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Postgraduate Taught

Master of Laws LLM in Commercial Law

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code 1234
Duration 1 year full time
2 years part time
Entry year September 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Law
Contact

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Typical offer

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2:2 Honours degree

Contextual offers

Overview

  • Gain a global perspective on the challenges within commercial law and learn how to find ways to overcome them by examining various legal systems and looking beyond the law
  • Choose from a range of cutting-edge subjects related to copyright and trademark, business, finance and trade, intellectual property and artificial intelligence
  • Join a dynamic and vibrant academic environment that attracts students from all over the world creating a truly international learning community
  • Learn from renowned academics, all highly driven and passionate experts in their fields
  • Develop your research skills by joining one of our research centres and become an active member of our vibrant research community

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Fast Track (current Exeter students)

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Contact

Programme Director: Dr Matthew Cole

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 200 icon

Top 200 for Law in the QS World University Rankings 2024

Gavel icon

Top 20 in the UK for our world-leading Law research

Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021

Teacher icon: a person wearing an academic gown and mortarboard

Personal tutor support and close contact with academic staff who are leaders in their field

Medal with star on icon

Top 15 in the UK for Law

Joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Top 200 icon

Top 200 for Law in the QS World University Rankings 2024

Gavel icon

Top 20 in the UK for our world-leading Law research

Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021

Teacher icon: a person wearing an academic gown and mortarboard

Personal tutor support and close contact with academic staff who are leaders in their field

Medal with star on icon

Top 15 in the UK for Law

Joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Entry requirements

We will consider applicants with a high 2:2 Honours degree with at least 57% or above (or equivalent) in Law (or a degree with a substantial legal component). While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criteria, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience in legal professions, we would welcome your application.

Applicants without a Law degree

We welcome applications from students with other qualifications or degrees in an area appropriate to the LLM programme. These may include Social Sciences (eg Politics, International Relations, International Studies), Humanities, Accountancy or Business Studies. Please note this list is not exhaustive and every application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note: If we feel your application is better suited to one of our LLM Master of Laws and Business programmes we may automatically consider you for one of these.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

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Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Course content

Studying a Master of Laws in Commercial Law offers a rewarding learning experience with opportunities to deepen your understanding of a range of commercial law topics, and to improve skills necessary at all levels of professional engagement with contemporary and future challenges facing businesses around the world.

You will take part in interactive seminars, thought-provoking discussions and critical debates with your peers and academics from across the world giving you unique insight and global perspectives into contemporary law.

Alongside the compulsory dissertation, you’ll choose from an array of optional modules such as international commercial law; corporate law; international arbitration; tax law; artificial intelligence; data protection and privacy; digital copyright law; blockchain; automated and autonomous transports, financial markets law and regulation, international banking and fintech law and regulation; trade law; and competition law.

Depending on your choice of modules (see list below), you may choose to specialise in:

  • Commercial Law;
  • Commercial Law: Corporate;
  • or Commercial Law: Technology. 

In order to enhance your research and learning experiences and to create a vibrant community of postgraduate students enrolled in this course, you will be affiliated with one of the research centres for the duration of your studies.

In order to obtain an LLM Master of Laws in Commercial Law, you must successfully complete a total of 180 credits:

  • eight 15 credit modules (chosen from the list below)
  • compulsory LLM dissertation (60 credits)

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website: https://law.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduatemodules/.

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes — this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and the module is at the appropriate level for the Stage.

Compulsory modules

Stage 1: 60-credit compulsory dissertation module, 120 credits of optional modules

In addition to the compulsory module listed below, you will study 120 credits of optional modules (60 credits in the autumn term and 60 credits in the spring term) chosen from the list of optional commercial law modules available in your year of academic study. You may choose to take 30 credits of module(s) outside the programme and/or the Law School, subject to availability and approval by the programme director. See https://law.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduatemodules/ for optional Law School modules.

 

CodeModule Credits
LAWM640 Dissertation 60

Optional modules

The programme offers three specialisms, depending on your choice of modules:

Commercial Law: minimum 90 credits Commercial Law modules; 30 credits of modules of your own choice (from your programme, outside your programme and/or the Law School); 60 credits Commercial Law dissertation.

Commercial Law: Technology: minimum 90 credits Commercial Law modules with minimum 60 credits Technology modules (those marked 'a'); 30 credits of modules of your own choice (from your programme, outside your programme and/or the Law School); 60 credits Commercial Law dissertation.

Commercial Law: Corporate: minimum 90 credits Commercial Law modules with minimum 60 credits Corporate modules (those marked 'b'); 30 credits of modules of your own choice (from your programme, outside your programme and/or the Law School); 60 credits Commercial Law dissertation.

CodeModule Credits
LAWM165 Automated and Autonomous Transport: Cars and Ships [a - See notes above] Term 115
LAWM168 Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, and Sustainability [b - See notes above] Term 115
LAWM181 Regulating AI: Law, Policy, and Ethics [a - See notes above] Term 115
LAWM170 Digital Copyright Law [a - See notes above] Term 115
LAWM172 EU Competition Law [b - See notes above] Term 115
LAWM173 Financial Markets Law and Regulation Term 115
LAWM175 International Commercial Law Term 115
LAWM176 International Commercial Litigation [b - See notes above] Term 115
LAWM189 Legal Research and Writing Skills Term 115
LAWM166 Business and Human Rights Law & Policy [b - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM167 Blockchain, Policy, Property [a - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM174 International Arbitration [b - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM177 International Trade and Society Term 215
LAWM178 LLM Law Clinic Term 215
LAWM169 Data Protection and Privacy [a - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM193 Corporate Tax Law [b - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM183 International Banking and Fintech Law and Regulation [a - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM191 Law, Digital Markets & Competition [a - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM191 Law, Digital Markets & Competition [a - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM191 Law, Digital Markets & Competition [a - See notes above] Term 215
LAWM191 Law, Digital Markets & Competition Term 215

One of the reasons I chose Exeter was because the lecturers are real experts in commercial law so I knew it would be a great opportunity to learn from people who have contributed to commercial law both theoretically and practically.

I have definitely enjoyed it, the lecturers have done everything they can to support us and have really engaged with us and helped us to build an LLM student community.

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Mwaita

Master of Laws LLM in Commercial Law

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time

International fees per year:

£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time

Scholarships

We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.

Teaching and research

Learning and teaching

Formal teaching is delivered via weekly lectures or seminars, depending on group size. Course materials are delivered directly by academic staff, and you are encouraged to actively engage in discussions and debates. You will be in control of your own learning, appropriately supported by peers and staff including a personal tutor.

Assessment

As well as the dissertation, assessment is comprised almost entirely of extended coursework essays, with written examinations in some modules where appropriate.

Research

In addition to your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to benefit from a stimulating programme of research seminars designed to enable staff and postgraduate students to experience cutting-edge research by members of the academic and legal community both within and outside of Exeter.

Extra-curricular activities

Formal learning is enhanced by opportunities to participate in a range of exciting extra-curricular activities including pro bono projects, internships, mooting and networking events.

We have close and active links with Exeter Law School alumni and honorary doctorates, many of whom occupy powerful and prestigious roles in the legal community throughout the world. Where possible, we invite individuals from this community and the broader legal profession to engage with our postgraduate students, whether through research seminars or more informal events, providing you with valuable networking opportunities.

Facilities

The Lasok Law Library, located in the Forum holds in excess of 40,000 volumes and is open 24 hours a day. You can choose from diverse study spaces to suit your specific learning needs, whether dedicated quiet study, group work, or social learning over a coffee.

Our custom-built Moot Court offers students invaluable opportunities to take part in mooting activities and is equipped with the latest technology, including high-spec video conferencing.

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Careers

student wearing mortar board on graduation

Employer-valued skills this course develops

The modules offered include topics you must have knowledge of in order to succeed in senior positions, whether in private practice, corporate or public employment – including international trading companies and law firms, chartering, trade, and marine insurance, the European Commission, the European Court of Justice, or the Governments of EU Member States.

You will gain invaluable experience in finding out the law from the original sources; in preparing and producing extended legal writing; and in presenting a legal proposition briefly and succinctly to an audience.

Graduate destinations

LLM graduates either continue on the academic path and pursue their studies with a PhD; others go into private practice, corporate or public employment – including international trading companies and law firms, chartering, trade, and marine insurance, the European Commission, the Governments of EU Member States as well as international and regional courts and/or organisations or NGOs.

Careers support

When it comes to securing a graduate level position, we enjoy extremely good relations with members of the legal profession regionally, nationally and internationally. You will be supported by an Employability Officer, the wide range of services offered by Career Zone and have the opportunity to meet potential employers face-to-face through our annual Law Fair, workshops and careers sessions.

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