LLM International Commerical Law
- Programme director
- Regina Rauxloh
- Programme length
- Full-time: 12 months, Part-time: 24 months
- Programme start date
- September 2013
An innovative programme that combines traditional study aspects of commercial law with critical appreciation of key current debates.
Programme overview
This programme covers the key conceptual debates in commercial law and the role of different aspects of commercial law in their socio-legal and political contexts.
You will develop a critical appreciation of international trade, gain a deeper knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and criminal law provisions which impact upon commercial organisations and be able to understand and evaluate how the law operates in both corporate and personal insolvency. You will also learn to analyse theoretical arguments about the rationale of and justifications for insolvency law and will develop an understanding of how intellectual property rights are protected at national, European and international levels by applying intellectual property principles in specific contexts.
The programme is innovative in that it combines the traditional study of aspects of commercial law with a more contextual and critical appreciation of key current debates in corruption, corporate governance and responsibility, corporate crime and the study of law and development.
Graduates of this programme go on to academic careers, apply their LLM practically as lawyers and solicitors, or take their knowledge of law into international business or consultancy work.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally possess a Bachelors degree (UK 2.2 or higher) or equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas university or institution.
English language requirements
IELTS minimum overall: 7.0
IELTS minimum by component:
6.0
Fees and funding
All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.
| Programme name | Study mode | Start date | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM International Commerical Law | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £5,460 | £12,705 |
| LLM International Commerical Law | Part-time | Sept 2013 | £2,730 | £6,355 |
Programme content
Module overview
Teaching is primarily by interactive seminars in which you will be encouraged to adopt a critical attitude to the elements of each subject you are studying. You will develop a profound understanding of the relevant law and its underlying concepts. You will undertake sophisticated and wide-ranging independent research, looking beyond primary legal sources into the underlying theories and rationale of the English and other legal systems.
You are expected to offer fresh insights into legal problems and address the tensions within and among the underlying legal theories.
International Commercial Law modules
Semester 1
- Corporate Governance
- Corporate Law
- International Carriage of Goods by Sea
- International Trade Law
- WTO Law
Semester 2
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- General Principles of Insolvency Law
- International Carriage of Goods by Other Modes
- Law and Policy of EU External Trade Law
- Marine Insurance Law
- Intellectual Property
- Foreign Direct Investment
- Comparative Company Law
Optional modules
Semester 1
- Advanced International Environmental Law
- European Human Rights Law
- Foundations of EU Law
- Institutional Architecture of the European Union (School of Politics)
- International Criminal Law
- Law of the Internal Market
- The Law of International Organisations
Semester 2
- Comparative Constitutional Law
- Criminal Justice System (Department of Sociology)
- Environmental and Climate Change Law: Liability in a Business Context
- EU Employment Law Social Policy
- EU International Relations Law and Policy
- International Human Rights Law
- Law and Policy for Ecosystems Services
- Law of Armed Conflict
- Law, Society and Social Control (Department of Sociology)
- Policies of the European Union (School of Politics)
Examples of module content
Corporate Law
This module explores legal concepts in corporate law, and the wider debates and concerns surrounding them. It analyses the impact of recent reforms under the Companies Act 2006, and promotes discussion of the policy approach to corporate law prevailing in the UK. While the focus is predominantly on UK law, examples drawn from other jurisdictions provide a setting for the analysis of theoretical and policy issues.
International Carriage of Goods by Sea
This module examines the relationships that arise in situations where goods are carried by sea from one country to another. In particular it examines voyage charter parties’ bills of lading and sea waybills. The module also looks at electronic alternatives to bills of lading and sea waybills.
International Carriage of Goods by Other Modes
This module examines the responsibilities and liabilities of transportation involving other forms of unimodal transport – air, rail and road. You will examine various regimes: Warsaw regime and Montreal Convention for air, Convention of Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) for road and Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM) for rail. This module will also focus on the use of multimodal transport (that is, door-to-door transportation using a combination of modes of transportation) and examine the legal challenges faced where such transportation is used.
Corporate Governance
This module examines the notion of corporate governance, which is usually described as being the governance of large corporations which dominate modern economic life. From this perspective, the module will be concentrating on debates about the nature of corporations, the role and duties of corporate managers and about the goal of corporations and the interests in which corporations should be run.
International Trade Law
This module provides you with an understanding of the regulation of international trade, the political and ethical influences that shape international trade, the role of international organisations in harmonising the law of international sales and transportation of goods.
General Principles of Insolvency Law
This module provides you with a critical and advanced understanding of the theoretical foundations of insolvency law, as it applies to both insolvent individuals and to corporations.
Corporate Social Responsibility
This module examines the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR). It examines the concept from a historical perspective, and looks at the various meanings that have been attached to it over time. Although international in outlook, the module will concentrate on Anglo-American corporate theory in this context.
Structure
You will take eight modules, four in each Semester, selecting at least six from the list of International Commercial Law modules. The remaining options can be chosen from the broader list of optional modules. Following the successful completion of these eight modules, you will write a dissertation.
Teaching hours
Students will participate in approximately 1,800 hours of learning time, consisting of approximately eight hours per week of classes on taught modules, with the remainder consisting of independent study.
Teaching
Our modules are taught in weekly two-hour seminars with lading groups of up to 20 students. Staff provide a broad introduction to each subject area, placing the topic in its legal context, and then discussion is opened up. You will be required to actively engage in seminar discussions to demonstrate your extensive preparatory reading. Given that these are postgraduate programmes, the extent of reading is much more detailed than it is for undergraduate study, with far more focus on independent student learning.
A range of teaching methods will be used in these seminars and we are particularly keen on developing student presentation skills. You will be required to present on a particular topic as a way of developing your research and presentation skills. You will be asked to read set materials critically and to research current issues with confidence.
You will be assigned an individual tutor whose role is to help you to develop your academic skills. We also offer legal skills training and have our own team of student advisors in the School of Law ready to give you confidential support and advice on any issue.
Library resources
The Library has a substantial collection of materials, textbooks, monographs, journals and anthologies relevant to the study of law at postgraduate level. There is a wide range of online materials which are constantly being added to as a way of maximising student access to learning materials. An effective Library induction will be provided when you arrive.
Computing
In addition to general student resources, the School of Law has a range of new facilities including access to a bank of standard desktop computers with flat monitors within one of the Law student common rooms.
These PCs have access to a standard Microsoft Office suite for word processing and spreadsheet work. All computers are available during normal office hours throughout semester time. These IT resources are internet and email-enabled, to allow access to our online learning environment and online library resources. These online resources can also be accessed remotely, allowing you to study flexibly.
The neighbouring Management School building has wide wireless network, which is available for student use.
Research in the School of Law
Legal research has been conducted at the University of Surrey for nearly 40 years. Interests cover a range of subject areas and focus particularly on research groupings in European law, international commercial law and international law. This established research culture enables the School to provide a stimulating and supportive environment for both postgraduate research and taught programmes. Prominent speakers and visitors contribute to the School’s teaching and research activity.
Department links
Contact us
For general enquiries
0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681 681
For admissions enquiries
+44 (0)1483 686 300