Postgraduate course
International Commercial Law LLM
Study Commercial Law through interactive lectures and workshops with staff who get to know you, your interests in Law and your career goals.
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Gain an understanding of how commercial law operates across jurisdictions and impacts international business practice. You will work on live projects or simulations or real cases and tailor the course to match your career goals as part of your postgraduate study. The structure of this course allows you to choose from a range of optional modules as well as studying a compulsory modules in commercial law and international trade law.
York campus
- Duration – 1 year
- School – York Business School
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 honours degree in a related subject
Tuition fees
UK 2026-27 £12,500 full time
International 2026-27 £14,900 full time
Course overview
Develop an advanced knowledge of the scope, principles and practice of international commercial law so that you can engage with complex legal issues in a globalised commercial environment. You will gain a sophisticated understanding of international commercial law and apply this to real industry scenarios, such as cross border transactions and global business operations.
While you will study 2 core modules in commercial law and international trade law, there will be a range of optional modules for you to choose from so that your studies can be tailored to suit your career goals and interests. Choose between modules in topics including intellectual property and employment law.
When working on your Capstone Project you will conduct in depth research into a topic that interests you, developing expertise in an area of commercial law. Your work will be supervised by an industry expert.
You will have access to a range of career development activities, from opportunities to expand your professional network, to field trips visiting legal institutions. Our Law School is a close knit and supportive environment and you will be able be able to network with industry experts involved in international corporations.
Course structure
How you will study
If you choose to study full time the course will take 1 year to complete. You will study:
- 2 compulsory modules
- 2 optional modules
- 1 year long Capstone Project
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Details to be confirmed
Credits: 30
Optional module
Consumer protection law is a crucial area of study that intersects with various aspects of private and public law. You will engage with current consumer protection issues, from traditional sales to e-commerce. Examine the legal framework designed to protect consumers in their interactions with businesses. Gain an understanding of consumer rights and business obligations.
Credits: 30
Optional module
Develop an understanding of corporate governance issues. Explore the need for efficient governance of corporations taking account of the interests of shareholder and stakeholder groups. Learn about the internal governance of a company, ranging from topics on corporate governance theories, law, and practice. You will then use your understanding of the topics covered to analyse case studies of corporate failures, identify gaps and make recommendations.
Credits: 30
Optional module
Develop an advanced doctrinal and practical knowledge of contemporary data protection and privacy law (the UK and EU core frameworks). You will also establish the skills required to advise organisations, assess compliance, and litigate/advocate on privacy problems. This combines legal theory and policy with practical application, covering:
- Data Protection Impact Assessments.
- Subject access requests.
- Regulatory involvement.
- The privacy implications of AI, algorithmic processing, and cross-border transfers.
Credits: 30
Optional module
Develop an understanding of how the law can assist and facilitate the resolution of commercial disputes in England and Wales as well as internationally. Explore the complexities of the law relating to dispute resolution, with a specific focus on arbitration, mediation and conciliation in commerce and trade. This is a unique opportunity to gain a mix of theoretical and practical experience of commercial dispute resolution using simulated commercial law problems.
Credits: 30
Optional module
Gain an understanding of the intellectual property system facilitating critical evaluation of current issues in this dynamic area of law. The module will have a particular emphasis on:
- The laws of copyright
- Patents
- Passing off
- Trademarks and breach of confidence
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
You will engage with the challenges posed by international trade in a legal context. Learn about the fundamental legal rules, methodologies, concepts, models, principles and institutions of international trade law. This will include the trade of goods and services, and of the various contexts in which international trade law functions. Solve problems relating to commercial transaction across borders, involving different jurisdictions and systems of law, and develop an appreciation for the limits of scholarship in this field.
Credits: 30
Optional module
Gain an understanding of the key areas of employment law and its impact on individuals and employers. Learn how to identify and apply principles of employment law, critically analyse core concepts and evaluate them in the context of contemporary developments in the employment environment.
Credits: 60
Compulsory module
You will conduct an independent research project looking into an area of commercial law that interests you. This is an opportunity for you to show the knowledge you have gained throughout the course and demonstrate your research skills. In Semester 1, you will have weekly 2 hour workshops that introduce research methodology and design, helping you to select appropriate methods and plan your project. In Semester 2, you will have fortnightly 3 hour workshops that provide tailored, practical support as you conduct your research and analyse your findings. You will also receive up to eight hours of individual supervision from an academic with expertise in your chosen area.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
You will typically be taught through a weekly 3 hr workshop per module. There will also be a general weekly 2hr surgery that offers extra support if you have come from a non-law background. Workshops incorporate interactive technologies such as Mentimeter, enabling anonymous contributions to whole group discussion and allowing tutors to assess understanding of key concepts in real time. Workshops, usually capped at 25 students, provide opportunities for collaborative groupwork, discussion, and applied activities.
Fortnightly you will also have 1-hour small group Problem Based Learning (PBL) tutorials. These sessions provide a work-related learning experience in which you research and analyse a real-world scenario set by an industry partner operating in international trade. The PBL format develops your problem solving, research, and negotiation skills. The work you produce contributes to an assessed element requiring you to present your findings and recommendations back to the industry partner.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a range of methods that aim to help you develop your knowledge and skills and reflect real industry scenarios. This can include:
- Essays
- Presentations
- Portfolios
In each module there will be 2 assessment workshops dedicated to helping you prepare and providing feedback to help you improve. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will support you towards your career goals.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 honours degree in a related subject
If your degree is in an unrelated subject, but you can provide evidence of relevant professional experience, your application may still be considered.
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
UK 2026 - 2027 entry
The tuition fee for 2026-27 entry to this postgraduate course is:
- £12,500 for full time study
These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
International 2026 - 2027 entry
The tuition fee for 2026-27 entry to this postgraduate course is £14,900 for full time study.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
Tuition fees
UK 2026-27 £12,500 full time
International 2026-27 £14,900 full time
Alumni Scholarships
If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Accommodation and living costs
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Career outcomes
Where could International Commercial Law LLM take you?
This degree could lead you to a career directly related to International Commercial Law, such as working in a law firm, or it could take you in a completely different direction, using the many transferrable skills you will develop. Popular career paths for International Commercial Law graduates include:
- Business Analyst or Consultant
- Contract Negotiator
- Policy Advisor
- Civil Servant
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market.
Our careers service, Future You, provides support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Course highlights
Follow your Career Goals
Choose optional modules that suit your interests and professional aims, including intellectual property and consumer protection.
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