LLM International Commercial Law

Dubai Campus

Start date
Jan 2024 (part-time) Sept 2024 (full- & part-time)
Duration
1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

January 2024 entry
Part-time study is AED 51,932

September 2024 entry
Full-time study is AED 114,250, Part-time study is AED 57,125

More detail

Scholarships available for all students up to 40%

The past few decades have seen enormous growth in global commerce, increasing the importance of international commercial law.

This area of law provides a basis for international business transactions and the development of international markets. Our LLM degree in International Commercial Law is an excellent choice for those seeking opportunities in the commercial world and looking to understand the global challenges it faces.

We have designed the timetable to suit the schedule of our students. We offer classes in the day on weekdays for students who can commit to a one year programme. For working professionals, we offer a flexible combination of evening and weekend classes over a two year period.

It’s fantastic to see a top UK Russell Group University, such as Birmingham, genuinely committing their academic and professional expertise to enhancing the local market in Dubai. Their approach to recognising the needs of the legal sector and supporting not only recent graduates, but also those looking to progress their career through flexible opportunities is superb

Stuart Walker, Partner, Afridi Angell

Why study this course?

  • Tackling global issues - The increasing relevance of our LLM degree in International Commercial Law makes it an excellent choice for those seeking opportunities in the commercial world and seeking an understanding of the global challenges it faces.
  • International reputation - Birmingham Law School is ranked in the Top 60 (THE 2022) best law schools in the world and has an international reputation for its research and teaching. Joining the programme will involve joining a vibrant global community of students, alumni and academics.
  • Excellent career prospects - alumni from Birmingham Law School consistently find employment in the leading international law firms. Many have achieved international distinction as lawyers, academics, in the judiciary and in other fields such as commerce and public service. 100% of students who applied for an internship during the 2022/23 academic year were successful in securing one.
  • Transferable skills - this advanced LLM Law degree prepares you for a wide range of careers as it enables you to develop your skills in research and writing through assessed work and a substantial dissertation written under the supervision of a specialist in the subject
  • Support and guidance - you will have access to a range of support services -including excellent library resources and support in developing skills in research, drafting and other subject-specific skills. According to the Dubai Student Survey 2022/23, LLM student satisfaction is over 90%; and more than 90% of LLM students agree that the teaching is very interactive.

Modules

 To graduate with the named LLM (International Commercial Law) students will be required to undertake:

  1.  The compulsory module of Introduction to Legal Research (20 credits)
  2. A minimum of two core modules (40 credits)
  3. Three optional modules (60 credits)
  4. A 15,000-word dissertation in an approved legal topic relating to International Commercial Law (60 credits).

Students must choose five modules (100 credits). A minimum of two modules (total 40 credits) must come from the list of core modules.

Core modules:

  • English and International Sales Law (20 Credits)
  • Global Trade Law and Policy (20 Credits)
  • Company Law and Policy (20 Credits)

The remaining credits can be filled by selecting modules from the following optional modules, which may include:

  • International Mergers and Acquisitions (20 Credits)
  • International Oil and Gas Law (20 Credits)
  • Sustainable Energy and the Environment (20 Credits)
  • Intellectual Property Law (20 Credits)
  • Banking Law (20 Credits)
  • Carriage of Goods (20 Credits)
  • International Commercial Conflict of Laws (20 Credits)
  • International Commercial Dispute Resolution (20 Credits)
  • International Construction Law (20 Credits)
  • Transnational Financial Crime Law  (20 Credits)

All 20 credit modules equate to 200 hours of studying time: 20 hours will be in seminars and 180 hours is guided independent study.

Please note that the module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Fees

January 2024 entry
Part-time study is AED 51,932

September 2024 entry
The annual tuition fee for full-time study is AED 114,250, or AED 57,125 for part-time.

We have a number of scholarships available. Find out more.

How To Apply

To find out more information about our application process please visit our 'How to apply page' before starting your application.

Our Standard Requirements

Applicants should have a good Honours degree in law, or a degree in another discipline augmented with a pass in the Common Professional Examination.

International students:

International qualifications which are equivalent to a UK honours degree in Law will be considered. Learn more about international entry requirements

If your first language is not English you must provide an English language qualification. Recognised qualifications include:

  • IELTS: 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band

International Requirements


We will provide you with an innovative, challenging and research-driven education; where you will be actively encouraged to participate in seminars and contribute original ideas to discussion. You will also develop your skills in research and analyzing the law,  in advising and presenting solutions to practical legal problems. Each module has been designed by a University of Birmingham academic with the needs of the future lawyer in mind.  The modules will provide you with a grounding in common law and international approaches to commercial legal issues. You’ll be taught by experts, often the authors of key legal texts, many of whom also have extensive experience of international practice. You will develop significant technical expertise and an international perspective, enhancing your career prospects.

This programme is designed to be flexible, suiting the needs of a diverse student body. The full-time programme will run from September to September studying six modules in total, three in the first term and three in the second term. The part-time programme will run alongside the full-time programme, studying three modules per year over two years.

The LLM is designed with flexibility in mind and can be undertaken in part-time mode alongside current employment. 

Course delivery

We offer a combination of evening and weekend classes which are designed to accommodate working professionals and those who choose to study full-time.

Our draft timetable for full-time students is designed to deliver teaching on one or two evenings from 18:30-20:30 and on Saturday or Sunday 09:00-17:00 (day varies per module).

Please note that the example timetables are to be used as a guide and are subject to change. Our term dates are also available online. For further information, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Mohd Hwaidi m.hwaidi@bham.ac.uk

Full-time students:

You will study each module for 10 teaching weeks in each semester, according to the timetable. In Semesters 1 and 2, there are three modules each, and during the summer, you will work on your dissertation project.

In Semester 2, one or two modules may be delivered in a block teaching mode over three weekends (e.g. four hours on Saturday for three weeks and four hours on Sunday for two weeks).

Part-time students:

You will study three modules per year. You can choose to take two modules in semester one and one module in semester two, or one module in semester one and two modules in semester two. You will study each module for 10 teaching weeks in each semester, following the timetable.

For part-time students who start in September (e.g. 2024), you will complete your modules in semester four (e.g. May 2026). During the summer, you will work on your dissertation project.

For part-time students who start in January (e.g. 2025), you will finish your modules in semester four (e.g. January 2027). From January to May, you will work on your dissertation projects.

View example timetable for LLM International Commercial Law (pdf 97 KB)

Your Birmingham Degree

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, team-working abilities and cultural awareness. 

Our graduates move onto a diverse range of careers, with many going on to work in top law schools and law firms. Some examples of where our recent graduates have gone on to work include the UK Home Office, Pinsent Masons LLP, HSBC, Vodaphone and Kinstellar. A number of our postgraduate students go directly from Birmingham to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, Bar Professional Training Course and many other international professional qualifications.

Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) in Dubai

CEPLER is the go-to service for Birmingham Law School students, providing a diverse range of opportunities and activities to enhance knowledge, skills, confidence and employability - all the things that help graduates to stand out from the crowd in a competitive jobs market. You'll have access to a variety of online and face to face activities to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to progress your career in Law.

Birmingham Law School was always on my list given the incredibly renown focus on facilitating world-class learning experiences and research. To experience exactly that, while working and living in Dubai, was definitely a win. Not to forget the range of modules and the syllabus that are provided in the LLM course at the University of Birmingham Dubai: very practical and relevant.

Zaynab Ahmed (LLM Internat Commercial Law PT Dubai)