International Commercial Law and Practice, LLM (Online Learning)

This programme aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of how international commercial law operates in practice. The courses within the programme examine contemporary issues in commercial law across a broad range of topics, which aim to equip you with a thorough understanding of the law, theory and policy, as well as an appreciation of how the law is practised.

Globalisation and developments in technology have led to a marked increase in international trade in goods and services, international investment, and the development of global financial markets. In parallel, the world of international commerce has seen major growth in the regulation of commercial activity at a national and international level, and in international litigation and arbitration when disputes arise.

This LLM aims to help you understand the international context in which businesses currently operate. The programme focuses on the legal responses to the developments shaping international commerce today, as lawyers and business professionals are increasingly required to look beyond domestic law to find solutions appropriate to their international business needs and opportunities.

Online learning

Our online learning programmes are delivered entirely online via a virtual learning environment. Learning and teaching happen ‘asynchronously’. This means that you have the flexibility to log in at times and in places convenient to you, contribute your views and respond to others, and still maintain a sense of community with your fellow students across time zones.

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

The LLM in International Commercial Law & Practice will enable you to engage with a wide range of subject areas and to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of international legal principles.

The courses allow you to develop a practical understanding of the legal issues surrounding specific industries, markets and commercial relationships. They also facilitate a broader and more generic understanding of underlying themes such as harmonisation, regulation and compliance.

The programme will enable you to look beyond the technical content of the relevant law and to think critically about the underlying problems and conflicting solutions. Having studied the programme, you will emerge with an understanding not just of legal issues, but regard to ethical principles and the social and economic context. Here, particular emphasis is placed on the economic and commercial context.

The majority of students in the Law School’s LLM programmes by online distance learning are mid-career, and they often work across international boundaries. Many will already be established in their career, but wish to use the programme to consolidate skills and knowledge accumulated over time.

Graduates of our online distance learning programmes progress to a range of careers in law and related legal fields, including work in local and international firms, government legal departments, other public institutions, international organisations and in academia. The programmes are also an ideal platform for advanced research.

For some graduates, successful completion of the programme will lead to a promotion within their current positions. Others aim to develop a new professional direction altogether. The programme aims to support students in whichever outcome they aspire to, through developing their knowledge and understanding of the law, but also through acquiring transferable skills and, not least, the experience of engaging with leading academics in the field and with fellow students.

The profile of online distance learning LLM students, and their needs for career guidance, are recognised by the University careers service, which offers information resources relevant to international and non-Law careers, and the opportunity to arrange individual consultations with students who are based remotely.

Programme structure

To be awarded LLM International Commercial Law & Practice, you must successfully complete six courses, four of which must be core courses, and a 10,000-word dissertation during your chosen duration of the study.

During your studies, you will also have the opportunity to study up to two courses from different subject areas such as information technology law, intellectual property law and medical law.

Year 1

Dissertation LLM International Commercial Law and Practice

Group A

• Contract Law in Europe
• Dispute Resolution Methods
• European Competition and Innovation
• Corporate Compliance: Case Studies in Law & Ethics
• Comparative and International Corporate Governance
• International law, human rights and corporate accountability
• Banking and Financial Law: Case Studies
• Sustainable Capitalism and Investment

and

Group B

• Communications Law
• Regulation of autonomous systems: the law of robotics
• EU Data Protection Law
• Fundamentals in Bioethics
• International and European Law of the Media
• Mental Health Law
• Space Law and Policy

and

Group C

• Information Technology Law
• Information: Control and Power
• The Fundamentals of Law and Medical Ethics
• Global Health: Law and Policy
• Law and Ethics at the Start and End of Life
• Clinical Negligence and the Law
• Biotechnology, Regulation and Society