Overview
International commerce requires lawyers who understand CISG, arbitration, sanctions, and digital trade law. Durham University's LLM (awarded at MA level in our framework) combines treaty analysis with case studies from shipping, fintech, and energy sectors. You will draft clauses, memos, and arbitration submissions. The programme suits qualified lawyers and experienced compliance professionals — not a first law degree.
LLM International Commercial Law is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 12 months, and the credit total is 30. Students move from International Commercial Contracts through International Commercial Contracts; Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration; WTO & International Trade Law; Comparative Corporate Governance; International Investment Law; Global Banking & Financial Regulation, and finish on LLM Dissertation.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read. Reading is a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. The artefact a marker expects is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Analyse international sale of goods and documentary credit disputes Draft arbitration clauses and procedural strategies Advise on UK, EU, and UN sanctions compliance
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦Qualified lawyers expanding international practice
- ✦In-house counsel at exporters and multinationals
- ✦Compliance officers in banking and trade finance
Faculty spotlight
Barrister Professor James Thompson teaches arbitration; Dr. Fatima Al-Rashid specialises in Gulf trade and sanctions law.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Analyse international sale of goods and documentary credit disputes
- ✦Draft arbitration clauses and procedural strategies
- ✦Advise on UK, EU, and UN sanctions compliance
- ✦Evaluate digital assets and cross-border data transfer rules
- ✦Produce legal opinions for commercial clients
Career Pathways
- ✦International Commercial Lawyer
- ✦In-House Counsel
- ✦Trade Compliance Officer
- ✦Arbitration Associate
- ✦Legal Consultant
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Term 1 — Core Modules
LAW501International Commercial Contracts- LAW501-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — International Commercial Contracts
- LAW501-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — International Commercial Contracts
- LAW501-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — International Commercial Contracts
- LAW501-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — International Commercial Contracts
- LAW501-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — International Commercial Contracts
- LAW501-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — International Commercial Contracts
3 creditsLAW502Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration- LAW502-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- LAW502-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- LAW502-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- LAW502-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- LAW502-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- LAW502-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Cross-Border Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
3 creditsLAW503WTO & International Trade Law- LAW503-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — WTO & International Trade Law
- LAW503-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — WTO & International Trade Law
- LAW503-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — WTO & International Trade Law
- LAW503-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — WTO & International Trade Law
- LAW503-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — WTO & International Trade Law
- LAW503-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — WTO & International Trade Law
3 creditsLAW504Comparative Corporate Governance- LAW504-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Comparative Corporate Governance
- LAW504-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Comparative Corporate Governance
- LAW504-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Comparative Corporate Governance
- LAW504-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Comparative Corporate Governance
- LAW504-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Comparative Corporate Governance
- LAW504-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Comparative Corporate Governance
3 creditsTerm 2 — Advanced & Dissertation
LAW505International Investment Law- LAW505-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — International Investment Law
- LAW505-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — International Investment Law
- LAW505-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — International Investment Law
- LAW505-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — International Investment Law
- LAW505-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — International Investment Law
- LAW505-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — International Investment Law
3 creditsLAW506Global Banking & Financial Regulation- LAW506-M1 · Statements: income, position, and cash — Global Banking & Financial Regulation
- LAW506-M2 · Recognition, ratios, and what the numbers cannot show — Global Banking & Financial Regulation
- LAW506-M3 · Cash flows, discount rates, and sensitivity — Global Banking & Financial Regulation
- LAW506-M4 · Market, credit, and operating risk — Global Banking & Financial Regulation
- LAW506-M5 · Controls, exceptions, and reporting — Global Banking & Financial Regulation
- LAW506-M6 · An investment or operating recommendation — Global Banking & Financial Regulation
3 creditsLAW507Intellectual Property in International Trade- LAW507-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Intellectual Property in International Trade
- LAW507-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Intellectual Property in International Trade
- LAW507-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Intellectual Property in International Trade
- LAW507-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Intellectual Property in International Trade
- LAW507-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Intellectual Property in International Trade
- LAW507-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Intellectual Property in International Trade
3 creditsLAW508Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence- LAW508-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence
- LAW508-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence
- LAW508-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence
- LAW508-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence
- LAW508-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence
- LAW508-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Comparative Corporate Jurisprudence
3 creditsLAW509LLM Dissertation- LAW509-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — LLM Dissertation
- LAW509-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — LLM Dissertation
- LAW509-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — LLM Dissertation
- LAW509-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — LLM Dissertation
- LAW509-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — LLM Dissertation
- LAW509-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — LLM Dissertation
6 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Law degree (LLB or equivalent) or Graduate Diploma in Law
- Two years of legal or compliance experience preferred
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 for legal writing
Documents
- Statement of Purpose and professional references
Programme questions
How long is the LLM International Commercial Law?+
The published duration is 12 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
