LLM/PgDip/PgCert International Commercial Law
Attendance
Full-time, Part-time
Full-time – one year
Part-time – two years
Starts September 2012
At a glance
About this course
This course is ideal if you are a
• recent law graduate looking for a postgraduate course
• professional wishing to enhance your specialist knowledge and skills
You advance your knowledge and appreciation of the key components of international commercial law and consider a number of legal initiatives at European and international levels.
The course enhances your employability by providing you with the knowledge and skills that are invaluable for a number of career routes upon qualification. Work-based learning is built into the course.
You can work in the University's Clinical Legal Education programme under the supervision of a qualified lawyer or tutor. The Clinical Legal Education programme is built on principles established in our law clinic, which is a fully fledged solicitor’s practice regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Alternatively, we encourage you to find a placement with an external legal service provider.
You complete a dissertation which is supervised by an experienced tutor with appropriate expertise.
Associated careers
This course will help you stand out from other applicants if you want to pursue a career as a practising lawyer, or work in business or commerce in national and multi-national companies and provides you with transferrable skills desirable to other employers, including international organisations.
It also provides the foundations for you to pursue an academic or research career.
Course content
Modules
You are offered six modules from
International trade law
This module considers the sale and supply of goods and services originating in a third country, and analyses the structure and operation of international sale contracts.
Topics include the international sale of goods and financing, the carriage of goods by sea, and the role played by international institutions such as the World Trade Organisation. You gain a critical understanding of international trade law and how to apply legal rules in solving practical international trade problems.
Internet/e-commerce law
The relevance of the internet and e-commerce in global commerce and business is increasing, but it also raises a number of interesting legal and regulatory issues. This module explores various aspects of internet law and regulation in a commercial context.
You are encouraged to critically evaluate the legal and regulatory aspects affecting internet transactions and e-commerce from a European and international perspective. You also gain a thorough understanding of data protection legislation and transnational transfer of personal data at UK, EU and international levels.
Intellectual property law
Protecting intellectual property rights is vital in a global, commercial context. This module enables you to identify the main types of intellectual property and understand the way its creation, protection and transfer are governed by various laws and international covenants and treaties. It develops your abilities in legal research, analysis, problem solving, statutory interpretation and application of cases.
International corporate governance
Corporate scandals and the global banking crisis have led to a wide debate on topics including • business ethics • corporate social responsibility • the rights of shareholders and directors’ responsibilities to them • directors’ duties • the relationship between corporations and human rights laws • the effects of membership of international trading blocks.
This module assesses the effectiveness of the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms applicable to corporations across the United Kingdom, the European Union and with reference to the United States and South Asia. You evaluate and apply legal rules in practical and contextual situations, developing your understanding of corporate governance.
International corporate restructuring
Corporate restructuring is a complex, specialised and highly relevant, contemporary topic. Corporations may undergo technical, organisational, legal and operational changes either when they are in a period of expansion and out-grow their original structure, or when financial problems necessitate downsizing or lead to insolvency.
Further issues that face corporations are take-overs and mergers.The module examines them within a global context through comparative study of the laws and policies of the United Kingdom, European Union and United States.
Alternative dispute resolution
This module examines the significance of dispute resolution in a commercial and international context. You conduct an in-depth study of the procedural and substantive subjects within dispute resolution relating to domestic and international commercial law.
You also consider aspects of international sports arbitration – a growing and increasingly important area of law.
Legal skills and research methods
This module provides both an introduction to postgraduate research skills and a guide to advanced legal research and analysis. You gain the essential skills needed for postgraduate study and for writing a legal dissertation or thesis. It illustrates the ways in which law and legal relationships are created nationally and internationally. Your analytical legal skills are explored through a range of case studies, and you conduct your own case studies and research projects.
Law in practice (work-based learning)
This module focuses on work-related learning and gives you the opportunity to study the English legal system in a practical setting.
You
• explore and apply legal rules and concepts in specific and real contexts
• develop an awareness of the dynamics of legal relationships in advice and case work
• improve oral and written communications skills
• enhance legal research and drafting skills
• develop group work and self-management skills, including reflection
Core modules
Dissertation
You complete a dissertation under academic supervision to complete your masters.
Assessment
• assignments • oral presentations • case studies/experience evaluation • dissertation
Entry requirements
You typically need a good degree in law or related discipline.
Candidates with relevant work experience are also encouraged to apply.
If English is not your first language you typically need an IELTS 6.5 score with at least 6.5 in reading and writing and a minimum of 5.5 in all other skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
Full-time – typically £5,355
Part-time – typically £2,380 for year one and £2,975 for year two
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,980 for the course
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 for the course
How to apply
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form