University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
LLM in International Commercial Law
Birmingham, United Kingdom
LLM
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 28,080 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international students | 28 August 2026 for UK students | Applications for 2027 entry will open in October 2026
** for international full-time | £11,250 - for UK full-time | £5,625 - for UK part-time
Key Summary
About: Study the LLM in International Commercial Law at The University of Birmingham's College of Arts and Law, a Top 25 UK law school and world top 100 Law School (THE 2026). You'll join a supportive environment, studying cross-border trade, commercial contracts, company law, business tax and conflicts of law through options that blend theory with practical relevance.
Career Outcomes: Graduates gain research, advocacy, analytical and communication skills suited to legal and commercial careers. Alumni work as Solicitor, Paralegal and Policy Advisor in leading firms and institutions. You could also pursue in-house counsel, compliance officer, international trade lawyer or dispute resolution specialist roles.
International commercial law is key to global business and market growth. Become a trusted expert in this vital area of law.
Learn about international business operations and how laws control trade and finance globally. This course is ideal if you're looking to use your legal knowledge to work in business and tackle worldwide challenges.
With our diverse range of modules, you can specialise in areas such as business tax, company law, and commercial conflicts of law.
As a Top 25 UK Law School, you'll learn from experts with practical experience of working internationally in commercial law. This course mixes the latest academic theory with real-world relevance and professional opportunities.
As a world top 100 Law School*, you'll learn from legal experts conducting nationally and internationally important research. Our LLM programmes combine the latest academic theory with real-world relevance and professional opportunities.
*Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
- Study the topics that interest you with our broad range of modules.
- Get ready for your future career. Alumni from Birmingham Law School consistently find employment in the leading law firms.
- Membership in the Birmingham Law Society as an LLM student.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term.
- #2 We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report)
- Top 25 Law Schools in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Explore scholarships and funding on our school website.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student, you can take advantage of our wide range of university-run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organisations.
College of Arts and Law Masters Scholarships
For Home and International students, the College of Arts and Law (CAL) awards cover tuition fees at the Home fee-rate for Master's courses in CAL's five Schools
Value: Fee waiver at the Home fee rate
Alumni Scholarship
£2,000 tuition fee discounts for our returning undergraduate alumni commencing their Master's in 2026
Value: £2,000 tuition fee discount
By studying a postgraduate degree in Law at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to present a strong argument, research and analytical skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work independently.
Our LLM postgraduate students have gone on to work in careers such as 'Solicitor', 'Paralegal' and 'Policy Advisor' in organisations such as Eversheds Sutherland, House of Commons, and Crown Prosecution Service.
Join a global community and discover a course that matches your interests and aspirations with our huge range of postgraduate programmes in the College of Arts and Law.
Study options
We offer full-time or part-time study for many of our courses. We're proud to offer many courses by distance learning so you can access our exceptional teaching and resources from anywhere in the world.
Looking to study for a shorter period? Some of our courses offer PGCert and PGDip qualifications.
Innovative postgraduate degrees
Benefit from our interdisciplinary approach with opportunities to develop your skills. Whichever programme you pick, you’ll expand your knowledge and be ready for your next career step.
2nd in the UK: The University of Birmingham is consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2026, High Fliers report.
Ways you can enhance your career prospects include:
- Placement opportunities on the MA Film and Television: Research and Production
- Optional public history placement module on our MA History courses
- Practice-based dissertation options on MA International Law, Ethics and Politics
First-class facilities
Take your learning to the next level at Birmingham. Benefit from our incredible facilities available to College of Arts and Law students, including:
- The Film Editing Suite: Access content creation and podcasting studios, professional cameras, and filming equipment with beginner-friendly training by media technicians.
- The Barber Institute of Fine Arts: Our on-campus art gallery with paintings spanning seven centuries, from Botticelli to Monet and Van Gogh. The History of Art and Art History and Curating programmes are taught in the Barber for direct access to artwork. [The galleries of the Barber Institute are currently closed due to essential building works. Teaching will recommence in the galleries from autumn 2027.]
- Bramall Music Building and our Music Hub offering state-of-the-art performance, concert and rehearsal spaces.
- Shakespeare Institute: Our Shakespeare Studies students access a wealth of resources and a dedicated library at our Shakespeare Institute, based in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum including over 2,000 archaeological objects and an environmental archaeology collection.
Experts in distance learning
You don’t need to be in Birmingham to make the most of our outstanding teaching and research. Study from anywhere in the world through our range of distance learning options.
With over 25 years’ experience delivering distance learning courses, we’ll make sure you’re supported from day one.
You won’t be alone in your studies – on our taught programmes you’ll connect with your peers through our Virtual Learning Environment. If you choose a postgraduate research degree by distance learning, you’ll access remote research supervision meetings.
“I studied International Heritage Management as a distance learning student. My time at the University of Birmingham had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional.” – Josh, MA International Heritage Management by Distance Learning alumnus and Senior Operations and Events Executive at Historic Royal Palaces.
Birmingham Law School
For almost a century Birmingham Law School has led the way in legal education and research. Today, we continue to provide our students with innovative, challenging, and research-driven education.
We are a truly global, civic and diverse community reflected through our staff and students who have important impacts around the world through research, teaching and enterprise.
The Shakespeare Institute
An internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of Shakespeare's beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. Established in 1951 to push the boundaries of knowledge about Shakespeare studies and Renaissance drama. Study in Stratford-upon-Avon or online.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Law.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars and lectures – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.
Autumn term
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take two 30-credit modules in term one.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
Spring term
January - April (12 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three 20-credit modules in term two.
During term two, you are assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic.
Summer term
May – August
There are no taught modules during term three. You’ll continue your research and writing, ready to submit your dissertation at the end of August.