LLM International Trade and Economic Law
This course is open to applications. However, please be aware that we are currently experiencing a high demand for this programme and are unable to guarantee that we will be able to review new applications from International and EU applicants for September 2023 entry.
Please be aware that we will no longer be offering this course from September 2024 onwards.
Page last updated 12 May 2023
Introduction
The LLM programmes overlap with the areas of research interest in the School. We have a thriving research culture with specialist research units across several fields of law.
Part of our comprehensive range of LLM programmes, the LLM in International Trade and Economic Law will equip you with the legal knowledge and capability to engage with trade and businesses at a global level.
The volume of international trade has increased substantially in the post-war period, and most rapidly in the last decade. You will study the institutions of international economic law that shape today's global economy, and the role and regulation of multinational corporations giving you the skills required to work in this significant and complex area of law.
Diverse choice of modules
Pursuing an LLM allows you to focus in on a particular area of law by delving deep into the subject and undertaking independent research and learning. The modules available cover a diverse range of legal topics, making it possible to tailor the course towards the specific areas of law you wish to explore further.
Teaching backed by the latest research
The School has a thriving research culture and most tutors on our LLMs are active researchers, publishing in leading journals. At the same time, the quality of teaching at Bristol Law School has been recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency as 'excellent'. You can therefore expect to participate in carefully-planned, lively and highly informative sessions designed to give you a deep and thorough grounding in your chosen area of law.
Flexible study options
There are two intakes to the LLMs, one in September and one in January, and you can study with us full or part time.
Watch: The learning and teaching experience
Structure
Content
The option modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
Core modules
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Globalisation and the Law (15 credits).
Option modules
You'll study either International Contracts or World Trade Organisation Law.
Plus five modules from this list, or four of them plus one optional module from any of our other LLM courses.
- Contemporary Research Project (15 credits)
- Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility (15 credits)
- Information Technology Law (15 credits)
- International Banking and Finance Law (15 credits)
- International Commercial Disputes (15 credits)
- International Competition Law and Policy (15 credits)
- International Employment Law (15 credits)
- International Environmental Law (15 credits)
- International Financial Crime (15 credits)
- International Intellectual Property Law (15 credits)
- International Law and Institutions (15 credits)
- Natural Resources Law (15 credits)
- Shipping Law (15 credits).
Dissertation (60 credits)
You'll need to write a 15,000 word dissertation. This needs to be an original piece of work. You can satisfy this requirement by:
- carrying out empirical work that has not been done before
- synthesising issues not put together before
- looking at topics that have not looked at before by people in the discipline
- examining existing knowledge in an original way, or
- bringing new evidence to bear on an old issue.
You don't need to meet all of these criteria. Your dissertation topic must broadly relate to your LLM award.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
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 will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
The flexible nature of the course allows you to study with us full or part time. 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 will be expected to prepare for each workshop and to participate actively in discussion with your tutors and peers.
You will also have access to course and module information through our online Blackboard system.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study time
Full-time attendance
The full-time 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.
Part-time attendance
The part-time route takes two years. You will usually have around four hours of contact with your tutors a week and you should spend between 12 and 18 hours a week studying independently.
Dedicated support
You will receive a high level of support both during your studies and after you have graduated. You will 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 International Trade and Economic Law course are assessed through a combination of written coursework assignments and oral presentations. The culmination of the course is a dissertation of up to 15,000 words, which constitutes an original contribution to the corpus of legal knowledge within an area of international trade and economic law.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Features
Placements
Pro Bono Unit
The UWE Bristol Law Court Clinic has developed a comprehensive programme to provide opportunities for you to undertake legal pro bono work in and around the Bristol area. The unit (which includes its free Community Legal Advice and Representation Service (CLARS)) has received national recognition through the various awards it has achieved.
Fieldwork
Pro Bono Unit
You'll 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 Street Law Programme and Bristol Musicians Advice Service.
Study facilities
In the new £55m 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.
In our specialist library, you'll have a dedicated librarian to support your curriculum subjects and independent research.
The library and Business School both offer spaces for silent and group study and rooms you can book.
You'll have access to books, trade press, academic journals, and industry databases both on and off campus.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Get a feel for the Law facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
Global Crime, Justice and Security (GCJS)
The Global Crime, Justice and Security Research Group provides a forum for research activity in the field of financial crime, criminal justice and procedure, serious organised crime and cyber security. The main objective of this Research Group is to advance research and teaching and explore the role of law in meeting contemporary issues.
Student representation
We have a student representation system, supported by UWE Students' Union. LLM student representatives are elected by LLM students to represent them, which means you will 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 for an LLM provides an ideal opportunity to develop specialist skills that will be favoured by employers, both in the legal world and beyond. It opens up a range of career opportunities and gives our students the edge over other graduates.
The in-depth knowledge you will acquire in a particular area of law will give you a thorough grounding in the subject area and raise your employability prospects, enabling you to become a specialist within your organisation. It is for this reason that many of our LLM graduates choose to go on to complete a PhD or go into teaching and research.
Given the increasingly transnational nature of law, this course is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills which will be attractive to employers both in the UK and beyond. Recent graduates from Bristol Law School have gained positions in local government, solicitors firms, the Ministry of Defence and other organisations including Marks and Spencer plc, Direct Line and Lloyds TSB.
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
Full Time (January start)
Part Time (January start)
Full Time (September Start)
Part Time (September start)
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
More information on fees can be found on our tuition fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
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.
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements, but have relevant work experience and/or can demonstrate appropriate subject knowledge are still encourage to apply, however they might be invited to an interview to assess suitability for the course.
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 programme 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 that same academic year.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333