LLM Global Business and Finance Law

Entry year
2024/25
Course code
M34G12
Application
University
Level
Postgraduate
School
Bristol Law School
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
One year, starts September and January
Delivery
Full-time
Programme leader
Dr Tobore Okah-Avae

This course is open for applications

Page last updated 19 April 2024

Introduction

Our LLM Global Business and Finance Law course is designed to encourage critical analysis of relevant legal issues with a breadth of knowledge that'll make you stand out as a specialist in your chosen area of law.

The LLM in Global Business and Finance Law allows students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the laws and regulatory structures underpinning business and finance in a globalised economy.

On this LLM, you'll be engaged in the study and critical evaluation of a range of current issues. These include the changing technological landscape, legal and regulatory responses to financial crime and the role of corporations in developing and maintaining ethical and sustainable business practices.

Diverse choice of modules

Pursuing an LLM enables you to focus in on a particular area of law by delving deep into the subject and undertaking independent research. This means you'll be able to tailor the course towards the specific areas of law you're interested in.

From intellectual property to technology, the optional modules available on this LLM covers a diverse range of legal topics, allowing you to specialise.

Teaching backed by the latest research

Bristol Law School has a thriving research culture and most members of staff who teach on our LLMs are active researchers, publishing in leading journals.

The high quality of teaching in the Law School has been recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency, which awarded the Law School an 'excellent' rating.

You can therefore expect to participate in carefully planned and informative sessions designed to give you a thorough grounding in your chosen area of law.

Specialist career options

Our LLM is aimed at those working in the corporate sector with a legal business background who are looking to specialise in global and domestic banking or business law. Applicants will have a keen interest in business, finance, banking law and international corporate governance.

You'll be working at the leading edge of scholarship in this field, giving you an advantage when seeking employment either in legal practice or the commercial world.

Structure

Content

The below information is indicative of the course content and is subject to final UWE Bristol approval. When the approved course structure and content is published, any optional modules listed will be those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

You'll study

  • Global Banking Law and Financial Crime
  • International Commercial Law
  • Legal Research Project.

Plus, four optional modules from:

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Competition Law and Regulation
  • Technology Law
  • Trade, Investment and Energy Law.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

The course involves both extensive independent research and discussion in the context of workshops, designed to encourage the development of your critical, analytical and reflective skills. You'll be expected to prepare for each workshop and to participate actively in discussion with your tutors and peers.

You'll also have access to course and module information through our online Blackboard system.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Study time

This course takes one year, with approximately six to nine contact hours a week. However, as independent study is fundamental to the course, the total study time should be around 36 hours a week.

Dedicated support

You'll receive a high level of support both during your studies and after you have graduated. You'll be allocated an LLM academic tutor to support you throughout the course. We also organise events to help you plan your career after the LLM.

Assessment

Taught modules on the LLM Global Business and Finance Law course are assessed through a combination of written coursework assignments and oral presentations.

The culmination of the course is a portfolio-style independent legal research project. This project will enable you to show initiative, engage with new ideas, as you're guided by expert Research Mentors.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.

Features

Fieldwork

Pro Bono Unit

You may have opportunities to engage in Pro Bono work through your LLM, volunteering your time to help the local community.

Supervised by academics and practitioners, you'll work on cases and provide legal advice through projects such as Legal Advocacy Support Project, Elderlaw, the UWE Bristol Street Law Programme and Bristol Musicians Advice Service.

Study facilities

Bristol Law School has excellent, state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated LLM study room and mock law courtrooms, where you can put your learning into practice.

The Frenchay library offers students 24-hour access with computer room facilities, as well as a wide range of legal resources, including Hein Online, LexisNexis, Westlaw and iLaw. The library is well stocked with electronic and print books, newspapers, journals, government publications, statistics, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, company information, market reports and DVDs.

In the Bristol Business School, you'll have access to modern learning spaces including a dedicated law resource room.

Mock courtrooms help you practice legal submissions, take part in recorded mock trials and gain experience of being in court.

Find out more about the facilities and resources UWE Bristol has to offer.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Law facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

Student representation

We have a student representation system, supported by UWE Bristol Students' Union. LLM student representatives are elected by LLM students to represent them, which means you'll have the opportunity to raise any issues and help to shape the course by sharing your views.

Life

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

Studying our LLM Global Business and Finance Law provides an ideal opportunity to develop specialist skills favoured by employers, both in the legal world and beyond. The course opens up a range of career opportunities in legal practice and gives our students the edge over other graduates.

Based on the regulation of international commercial transactions and banking, students can tailor their LLM to match their interests. You'll be able to choose from a range of options connected to contemporary legal, social, economic and environmental issues affecting international and domestic commerce and trade.

The in-depth knowledge you'll acquire in your chosen area of law will give you a thorough grounding in this subject area. You'll also study a range of topical subjects, from climate change and environmental law to banking law and corporate governance. The specialist knowledge and skillset you gain will raise your employability prospects, enabling you to become an in-demand specialist within your organisation.

Recent graduates from Bristol Law School have gained positions with major employers, such as local government, solicitors' firms and in-house councils. Many of our LLM graduates go into academia and further study, choosing to complete a PhD or go into teaching and research.

Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.

Fees

Supplementary fee information

Read about Postgraduate funding.

Entry

Entry requirements

You should have:

  • An honours degree of 2:2 or above in Law; or
  • An honours degree of 2:2 or above plus a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Common Professional Examination (CPE); or
  • An honours degree of 2:2 or above in a related subject (such as business, politics or international relations) and/or relevant experience: please give full details in your application.

If you do not meet the above requirements, but have relevant work experience and/or can demonstrate appropriate subject knowledge, we will assess your application on an individual basis.

Personal Statement

You are required to complete a personal statement for this course. Please read the personal statement guidance carefully and make sure that you answer the questions on the postgraduate application form within the personal statement tabs, keeping to the advised word count.

UWE-Münster Referral Scheme

Münster students should have completed the First State Exam (FSE) and the FFA (English).*

Students admitted under this scheme are exempted three modules by virtue of their prior studies and are offered a flexible pathway studying for a part or the whole of an academic year in Bristol.*

Most students choose to study in Bristol in semester one (September only), taking four modules and returning to Münster for semester two.

The Research Methods module in semester two is compulsory and must be studied. This can be done at Bristol or if the student chooses to return to Münster, they can continue to study this module there with online support provided by UWE Bristol.

Students can complete their dissertation over the summer (they are not required to be in Bristol to do this). Supervision can take place online via video and email.

*Where students have not completed the FFA (English), they may still gain entry to the LLM. However, in these circumstances, students will need to undertake the full complement of eight modules plus their dissertation and will need to spend one full year in the UK. Students taking this approach may join the course in either September or January.

UWE Bristol's International College

International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.

English language support

If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.

Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.

English Language Requirement

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. You should have:

  • IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all components

See further details of our English Language requirements.

How to apply

Please apply online. Applications for the LLM course may be submitted at any time of year and the deadline for applications is 1 September for study commencing in September of that same academic year, or by 1 January for study commencing in January that same academic year.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information