Program Overview

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Commercial Law LLM/PGDip/PGCert

Why choose Commercial Law LLM/PGDip/PGCert at Middlesex?

Middlesex University ranks 6 among UK universities in the Times Higher Young University Rankings 2024. We are highly international, with 50% of our students coming from outside the UK.

Middlesex is dedicated to providing students with the skills and abilities sought after by a wide range of employers, from legal firms to domestic businesses and international corporations. By undertaking this programme you will be able to specialise in subjects related to commercial law, equipping yourself with a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework governing the conduct of trade, business, and financial services set up under English and international law.

Studying at Middlesex will maximise your academic potential and refine your problem-solving skills in a transnational context through the acquisition of a critical understanding of complex legal, economic, cultural, ethical and political issues informing both English and international commercial law and the development of commercial transactions.

This programme should be of particular value to those students who are interested in commercial practice as it will enhance your professional development and horizons as you explore legal frameworks governing commercial activities and cross-border transactions. You will gain skills which you will be able to transfer to a variety of professional sectors, including the legal profession, policymaking, the corporate sector, governmental bodies or academia.

The School of Law at Middlesex University has assembled a team of globally-respected academics who provide not only insight and practical direction but also access to a considerable network of contacts and connections, most notably internship opportunities within international and domestic organisations.

Course highlights

• This LLM programme introduces students to real-life business disputes, exposing them to the changing nature both of commercial disputes and their settlement or resolution.
• You will become conversant with case law, and UK, EU and international statute pertinent to the conduct of business, together with trends and new issues arising as a result of both technological and regulatory change.
• You will become familiar with the range of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms deployed in business contexts to avoid litigation.

Course overview

Full-time LLM (1 year, 180 credits)

• Four core plus two optional modules are completed over terms one and two, with a Dissertation period in term three.

Part-time LLM (2 years, 180 credits)

• Four core plus two optional modules are completed over three taught terms, plus a Dissertation period.
• Two modules in term one, two modules in term two, and two modules in the first term of the following academic year.

Full-time PG Diploma (1 year, 120 credits)

• You will study four core modules plus two optional modules to be completed over terms one and two.
• Three modules will be taken in term one and three modules in term two.

Part-time PG Diploma (2 years, 120 credits)

• You will study four core modules plus two optional modules to be completed over three or four taught terms.
• In Year 1, you will study two modules in term one and two modules in term two.
• In Year 2, you can choose to study:
  • Two modules in term one or
  • One module in term one and one module in term two.

PG Certificate (60 credits)

• Legal Research Skills must be taken in term one, plus two optional modules.
• Can be completed in one or two academic terms.

Modules

Each module is worth 20 credits, except the Dissertation and Work Integrated Learning modules which are worth 60 credits each. The Work Integrated Learning module may be chosen to replace the Dissertation with prior approval.

Compulsory modules

• English Commercial Law (20 Credits)
• Law of the International Sale of Goods (20 Credits)
• International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration (20 Credits)
• Legal Research Skills (20 Credits)

Plus one of the following:

• Dissertation (60 Credits)
• Work Integrated Learning (typical content) (60 Credits)

Plus two of the following optional modules:

• International Organisations and the International Dispute Resolution (20 Credits)
• Law and Policy of the World Trade Organisation (20 Credits)
• Business and Human Rights (20 Credits)
• Politics of Globalisation (20 Credits)

Teaching and learning

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

How we'll teach you

• You will gain knowledge and understanding through a stimulating combination of lectures, seminars and presentations which are used to communicate core information, develop themes and ideas, and student participation through interactive exercises, while also providing opportunities for peer- and self-assessment.
• You will also be required to engage in intensive programmes of structured reading and research, and to present your findings orally and in writing.

Skills training

• Skills training, particularly through our Legal Research Skills module, will equip you with the intellectual tools necessary for postgraduate work, including the identification of appropriate materials, critical and analytical reading, and both writing skills and conventions.

Learning and teaching on all modules

• Learning and teaching on all modules is informed by a critical approach that encompasses relevant aspects of the ethical, social, professional, historical and cultural contexts within which the law operates.
• Ethics are specifically embedded in some modules and you will be provided with the opportunity to understand the ethical dimensions of your own research.

Those students accepted on the Work Integrated Learning modules

• Will engage with decision-makers in our partner organisations and develop new skills in research, writing, IT and networking.

Facilities and support

Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas with and 600 computer spaces, with some areas open 24 hours a day.

Make the most of our free laptop loans, e-books, printing and photocopying

We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.

Our facilities

Student support

• We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Careers

How the LLM/PGDip/PGCert Commercial Law will support your career

• Students considering careers in law and in the court-based approach to litigation and the settlement of disputes will be well served by this LLM programme.
• Such careers include in-house legal departments and external legal representation of companies and organisations.
• In addition, students seeking a career in alternative dispute resolution, whether as arbitrators or as counsel representing parties to arbitration, or those working in businesses or other organisations seeking assistance from ADR service providers, will find this LLM of great benefit.

As well as access to the University's Employability Service

• Students are offered specialist advice by the Programme Leader and other contributors to the programme, including guidance on how to enter and pass recruitment processes for national and international organisations.
• Students have access to the support services offered by the Clinical Legal Education programme and are invited to attend career-focused workshops, skills sessions and events.

Our team of renowned lecturers

• Will provide the latest thinking and practice on legal issues.
• Our students benefit from their considerable network of contacts and connections within their sectors, notably for internship opportunities within international and domestic organisations, as well as a range of local companies providing professional legal services.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

• The University's standard entry requirement consists of a Law degree at 2:2 or Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE.
• Graduates in related disciplines, with law minors or with relevant professional experience or qualifications may be admitted subject to the programme leader's discretion.

Eligibility

• UK and international students are eligible to apply for this course.

Academic credit for previous study or experience

• If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.

Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions

• Entry onto this course does not require an interview, portfolio or audition.

International students

• We welcome students from the UK and all over the world.
• Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home.

Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning

Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London

Work placements and networking with top London employers

Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.

Qualifications

• We accept a wide range of international qualifications.
• Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page.

English language

• You will need to meet our English language requirements.
• And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.

Visas

• To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa.
• Please check to see if this applies to you.

Fees and funding

The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students

• LLM
  • Full-time students: £11,300
  • Part-time students: £75 per credit
  • Part-time students: £37 per dissertation
• PGCert
  • Full-time students: tbc
• PGDip
  • Full-time students: tbc
  • Part-time students: tbc per taught credit
  • Part-time students: tbc per dissertation credit

International students

• LLM
  • Full-time students: £18,000
  • Part-time students: £120 per credit
  • Part-time students: £60 per dissertation credit
• PGCert
  • Full-time students: tbc
• PGDip
  • Full-time students: tbc
  • Part-time students: tbc per taught credit
  • Part-time students: tbc per dissertation credit
• Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

International students who require a Student route (formerly tier 4) visa to progress on a course at Middlesex University must apply for study on a full-time basis.

Additional course costs

• The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
  • A free electronic textbook for every module
  • All printing and copying required for your study
  • Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
  • Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders

Scholarships and bursaries

• As an undergraduate alumnus continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you are eligible for an alumni award worth 20% off your fees.