Close
This specialism is designed to explore contemporary financial legal issues and apply them to the core legal principles of international finance and financial services.
Overview
International banking and finance law is essential to the global economy. On this comprehensive LLM specialist programme, you will learn to deal with the legal aspects of financial markets, institutions and transactions. Our programme provides students with a deep understanding of the complexities and regulatory frameworks governing the financial sector, preparing them for successful careers in this dynamic field.
International banking and finance impacts the day to day activities of organisations. Studying this specialism will advance your knowledge in the fields of international banking and finance and you will benefit from learning from experts in the field at the forefront of financial law and regulations.
Why choose this programme?
The main highlight for students is that they are engaging at the forefront of topics that appear in today's news, whether in relation to practitioners' concerns regarding Brexit, or regulatory and policy reforms that are being consulted upon. This specialism engages with international banking in finance in ways that intersects aspects of social and economic life, from financial impacts on green energy projects to addressing financial mis-selling scandals. Our student body on this programme come from a range of financial and non financial backgrounds. Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements to find out the exact requirements for this programme.
Who should apply?
The LLM specialism in International Banking and Finance law attracts both those who have recently obtained an undergraduate law degree and are seeking to specialise in this field and professionals who are looking to deepen and advance their knowledge and careers. Many students are drawn to this program due to their interest in the regulation and policy aspects of banking and financial law. This specialised program offers a comprehensive foundation for those looking to pursue careers in these areas, whether it be working in legal practice, regulatory agencies, international policy bodies, or consultancies.
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
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. 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. You will be asked to indicate your Research Essay topic in October and you will be allocated an RE advisor who provides guidance on choosing the topic and researching and writing the essay.
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 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.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.
- 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). We will prompt you to select modules each year.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 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.
- 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.
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 International Banking and Finance Law
Advanced Foundations of Environmental Law
Advanced Foundations of International Law of Foreign Investment
Corporate Finance
Corporations, Finance and the Environment
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
International and Commercial Trusts Law
International and Comparative Secured Transactions
Legal Aspects of International Finance
Regulation of Financial Markets
The Law and Regulation of Banks and FinTech Services- Modules across LLM Law
Access to Justice: Theory & Practice
Advanced Foundations of Environmental Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Aspects of National Security
Carriage of Goods by Sea
Commercial Remedies
Comparative Constitutional Law
Comparative Corporate Governance
Comparative Human Rights Law
Competition Law (EU & UK)
Competition Law, Regulation and the Intangible Economy
Constitutional Theory
Copyright and Related Rights, Law of
Corporations, Finance and the Environment
Decolonizing Law
Environmental Lawyering
Foreign Relations Law
Foundations and Principles of International Law
Human Rights at Work
International and European Refugee Law
International and Global Environmental Law
International Arbitration
International Commercial Litigation
International Criminal Law
International Human Rights Law
International Trade Law
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition A
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory A
Law and Policy of Climate Change
Law and Policy of International Trade and the Environment
Law of Patents
Law, Economics and Society: The Foundations of Capitalism
Liquidation and its Consequences
Marine Insurance Law
Principles of Civil Justice
Privacy, Data and Surveillance Law
The Rule of Law in the European Union
Trade Marks and Unfair Competition in the UK, Europe and the United States
Careers
UCL LLM graduates are highly sought after and enjoy a distinct competitive advantage. They are well-prepared for diverse career opportunities, including:
- in private practice
- in-house at a law firm
- in accountancy firms
- in regulatory firms
- in financial technology
- in corporate finance
- in consultancies
Additionally, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for further research beyond the LLM, preparing them for PhD programmes and academic careers. Our graduates are well-prepared to make significant contributions across various sectors, reflecting the comprehensive and impactful nature of their education at UCL.