Overview
Master the theory and practice of international business law. Further your knowledge of the latest legal issues, and develop advanced analytic and research skills for work in international law firms or other high-level international careers.
The course will no doubt enhance my employment opportunities. Eversheds, the third largest law firm in the world, is acting as my mentor
Careers
Transferable skills
Our LLM will help you develop professional skills including logical reasoning, critical analysis, research and independent judgement, along with an understanding of the complex interplay between infrastructure, content, competition, social policy, punishment and trade in the international arena, and a greater capacity for legal communication.
These skills will prepare you for international practice and academic research at the highest level, but are also transferable to a range of other intellectually demanding roles, such as legal departments of international corporations, government departments and other international agencies.
Employability events and opportunities
Volunteer for our Law Clinic and practise your legal skills in a real-life setting. Work alongside local solicitors, providing pro bono advice to people who have limited access to legal resources.
Join our mentoring scheme: partner with a professional from a regional law firm to get first-hand advice and guidance.
Our employability service also organise many focused events, such as careers fairs specifically for law students.
Modules & assessment
Core modules
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Law in the Global Context
This module will help you transition from Undergraduate to Masters level study by brushing up on the skills you need as a postgraduate student (effective use of electronic databases, academic writing and referencing) and providing an analytical framework for international trade law that transcends particular jurisdictions to focus on the context in which international business takes place. You’ll examine the need for regulation or international trade and the development of legal frameworks, including organisations like the WTO and the EU, and be expected to demonstrate a systematic and critical awareness of the interrelation of law and business in a global context, as well as advanced scholarship in international trade and business. You’ll be assessed through a group presentation, in which you’ll individually present findings resulting from your personal research. This presentation will be accompanied by a written assignment that will include referencing correctly presented using OSCOLA. -
International Trade Law
This module will provide you with an analytical framework within which international trade transactions take place across different jurisdictions. You’ll consider international sales contracts, carriage of goods by sea and financing of international trade. You’ll examine the legal and commercial rules governing specific trade contracts and accompanying documentation in the context of English common law, as well as in the context of international rules and conventions concerning international trade. The different methods of financing international trade will also be considered, as will the rights and duties of carriers of goods. You’ll have the opportunity to practice applying these rules through practical problem solving, demonstrating your ability to use your knowledge and understanding of your discipline in an original and creative way. You’ll also be expected to evaluate and critically analyse current legal doctrine and demonstrate advanced legal scholarship. Your assessment will comprise two pieces of coursework: a realistic commercial case study in which you will provide legal analysis and advice, and an essay that critically evaluates an aspect of the law. -
Legal Research Methods
This module will give you a critical understanding of research skills, methods and methodology, including surveys, questionnaires, statistical analysis, and interviews, in addition to bibliographical research methods in law. It will also provide you with an understanding of web learning and the ability to access materials both through the University library and from other sources. Most importantly, you will learn to critically examine alternative research methods and evaluate their effectiveness in the study of International Business Law. Further still, you will have the chance to discuss learning and teaching styles, academic expectations and learning strategies. You will be taught through seminars, library sessions and E-learning, giving you a grounding in the various possible research methods. Your assessment will comprise both a presentation and coursework. -
International Commercial Arbitration
On this module you will engage in an examination and critical reflection of the choices businesses must make about the available methods of resolving commercial disputes in a globalised world. You will examine methods of alternative dispute resolution together with substantive and procedural aspects of business litigation in the worldwide context. You will also examine the availability and desirability of forum selection as well as the practical and procedural differences between litigation processes within a range of selected forums, allowing you to critically analyse: different approaches to funding commercial litigation; practical considerations relating to choice of forum; the availability and effectiveness of selected interim remedies (such as worldwide freezing injunctions); and the practical difficulties of reciprocal enforcement of judgements throughout the world. You will combine theory and practical application relevant to international legal practice and business and, together with other students, engage in role-play within alternative dispute resolution scenarios, developing and enhancing your teamwork, negotiation and strategic-thinking employability skills. Your assessment will comprise a piece of individual written work (3,000 words) on a dispute resolution topic. -
Major Research Project (LLMs)
This module will support you in the preparation and submission of the Master's stage project for the LLM International Business Law, LLM International Commercial Law and LLM Digital Economy. You will be assessed through a maximum 15,000-word final thesis.
Optional modules (subject to availability)
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Competition Law in the International Context
Knowledge of the legal regulation of competition is a key tool for anyone involved in businesses operating in a global context. This module will help you examine the purposes and theory of competition law and its relationship to economics, including comparison between EU and US anti-trust law. You will consider the extent to which the law operates to regulate the market behaviour of businesses, putting this in the context of the growing internationalisation of competition law. Increasingly, businesses now operate internationally, making cooperation between competition authorities essential, so you will look at a number of case studies with an international dimension. To gain a practical understanding of the framework of competition law and its enforcement, you will examine EU competition law will, which reaches beyond Europe and may act to prohibit activities (such as mergers between undertakings) that take place outside the EU. you will also consider the impact of the law on business practices such as cartels, abuse of a dominant position, distribution agreements, joint ventures and mergers. Your assessment will consist of a 4,800-word written assessment (80%) and a group presentation (20%). -
Corporate Governance
This module will introduce you to the political, economic, cultural, social and legal mechanisms that govern the activities of corporations. You will engage in an examination and critical evaluation of corporate governance in a global context, examining its underpinning theories as well as the development and regulation of international governance. Contrasting these with recent business scandals and the different intercultural responses to them, you will also consider the nature, scope and effect of corporate social responsibilities, including environmental. You will learn to resolve ethical problems in the context of governance theory and apply theory to problem-based scenarios, considering the appropriateness of these theories in a business context, as well as undertaking a comparative analysis of approaches being adopted in a number of jurisdictions and reflecting the main schools of thought on corporate governance. Your assessment will comprise written coursework (4,800 words) and a group presentation. -
Comparative Company Law
This module will give you an integrated view of the role and structure of corporate law, which provides a clear framework for individual systems both on their own and in relation to each other. You will be introduced to the theory of corporate law, focusing on the main 'players' in the corporate arena (such as the directors, shareholders, creditors and employees) and how company law can best accommodate their sometimes conflicting interests. You will also discover the main arguments for and against state intervention in what are primarily private transactions. Focusing on the theoretical aspects of corporate law, you will consider the problems and legal strategies common to each of the identified jurisdictions, particularly the five basic characteristics of business corporations: legal personality; limited liability; corporate governance/shareholder protection; management of companies; investor ownership. Your assessment will comprise an individual presentation plus written coursework.
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
Where you'll study
Your department and faculty
You want the benefit of a thriving and highly regarded school where you can develop your skills and confidence for a potentially complex and competitive career. Graduating with this kind of specialist knowledge makes you valuable to employers, confident that you’ve learnt the tools to do the job. You know what it takes to be a professional in your field and we design our courses to get you on the right track, and to get you practicing in a safe environment as soon as possible. With professional accreditation to back up the theory of your degree, you’ll stand out from the crowd of other applicants and be ready for your first graduate job.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Access to legal resources
Cambridge has three courts, all close to ARU’s campus, where you can attend cases relevant to your studies: the Cambridgeshire Magistrates Court, Cambridge Crown Court and Cambridge County and Family Court. The benefits of attending court cases for law students have been outlined in a recent Guardian article.
You can receive access to the University of Cambridge’s world-renowned Squire Law Library, where you will find resources including rare antiquarian legal history materials, a historical Labour Law collection and numerous old editions of prominent legal texts.
Access our own extensive library facilities on-campus, including an online digital library. All our LLM students receive a two-hour session with a dedicated Law School Librarian during Semester One and Semester Two. This will introduce you to research skills, and is carried through into the Research module.
Extracurricular law activities
Join our Law Society and take part in national competitions including mooting and Client Interviewing (won by ARU a record six times), or contribute to our Anglia Law Review. Mooting and Client Interviewing will further develop many of your transferable skills, including teamworking, public speaking, research and analysis, listening and responding, creative thinking and empathy.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK & EU students starting 2020/21 (per year)
£8,900
UK students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£9,200
International students starting 2020/21 (per year)
£13,500
International students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£13,900
How do I pay my fees?
UK students
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. This information also applies to EU students starting a course before 1 August 2021.
How to pay your fees directlyInternational students
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will also ask you for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesFunding for postgraduate students
It’s important to decide how to fund your course before applying. Use our finance guide for postgraduate students to learn more about postgraduate loans and other funding options.
We offer a fantastic range of ARU scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you're at university.
International students
As well as a number of scholarships, we offer an early payment discount. Explore your options:
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of on-campus and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. A small number of our courses require additional technical specifications or specialist materials. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning. Our website also has general information for new students about starting university in 2020-21.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@anglia.ac.uk for further information.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for postgraduate courses.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
