Course Level:Postgraduate
Next Start Date: October 2023
Duration: 1 Year
Campus Location: University Square Campus, Luton
Attendance: Full-time | Block delivery

About the course

The steady rise of globalisation and the increase in cross-border transactions means there is a growing demand for lawyers with an understanding of international dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures. This LLM is designed for graduates wishing to gain specialist expertise in this field, with a particular focus on cross-border commercial disputes.

Increasingly, organisations, businesses and individuals must navigate an increasingly intricate and complex legal landscape when it comes to international and transnational dispute resolution law. The course provides you with a solid foundation in all the relevant mechanisms for resolving international disputes including international commercial and investment arbitration; international commercial litigation; and human rights and environmental litigation. You are also encouraged to critically examine the origins and causes of international disputes, exploring how they might be prevented, managed and resolved - a learning process within which you develop and master the skills you need to be a lawyer in an increasingly globalised world.

Intermediate qualifications available:

  • Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Master’s level
  • Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Master’s level

Why choose this course?

  • Learn how to discern the tensions between individuals, corporations and governments, and how the law can be used as both a way to prevent and resolve legal disputes
  • Build your professional skills and learn to think in the independent and creative way expected from you as a legal professional
  • Learn from internationally recognised lecturers with an outstanding reputation in their field
  • Take advantage of our vibrant programme of guest speakers, featuring practising City lawyers and renowned academics
The campus where this course is taught

Units

  • Employment Law In A Global Context (LAW042-6) Compulsory
  • International Commercial Arbitration (LAW026-6) Compulsory
  • International Commercial Litigation (LAW011-6) Compulsory
  • Investment Treaty Arbitration (LAW041-6) Compulsory
  • Law Dissertation (LAW043-6) Compulsory
  • Law Live Project (LAW044-6) Compulsory
  • Performance Achievement Planning (BSS072-6) Compulsory

The assessment strategy for the LLM International Commercial and Dispute Resolution Law is designed to ensure your full participation in the learning process. A number of different assessment methods will contribute to your development and will enhance your employability. The LLM Course Team considers it essential that comprehensive feedback is provided in due time so it is integrated in your learning process. In some cases, different kinds of assessment may be used in combination, making sure however that there are no hidden tasks. The intensive character of this course's delivery, as outlined in its Teaching and Learning philosophy, is consistent with the needs of todays world for graduates who accumulate knowledge fast and are able to express the outcome of this process in a way that is meaningful and comprehensive. All units have two assessment points, containing different types of assessment which are intended to enable you to demonstrate both breadth and depth of subject knowledge. For each unit, a week of intensive direct contact time, followed by your own contribution through individual learning, will take you to your first assessment point in week 3 of the teaching block. Your final assessment will be due at the end of the 6-week block. The types of assessment which you will encounter in this course include: - Individual Written Report or Research Essay: these assessments will enable you to develop your knowledge, legal research and critical analysis skills. The whole process will contribute to your development when it comes to conducting postgraduate level research and developing your enterprise. You will be required to perform literature informed research, to review and evaluate the relevant sources and to use an appropriate methodology in order to analyse and evaluate the relevant concepts. Your close adherence to the principles of academic integrity will also be assessed. - Case Study: this will require you to apply your subject-specific knowledge in the context of a specific factual scenario. - Oral Presentation: by presenting your research and arguments in a formal setting, you will develop a number of transferable skills, including in particular the ability to present your ideas and findings in a professional, clear and concise manner. Mooting: this will develop your legal research, writing and advocacy skill, by requiring you to develop legally-sound and effective legal arguments in support of your (fictional) clients position and articulate and defend those arguments during a simulated trial / arbitration. Dissertation / Live Project: regardless of which Master capstone experience you opt for, you will have to produce an individual, independent piece of work. You will be asked to identify the research question or problem under investigation, review the relevant literature, develop a sound methodology in order to explore the problem, proceed with the analysis, discuss your findings and make recommendations. This project is the capstone of the LLM and builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in all taught units.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above.

The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.

Individual courses may vary, but we generally require an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above.

To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.

English Language

The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.

Clicking this card will take you to /international/countries/

Entry Requirements


Applicants should have an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above.


The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.

Individual courses may vary, but we generally require an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above.

To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.

English Language

The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.

One of the following:

  • LL.B or Joint Law degree with a minimum classification of a 2.1, or
  • In the case of degree holders in disciplines other than law with sufficient and adequate legal content on the basis of merit, or
  • Applicants with foreign qualifications on the basis of individual merit.

Applicants with English as their second language must show proof of competency in speaking and writing English to IELTS 6.5 band or above or its equivalent and 6.0 in 2 elements.

How will this course improve my career prospects?

This course will help you to pursue a successful career, in the UK and overseas, as a lawyer in international law firms or an in-house counsel within international corporations. In addition, the course will prepare you for a career in international financial organisations; governmental and non-governmental organisations; and specialised dispute resolution organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); the International Centre for Investment Dispute Settlement (ICSID); and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). 

The course also provides an excellent pathway for further studies, including postgraduate research at MPhil or PhD level. 

Fees and funding

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Fees and funding


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Extra Costs

Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here.

How to Apply

UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form

How to Apply


UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form