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International Trade and Economic Law LLM

Part of: Law

Learn to analyse the roles that multilateral institutions play in regulating crucial international economic relations. The International Trade and Economic Law LLM will give you a theoretical understanding and practical legal skills to understand and work with specific aspects of public international law concerned with economic relations between states and between states and non-state actors.

  • Explore the significant policy issues that arise in the development and implementation of international economic legal frameworks
  • Consider how these frameworks impact diverse economic sectors, including finance, trade, investment, innovation and knowledge
  • Critically explore pressing developmental, environmental and financial stability concerns arising from the globalisation of the world economy
  • Become a member of the Queen Mary International Economic Law Clinic and the worldwide network of Tradelab
  • Students who complete this LLM can go on to do a condensed LLM in Sustainable Development, in one year rather than two, at Universita Degli Studi di Milano

Study options

Starting in
September 2025
Location
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Fees
Home: £19,800
Overseas: £31,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students

What you'll study

You will be exposed to a detailed analysis of international agreements and organisations concerned with state conduct affecting trade, foreign investment, finance and monetary stability. Issues of international trade and financial regulation will be covered, and you will consider intellectual property law, investment law and competition law, and the issues surrounding multinational enterprises. Please note that not all modules will be available in any one year.

You will be offered a varied selection of taught modules from which you can choose, enabling you to gear your qualification to set you on your desired career trajectory. You do not have to choose your modules until you have had the opportunity to learn about them in greater detail during your comprehensive induction period.

You will also have voluntary access to an excellent series of lectures in Critical Thinking and Writing in Law to help you to improve your writing and research in law skills.

We only allow one application from our range of LLM programmes so please ensure you apply for your main programme of interest. Please note you can request to change programme at offer stage via your MYSIS admissions portal and also request this after enrolment via the School of Law Taught Programme office.

Join the Queen Mary Network and speak to our community about this programme.

Structure

You will need to complete 180 credits in total.

Full year programme:

  • 180 credits of taught modules (this can include a 30 credits elective dissertation)

Please see the academic year plan for an idea of the structure of the programme and key periods of assessment.

You can also choose to complete your SQE Preparation alongside this LLM which is available for both full-time and part-time study. Find out more

Master Journey Webinars

Master Journey Webinars

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Modules

Assessment

  • You will be assessed by a range of methods combining examinations and coursework which will be fully explained in your student pack available during induction.
  • For any elective dissertation, you will undertake self-directed research and writing with the support of an allocated supervisor.

FAQs

Read our FAQs for more information about applying to us.

As a Japanese government official, I was engaged in negotiating, implementing and enforcing multilateral and bilateral trade agreements… I needed to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the international rules on trade and investments, and to gain new insights into economic policies, including international development. I found that the [LLM in International Trade and Economic Law ] at Queen Mary University of London was the best choice for me.

Yu Arai, LLM, International Economic Law, (2018). Read more testimonials from the International Economic Law LLM.

Teaching

You will be taught by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations and group exercises as well as open discussion.

You will have a team of advisers to support you, including the LLM and Programme Academic Directors, your module convenors and, for an elective dissertation, your dissertation supervisor.

 

Where you'll learn

Facilities

  • Free access to online databases and collections including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Justis, Eur-lex, Hein-Online and many more
  • The Postgraduate School of Law Centre in Lincoln's Inn Fields and the Graduate Centre at Mile End
  • Queen Mary’s excellent Law Library and European Documentation Centre
  • Access to the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and the Library at Senate House

Campus

Teaching is primarily based at the School of Law's postgraduate centre, the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), located in Lincoln's Inn Fields. This area is home to numerous barristers’ chambers and law firms and is a short walk from the Royal Courts of Justice. Our academics and students interact with leading legal professionals, many of whom regularly teach and take part in our seminars and conferences.

Depending on the modules you choose, you may also have classes at the Mile End Campus or at one of the Queen Mary central campus locations (Charterhouse Square or West Smithfield).

Administration for this programme is based at Lincoln's Inn fields.

About the School

The School of Law

The School of Law is part of Queen Mary University of London, a member of both the University of London and the Russell Group. The School was ranked 7th in the UK and 32nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, and 10th in the UK and 50th in world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject.

The School of Law has consistently been ranked in the top 10 law schools in the UK for the quality of our research and teaching, and many of our internationally recognised staff act as advisers to governments, industry and NGOs, both nationally and internationally.

The School's central focus is on the role of law and its institutions in contemporary international society. The School of Law is divided into two organisational units: the Department of Law and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). The School of Law hosts the largest and most diverse LLM programme in the UK.

 

Contact us

School of Law

Career paths

There is a very high rate of employment of our students within six months of graduation. We have specialist career advisers who organise events and assist with finding internship opportunities a top UK and international law firms.

Graduates of the LLM have gone on to careers in government, international organisations, law firms and NGOs concerned with international development, trade, investment and finance. Examples of graduate destinations include: 

  • the WTO
  • private trade law practice (Indian law firm)
  • UK Government: HM Treasury and Government Legal Department (DEFRA)
  • Japanese Customs Authorities.

After graduating from Queen Mary, you join our network of alumni from over 100 countries, and get access to exclusive benefits and networking opportunities.

  • 96% of our graduates are in full time employment/further study 15 months after graduation - Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21

Fees and funding

Full-time study

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Part-time study

September 2025 | 2 years

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Full-time study

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Part-time study

September 2025 | 2 years

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award

Funding

There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.

School of Law scholarships

The School of Law offers a range of scholarships for Law Masters programmes each year. Full details are made available on the law funding page from October – November each year.

Other sources of funding

Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:

Entry requirements

Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.

International

English language requirements

All postgraduate programmes in this school have non-standard English language requirements.

For the English language requirements for this course, see programmes with non-standard English language requirements .

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa.

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