Modules

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):

International Corporate Law 20 credits

The principal legal vehicle for business in all developed economies is the limited liability company. Therefore any study of international business law must include a coherent and rigorous examination and analysis of:

The legal framework of corporate law adopted in a range of relevant jurisdictions

The problems and issues faced by the law in this field

The similarities and differences of the choices made and solutions instituted

The aims, experiences and outcomes of the operation of company law in those jurisdictions

Transnational Commercial Law 20 credits

In contemporary times there has been a large growth of international commerce which has resulted in an expanding use of cross border commercial transactions. This module aims to consider commercial law in the globalised world.

Corporate Criminality and Tax Evasion 20 credits

This module considers the role of corporate structures and their global operations, and how these may lead to fraud, corruption and tax evasion. The role of intermediaries (such as banks, insurance companies, and law firms), tax havens, and tax evasion methods are considered in terms of how they may facilitate corporate criminality.

Advanced Legal Research Methods 20 credits

This module enables you to gain enhanced knowledge and understanding of the techniques needed for advanced legal research. It serves a double purpose. As a foundation to other Level 7 modules in law, it supports you in acquiring the knowledge of research methods and skills in applying those methods required to succeed in postgraduate legal research – both in scholarship and for practitioners.

Dissertation, Live Project or Placement 60 credits

The aim of this module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of disciplinary-relevant research the output of which may be either a placement, integrated project or dissertation. This is founded upon Birmingham City University’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory into practice.

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:

International Intellectual Property Law 20 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a number of important themes in the area of international intellectual property law. More specifically, it is intended to provide you with an intellectually stimulating and academically rigorous education on the operation of intellectual property law at international level, and the challenges faced by the operation of that law.

Conflict Resolution in Business 20 credits

This module aims to inspire a new generation to rethink traditional approaches to conflict and conflict resolution. ADR is a fast-growing area and offers a challenging and satisfying career through an array of emerging professional roles. As a consequence, this module significantly enhances student employability.

Global Comparative Competition Law 20 credits

Competition law has affected trade and business in many and diverse ways this module will explore the impact that regulation has had upon multinational corporations and small and medium sized enterprises. The EU and the U.S will be considered alongside other international law in order to compare and contrast the legal systems.

Corporate Compliance 20 credits

International firms are often subject to several international and domestic regimes which determine the acceptable standards of business behaviour. Corporate compliance revolves around how firms respond to the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to their business activities. This module aims to provide a theoretical foundation for compliance requirements. Hence, the module provides a contextualised discussion on the theoretical justifications for regulatory intervention in business activities.

International Insolvency Law 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with the tools to understand, analyse and question the development of insolvency and restructuring methods and practices in selected jurisdictions, as well as at international level. International insolvency law is currently a hotly debated topic, due to the number of famous insolvency cases soaring across the world. The differences across jurisdiction in the balance struck between the protection of companies and their employees against the rights of their creditors will be scrutinised.

Labour Rights and International Trade 20 credits

This module critically considers the complex relationship between international and regional trade law and practice on the one hand and the protection and promotion of labour rights and social goals on the other. This module therefore considers questions of applied forms of human rights and social values and the realities of international trade and business.

The module will consider the contested justifications for labour rights and their protection at national, regional and international level, as well as the major regional and international sources of labour law. It will seek to understand the effectiveness of these different models and their relationship with different sources of international trade law and economic and investor rights.

Law, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics 20 credits

The module aims to develop an understanding of the legal and ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, along with consideration of appropriate legal and regulatory responses. It provides a philosophical and legal framework for considering concepts and principles that relate to the development and use of such technologies.

It considers different legal and regulatory governance regimes at the international, regional, and national levels. It explores the application and impact of artificial intelligence and robotics in four real-life scenarios: lethal autonomous weapons systems in warfare; automated and algorithmic decision-making in business and finance; autonomous cars and liability; aging population and healthcare robots.

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

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Our LLM is taught by an outstanding team of professionals. You must complete six taught modules and either a dissertation, project or placement.

All modes offer a coherent, staged and progressive learning structure in which you will benefit from teaching which is informed by the research expertise of our academic team. Our approach is experiential and practice-led and will give you opportunities to apply your learning and to develop skills to enhance your employability and career.

This course will support you in becoming an independent learner during the teaching, learning and assessment process. During induction we will support you in developing key study skills. Throughout the course you will have the chance to complete activities which will enable you to practice legal skills including legal research, problem-solving, advocacy and drafting in order to develop and practice.

These activities also enable you to practice transferable skills including structuring and presenting arguments, working independently or in teams to complete tasks, oral and written communication, and time management. These skills will be valuable whatever your final choice of future career.

During the September and January terms you will study three 20-credit modules, thereafter you will study one 60-credit module: the LLM dissertation/placement/project module. The 20-credit Advanced Legal Research Methods module (studied in the January term) is delivered online via the Virtual Learning Environment, providing maximum flexibility.

Throughout the two terms there will be regular facilitated workshops which are interactive sessions designed to develop your knowledge, understanding and critical evaluation of directed pre-reading, with an emphasis on peer-led learning to develop your skills in legal analysis and evaluation.

We expect you to attend all teaching sessions as well as to read and prepare before these sessions. Good preparation will enable you to get the most from your contact time and will help you become an autonomous learner. Advance preparation is also a critical skill which you must develop if you wish to succeed in business or professional practice.

When you progress to the dissertation/placement/project there will be regular one-to-one sessions with your supervisor.

International Business Law - LLM drafted

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