Law - International Commercial & Business Law

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.

Core Modules

International Corporate Governance (20 credits)

Dissertation (International Business Law) (60 credits)

Approaches to Legal Research (10 credits)

World Trade Law (20 credits)

International Competition Law (20 credits)



Optional Modules

International Commercial Law (20 credits)

Business and Human Rights (20 credits)

Dissertation in Practice (60 credits)

Platform Reg:IP Enforcement (10 credits)

Artificial Intelligence and the Law (20 credits)

(Metaverse Law) Copyright, Trademarks & Immersive Technologies (10 credits)

Law of FinTech Regulation and Digital Economy (20 credits)

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.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 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, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

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.

Assessed coursework

Dissertation

1 year (Full-time)

2 years (Part-time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

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/