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LLM Master of Laws

LLM or PGDip or PGCert

Start dates: January 2025 / September 2025 / January 2026 / September 2026

Full time: LLM: 12 months, PGDip: 9 months, PGCert: 9 months

Part time: LLM: 24 months, PGDip: 18 months, PGCert: 18 months

Location: Headington

Department(s): School of Law and Social Sciences

Overview
Course details
Careers
Entry requirements
How to apply
Tuition fees

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Overview

On our LLM Law course, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of the legal frameworks that underpin our world order today through our pathways:

  • LLM International Law
  • LLM Human Rights Law
  • LLM International Commercial Law and Trade
  • LLM Global Business and Human Rights.

You’ll learn how to leverage laws to drive positive change across global communities.

The refugee crisis. Sustainable development. Human rights. Global conflicts. You’ll explore the legalities behind some of the biggest global challenges. You’ll emerge with a unique skill set and perspectives that cross legal silos. This will set you apart as an expert in your field. You'll also have an opportunity to undertake pro bono volunteer work to gain valuable experience. This placement will help to develop your legal skills. 

You’ll explore the workings of powerful global actors - like the World Bank and the UN. You’ll also have the freedom to explore areas of international law that interest you most, like global development or human rights systems. You can join a LLM course in January or September, the choice is yours.

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Two people meeting

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Master the essentials

    Gain the knowledge you need for becoming a successful international lawyer.

  • Diverse expertise

    Your tutors represent a variety of personal backgrounds. These perspectives have shaped the course.

  • Get involved

    You’ll have the opportunity to be involved in relevant and useful extra-curricular activities, such as advocacy work and mooting.

  • Always helpful

    As you’ll be part of a close-knit legal community, you’ll discover it’s easy to get the support you need.

  • Open your mind

    The course attracts people from a range of professional and personal backgrounds, and you’ll learn from each other.

Course details

Course structure

You’ll choose the pathway you want to study; building and advancing your legal knowledge and skills in that legal sphere.

Across your LLM course, you’ll develop a unique understanding of  international law, human rights, international economic law, and business law.

You might explore the challenges of globalisation - considering market regulation, free trade and the role of governments. You might compare UN perspectives on economic development with those of the World Bank. Or you might examine the role of human rights laws in armed conflict.

You’ll fully grasp the unique challenges and perspectives to each area of law. You’ll collaborate with students from many different legal backgrounds and perspectives. You’ll challenge ideas, and have your own thinking challenged too.

You’ll graduate with a developed understanding of powerful international organisations across the world stage. You’ll understand how to influence, challenge and collaborate with them.

Lecture

Learning and teaching

You'll experience high-quality learning through the diversity of methods used throughout the LLM courses. These include:

  • lectures
  • seminar discussions
  • individual and small group tutorials
  • case studies
  • individual presentations.

You will acquire and practise legal reasoning as well as research and IT skills. Particular emphasis is placed on skills training.

You’ll meet students from different backgrounds. You’ll challenge their assumptions and they’ll challenge yours. You’ll make friends from all over the world and develop connections that will stay with you throughout your future career.

You'll also have the opportunity to sign up for a voluntary placement when you join the course. We'll arrange your placement for one day a week over 6 months. You'll help organisations such as NGOs and charities to help build your experience and legal skills.

Assessment

Your learning on this course will generally be assessed by written coursework. This is often the best way to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and analysis, while meeting the learning objectives of the course. Where relevant, however, we also make use of other assessment formats such as presentations to allow you a real opportunity to showcase your strengths.

Start this course in January or September

You have the option to enrol and start the Master of Laws LLM course in January. On each pathway you'll study the second semester modules first January to May; break for the summer and study the first semester modules from September to December.

Find out more about January entry

Study modules

The modules listed below are for the master's award for each of the four LLM pathways.

For the PGDip awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

The PGCert award is only available on the LLM International Law pathway and your module choices may differ. Again please contact us for more details.

LLM International Law pathway

Compulsory modules

  • International Law - semester one

    You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals of international law in this key module. You’ll study the law and legal framework governing the international community, and examine the philosophical basis of international law. This will include:

    • the nature, origins and basis of international law
    • the main sources of international law – including the importance of customs, treaties, general legal principles and international case precedents 
    • the basic rights and obligations of international actors – such as state responsibility, governmental obligations not to interfere with others, immunities and jurisdictional powers.

    You’ll also study the International Court of Justice and its role in settling international disputes. Throughout the module, we’ll use case studies and group exercises to enhance your learning experience.

  • Advanced Legal Research Methods - semester one

    You’ll hone the research and writing skills needed to carry out legal research at an advanced level. These include research design, searching for relevant sources and materials, legal referencing and citation skills. You’ll think about the process of writing, as well as the end product, including presenting findings to different audiences. You’ll consider the distinctive features of legal research and approaches and research methodologies you might use. The work you do in this module gives you excellent preparation for your dissertation.

  • Dissertation - semester two

    Your LLM dissertation is an extended, supervised piece of work on a particular aspect of international law, which you’ll choose in consultation with your tutors. It’s your opportunity to gain knowledge and insight through sustained research, and to demonstrate your ability to explore and present legal arguments. You’ll develop transferable skills in research and information and project management.

    We’ll encourage you to choose a topic of personal interest or professional interest. For September entry students your main work on the dissertation normally takes place from June to mid-August. For January entry students your main work on the dissertation takes place February-May.

Optional modules

Semester one choose two from:

International Human Rights Systems

In this introduction to international human rights law, you’ll learn about the institutions and mechanisms that protect human rights. Throughout the module, you’ll critically examine arguments and ideas about human rights. By examining the relevant law, contemporary debates and case studies, you’ll get to grips with the philosophical underpinnings of human rights and their contemporary legal and political meaning.

Theory and Critique of Human Rights

You’ll learn about the foundations and principles that underpin the theory and practice of human rights. You’ll trace how human rights have evolved over time and explore their philosophical foundations. By examining current debates in domestic and international law, you’ll also understand their contemporary legal and political meaning and use. The module will include critical and non-western perspectives on contemporary human rights.

International Business Transactions

This module introduces you to law regulating business transactions in a global economy. You’ll learn about the basic transactions for the purchase and sale of goods, analyse various types of contracts, and look at the remedies available when contracts are breached. You’ll also encounter issues such as:

  • special problems arising between buyer and seller where goods are carried in a container
  • various types of contracts for the carriage of goods by sea
  • banker's commercial credits
  • contractual effects between buyer and seller, buyer and banker, and the seller and banker.

You’ll go on to examine more complicated distribution and licensing agreements, joint venture and foreign direct investment agreements. Giving you the understanding and legal knowledge of transactions.

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

Semester two choose three from:

International Investment Law

Why do investors invest abroad, and why do host countries actively encourage foreign investment? You’ll explore these questions while examining the laws, policies and legal issues affecting foreign investment and foreign enterprises. You’ll think in particular about the developing world and emerging markets. 

You’ll investigate the role of law in the investment process. This will include:

  • the rules, principles and institutions of public international law that affect direct foreign investment
  • host country laws that reward and regulate foreign investment
  • the law of investment contracts
  • the dispute settlement regime.

World Trade Law

International trade is regulated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and also through many free trade agreements that have been negotiated outside the WTO framework. These agreements between governments set out their powers to restrict the flow of goods and services between countries.

In this module, you’ll examine key aspects of the public international law of trade and finance. You’ll focus on the fundamental principles of international trade contained in GATT 1994 under the WTO Agreement.

International Environmental Law, Globalisation, Development and Justice

You will examine the institutions, content and impacts of international environmental law. You'll focus on its response to the demands and challenges of globalisation and development. 

You will look at the ways in which environmental regulation is carried by the:

  • United Nations
  • European Union
  • World Trade Organization 
  • and other international and regional institutions.

What can be done to resolve the demands of environmental protection and sustainable development within the context of an interconnected and global order? The systems undergo critical assessment for their effectiveness, responsiveness and legitimacy, taking into account issues such as:

  • human rights
  • energy and natural resources
  • waste regulation
  • foreign investment
  • and protests against development projects and programmes.

Contemporary Issues in Human Rights

You will develop your critical awareness of a range of human rights issues. Including situations and case studies that are of contemporary significance.

You'll reflect on emerging issues as they happen. So you'll be up to date and informed with developments across the field of human rights. This will provide you with broader insights into human rights law. Helping you develop a deeper knowledge of International Human Rights Systems.

You'll have the opportunity to carry out an individual assignment. Based on a topic in conversation with your module teaching team. You can further develop a topic if you choose to take the Independent Study Module.

 

Human Rights: Practical Issues

You’ll use wide-ranging case studies to examine international human rights law. The case studies could cover areas such as children’s rights, environmental rights, self-determination and human rights in wartime. Using primary documents, case law and academic commentary, you’ll examine each topic from a practical perspective, underpinned by theory and principles.

 

International Corporate Governance

Corporate governance means the way in which companies are governed – who has power and accountability, and who makes decisions. But what does good governance look like? And what legal mechanisms support it?

Through this module you’ll gain a stronger understanding of how international corporate governance works and the financial, economic and environmental forces that may shape corporate behaviour and operations. You’ll look at the role of corporations operating in the globalised world. You’ll also examine the importance of corporate governance in facilitating business transactions and banking.

 

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

LLM Human Rights Law

Compulsory modules

  • Theory and Critique of Human Rights - semester one

    You’ll learn about the foundations and principles that underpin the theory and practice of human rights. You’ll trace how human rights have evolved over time and explore their philosophical foundations. By examining current debates in domestic and international law, you’ll also understand their contemporary legal and political meaning and use. The module will include critical and non-western perspectives on contemporary human rights.

     

     

  • International Human Rights Systems - semester one

    In this introduction to international human rights law, you’ll learn about the institutions and mechanisms that protect human rights. Throughout the module, you’ll critically examine arguments and ideas about human rights. By examining the relevant law, contemporary debates and case studies, you’ll get to grips with the philosophical underpinnings of human rights and their contemporary legal and political meaning.

  • Advanced Legal Research Methods - semester one

    You’ll hone the research and writing skills needed to carry out legal research at an advanced level. These include research design, searching for relevant sources and materials, legal referencing and citation skills. You’ll think about the process of writing, as well as the end product, including presenting findings to different audiences. You’ll consider the distinctive features of legal research and approaches and research methodologies you might use. The work you do in this module gives you excellent preparation for your dissertation.

  • Contemporary Issues in Human Rights - semester two

    You will develop your critical awareness of a range of human rights issues, including situations and case studies that are of contemporary significance.

    You'll reflect on emerging issues as they happen, so you'll be up to date and informed with developments across the field of human rights. This will provide you with broader insights into human rights law, helping you develop a deeper knowledge of International Human Rights Systems.

    You'll have the opportunity to carry out an individual assignment based on a topic in conversation with your module teaching team. You can further develop a topic if you choose to take the Independent Study Module.

  • Human Rights: Practical Issues - semester two

    You’ll use wide-ranging case studies to examine international human rights law. The case studies could cover areas such as children’s rights, environmental rights, self-determination and human rights in wartime. Using primary documents, case law and academic commentary, you’ll examine each topic from a practical perspective, underpinned by theory and principles.

  • Dissertation - semester two

    Your LLM dissertation is an extended, supervised piece of work on a particular aspect of international law, which you’ll choose in consultation with your tutors. It’s your opportunity to gain knowledge and insight through sustained research, and to demonstrate your ability to explore and present legal arguments. You’ll develop transferable skills in research and information and project management.

    We’ll encourage you to choose a topic of personal interest or professional interest. For September entry students your main work on the dissertation normally takes place from June to mid-August. For January entry students your main work on the dissertation takes place February-May.

     

Optional modules

Semester one choose two from:

International Law

You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals of international law in this key module. You’ll study the law and legal framework governing the international community, and examine the philosophical basis of international law. This will include:

  • the nature, origins and basis of international law
  • the main sources of international law – including the importance of customs, treaties, general legal principles and international case precedents 
  • the basic rights and obligations of international actors – such as state responsibility, governmental obligations not to interfere with others, immunities and jurisdictional powers.

You’ll also study the International Court of Justice and its role in settling international disputes. Throughout the module, we’ll use case studies and group exercises to enhance your learning experience.

 

International Business Transactions

This module introduces you to law regulating business transactions in a global economy. You’ll learn about the basic transactions for the purchase and sale of goods, analyse various types of contracts, and look at the remedies available when contracts are breached. You’ll also encounter issues such as:

  • special problems arising between buyer and seller where goods are carried in a container
  • various types of contracts for the carriage of goods by sea
  • banker's commercial credits
  • contractual effects between buyer and seller, buyer and banker, and the seller and banker.

You’ll go on to examine more complicated distribution and licensing agreements, joint venture and foreign direct investment agreements. Giving you the understanding and legal knowledge of transactions.

 

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

Semester two choose one from:

International Investment Law

Why do investors invest abroad, and why do host countries actively encourage foreign investment? You’ll explore these questions while examining the laws, policies and legal issues affecting foreign investment and foreign enterprises. You’ll think in particular about the developing world and emerging markets. 

You’ll investigate the role of law in the investment process. This will include:

  • the rules, principles and institutions of public international law that affect direct foreign investment
  • host country laws that reward and regulate foreign investment
  • the law of investment contracts
  • the dispute settlement regime.

World Trade Law

 

International trade is regulated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and also through many free trade agreements that have been negotiated outside the WTO framework. These agreements between governments set out their powers to restrict the flow of goods and services between countries. 

In this module, you’ll examine key aspects of the public international law of trade and finance. You’ll focus on the fundamental principles of international trade contained in GATT 1994 under the WTO Agreement

 

International Law

You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals of international law in this key module. You’ll study the law and legal framework governing the international community, and examine the philosophical basis of international law. This will include:

  • the nature, origins and basis of international law
  • the main sources of international law – including the importance of customs, treaties, general legal principles and international case precedents 
  • the basic rights and obligations of international actors – such as state responsibility, governmental obligations not to interfere with others, immunities and jurisdictional powers.

You’ll also study the International Court of Justice and its role in settling international disputes. Throughout the module, we’ll use case studies and group exercises to enhance your learning experience.

 

International Environmental Law, Globalisation, Development and Justice

You will examine the institutions, content and impacts of international environmental law. You'll focus on its response to the demands and challenges of globalisation and development. 

You will look at the ways in which environmental regulation is carried by the:

  • United Nations
  • European Union
  • World Trade Organization 
  • and other international and regional institutions.

What can be done to resolve the demands of environmental protection and sustainable development within the context of an interconnected and global order? The systems undergo critical assessment for their effectiveness, responsiveness and legitimacy, taking into account issues such as:

  • human rights
  • energy and natural resources
  • waste regulation
  • foreign investment
  • and protests against development projects and programmes.

International Corporate Governance

Corporate governance means the way in which companies are governed – who has power and accountability, and who makes decisions. But what does good governance look like? And what legal mechanisms support it?

Through this module you’ll gain a stronger understanding of how international corporate governance works and the financial, economic and environmental forces that may shape corporate behaviour and operations. You’ll look at the role of corporations operating in the globalised world. You’ll also examine the importance of corporate governance in facilitating business transactions and banking.

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

LLM International Commercial Law and Trade

Compulsory modules

  • International Business Transactions - semester one

    This module introduces you to law regulating business transactions in a global economy. You’ll learn about the basic transactions for the purchase and sale of goods, analyse various types of contracts, and look at the remedies available when contracts are breached. You’ll also encounter issues such as:

    • special problems arising between buyer and seller where goods are carried in a container
    • various types of contracts for the carriage of goods by sea
    • banker's commercial credits
    • contractual effects between buyer and seller, buyer and banker, and the seller and banker.

    You’ll go on to examine more complicated distribution and licensing agreements, joint venture and foreign direct investment agreements. Giving you the understanding and legal knowledge of transactions.

     

  • Advanced Legal Research Methods - semester one

    You’ll hone the research and writing skills needed to carry out legal research at an advanced level. These include research design, searching for relevant sources and materials, legal referencing and citation skills. You’ll think about the process of writing, as well as the end product, including presenting findings to different audiences. You’ll consider the distinctive features of legal research and approaches and research methodologies you might use. The work you do in this module gives you excellent preparation for your dissertation.

  • World Trade Law - semester two

    International trade is regulated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and also through many free trade agreements that have been negotiated outside the WTO framework. These agreements between governments set out their powers to restrict the flow of goods and services between countries. 

    In this module, you’ll examine key aspects of the public international law of trade and finance. You’ll focus on the fundamental principles of international trade contained in GATT 1994 under the WTO Agreement.

     

  • International Corporate Governance - semester two

    Corporate governance means the way in which companies are governed – who has power and accountability, and who makes decisions. But what does good governance look like? And what legal mechanisms support it?

    Through this module you’ll gain a stronger understanding of how international corporate governance works and the financial, economic and environmental forces that may shape corporate behaviour and operations. You’ll look at the role of corporations operating in the globalised world. You’ll also examine the importance of corporate governance in facilitating business transactions and banking.

  • Dissertation - semester two

    Your LLM dissertation is an extended, supervised piece of work on a particular aspect of international law, which you’ll choose in consultation with your tutors. It’s your opportunity to gain knowledge and insight through sustained research, and to demonstrate your ability to explore and present legal arguments. You’ll develop transferable skills in research and information and project management.

    We’ll encourage you to choose a topic of personal interest or professional interest. For September entry students your main work on the dissertation normally takes place from June to mid-August. For January entry students your main work on the dissertation takes place February-May.

     

  • International Investment Law

    Why do investors invest abroad, and why do host countries actively encourage foreign investment? You’ll explore these questions while examining the laws, policies and legal issues affecting foreign investment and foreign enterprises. You’ll think in particular about the developing world and emerging markets. 

    You’ll investigate the role of law in the investment process. This will include:

    • the rules, principles and institutions of public international law that affect direct foreign investment
    • host country laws that reward and regulate foreign investment
    • the law of investment contracts
    • the dispute settlement regime.

Optional modules

Semester one choose two from:

International Law

You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals of international law in this key module. You’ll study the law and legal framework governing the international community, and examine the philosophical basis of international law. This will include:

  • the nature, origins and basis of international law
  • the main sources of international law – including the importance of customs, treaties, general legal principles and international case precedents 
  • the basic rights and obligations of international actors – such as state responsibility, governmental obligations not to interfere with others, immunities and jurisdictional powers.

You’ll also study the International Court of Justice and its role in settling international disputes. Throughout the module, we’ll use case studies and group exercises to enhance your learning experience.

 

International Human Rights Systems

In this introduction to international human rights law, you’ll learn about the institutions and mechanisms that protect human rights. Throughout the module, you’ll critically examine arguments and ideas about human rights. By examining the relevant law, contemporary debates and case studies, you’ll get to grips with the philosophical underpinnings of human rights and their contemporary legal and political meaning.

Theory and Critique of Human Rights

You’ll learn about the foundations and principles that underpin the theory and practice of human rights. You’ll trace how human rights have evolved over time and explore their philosophical foundations. By examining current debates in domestic and international law, you’ll also understand their contemporary legal and political meaning and use. The module will include critical and non-western perspectives on contemporary human rights.

 

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

Semester two choose one from:

International Environmental Law, Globalisation, Development and Justice

You will examine the institutions, content and impacts of international environmental law. You'll focus on its response to the demands and challenges of globalisation and development. 

You will look at the ways in which environmental regulation is carried by the:

  • United Nations
  • European Union
  • World Trade Organization 
  • and other international and regional institutions.

What can be done to resolve the demands of environmental protection and sustainable development within the context of an interconnected and global order? The systems undergo critical assessment for their effectiveness, responsiveness and legitimacy, taking into account issues such as:

  • human rights
  • energy and natural resources
  • waste regulation
  • foreign investment
  • and protests against development projects and programmes.

Contemporary Issues in Human Rights

You will develop your critical awareness of a range of human rights issues, including situations and case studies that are of contemporary significance.

You'll reflect on emerging issues as they happen, so you'll be up to date and informed with developments across the field of human rights. This will provide you with broader insights into human rights law, helping you develop a deeper knowledge of International Human Rights Systems.

You'll have the opportunity to carry out an individual assignment based on a topic in conversation with your module teaching team. You can further develop a topic if you choose to take the Independent Study Module.

Human Rights: Practical Issues

You’ll use wide-ranging case studies to examine international human rights law. The case studies could cover areas such as children’s rights, environmental rights, self-determination and human rights in wartime. Using primary documents, case law and academic commentary, you’ll examine each topic from a practical perspective, underpinned by theory and principles.

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

LLM Global Business and Human Rights Law

Compulsory modules

  • International Human Rights Systems - semester one

    In this introduction to international human rights law, you’ll learn about the institutions and mechanisms that protect human rights. Throughout the module, you’ll critically examine arguments and ideas about human rights. By examining the relevant law, contemporary debates and case studies, you’ll get to grips with the philosophical underpinnings of human rights and their contemporary legal and political meaning.

  • Advanced Legal Research Methods - semester one

    You’ll hone the research and writing skills needed to carry out legal research at an advanced level. These include research design, searching for relevant sources and materials, legal referencing and citation skills. You’ll think about the process of writing, as well as the end product, including presenting findings to different audiences. You’ll consider the distinctive features of legal research and approaches and research methodologies you might use. The work you do in this module gives you excellent preparation for your dissertation.

  • International Corporate Governance - semester two

    Corporate governance means the way in which companies are governed – who has power and accountability, and who makes decisions. But what does good governance look like? And what legal mechanisms support it?

    Through this module you’ll gain a stronger understanding of how international corporate governance works and the financial, economic and environmental forces that may shape corporate behaviour and operations. You’ll look at the role of corporations operating in the globalised world. You’ll also examine the importance of corporate governance in facilitating business transactions and banking.

  • World Trade Law - semester two

    International trade is regulated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and also through many free trade agreements that have been negotiated outside the WTO framework. These agreements between governments set out their powers to restrict the flow of goods and services between countries. 

    In this module, you’ll examine key aspects of the public international law of trade and finance. You’ll focus on the fundamental principles of international trade contained in GATT 1994 under the WTO Agreement.

     

  • International Environmental Law, Globalisation, Development and Justice - semester two

    You will examine the institutions, content and impacts of international environmental law. You'll focus on its response to the demands and challenges of globalisation and development. 

    You will look at the ways in which environmental regulation is carried by the:

    • United Nations
    • European Union
    • World Trade Organization 
    • and other international and regional institutions.

    What can be done to resolve the demands of environmental protection and sustainable development within the context of an interconnected and global order? The systems undergo critical assessment for their effectiveness, responsiveness and legitimacy, taking into account issues such as:

    • human rights
    • energy and natural resources
    • waste regulation
    • foreign investment
    • and protests against development projects and programmes.

  • Dissertation - semester two

    Your LLM dissertation is an extended, supervised piece of work on a particular aspect of international law, which you’ll choose in consultation with your tutors. It’s your opportunity to gain knowledge and insight through sustained research, and to demonstrate your ability to explore and present legal arguments. You’ll develop transferable skills in research and information and project management.

    We’ll encourage you to choose a topic of personal interest or professional interest. For September entry students your main work on the dissertation normally takes place from June to mid-August. For January entry students your main work on the dissertation takes place February-May.

Optional modules

Semester one choose two from:

International Investment Law

Why do investors invest abroad, and why do host countries actively encourage foreign investment? You’ll explore these questions while examining the laws, policies and legal issues affecting foreign investment and foreign enterprises. You’ll think in particular about the developing world and emerging markets. 

You’ll investigate the role of law in the investment process. This will include:

  • the rules, principles and institutions of public international law that affect direct foreign investment
  • host country laws that reward and regulate foreign investment
  • the law of investment contracts
  • the dispute settlement regime.

International Law

You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals of international law in this key module. You’ll study the law and legal framework governing the international community, and examine the philosophical basis of international law. This will include:

  • the nature, origins and basis of international law
  • the main sources of international law – including the importance of customs, treaties, general legal principles and international case precedents 
  • the basic rights and obligations of international actors – such as state responsibility, governmental obligations not to interfere with others, immunities and jurisdictional powers.

You’ll also study the International Court of Justice and its role in settling international disputes. Throughout the module, we’ll use case studies and group exercises to enhance your learning experience.

 

International Business Transactions

This module introduces you to law regulating business transactions in a global economy. You’ll learn about the basic transactions for the purchase and sale of goods, analyse various types of contracts, and look at the remedies available when contracts are breached. You’ll also encounter issues such as:

  • special problems arising between buyer and seller where goods are carried in a container
  • various types of contracts for the carriage of goods by sea
  • banker's commercial credits
  • contractual effects between buyer and seller, buyer and banker, and the seller and banker.

You’ll go on to examine more complicated distribution and licensing agreements, joint venture and foreign direct investment agreements. Giving you the understanding and legal knowledge of transactions.

 

Theory and Critique of Human Rights

You’ll learn about the foundations and principles that underpin the theory and practice of human rights. You’ll trace how human rights have evolved over time and explore their philosophical foundations. By examining current debates in domestic and international law, you’ll also understand their contemporary legal and political meaning and use. The module will include critical and non-western perspectives on contemporary human rights.

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Research

Our academics are at the forefront of a wide range of internationally recognised and world-leading research and projects.

Our LLM course team consists of researchers working within the following research groups:

  • international law
  • critical approaches to law
  • fundamental rights and equality.

You can attend the programme of research seminars and other events that underpin the research culture of the School of Law. You will have the opportunity to become involved in research through specialist modules in which teaching staff have expertise. They also supervise dissertations in their specialist subjects.

Student studying on a laptop

Careers

Graduates from the LLM progress to an impressive range of careers. Many of our graduates are now policymakers, human rights activists, judges, and commercial lawyers. 

You’ll know how to challenge complex legal problems using new ideas and innovative thinking, and have a clear understanding of the motivations driving new and old legislation. 

We’ll help you decide what your next steps should be.

Pursuing an academic career in law

Research is fundamental to the Law School and is one of the reasons we performed so well in the last REF. Your own interests will be reflected in the modules you choose and many students feel moved to continue their academic studies and become specialists themselves. Several former LLM students have chosen to become researchers, publishing and lecturing on their work and graduating to do a PhD.

Our Staff

Dr Chieh Huang

Much of her work concerns the interaction between the global economic legal system and China, the development of regional/bilateral economic agreements in East Asia, and more recently the trade and investment between China and West Africa.

Read more about Chieh
Left
Right

Dr Chieh Huang

Much of her work concerns the interaction between the global economic legal system and China, the development of regional/bilateral economic agreements in East Asia, and more recently the trade and investment between China and West Africa.

Read more about Chieh

Entry requirements

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process

When making your application, please select the pathway you’d like to study on the LLM. Also choose when you’d like to start your studies in January or September.


Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
Masters £8,600; Diploma £7,600
Home (UK) part time
£4,300
International full time
£16,950
Home (UK) full time
Masters £9,100; Diploma £8,100
Home (UK) part time
£4,550
International full time
£17,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
Masters £8,600; Diploma £7,600
Home (UK) part time
£4,300
International full time
£16,950
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
Masters £9,100; Diploma £8,100
Home (UK) part time
£4,550
International full time
£17,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

Dean's Postgraduate Scholarship Postgraduate Master's Loan - England

There are International Student Scholarships available for 2023 and other scholarships and funding options for postgraduate international students.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.