Program Overview

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Key information

Study mode: | 100% online
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Duration: | 2 years, part timeNext start date: | 9 September 2025Application deadline: | 12 August 2025Intakes: | September 2025, January 2026, and May 2026Tuition fees: | £23,760* (funding options and instalments are available)

Course overview

The International Corporate & Commercial Law LLM gives you an in-depth understanding of key areas of corporate and commercial law and the ability to develop research skills that can be applied in these areas of the law.

The programme is designed to provide you with critical analytical skills and insights into the governance of corporate activities, sales, finance, shipping, energy and investment-related transactions, dispute resolution and conflict of laws.

Teaching on the programme is driven by a strong sense of commercial realism and explore linkages, synergies and interactions between the law and the surrounding corporate and commercial world. These are explored from the perspectives of English, European, international, and transnational law.

Our online International Corporate & Commercial Law LLM comprises 12 modules taken over a period of (minimum) two years. You’re required to undertake 180 credits to obtain the full LLM. Each module runs over six weeks and consists of a variety of learning methods including video content, discussion boards, quizzes and other interactive content. The weekly live webinars are a great opportunity to interact with your peers and the Module Teacher to exchange views and develop a deeper understanding of the material.

You’re expected to undertake approximately 20 hours of study per week. The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic week might look like:

Directed study per week | 2 hours (web content material including recorded video, text, graphics)
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Self-directed learning and assessment work | 16 hours (including completing set tasks and reading, research, revision)Other activity per week | 2 hours (1-hour live seminar and 1 hour of discussion board)

Why choose this online LLM?

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World-class education

The Dickson Poon School of Law is recognised globally as one of the best law schools in the world. You'll develop cutting-edge legal expertise from from leading experts.

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Part-time and flexible learning

You’ll get the same qualification and education quality as on-campus - but with added flexibility and support. Attend the weekly live webinar or watch again via the recording.

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Global online community

Grow your global network and gain fresh insight. Learn alongside professionals from different backgrounds and cultures.

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Career progression

Study and enhance your education without interrupting your career. This LLM will develop your qualifications and skillsets while actively contributing to your professional role.

What you'll study

The programme aims to provide detailed insight and understanding of key areas within corporate and commercial law from the perspectives of English, European, international, and transnational law.

You’ll explore the legal concepts, values, principles that underpin these areas of law, drawing on our research and cases at the forefront of practice.

Module overview

This online International Corporate & Commercial Law LLM is comprised of 12 core 15-credit modules (180 credits in total). All core modules on the course are compulsory and you must pass all these modules to complete the award. Please note modules are reviewed regularly and are subject to change. You’re required to take the following 12 core modules:

Corporate Actors: Powers and Responsibilities

This module examines the role of different corporate actors in large public companies within the framework of UK company law. It focuses on understanding the interactions between directors, executive managers, and shareholders, with a focus on analysing board-shareholder relationships. Through this analysis, students will acquire skills to assess relations between the board and all stakeholder groups. Key topics covered include: theories of the firm and economic analysis of company law; shareholder rights and responsibilities; shareholder activism; executive managers and independent directors; board structures; and directors’ remuneration.

International and Comparative Oil and Gas Law

The world’s rising population, our increasing energy consumption, and the gradual depletion of non-renewable sources of energy have heightened the challenges facing this vital industry. Without being confined to any one jurisdiction, this module provides a comprehensive overview of the modern-day oil and gas industry. This encompasses the key players and their potentially conflicting interests. It also includes the commercial and legal instruments used to regulate conduct, protect rights, or prevent environmental damage, for instance.

International Commercial Arbitration

This module focuses on the main steps of arbitral proceedings, from the drawing of the arbitration agreement to the enforcement of the arbitral award. You’ll get an overview of international commercial arbitration in both theory and practice. It provides a brief history of international commercial arbitration and examines the diversity of the legal systems that may apply during proceedings, either procedurally or substantively. You’ll learn to assess legal issues and the problems that may arise from international commercial arbitration. You’ll also understand how to propose and present recommendations to deal with them.

The Corporate Form and its issues

Delving into the historical-legal development of the company form, you’ll develop a solid understanding of the basic principles of company law. In the context of international corporate practice and a transnational economy, you’ll consider the purpose of domestic and international regulation. You’ll discuss the challenges posed by 21st century world trade, such as the emergence of the group company and multinational enterprises (MNEs).

International Sale of Goods

This course will explore the salient features of the cross-border sale of goods contracts and the body of rules and principles that govern them. The module will examine in detail the rules of English law (Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the common law) and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 1980 (CISG). Issues covered include: the basic concepts of English law of sale of goods; the implied terms of a sales contract (such as the implied terms of quality and description of the goods); legal issues arising from contracts incorporating such trade terms as CIF (‘cost, insurance, freight’) and FOB (‘free on board’); remedies for breach of an international sales contract; the CISG, a leading international sales law instrument, now ratified by 88 countries (the scope of application of the CISG; general provisions; rights and obligations of the seller and the buyer and remedies for breach of contract).

Financing of International Trade

International trade is inherently risky. Sellers (exporters) run the risk of buyers failing to pay for goods, so they prefer payment upfront; buyers (importers) run the risk of not receiving the goods for which they paid, so they prefer to pay after receipt. Since medieval times and the Lex Mercatoria, innovative approaches have been developed to protect the financing of international trade. In this module, you’ll study different approaches, including the use of collections, documentary credits, and demand guarantees. You’ll consider the financial intermediaries and third-party principals or sureties who facilitate trade transactions. You’ll also examine the legal and practical implications of these key instruments and relationships.

Corporate Finance

This module introduces you to the principles of finance theory, and their practical implications in the context of equity and debt finance and secured lending. The focus is on equity and debt securities (shares, bonds, notes, hybrid instruments) and modern funding techniques (term loans, lines of credit, syndicated loans). You’ll also examine the mechanisms for securing repayment (security interests, quasi-security).

Fundamentals of Mergers and Acquisitions

This module explores the purpose and function of mergers and acquisitions and the role that the legal framework plays in facilitating or restricting takeover activity. The focus of the module is on the regulation of public takeovers in the UK, but you’ll also study comparative elements of the EU and US regulatory frameworks. The module contains several case studies of recent transactions that allow us to discuss controversial elements of law and policy in context.

Transnational Corporate Law and Practice

In the era of economic globalisation, expanding market internationalisation, and increased capital mobility, businesses operating on a global stage must navigate their legal corporate responsibilities. This entails comprehending these responsibilities within a broader transnational political, institutional, and economic framework. To offer effective legal guidance, it’s essential to understand the interplays between hard law rules imposed and enforced at the national, international, or supranational level. Additionally, acknowledging the significance of non-binding or less binding soft law, as well as self-imposed or self-enforced rules (private ordering), is crucial. This interdisciplinary module draws on various fields including corporate law, political theory and political economy, institutional economics, legal sociology, and history to provide comprehensive insights into these complex issues.

Carriage of Goods by Sea

This module explores charterparties and bills of lading and the legal relationships stemming from them. Carriage of Goods by Sea is the main mode of transport in international trade and the focus of this module will be on English law and the Hague-Visby Rules. The aim of this module is to enable you to comprehend and advise on the legal issues that frequently arise when transporting goods by sea, for example charterparty and bill of lading disputes, cargo damage or loss claims.

Transnational Corporate Restructuring

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of modern debt restructuring techniques. Firmly grounded in bankruptcy theory, it analyses relevant legal issues through the lens of a combination of a ‘commons/anti-commons’ approach and ‘contractualisation of bankruptcy’ models. It includes purely contractual arrangements, such as intercreditor agreements, security enforcement and release provisions. You’ll also look at statutory mechanisms, including (pre-pack) administrations, schemes of arrangement and company voluntary arrangement.

Transnational Business Instruments

The aim of this module is to highlight and reflect on the variety of ‘types’ of legal instruments regulating transnational business. Specifically, we’ll explore the legal documents which are not sanctioned as national or international law yet exercise a national or global sway. These range from codes of conduct about corporate responsibility to so-called 'informal international law’ on trade. They also encompass transnational human rights requirements for businesses, drafted by one person to private dispute resolution mechanisms for Internet disputes and other areas of transnational business. We’ll discuss and debate the practical, sometimes ethical impact these instruments can have on businesses.

Module assessments

A small percentage of the final module mark is based on a forum and the remaining percentage on a take-home exam in the form of an essay. Assessment methods are subject to change for the upcoming academic year.

Meet the leadership and academic team

Dr Anat Keller

Director of Law Online Programmes

Dr Soterios Loizou

Programme Director

Entry requirements

Standard requirements

A 2:1 (Hons) or above (or international equivalent) in a Law degree or joint Law degree, or 60% or above in an LLM or Graduate Diploma in Law (or international equivalent).

If you have a lower degree classification , or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a master's or PGDip).

Non-standard entry requirements

Please note that if you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may still be considered if ONE of the following criteria can be met (all applications are considered on a case-by-case basis):

• A high 2:2 (57%) in a single or joint degree in Law or international equivalent and at least three years’ professional legal experience.
• A 2:1 in a non-Law honours degree or international equivalent and at least three years’ professional legal experience.
• A previous master’s degree (or above) in a non-Law subject area or equivalent and at least three years’ professional legal experience.

Candidates who fail to meet the criteria above are unlikely to be successful.

English language requirements

English language band: B

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You’re usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed:

• An undergraduate degree (at least three years duration) within five years of the course start date.
• A postgraduate taught degree (at least one year) within five years of the course start date.
• A PhD in a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Personal statement and supporting information

You'll need to submit a personal statement, CV and two reference letters as part of your application.

Your personal statement should address the following two questions:

1. Why are you applying for this specific programme and how does it fit in with your future plans?
2. How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for the programme?

You’ll also need to submit a copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.

Career options in International and Commercial Law

This programme will enhance your career options by allowing you to specialise in the highly sought-after areas of corporate and commercial law. You could work as a lawyer or consultant to international organisations across the public, private and not-for-profit sector. It’s also an excellent foundation for students who are considering pursuing legal research.

Attracting a diverse and appealing cohort, a big advantage of the course is the chance to grow your global network. You’ll be studying with legal professionals at various stages of their career from every corner of the globe. From top lawyers, senior partners, and judges to rising stars and new graduates, some of our students bring decades of experience to discussions, enriching your learning.

The Dickson Poon School of Law has strong connections with some of the world’s leading legal firms and international employers. You’ll join a legacy of graduates that are sought out by some of the leading employers in the field.