Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
LLM International Commercial Law
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | LLM International Commercial Law | Programme code | PTL1LAWLAW10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time Full Time |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
International Commercial Law is a vast and evolving field of law that governs and regulates the commercial activities of businesses nationally, internationally and across borders. This programme delivers an in-depth and rigorous curriculum that focuses on international commercial law, regulation and governance and through a range of modules tailored to the contemporary challenges and problems that businesses face, students will explore legal and regulatory solutions in an ever-changing global economy. In this programme, students will engage in the intensive study of specialist commercial law modules addressing national and international legal frameworks and their intersections with political, social and environmental concerns. A wide range of modules are available through the Law programme to equip students to identify the increasing interconnection between different legal and regulatory frameworks that affect global business. Current issues relating to (international) commercial and corporate law, banking and finance, international economic law, and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) will be explored through the Law School’s modules to equip students for a career in international commercial law and business on completion of this programme. Furthermore, students will be permitted to take up to 30 credits of modules offered on other LLM degree programmes and on optional modules offered on other masters level programmes across the Faculties.
Students will be taught through a mixture of large group (lectures) and small group (seminars) teaching, and teaching activities that combine both methods. Students may be expected to prepare to deliver presentations and to engage in simulated teaching activities in some of the international commercial law modules. Where appropriate, modules will embed skills-based learning opportunities such as negotiation and drafting to equip students with the requisite skill set to embark on a career in legal practice and commercial industries.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To introduce students to contemporary legal and regulatory issues facing businesses in an ever-changing global economy so that they will be able to identify appropriate legal solutions in public and private legal and commercial practice;
2. To develop skills of interpretation, legal reasoning, evaluation, critical analysis and problem solving in respect of complex commercial law issues across a range of national, international and cross-border scenarios;
3. To foster an in-depth understanding of how national and international legal frameworks operate and intersect;
4. To develop an awareness of how to do business sustainably with an emphasis on how international commercial law and business interacts with society and the environment, or make the world greener, healthier and fairer;
5. To develop practical skills such as presentation, negotiation, drafting, advocacy, commercial awareness and client interviewing through the curriculum and co-curricular activities offered by the Law School and that are relevant to the broad discipline of international commercial law;
6. To prepare students for public and private sector employment in commercial law and business;
7. To enable students to explore an international commercial law issue in detail through the completion of the Dissertation module.
4. Programme Structure
The LLM International Commercial Law is a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 1 stage. Each stage is normally equivalent to an academic year.
The programme is studied over one year, which is divided into three academic terms. Students are taught during the first two academic terms; the third term is devoted to the completion of their supervised research (dissertation). The LLM International Commercial Law is University-based throughout that time and this programme is not offered online.
Part time Study:
Students are required to attend lectures and seminars in person. Part time study is available to students who are able to attend the lectures and seminars in person
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Subject to approval, you may take up to 30 credits at RQF Level 7 from outside the Law School. This is as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Stage 1
60 credits of compulsory modules, 120 credits of optional modules
The LLM in International Commercial Law is delivered over three terms and is University-based throughout this time. The taught components of the degree are delivered over the first and second terms leaving the third term and most of the summer to research, write and submit your dissertation.
During the programme you will be required to study taught modules and write a dissertation in total 180 credits. The dissertation is worth 60 credits and you must write this in the area of International Commercial Law, but on a topic of your choice. The remaining 120 credits are to be obtained from a combination of the taught modules listed below.
Please note that programme structure and availability of option modules may change from year to year.
Compulsory Modules
All students must take LAWM640 Dissertation (60 credits)
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWM640 | Dissertation | 60 | Yes |
Optional Modules
All students select 120 credits of option modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law PGT Modules 2024-5 | |||
| LAWM173 | Financial Markets Law and Regulation | 15 | No |
| LAWM175 | International Commercial Law | 15 | No |
| LAWM177 | International Trade and Society | 15 | No |
| LAWM174 | International Arbitration | 15 | No |
| LAWM168 | Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability | 15 | No |
| LAWM169 | Data Protection and Privacy | 15 | No |
| LAWM170 | Digital Copyright Law | 15 | No |
| LAWM167 | Blockchain, Policy, Property | 15 | No |
| LAWM181 | Regulating AI: Law, Policy and Ethics | 15 | No |
| LAWM166 | Business and Human Rights Law and Policy | 15 | No |
| LAWM165 | Automated and Autonomous Transport: Cars and Ships | 15 | No |
| LAWM178 | LLM Law Clinic | 15 | No |
| LAWM172 | EU Competition Law | 15 | No |
| LAWM183 | International Banking and Fintech Law and Regulation | 15 | No |
| LAWM193 | Corporate Tax Law | 15 | No |
| LAWM171 | E-Commerce and Consumers | 15 | No |
| LAWM176 | International Commercial Litigation Term 1 | 15 | No |
| LAWM189 | Legal Research and Writing Skills Term 2 | 15 | No |
| LAWM191 | Law, Digital Markets and Competition Term 2 | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of key elements of English and international law regarding transnational business. | Seminars, library tuition, essays, dissertation. | For the taught element of the programme, students may be assessed by a variety of assessments that may include:
For the research element of the programme, students will be assessed either by a 60 credit written dissertation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
7. Identify, locate, retrieve and evaluate legal and other information in paper, electronic and on-line form. | Seminar papers: presentations: essays: word processing and other IT. | Coursework and presentation (formative assessment): assessed essays and dissertation, providing evidence in writing of a student's skills, knowledge and capacity to evaluate critically and independently. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
15. Manage time effectively and prioritise tasks by working to strict deadlines. | Transferable skills, particularly word processing and other IT skills, are developed in seminars. Additional teaching in research methodology is provided for in the context of the dissertation. | A distinctive feature of the programme is its emphasis on research-based assessment methods (essays and dissertations) rather than formal written exams. The programme involves participants in both independent study and group work in the form of seminar discussions and presentations. As the students originate from widely disparate jurisdictions, they learn in a comparative perspective. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring - It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
As a postgraduate taught student in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences you will be allocated an Academic Personal Tutor at the commencement of your studies. In normal circumstances your Academic Personal Tutor will remain your tutor throughout your study programme. You should make contact with your Academic Personal Tutor three or four times a year and these meetings may typically commence soon after registration. These meetings will take place once or twice per-year to discuss your progress and once to discuss your overall performance. Each student will in addition receive formative feedback from various discussion forums and exercises (administered by teaching staff) throughout the delivery of modules and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Your Dissertation supervisor will provide academic and tutorial support once students move on to the research component of the course. Student progress will be monitored and students can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.
You should feel that you are able to approach your Academic Personal Tutor for advice, pastoral support or academic support in a wider sense. You will also have access to the Deputy Senior Tutor for Postgraduate Taught Students in the event that your Academic Personal Tutor is unavailable.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. For those learning in distance mode, nominations to the PGT SSLC will be undertaken democratically online. Where appropriate SSLCs will make use of telephone conferencing facilities to ensure those on the distance learning programme are included.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
LLM International Commercial Law
19. UCAS Code
C973
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/10/2012 |
Date of last revision | 06/02/2024 |
|---|
