Masters applications for 2025 entry are now closed.
Applications for September 2026 will open on Wednesday 24 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2026 start. View our programmes »
| UCAS code |
1234 |
| Duration |
1 year full time
2 years part time |
| Entry year |
September 2026 |
| Campus |
Streatham Campus
|
| Discipline |
Law
|
| Contact |
. |
Overview
- Gain a global perspective on the challenges within commercial law and learn how to find ways to overcome them by examining various legal systems and looking beyond the law
- Choose from a range of cutting-edge subjects related to copyright and trademark, business, finance and trade, intellectual property and artificial intelligence
- Join a dynamic and vibrant academic environment that attracts students from all over the world creating a truly international learning community
- Learn from renowned academics, all highly driven and passionate experts in their fields
- Develop your research skills by joining one of our research centres and become an active member of our vibrant research community
Top 20 in the UK for our world-leading Law research
Personal tutor support and close contact with academic staff who are leaders in their field
Top 150 in the world for Law
Top 20 in the UK for our world-leading Law research
Personal tutor support and close contact with academic staff who are leaders in their field
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). There’s no requirement to have studied law prior to joining the course, we welcome students from any academic background.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
Studying a Master of Laws in Commercial Law offers a rewarding learning experience with opportunities to deepen your understanding of a range of commercial law topics, and to improve skills necessary at all levels of professional engagement with contemporary and future challenges facing businesses around the world.
You will take part in interactive seminars, thought-provoking discussions and critical debates with your peers and academics from across the world giving you unique insight and global perspectives into contemporary law.
Alongside the compulsory dissertation, you’ll choose from an array of optional modules such as international commercial law; corporate law; international arbitration; tax law; artificial intelligence; data protection and privacy; digital copyright law; blockchain; automated and autonomous transports, financial markets law and regulation, international banking and fintech law and regulation; trade law; and competition law.
In order to enhance your research and learning experiences and to create a vibrant community of postgraduate students enrolled in this course, you will be affiliated with one of the research centres for the duration of your studies.
In order to obtain an LLM Master of Laws in Commercial Law, you must successfully complete a total of 180 credits:
- eight 15 credit modules (chosen from the list below)
- compulsory LLM dissertation (60 credits)
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation.
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes — this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and the module is at the appropriate level for the Stage.
Compulsory modules
Stage 1: 60-credit compulsory dissertation module, further 15-credit core skills module, 105 credits of optional modules
In addition to the compulsory modules listed below, you will study 105 credits of optional modules (45 credits in the autumn term and 60 credits in the spring term) chosen from the list of optional commercial law modules available in your year of academic study. You may choose to take 30 credits of module(s) outside the programme and/or the Law School, subject to availability and approval by the programme director. See https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation for optional Law School modules.
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| LAWM640 |
Dissertation | 60 |
| LAWM189 |
Legal Research and Writing Skills | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
|
LLM Commercial Law Option Modules 2025-6 |
| LAWM165 |
Automated and Autonomous Transport: Cars and Ships |
15 |
| LAWM168 |
Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability |
15 |
| LAWM181 |
Regulating AI: Law, Policy and Ethics |
15 |
| LAWM170 |
Digital Copyright Law |
15 |
| LAWM171 |
E-Commerce and Consumers |
15 |
| LAWM172 |
EU Competition Law |
15 |
| LAWM173 |
Financial Markets Law and Regulation |
15 |
| LAWM175 |
International Commercial Law |
15 |
| LAWM176 |
International Commercial Litigation |
15 |
| LAWM166 |
Business and Human Rights Law and Policy |
15 |
| LAWM167 |
Blockchain, Policy, Property |
15 |
| LAWM174 |
International Arbitration |
15 |
| LAWM177 |
International Trade and Society |
15 |
| LAWM178 |
LLM Law Clinic |
15 |
| LAWM193 |
Corporate Tax Law |
15 |
| LAWM183 |
International Banking and Fintech Law and Regulation |
15 |
| LAWM191 |
Law, Digital Markets and Competition |
15 |
| LAWM180 |
Principles of Company Law |
15 |
One of the reasons I chose Exeter was because the lecturers are real experts in commercial law so I knew it would be a great opportunity to learn from people who have contributed to commercial law both theoretically and practically.
I have definitely enjoyed it, the lecturers have done everything they can to support us and have really engaged with us and helped us to build an LLM student community.
Read more from Mwaita
Mwaita
Master of Laws LLM in Commercial Law
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Teaching and research
Learning and teaching
Formal teaching is delivered via weekly lectures or seminars, depending on group size. Course materials are delivered directly by academic staff, and you are encouraged to actively engage in discussions and debates. You will be in control of your own learning, appropriately supported by peers and staff including a personal tutor.
Assessment
As well as the dissertation, assessment is comprised almost entirely of extended coursework essays, with written examinations in some modules where appropriate.
Research
In addition to your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to benefit from a stimulating programme of research seminars designed to enable staff and postgraduate students to experience cutting-edge research by members of the academic and legal community both within and outside of Exeter.
Extra-curricular activities
Formal learning is enhanced by opportunities to participate in a range of exciting extra-curricular activities including pro bono projects, internships, mooting and networking events.
We have close and active links with Exeter Law School alumni and honorary doctorates, many of whom occupy powerful and prestigious roles in the legal community throughout the world. Where possible, we invite individuals from this community and the broader legal profession to engage with our postgraduate students, whether through research seminars or more informal events, providing you with valuable networking opportunities.
Facilities
The Lasok Law Library, located in the Forum holds in excess of 40,000 volumes and is open 24 hours a day. You can choose from diverse study spaces to suit your specific learning needs, whether dedicated quiet study, group work, or social learning over a coffee.
Our custom-built Moot Court offers students invaluable opportunities to take part in mooting activities and is equipped with the latest technology, including high-spec video conferencing.
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Dr Matthew Cole
Programme Director
Dr Matthew Cole
Programme Director
Matthew Cole is a Lecturer and module convenor for Competition Law and Mergers and Acquisitions. He joined Exeter University in 2016 from Cardiff University Law School.
Matthew’s research generally revolves around the intersection of law and economics. He has particular interests in EU competition law, takeover regulation and the economic theories upon which they are based. He also has particular interests in competition law and digital markets, Ordoliberalism and efficient takeover regulation.
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Careers
Employer-valued skills this course develops
The modules offered include topics you must have knowledge of in order to succeed in senior positions, whether in private practice, corporate or public employment – including international trading companies and law firms, chartering, trade, and marine insurance, the European Commission, the European Court of Justice, or the Governments of EU Member States.
You will gain invaluable experience in finding out the law from the original sources; in preparing and producing extended legal writing; and in presenting a legal proposition briefly and succinctly to an audience.
Graduate destinations
LLM graduates either continue on the academic path and pursue their studies with a PhD; others go into private practice, corporate or public employment – including international trading companies and law firms, chartering, trade, and marine insurance, the European Commission, the Governments of EU Member States as well as international and regional courts and/or organisations or NGOs.
Careers support
When it comes to securing a graduate level position, we enjoy extremely good relations with members of the legal profession regionally, nationally and internationally. You will be supported by an Employability Officer, the wide range of services offered by Career Zone and have the opportunity to meet potential employers face-to-face through our annual Law Fair, workshops and careers sessions.
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Top 150 in the world for Law
