International Commercial and Corporate Law (LLM)

You’ll need a 2.1 degree in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or at least 4 law modules in a bachelor’s degree.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

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

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This course includes campus-based, taught learning and a dissertation. You’ll complete your taught modules between October and June. Between June and September you’ll complete a supervised dissertation on a topic of your choosing.

You'll start this master's by completing an intensive, week-long introductory legal course on the common law. This means you’ll understand the way this important legal system works. During the taught element you must choose and complete a series of modules.

You may also choose a module/s from across our other postgraduate courses run by the Law School.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

There’s a strong focus on in-depth, practice-focused learning on this master’s degree.

Our small-group teaching through seminars and tutorials means you can analyse your chosen topics in detail.

Seminars and tutorials are structured around facts or issues relating to a particular case, or piece of research. You’re encouraged to explore and debate these topics, prepare presentations and sometimes argue a case in a simulated court hearing (a moot), in our purpose-built moot room.

Some modules may include:

• preparing a response to a public consultation
• examining the legal implications of new conventions
• drafting clauses to tackle potential problems

These activities enhance your legal skills and understanding. They’ll also help you to develop transferable skills including team working, critical appraisal and logical reasoning. Our diverse student group also gives you an insight into other cultures and the professional practices of your peers.

Assessment

We’ll feedback on your work during class to help you to identify your strengths and understand the areas you can improve.

Formal assessment varies by module, but will include exams and coursework as well as your dissertation.

Dissertation

An important part of all our LLM programmes is the dissertation. This is a significant research project.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

When you graduate with us you’ll be well prepared to pursue careers in a variety of different industries around the world.

Working as lawyers in international law firms or ‘in-house’, in international commercial organisations, and working outside the legal sector, in government, insurance, finance, charitable organisations, consultancies and academia.

Firms who target Southampton graduates and regularly visit the Law School include:

• Campbell Johnson Clark
• Clyde & Co
• HFW
• Addleshaw Goddard
• White & Case
• Ince & Co
• Womble Bond Dickinson
• Burges Salmon

A number of global firms also have practices in international arbitration: 

• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
• Skadden
• Allen & Overy
• Herbert Smith Freehills
• Hogan Lovells
• White & Case

You’ll also be invited to the Law Careers Fair where high-profile organisations and law firms attend.

Explore our LLM careers brochure for more typical job opportunities and qualifying as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales.

This degree is also excellent preparation for further study at PhD level.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Law.

Find out more about the Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

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Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000