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LLM | Postgraduate Taught

International Commercial and Business Law

Entry year
Academic Year 2026/27
Entry requirements
2.2 in Law / 2.1 in cognate subject
Attendance
2 years (Part-time)
1 year (Full-time)
Places available
Places Available (Part Time)
Places Available (Full Time)

The LLM International Commercial and Business Law is designed as a research led programme for graduates from law and related who aim to specialise in commercial law, international trade, and cross-border business transactions.

This programme will enable you to develop an in-depth comprehensive understanding of the legal, regulatory, and policy challenges that shape today’s international markets and businesses. Following Brexit, studying in Belfast places you right at the heart of cutting-edge debates concerning the future of EU-UK trade relations and the UK’s external economic policy and the regulation of global business and trade.

On the programme you’ll gain in-depth legal knowledge in core areas such as trade law, competition law and corporate law and the ability to choose from a wide range of optional modules.

You will have the opportunity to develop skills that will allow you to contribute to legal problem solving in key areas of commercial and business law.

International Commercial and Business Law highlights

Internationally Renowned Experts

Law at Queens is ranked:

top 150 Law Schools globally (QS World Rankings 2026)

top 10 in the United Kingdom for the quality of its research (REF 2021)

Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the research intensive Russell Group of Universities and the School of Law is a centre for cutting-edge research and analysis on the regulation of national and global business and trade. Students will benefit from being taught by internationally renowned experts including those from its Centre for International Economic Law (Q-IEL): https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/qielc/.

Student Experience

As a Queen’s postgraduate student, you’ll enjoy excellent academic facilities including:

Small group teaching maximising cross-cultural exchanges and learning.

A stunning, modern Law building with state-of-the-art teaching spaces and a moot court

The award-winning McClay Library, home to over 1.2 million volumes and extensive digital resources

Industry Links

Our Law School is deeply connected to industry and government. For example we’ve co-operated with: the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); the European Commission; law firms and financial institutions; the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy; the Bank of England

Belfast is also one of the UK’s fastest-growing hubs for legal and financial services, and for FinTech, LawTech, InsurTech and RegTech (Kalifa Review (2021)).

You will benefit from the School’s close connections with employers and the wide range of talks and events organised with employers and leading industry experts. Ranked 3rd in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2026) our graduates have gone on to work in leading firms, government departments, NGOs, and financial institutions around the world.

World Class Facilities

As a Queen’s postgraduate student, you’ll enjoy excellent facilities including:

Dedicated postgraduate student accommodation close to campus

The brand-new One Elmwood Student Centre, a vibrant hub for student life and support services

Excellent transport connections-nearest airport (Belfast City) is 15 minutes from the School of Law with connections to Heathrow and to the rest of the world.

You’ll also be part of a lively international student community, with opportunities to join a wide range of clubs and societies, explore Belfast, and make lifelong friendships.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) basis.

The Masters is awarded to students who successfully complete all taught modules (120 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).

A. Course Details

The programme is delivered through a series of taught modules and culminates in the submission of a dissertation on an original topic.

B. Semester One : Core Modules

International Competition Law
International Corporate Governance
World Trade Law

C. Semester Two : Optional Modules

International Commercial Law
International Financial Law
International Economic Law
UK Trade Law and Policy
Law and Challenges of Technology
Regulating Innovation
Corporate Environmental Law
Regulating Reality: The Law of Misinformation
Law of FinTech Regulation and Digital Economy
Artificial Intelligence and the Law
Business and Human Rights
Climate, Justice and Human Rights
Platform Regulation: IP Enforcement and Content Moderation (mini-module)
(Metaverse Law) Copyright, Trademarks, and Immersive Technologies (mini-module)

Please note this is not an exclusive list of the optional modules available. Optional modules are reviewed each year and subject to staff availability/student numbers.

*Note: students who take the module Business and Human Rights may graduate with the award of LLM in International Corporate Governance.

D. Semester Two : Core Module

Approaches to Legal Research

E. Summer : Dissertation

This is a single piece of independent research that allows you to focus on a preferred topic from within the field of business and commercial law. You will be assigned a dissertation supervisor who will provide you with support and guidance as you research and write your dissertation.

People teaching you

Programme Co-ordinator

School of Law
Email: joan.loughrey@qub.ac.uk

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

8 (hours maximum)
In addition to 6-8 hrs of teaching per week, students should set aside 10-12 hours per module for reading and preparation to engage meaningfully in classroom discussions, group work and other forms of active engagement.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with the course are outlined below:

Learning Opportunities:

During your study with us you will be supported in various ways. For example, each Programme has its own Programme Co-Ordinator—a dedicated member of academic staff who is there to guide and support you throughout your time with us, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff.

Moreover, all our LLM students are able to avail of mentoring and pastoral support of academic staff. We place considerable emphasis on facilitating good communication between staff and students. To this end, a Student Voice Committee, comprised of elected student representatives, the Director of Graduate Studies and other members of academic staff, meet at regular intervals throughout the academic year. This Committee provides students with a forum in which to raise matters of concern to them and also enables the School to keep students informed about matters affecting the School and wider university.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.

We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enables our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, life-long learners.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Assessed coursework for 120 CATS points:
    All course modules are assessed by coursework.

    Compulsory Research Component:
    An LLM Dissertation or Dissertation in Practice topic must be chosen within the area of commercial and business law for the remainder 60 CATS. Your self-directed research on the dissertation is also supported by a supervisor.

What our academics say

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Modules

Modules

The information provided in this Course Finder reflects the module details for the current year of study (2025/26). Please note that modules are subject to annual review and changes may occur in response to various factors, including student feedback and academic developments. Prospective students will be notified of any significant changes to module offerings before the start of the new academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    World Trade Law (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Applicants with a primary Law degree: Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree in Law or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants with a primary degree in a relevant/cognate subject: Normally applicants with a 2:1 Honours degree or above (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Social Sciences, Humanities or a cognate discipline. Applicants with a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) along with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience may be considered.

Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree in a relevant subject (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 28th August 2026. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Admission under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) may be considered for this course. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information.
http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

Our LLM programme will prepare you for a career in law with specialisation in international commerce and business. It also enables students to develop research skills that will prepare you for pursuing a PhD and an academic career in international business law. Students are actively supported by our School’s Employability and Placement Officer and by the University’s dedicated Careers Service which provide students with opportunities to engage with employers and help them to boost their employability:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university; you will have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £7,700
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £7,700
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £10,400
EU Other 3 £23,000
International £23,000

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

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Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

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