LLM International Commercial Dispute Resolution
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Laws
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- January 2026
Other Course Options
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
In a world where international trade and business continue to expand, the demand for skilled professionals who can manage and resolve cross-border commercial disputes has never been greater.
Our LLM in International Commercial Dispute Resolution is designed to equip you with the expertise to navigate this complex field, preparing you for a successful career in international trade, dispute resolution, or trade-related government roles.
You will learn to think from an international legal perspective, gaining comparative knowledge of different approaches to international commercial dispute resolution. As well as studying international commercial litigation and international commercial arbitration, you will have the choice to select specialised international commercial dispute resolution modules, such as investment law and arbitration, Sharia Arbitration, and international construction law and dispute resolution.
We place significant emphasis on choice, confidence-building, maximising employability, and developing transferable skills. We believe small-group teaching at postgraduate level is important, and we aim to keep class sizes low, offering you an unparalleled personal teaching environment. You will have access to our team of international specialists drawn from academia and practice. As a student, you will become part of a vibrant international community of postgraduates based in the historic and recently refurbished Earlham Hall.
To maximise your career prospects, we have developed a programme of opportunities tailored specifically to the needs of our postgraduate students, including placement opportunities for both UK and overseas students. During your course, you can apply for one of 50 internship placements. You can also attend careers panels, commercial awareness workshops, mock job interviews, our annual Law Careers Fair and many other events organised by UEA Law School and the Careers Service.
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Study and Modules
Structure
You will start your course by taking the compulsory non-credit bearing Postgraduate Legal Skills and Research module. You will discover the essentials of international commercial dispute resolution in your two core modules.
You will be provided with an introduction to the issues which arise in the litigation of commercial disputes on an international basis, addressing the treatment of jurisdiction and applicable law in commercial disputes with reference mainly to UK and European legal sources.
You will also be introduced to the theory and practice of international commercial arbitration. You will develop your understanding of the nature and operation of the arbitral process in the context of international commercial relationships as a means of resolving disputes that arise in those relationships. As well as gaining an overview of the arbitral process, you will explore key problems and issues that arise in arbitral practice.
You will then have the chance to explore some specialist areas of international commercial dispute resolution law such as, international investment and arbitration law, international construction law and dispute resolution, and law and practice of Sharia’ arbitration (Tahkeem).
Otherwise, you can choose from a wide range of optional modules.
You will write a dissertation on an area of specific interest to you, falling broadly within the field of international commercial dispute resolution.
With the agreement of the Course Director, you can also choose up to 40 credits worth of modules from other postgraduate courses offered by UEA. For example, you might choose a module from one of UEA’s International Relations, International Development, Business, or Economics courses.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
This course gives you an excellent balance of independent thinking and study skills, helping you to grow into a self-motivated learner, expert researcher, and analytical thinker.
Teaching is provided by academics and associate tutors from legal practice (often international law firms) who are specialists in their fields. Teaching formats include interactive lectures and seminars. Whatever the format, you will learn how to listen to and critique the ideas of others, as well as how to present and defend your own theories.
Depending on your module choices, you will have around eight contact hours per week.
Your module organisers will provide you with a list of compulsory and optional further reading material in advance of each class. This means that you can fully prepare for your small group meetings, having identified areas for further discussion. We recommend you spend at least eight hours a week preparing for each of your modules.
You will develop accuracy and precision in your written work, and you will become well versed in time management, graduating as someone who is highly organised and confident in self-directed study.
To make sure you get the most from your studies and to help you reach your full potential, you will have an Academic Adviser who will help you throughout the year.
In addition, our Learning Enhancement team, based in the Student Support Services are on hand to help in various study areas, including study and writing skills, academic writing (including how to reference), and research skills.
If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, please talk to our Student Support Service about how we can help.
Assessment
You will experience a variety of assessment methods, but with a particular focus on coursework. We believe this enables you to best demonstrate your attainment of the learning objectives and therefore enhances your performance, aiding your successful completion of your Master’s degree.
Throughout your course, you will be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve. This feedback will be on both formative and summative assessments and can be discussed with your Academic Adviser and your module organiser.
Employability
After the Course
Law Master’s (LLM) degrees are increasingly seen by employers as a means to distinguish applicants. Our graduates have gone on to a wide variety of successful careers, from private practice to government legal departments and international organisations, from universities to industry and commerce.
You will graduate ready for a variety of exciting legal careers, including legal practice, practice before the bars of various jurisdictions, posts in government and international organisations, and public service. Past LLM graduates have gone into specialist areas of law, finance, the civil service, local government, administration or even teaching.
Alternatively, you might continue your studies with a PhD.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Legal practice
- Practice before the bars of various jurisdictions
- Posts in government / local government
- International organisations
- Civil Service
- Teaching
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Law or Cognate
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Law or Cognate
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 5.5 in Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.