International Commercial Law

This course focuses on the legal regulation from the perspective of a common law jurisdiction, and the challenges presented through membership of the international and European communities.

Founded in the ancient silk and spice routes, international trade and commerce has spread to become the most significant activity of any modern economy. The provision of goods and services in other countries has increased dramatically in the second half of the 20th century, and today continues to reveal new markets, products and commercial practices.

This course is our flagship programme for the international market. It draws on our academic excellence in Commercial Law, Corporate Law, International Economic Law, Intellectual Property Law and Tax. It is linked to the LLM Intellectual Property, with which it shares several units.

This course is suitable for a wide range of career paths: in-house counsel in an export-related industry, work in the City or other global financial centre, regulatory office in governmental organisations, appointments in foreign services, or even an academic career.

Key features of the course

• The course draws on BU’s academic excellence in Commercial Law, Corporate Law, International Economic Law, Intellectual Property Law and Tax
• Our professional teaching teams are experts in their field
• This course is both challenging and stimulating, enhancing your career prospects within today’s global companies and/or the legal profession
• The course is suitable for a wide range of career paths including in-house counsel in an export-related industry, work in the City or other global financial centres, regulatory office in governmental organisations, appointments in foreign services, or an academic career
• Unique blend of delivery including guest lectures, electronic learning, lectures and seminars

The course consists of 3 stages, details of which are below. This includes an overview of the units you will study.

Stage 1

Core units

Principles of International Law, International Organisations and the World Trade Organisation

The aim of the unit is twofold: Firstly it will provide you with a sound grounding in the principles underpinning international law. Secondly, and building upon the knowledge gained on the principles of international law, the unit will examine the World Trade Organisation as a prime example of an international organisation.

Option units* (choose 2)

Corporate Law: Theory & Practice

You will examine key issues in contemporary corporate law, this will enable you to evaluate corporate law issues from key theoretical and practical perspectives.

International Dispute Resolution

Cross-border and inter-State relations raise complex issues involving the law of more than one country. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers an alternative way of resolving disputes other than litigation. This unit will introduce the key concepts, forms and procedures of ADR and discuss its development and merits compared to litigation relating to both international commercial and public international law disputes.

International Cyber Law & Governance

An understanding of the principles of internet law and online policies (addressing principles of human rights law, criminal law, international law and copyright law inter alia) has become indispensable for professionals aiming for a career in the digital economy. This unit will provide you with a thorough grounding and critical appreciation of online policy, regulatory scope for online activities and strategic impact on business decisions.

Stage 2

Core units

Law of International Trade

This unit deals with the core of international commercial law: the legal regulation of international commerce from the perspective of transactions relating to the exportation of goods. This allows for an in-depth exposure to international supply, sale and carriage contracts, to considerations associated with multiple transactions and to techniques for the international harmonisation of substantive law.

Option units* - (choose 2)

International Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights (IPR) are implicated in most aspects of international commerce. For example: patent laws affect technology transfer, trade mark laws affect branding, design laws affect product development and copyright laws affect all entertainment goods. Through the integration of intellectual property standards into the WTO framework with the 1994 TRIPS Agreement, intellectual property laws have been substantially and controversially harmonised. This unit evaluates the consequences of the globalisation of intellectual property laws.

International Direct Taxation

The globalisation of business means that firms must not only understand the domestic tax systems in the states in which they operate, but also the ways in which those systems interact. Direct taxes at the federal level usually account for between 10 and 30 percent of pre-tax profits and this unit aims to foster an understanding of the international tax system and the principal tax planning techniques open to multinational firms.

International Law of the Environment

This unit will examine the particular sectors of environmental policy that are the subject of international legal regulation and obligations. This will involve an appraisal of how international legal regulation has developed in these areas, taking into account various challenges, legal and political, that have been influential in shaping their respective evolution.

Stage 3

Dissertation

This unit will provide you with the opportunity to conduct research on an area of law associated with the knowledge and skills acquired and developed on your chosen pathway. You will develop critical thinking, evaluate new and existing relevant research and develop your conceptual understanding of law. This unit will promote self-managed learning by completion of a significant piece of work.

*Please note that not all option/elective units may be offered or delivered in a given year.

The normal requirements for embarking upon a postgraduate taught degree are:A good Bachelors Honours degree, 2:2 or above or equivalentFor post-experience and professional qualifications, there may be additional entry requirements set by the association or institute that ultimately administers the qualification in question. The qualification description on the course information pages should tell you what these are but please get in touch with the askBU Enquiry Service if you are in doubtIf you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow - some based on experience. Contact the askBU Enquiry Service for more information.Preferred subjectsAll subjects considered. A legal background is desirable, but not required English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

For more information about fees and funding please visit our website