LLM International Commercial and Economic Law
London, United Kingdom
LLM
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 16,370 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Home | International: £27,840
Key Summary
About: The LLM International Commercial and Economic Law at SOAS University of London trains students in transnational, comparative and socio-legal approaches with a Global South focus. It covers regulation of global markets, corporate power, cross-border trade, investment, finance and dispute resolution, emphasizing international arbitration and transnational dispute settlement. The programme combines theory with practical skills. Students complete 180 credits (60-credit dissertation and 120 credits of taught modules) and the programme is restricted to holders of a UK law degree or international equivalent.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter international legal practice, policy, research; roles include arbitration counsel, policy advisor and academic researcher.
The LLM International Commercial and Economic Law provides doctrinal and theoretical training grounded in transnational, comparative and socio-legal perspectives with a distinctive focus on legal developments in the Global South. Students study how law regulates global markets, corporate power and cross-border economic activity — including investment, trade, finance and dispute resolution — with particular emphasis on international arbitration and transnational dispute settlement. The programme is interdisciplinary and professionally oriented, combining theoretical foundations with practical, skills-based learning. Students must complete 180 credits (60-credit dissertation and 120 credits of taught modules). The programme can form part of a dual LLM degree with partner universities and postgraduate students may participate in SOAS study tours (examples listed include New Delhi, Lahore, Seoul, Luang Prabang, Almaty, Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg and Doha). The LLM is restricted to applicants who hold a UK law degree or international equivalent.
Why choose this program?
- Global South-facing focus combining theoretical and doctrinal training with transnational, comparative and socio-legal perspectives.
- Emphasis on international arbitration and transnational dispute settlement with practical, skills-based learning.
- Ranked in national and international league tables (see programme_ranking).
- Suitable for LLB graduates or legal professionals interested in commercial law theory and practice.
All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits: a 60-credit dissertation and 120 credits of taught modules. Taught modules are worth either 15 or 30 credits and are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. Students who wish to graduate with a specialised LLM must take at least 60 credits associated with that specialisation. Not all modules listed will be available every year; module content and availability are subject to change.
- We are ranked in the UK top 20 (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
- This programme is ideal for LLB graduates or legal professionals with an interest in the theory and practice of commercial law. You will join an international body of SOAS alumni many of whom are now working in international commercial law firms, as in-house counsel at some of the major multinational companies, in policy or academia
Knowledge and understanding
- Students will acquire specialist knowledge of commercial law in an international and comparative context.
- This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, knowledge and understanding of the following:
- the theoretical and practical underpinnings of international and comparative commercial law;
- the context in which law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended;
- the role played by law, particularly commercial law in different international and comparative situations;
- the role and function of legal institutions in managing commercial relationships in an international and comparative context;
- the weight and significance of different sources and methodologies.
- Students will develop knowledge of how to locate relevant materials and assess their relevance and/or importance.
Intellectual (thinking) skills
- Students should develop rigour in the analysis and assessment of legal arguments.
- Students should develop the ability to understand, summarise and critically assess differing perspectives on theoretical debates.
- Students should develop independence of thought and the confidence to challenge the accepted wisdom.
- Students should learn to identify issues and formulate questions for further research through independent work.
- Students will be encouraged to bring to bear their own previous experience and knowledge in addressing legal issues in an interdisciplinary manner.
Subject-based practical skills
The programme will help students develop the ability to:
- Write clear research essays and dissertations.
- Research in a variety of specialized research libraries and institutes and online, and retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources.
- Present seminar papers and defend the arguments therein.
- Discuss ideas introduced during seminars.
- Develop essay and dissertation research questions.
- Read legal source materials rapidly and critically.
- Present legal arguments in moots and debates.
Transferable skills
The programme will enable students to:
- Communicate effectively in writing.
- Structure and communicate ideas and arguments effectively both orally and in writing.
- Read and comprehend significant quantities of reading rapidly and effectively and develop critical faculties.
- Find and use a variety of written and digital materials, especially legal materials, in libraries and research institutes.
- Present (non–assessed) material orally.
- Develop teamwork skills.
- Tibawi Trust Award (listed)
- Anthony Dicks Memorial Scholarship — deadline 2 March 2026
- Felix Non-Indian Scholarship — deadline 2 March 2026
- Felix Scholarships — deadline 2 March 2026
- Sasakawa Studentships — deadline 20 March 2026
- SOAS Masters Scholarships: Home — deadline 30 June 2026
Full details and application deadlines are provided on the linked scholarship pages.
SOAS Law graduates are described as civic-minded, critically engaged and valued by employers for analytical skills, specialist knowledge and global perspective. The LLM provides a foundation for international legal practice, policy, advocacy and research and can support further study towards a research degree such as a PhD. Recent School of Law graduates have been hired by: PwC LLP; BLM Law; BloombergNEF; British Medical Association; Clifford Chance; DAC Beachcroft LLP; Department for Work and Pensions; EY; HM Treasury; Latham & Watkins; Legal Cheek; Simpson Millar Solicitors; The Economist; Travers Smith; Vodafone; World Cancer Research Fund.
Why You?
This programme is ideal for LLB graduates or legal professionals with an interest in the theory and practice of commercial law. You will join an international body of SOAS alumni many of whom are now working in international commercial law firms, as in-house counsel at some of the major multinational companies, in policy or in academia.
Please note that the International Commercial and Economic LLM programme is restricted to applicants who hold an LLB. If you do not hold an LLB but are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in law at SOAS, please see details of the MA.