International Commercial Law LLM

Postgraduate

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The International Commercial Law LLM enables you to develop an advanced understanding of the complexities of modern international commercial law and practice, focusing on specialist subject areas.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CBLT001

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

This course helps law graduates, legal professionals and those with related backgrounds to expand their knowledge of international law and its global impact and build expertise to tackle today’s legal challenges.

Learn about core topics within international law and explore how the law addresses modern concerns.
Course content expands upon specialist areas of law including commercial arbitration, international economic law and intellectual property and technology.
Undertake quality academic research throughout your degree and have opportunities to publish your work in the Coventry Law Journal².

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Benefit from integrated academic research training throughout modules.
Learn and work in collaboration with your peers through a workshop-based delivery model, tackling contemporary and real-world problems.
Practice your legal skills in our mock moot room and compete in mooting competitions with other students from the university and beyond⁴.

What you'll study

You can expect to explore diverse and specialised legal aspects of international commerce, with an emphasis on contemporary developments and their practical applications.

Modules

Principles of International Law – 30 credits

Explore the concepts and operation of international law, a framework of detailed rules that govern the interaction of States and their legal systems. Content aims to ground you in an understanding of the fundamental concepts and systems that underpin the subject, and explain how these operate together, in connection with international institutions, in the context of international relations. We will explain the differences between public and private international law, and where these differences lie.

The module will examine the two main sources of international law, namely treaties and customary law. The role of international institutions, such as the United Nations, the African Union and the World Trade Organisation, and the development of international rules will be explored. You will have the opportunity to engage with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project in this module, offering you the chance to interact with other international universities and professional institutions².

Compulsory

Law and Contemporary Problems – 30 credits

This module inverts the traditional model for teaching law, starting by looking at a contemporary challenge, then considering the role the law plays in addressing that challenge. Each week, you will be introduced to a contemporary issue and identify how different areas of law are connected to that issue. We will then explore how a variety of different areas of law can be utilised to address that challenge. This exploration is enabled by the development and application of a range of skills appropriate to scholarship at the postgraduate level, including the use of enhanced research and legal skills relevant to the preparation and writing of written assessments.

Compulsory

Commercial Arbitration – 30 credits

Develop practical skills in arbitration, a growing method of global dispute resolution and explore key concepts and principles of English arbitration law and practice. This is achieved through a consideration of the unique role of arbitration and its legal framework, including applying this to practical sale of goods dispute scenarios. You should acquire a holistic understanding of the legal theoretical underpinnings and resulting practical consequences of arbitration from the standpoint of all parties involved including, but not limited to, arbitrators, parties in disputes and legal practitioners.

Compulsory

Intellectual Property and Technology – 30 credits

This module focuses on UK law and delves into various types of intellectual property within their international legal frameworks. Investigate the interaction between technologies and the law and consider the legal challenges arising from advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, as well as digital technology-related legal issues in the creative industries. You should develop a deep understanding of ethical behaviour and social responsibility within intellectual property law and technology. This aligns with Principles for Responsible Management Education's (PRME) goal of nurturing students to become future leaders who can generate sustainable value for business and society at large.

Compulsory

International Economic Law – 30 credits

Examine the interaction between different aspects of international economic law. International law oversees several international economic organisations including the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Alongside these organisations sits a body of international law to regulate the international economic system and facilitate economic cooperation and development. This module considers the role of international law in the governance of the international economic system.

Compulsory

Postgraduate Project – 30 credits

You will carry out a substantive piece of independent research into a legal issue relevant to your course. You will be expected to draw upon the knowledge acquired, and the intellectual, technical and analytical skills developed throughout your course. You will be supported in this module through a series of group supervisions and will be allocated a project supervisor. The module includes two routes, and you will be given the opportunity to select your preferred route, although all project titles must be approved by the project supervisor in advance of commencing the project. The two routes are:

Route 1: An individual research-based dissertation.
Route 2: An individual project report.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
mooting
legal clinics.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods may include:

reports
tests
essays
exams
practical coursework
assignments
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in any discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above in any discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £11,200 \| £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year	Request fee information
EU	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £11,200 \| £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £20,050 \| £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £20,050 \| £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our learning facilities, which include modern classrooms, open learning spaces and our Moot Room, offer you the chance to get the most out of your learning experience.

Moot room

Develop your advocacy and courtroom skills. Our Moot Room simulates mock court trials where you and other students can role-play as barristers, sharpening your legal skills and knowledge.

Legal Clinic

Use the Legal Clinic to develop your practical legal skills and help you stand out in your future career. You will have access to 'real' clients and work alongside trained solicitors and lawyers.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

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Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

The skills learnt and practised throughout the International Commercial Law LLM course can be utilised if you intend to enter the legal profession in the UK and overseas. The skills and attributes developed and acquired throughout the course can also be translatable to many other career destinations.

Our International Commercial Law LLM is not a direct route to qualification as a Lawyer, Barrister or Solicitor in the UK.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

evidence a critical understanding of the theories, concepts, values, principles and rules of international commercial law within a commercial, institutional, social and global context.
evaluate and critique contemporary issues and developments within commercial law, international law, and the law relating to technological developments.
identify, synthesise and critically analyse relevant and in-depth information from primary and secondary legal sources, using both digital and non-digital resources.
solve problems, by drawing reasoned and critical conclusions through the application of legal principles and knowledge to complex real-life and/or hypothetical legal, commercial, social, and political problems.
evidence enhanced intellectual independence including addressing and resolving legal and related questions, acquiring new knowledge, addressing and resolving ambiguity and engaging in critical analysis and evaluation.
appreciate and demonstrate an awareness of social responsibility and ethical behaviour in an academic and vocational capacity.
communicate effectively, by explaining and conveying information at various levels appropriate to the audience and demonstrate self-management and an ability to work and research independently and collaboratively in order to enhance employability.

Where our graduates work

On successful completion of this course, you should have acquired and developed substantive and practical knowledge of commercial law, preparing you for a future career in areas such as professional legal practice, international business, economic governance and other related fields.

Further study

You may also seek to go on to further graduate-level study (PhD) or a career in academia.

The course modules are very impactful with a blend of online, face-to-face, research, moot court presentation, and video materials. Divergent thinking is encouraged and appreciated when justified. No opinion is discountenanced. This is very encouraging and has instilled confidence in my intellectual capacity. My journey at Coventry University has improved my global integration and networking.
Suzzy Egbi Ochonu, LLM International Commercial Law Graduate 2023

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How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

If this course has a part-time option, you can apply here.

Part-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.