Program Overview

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International Commercial and Corporate Law (LLM)

About this course

Gain specialist legal knowledge on this LLM International Commercial and Corporate Law at the University of Southampton. Learn skills in a range of disciplines and develop skills for your professional life. Commercial law plays a key role in global trade giving you access to excellent career opportunities.

Southampton Law School in the UK has a strong reputation for its commercial and corporate law expertise.

This master's develops the practical legal skills you need to advise, litigate and negotiate. It draws on the research strengths of the School’s academic staff who are active at the forefront of international and national legal reform and development.

You'll be able to shape your degree towards your particular interests. For example you could choose to study:

• insurance law
• corporate governance
• intellectual property law in a global world
• international competition law and policy
• law of the World Trade Organisation

Our 'LLM Challenge' offers an extra learning experience. Students across all our LLM courses are assigned to a team and given a current topic to debate to compete for a small monetary prize. The LLM Challenge helps you develop your collaborative working and leadership skills.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Stephanie Law. She has research interests in European Union Law, Consumer Protection and Private International Law and European Civil Procedure.

You can visit her profile to learn more about her work.

Learn more about this subject area

Law

The law affects us in multiple ways, whether it's protecting civil liberties or keeping order. You'll gain the critical thinking and communication skills to study and challenge its development and advancement.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

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ODT

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or at least 4 law modules in a bachelor’s degree.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

• overall score: 7.0
• reading: 6.5
• writing: 6.5
• speaking: 6.5
• listening: 6.5

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

This course includes campus-based, taught learning and a dissertation. You’ll complete your taught modules between October and June. Between June and September you’ll complete a supervised dissertation on a topic of your choosing.

You'll start this master's by completing an intensive, week-long introductory legal course on the common law. This means you’ll understand the way this important legal system works. During the taught element you must choose and complete a series of modules.

You may also choose a module/s from across our other postgraduate courses run by the Law School.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning and assessment

Learning

There’s a strong focus on in-depth, practice-focused learning on this master’s degree.

Our small-group teaching through seminars and tutorials means you can analyse your chosen topics in detail.

Seminars and tutorials are structured around facts or issues relating to a particular case, or piece of research. You’re encouraged to explore and debate these topics, prepare presentations and sometimes argue a case in a simulated court hearing (a moot), in our purpose-built moot room.

Some modules may include:

• preparing a response to a public consultation
• examining the legal implications of new conventions
• drafting clauses to tackle potential problems

These activities enhance your legal skills and understanding. They’ll also help you to develop transferable skills including team working, critical appraisal and logical reasoning. Our diverse student group also gives you an insight into other cultures and the professional practices of your peers.

Assessment

We’ll feedback on your work during class to help you to identify your strengths and understand the areas you can improve.

Formal assessment varies by module, but will include exams and coursework as well as your dissertation.

Dissertation

An important part of all our LLM programmes is the dissertation. This is a significant research project.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Armed Forces legal services
• Administration
• Banking
• Business
• Civil service
• Community and voluntary
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Education
• Finance
• High street solicitors' practices
• Health and safety
• HM Courts and Tribunal Service
• HMRC
• Large organisations with in-house legal teams
• local and national government
• Ministry of Justice
• Self-employment
• Administration and Management

Careers directly related to this course:

• Arbitrator
• Barrister
• Barrister's clerk
• Chartered legal executive
• Company secretary
• Costs lawyer
• Licensed conveyancer
• Paralegal
• Solicitor
• Trademark attorney

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Border force officer
• Charity worker
• Local government officer
• Patent attorney
• Press officer
• Police officer
• Political research assistant
• Political risk analyst
• Publishing rights manager
• Trading standards officer

See more

Example job titles of Southampton LLM International Commercial and Corporate Law graduates*:

• Barrister
• Paralegal
• Trainee solicitor
• Police officer
• Business tax consultant
• Compliance analyst
• Data protection officer
• Financial crime analyst
• Lecturer
• Recruitment consultant

See more

Job prospects for LLM International Commercial and Corporate Law graduates

£32k

Average professional salary

86%

In a skilled profession or further study

93%

Graduate employment rate

Source

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Law.

Find out more about the Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Related courses

International Commercial and Corporate Law (LLM) is a course in the Law subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• LLM International Law and Human Rights
• LLM Laws
• LLM Maritime Law