LLM in Corporate Law

Gain cutting-edge insights, practical experience, and global perspectives to drive innovation and leadership in the corporate world.

Overview

The LLM in Corporate Law offers an in-depth exploration of corporate law, combining theoretical foundations with practical insights. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of corporate law, regulation, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and more. By examining corporate law from both UK, comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives, students gain a robust understanding of how legal principles operate within the corporate economy and how they can be applied to real-world scenarios.

Highlights

Complete your LLM degree in just 10 months when studying full-time, giving you a head start in industry
Our location in the heart of legal London provides you with a unique opportunity to draw on the resources of the centre of the UK’s government, legal and financial communities.
Gain practical skills with pro-bono opportunities offered at the Centre for Access to Justice, allowing you to provide legal advice and give back to the local community.
Develop your skills and legal knowledge by taking part in mooting and debating competitions.
Access specialist careers support from our in-house Careers Consultant.
Be a part of our global student community and take advantage of our unrivalled UCL Laws Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.

Why choose this programme?

Taught by leading experts and practitioners, students will gain advanced knowledge in how common problems in corporate law are regulated in different legal systems; how law shapes the economic and financial context within which firms operate, and how it responds to challenges posed by modern financial markets. Students will understand how the legal framework is applied in practice and which issues lawyers and businessmen face in complex corporate transactions.

Who should apply?

Students in this specialism come from a wide array of backgrounds and locations around the globe. Some join the program directly after completing their undergraduate studies, while others have several years of experience practicing law in firms, working in finance, for large corporations, or in public sector roles. Common among them is a passion for exploring key questions at the heart of the corporate economy: How do firms finance their operations? How do they grow and acquire other businesses? What are effective strategies for companies in financial distress? How can corporate law ensure that companies serve not only their shareholders but the broader common good? Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements to find out the exact requirements for this programme.

Applying and entry requirements | Fees, funding and scholarships | Frequently asked questions | Information for offer holders

Programme structure

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly for seminars and tutorials.

Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or through a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessments such as oral presentations, output for audience or group projects.

During the programme, you will research and write a 9000 word Research Essay which counts towards your final grade.

Full-time students

Terms one and two

During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction Programme, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM programme.

In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes.

There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the UCL Laws Graduate Law Society.

Term three

Your assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two.

During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.

Part-time students

You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:

Your degree will be completed over two academic years In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay

You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.

Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and flexi LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.

You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.

Modular/ flexible students

You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:

You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree. You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5 year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years).

Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.

We will prompt you to select modules each year. You may wish to have a year or more where you do not take any modules; this is possible. It is recommended that you only complete your Research Essay at the end of your degree, in the same year that you are due to complete all of your taught module credits. You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.

Modules

Students will need to obtain a total of 180 credits consisting of taught modules and a research essay to successfully complete the programme. Students choosing a LLM specialist degree are required to select a minimum of 60 credits from the qualifying modules listed below. Students are required to write their Research Essay in the area of the specialism.

Students are advised to plan their modules choices and research essay carefully and in advance. You will select your modules at pre-enrolment, before arrival.

Below is an example of the suite of modules you can expect to chose from. The taught modules offered on the LLM programme vary from year to year. Please note that modules are subject to cancellation and change, including changes in module convenors and type of assessment and the modules listed below are to be confirmed for the 2025/26 session. Applicants and offer-holders are therefore advised to check this site regularly for further updates and changes prior to the start of the programme in September. Module places may be limited and will be subject to availability where there is a high demand and exceeds resources.

Modules for LLM Corporate Law

Modules across LLM Law

Full list is available on the webpage.

Current schedule of modules for 2024/25

The current schedule of modules for 2024/25 can be seen here.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Corporate Law specialism frequently pursue careers in:

Corporate law firms, applying their knowledge as transactional lawyers or litigators.
Financial institutions, contributing to regulatory compliance and corporate governance.
Government agencies, such as market regulators, influencing public policy and regulation.
Academia, conducting research or teaching in corporate law.