International Business Law LLM at Coventry University

Law has been taught at Coventry University for over 50 years and we benefit from high levels of student satisfaction. This specialist postgraduate course aims to expand your existing legal knowledge of the legal framework and environment in which transnational business is conducted.

We will provide you the opportunity to learn about the specific laws and regulations pertaining to areas such as international sales, intellectual property and corporate governance.

As more and more companies seek to capitalise on globalisation, many increasingly find themselves faced with complex legal issues arising out of international banking and trade – from negotiating different intellectual property rights to adhering to in-country regulations which can vary depending on supplier location.

The Master of Laws is an internationally recognised postgraduate law degree, which can often provide a fast-track for career advancement in today’s highly competitive global career market due to its international credibility. We aim to develop and enhance your analytical, critical, communication and presentational skills, much valued by employers. This could potentially lead to careers in law teaching and research, government service, the judiciary, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and private practice.  

Why Coventry University?

An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.

Course information

Responding to the rising volume of business transactions taking place across national borders, this course aims to provide you with an understanding of international business law, the structure of international business and the legal environment in which it operates.

The mandatory modules provide tuition in the core substantive legal areas of international trade law, business law, competition law, corporate governance, intellectual property and market regulation.

Emphasis is paid to the economic, social and political forces which influence the development of the law and the legal institutions which regulate international business transactions, including the World Trade Organisation, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank.

In Semester Two, you have the chance to choose from a broad range of specialist subjects. The ‘International Environmental Law’ module, for example, examines the legal and policy issues surrounding protection of the global environment. We consider the complex social, economic and political context in which international environmental law exists. You will also have the opportunity to become familiar with some of the current environmental concerns, such as the protection of biodiversity, the export of hazardous waste, the relationship between international trade and the environment, and the commercialisation of genetically modified organisms.

In your final semester, following extensive guidance on research design, methods and writing skills, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct a collaborative research project supervised by staff for your dissertation. Past students on this course have, for example, carried out research on FDI and the role of bilateral investment treaties, the World Trade Organisation, the contract of carriage of goods and licensing agreements in intellectual property Law, among others.

Career prospects

The LLM in International Business Law can provide successful graduates with career opportunities in various areas and aspects of international business, either as a legal adviser or in a non-legal capacity.

Some students choose to specialise as international business lawyers both at home and abroad, whilst others have gone on to work for international organisations affecting the world of international business such as the IMF, World Bank and WIPO, as well as the international trade departments of the United Nations. 

Upon successful graduation, you will possess a range of transferrable graduate and employability skills in research, analysis, synthesis, critical judgement, evaluation, application of knowledge, problem-solving, communication and reflective learning.  

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Our graduates have been highly successful in finding employment, with recent employers including: Brethertons LLP, a growing Midlands firm with six offices; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer a leading multinational law firm; and Ince and Co, a specialist international commercial firm with offices in Dubai, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Le Havre, London, Paris, Piraeus, Shanghai and Singapore.

This course can also be an excellent preparation for further degrees and research and academic careers in universities and other academic and research institutions.