowledge and skills through CIArb’s world-renowned training, events and resources
  • build your network through CIArb’s international and inclusive community of members
  • keep up to date with industry and CIArb’s news and opinion through its newsletters, digital magazine and journal.

For more information on CIArb, please visit www.ciarb.org.

Compulsory modules

  • International Commercial and Shipping Law

    You will be introduced to key concepts of shipping and maritime law and to mechanisms available for resolution of commercial disputes. It will also explore the principles of insurance and EU law, as well as laws of other common law and civil law jurisdictions.

  • Legal Aspects of International Finance

  • Laws on International Business Structures

    During this module you will examine the practical and theoretical issues involved in business organisations trading across jurisdictions.

  • International Commercial Litigation

    Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) logo

    On this module you will examine the practical and theoretical issues in international private transactions. You will pay particular attention to the traditional commercial sale and finance of such transactions, while also incorporating principles of intellectual property law, the knowledge of which is essential in modern international business.

    The University of West London is a Recognised Course Provider for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). This modules is eligible for CIArb approved status.

  • International Arbitration

    Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) logo

    You will gain the knowledge and skills related to the law and practice of international arbitration. You will benefit from the combination of instruction on theoretical and practical aspects of arbitration procedure and will have the opportunity to develop your skills in a range of simulated transactions and a moot court session.

    The University of West London is a Recognised Course Provider for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). This modules is eligible for CIArb approved status. 

  • Research Methodology

    You will develop and complete a research proposal to ensure you are fully prepared to move to the research and writing of the dissertation. 

  • Dissertation

    Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the mastery of a particular subject area, by completing an extended piece of self-managed research. Your dissertation will develop and test your ability to conceptualise, appraise and critically evaluate a significant topic relating to the legal issues surrounding international business and commerce.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree from a UK university or equivalent that includes law content.

If you have at least three years of legal or relevant commercial work experience you will also be considered subject to an interview.

We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment.

All applications are considered individually.

Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

6.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

A good undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification with appropriate law content.  Students with three years' legal or relevant commercial work experience will also be considered subject to interviews.  Applicants with extensive work experience will be considered on a case by case basis.  

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible to apply for a postgraduate loan to cover your course and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for law students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Help with funding
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year*

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. About the scholarship

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Michael is wearing a navy suit, white shirt and blue tie. He has short hair and blue eyes.

Michael Derks

Michael is Deputy Head of the School of Law and Course Leader for both the LLB and LLM programs. Michael is also the Module Leader for various undergraduate modules such as Constitutional Law, Company Law and International Environmental Law.

For three decades, Michael worked in the City of London as an Investment Strategist and Money Manager for various investment banking and asset management firms such as Deutsche Bank, Schroders, Rothschilds and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. During that time, he was a prolific writer on investments, specifically currencies, interest rates, alternative investments and equities. He commenced lecturing with the School of Law in 2010, initially teaching various financial law modules on the LLM program before moving onto the LLB.

For students, Michael tries hard to develop and support students through their academic journey with UWL.  

Michael is Deputy Head of the School of Law and Course Leader for both the LLB and LLM programs. Michael is also the Module Leader for various undergraduate modules such as Constitutional Law, Company Law and International Environmental Law.

For three decades, Michael worked in the City of London as an Investment Strategist and Money Manager for various investment banking and asset management firms such as Deutsche Bank, Schroders, Rothschilds and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. During that time, he was a prolific writer on investments, specifically currencies, interest rates, alternative investments and equities. He commenced lecturing with the School of Law in 2010, initially teaching various financial law modules on the LLM program before moving onto the LLB.

For students, Michael tries hard to develop and support students through their academic journey with UWL.  

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A group of international delegates in a meeting

Firms that focus on international practice will have particular need of your skills and knowledge. Once you graduate, you will be able to seek employment opportunities with firms specialising in:

•    investment
•    law
•    consultancy 
•    accounting. 

Practising legal professionals and human resource professionals can use their qualification and the skills and knowledge they have gained on the course to progress in their chosen field.

On completing this course successfully, you can choose to continue your studies and progress on to doctoral study.
 

How to apply

How to apply

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Alumni

Sunil Sheth

Sunil Sheth

Sunil, an alumnus of UWL Law School and a qualified solicitor. He advises clients on international tax and estate planning, wealth management and private funds and in sectors including financial services, real estate, infrastructure, hotels and hospitality.

He is a trustee of the disability rights charity Sense International. He is also the Chair of Anti-Slavery International, a UK charity established in 1839 and regarded as the oldest human rights organisation in the world. He is a trustee of The Hospice Biographers, a charity which offers terminally ill patients the chance to have their life stories professionally recorded on audio for their pleasure and relief, and for their families to hear their voices and memories for generations to come.

He was also a Founder of the Society of Asian Lawyers and Chair of the organisation for many years.

Ilia Martynov profile image

Ilia Martynov

Having completed his undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of West London with a First-Class Honour In October 2022 Ilia began his LLM programme and became a Master of Law candidate at the University of Cambridge (Fitzwilliam college).

Since joining Sterling Law in March 2022 as a Legal Assistant, Ilia started working for Immigration and Commercial departments. At the Immigration department, Ilia is focused on complex immigration matters, asylum cases, and business immigration. At the Commercial department, Ilia is assisting solicitors in companies and charity registration, civil litigation, and other matters. His areas of expertise include:

  • commercial Law
  • immigration Law
  • human Rights
  • intellectual Property
Annetta Jackson

Annetta Jackson

Annetta currently serves as a Program Officer at the Directorate of Gender Affairs with responsibility for Legal and Institutional Frameworks. She is also a Storyteller at Intersect Antigua and a Black Feminist Fund Fellow.

She received a Legal Education Certificate from the Council for Legal Education in April 2022 and was admitted to practice as an Attorney-at-Law of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2022.

Annetta oversaw the abolition of the death penalty in Barbados and six Eastern Caribbean States: Dominica, Grenada, St Vincent & The Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda.

Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson


Kelly has always been interested in business and the work that goes on behind the scenes that allow major companies to grow and reach their full potential.

While living in South Africa, she started her own business which allowed her to acquire real-world knowledge of the challenges that businesses face.

Her extensive background in hospitality has enabled her to quickly build a rapport with clients and efficiently satisfy their requests in a fast-paced environment.

Emma Hughes

Emma Hughes

Prior to beginning pupillage, Emma worked at a leading London law firm; dealing primarily with care proceedings featuring non-accidental injury, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, forced marriage, and radicalisation.

Emma received an Access to the Bar Award and a Jules Thorn Scholarship from Middle Temple. 

Emma is the Head of the Mentoring Programme at Bridging the Bar (BTB),  a charity dedicated to diversifying the Bar’s profile by creating opportunities for those from underrepresented backgrounds. Emma sits on the Bar Council Race Working Group and currently serves as Middle Temple Young Barrister's Association President.  

A man and a woman in suits talking at a table

Shadia Ousta

Shadia began her LLB after completing the LPC in 2007. She began a placement at Howe and Co in Ealing before becoming a paralegal and then a trainee at the firm. After a varied career in private and government practice, she is now the Senior Community Services Solicitor at Islington Council. Her areas of practice include:

  • administrative and public law
  • human rights
  • immigration - nationality and citizenship
  • litigation - general
  • higher courts rights - civil accredited
  • personal injury.

Employability

At the School of Law, we strive to offer valuable opportunities to enhance your employability. We have a module dedicated to employability and professional skills available to all law students at all levels. Last year our students benefited from the following:

A female lawyer with a folder in front of an old building

Opportunities

students attending a legal workshop at Sky studios

Events

  • Careers fair
  • Guidance on CVs and professional qualification routes
  • Sky legal insight day
  • Interviews in the legal sector
An academic conference, during which a speaker is presenting to a large group

Talks

 

Guest lecturers

Michael Mansfield profile pic

Michael Mansfield KC

One of the best-known barristers in the United Kingdom. A radical activist lawyer and human rights defender.

He has variously represented the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six, individuals wrongly convicted of IRA bombings, the Angry Brigade, Ruth Ellis (the last woman to be hanged in Great Britain) in a posthumous appeal, Stephen Lawrence’s family, Barry George at the Inquest of tv presenter Jill Dando, Arthur Scargill, and striking miners, Mohamed al-Fayed in the inquest of his son Dodi and Diana Princess of Wales, the families of Charles de Menezes, and of Mark Duggan, both shot by police, the families of the Hillsborough stadium disaster and those bereaved by the sinking of the Marchioness, and the Bloody Sunday shootings.

Recently, he was engaged by the family of Emiliano Sala, the footballer who died in a plane crash on the way to join Brighton Football Club. He is also representing the survivors and bereaved of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Image attribute - Brian O'Neill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

image of andrew ballheimer

Andrew Ballheimer

Andrew joined A&O in 1987, became a partner in 1994 and has over 32 years of post-qualification experience in mergers and acquisitions and in capital markets (both international and domestic). His client base includes FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies and banks in the UK and major public and private corporations and financial institutions outside the UK.

Andrew Ballheimer is a Senior Adviser with Teneo. Prior to joining Teneo, Andrew was the Global Managing Partner of Allen & Overy LLP (the 550 partner, 6,000 person, global elite law firm with 43 offices around the world).

Tan Ikram profile pic

Tan Ikram CBE

Tan qualified as a barrister in 1990 and as a solicitor in 1993 becoming a partner in IBB solicitors defending complex fraud. He moved into a judicial career in 2007, starting as a deputy district judge, postgraduate medical education and training board, then a legal assessor for the nursing and midwifery council. In 2017 he was appointed Deputy Senior District Judge authorised to hear extradition and terrorism cases. Since 2015 he has also been an associate judge and HM Coroner of Her Majesty’s Court of the Sovereign Base Areas, Cyprus.

Clive Coleman profile pic

Clive Coleman

Drawing on his years as a practicing barrister, Clive covered a vast range of domestic and international legal stories and issues including 2019’s momentous Supreme Court prorogation case, Brexit, the growing courts backlog, the Barclay brothers ‘Ritz’ dispute, GDPR, the VW emissions scandal, phone hacking, Sir Cliff Richard v BBC, and the Hillsborough tragedy inquests.

Prior to becoming BBC Legal Correspondent, Clive was for six years the presenter of Radio 4’s flagship legal analysis programme ‘Law In Action’, and presented a raft of BBC programmes including Panorama ‘The Death of Kiss and Tell’, on the rise of privacy protection under the Human Rights Act.

Overseas trips

Law students have for many years been offered the opportunity of expanding their knowledge and experience of other cultures and historical sites critical to understanding the development of international law.
Past law students visited:

train track leading to the Auschwitz concentration camp building

Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp

The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is known as a symbol of the Holocaust and the events that took place there helped trigger the foundation of international legal enforcement of human rights and laws to prevent and punish the perpetrators of such.

During World War I, over 1 million people lost their lives there, primarily Jewish, but also Poles, Romanian, and Russian. The site has been preserved, and students participate in a day-long formal guided tour.

colourful tulips set against the backdrop of buildings surrounded by water

The Hague

Established in 2002, the International Criminal Court has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Often referred to as the World Court, the International Court of Justice is the main judicial organ of the United Nations. 

Both courts are visited, with official guides and interactive events with court staff. Additionally, students receive a tour and presentation from the staff at the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone. Students also have the opportunity on the day of arrival to enjoy the beautiful city of Amsterdam with its canals and museums.

cobbled road in Nuremberg with tall colourful old building on either side

Nuremberg

At the end of the Second World War Nuremberg was the site of the first-ever international war crime trials that helped lay the basis of all modern human rights legislation. The main trial of 24 of the most central participants in the Holocaust took a year to complete. 

Students visit the original courtrooms as part of an official guided tour including interactive workshops and presentations. Nuremberg itself is a beautiful walled medieval city complete with a castle and students have a day to enjoy its shops and many attractions.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.