Explore this course:

    Apply now for 2025 entry or register your interest to hear about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.

    LLM
    2025 start September 

    LLM Corporate and Commercial Law

    School of Law, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

    Explore the issues and problems that corporate and commercial law deals with, and evaluate and critique the law as it exists. This course will develop and hone your critical skills and research expertise.
    Students sitting on a table with laptops chatting in a seminar room

    Course description

    This LLM is designed primarily for law graduates and lawyers who want to explore how contemporary challenges are addressed in the corporate and commercial law field. It provides you with an excellent opportunity to evaluate and critique the existing legal responses to these challenges. You'll also be encouraged to reflect on how these existing responses can be improved.

    We offer a variety of modules, and the teaching is informed by the research of renowned academics from the Sheffield Institute of Corporate and Commercial Law.

    Alongside courses in specific areas of corporate and commercial law, we run a series of workshops on legal skills. Those workshops also introduce you to different methodologies. You will develop and hone your critical skills and research expertise. You will use these skills to write a dissertation during the second half of your LLM, with expert supervision from our staff.

    Teaching is informed by the research of renowned academics from the Sheffield Institute of Corporate and Commercial Law

    This course is just one of the pathways offered on the Sheffield LLM. You can also choose to study the LLM International Law and Global Justice option.

    If you’re not sure which specialist pathway you want to follow, don’t worry, you can take the Sheffield LLM without specialising, or opt to follow one of the pathways on arrival. The choice is yours.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules

    Legal Research & Writing Skills

    This module introduces students to the basic skills of legal research and legal writing, both essays and problem solving. The module includes lectures by academic staff, library staff and on-line specialists, hands-on workshops and structured seminars. The modules also covers referencing and the use of unfair means. Students are given formative feedback on essays. Students are introduced to the skills necessary to give effective oral presentations. Time will also be given to self-reflect on future employment opportunities.

    Dissertation (LLM in Law)

    Students must complete a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation on a legal topic of their choice, subject to approval by the Head of School or her or his delegate. The approval will include consideration of whether the dissertation is suitable for the student to graduate from one of the specialised pathways. To this end the student will be asked to nominate on the paperwork their interest in graduating with one of the specialised pathways. The dissertation gives the student the opportunity to explore an area of their interest in some depth. To achieve a Masters standard the student is required to demonstrate an up-to-date critical analysis of the topic chosen for discussion.

    60 credits

    Optional modules - examples include:

    WTO Law: Foundations, Institutions, Challenges

    This module introduces the rules, institutions and policies of international trade law including the study of law and governance of the WTO, including core principles and institutional structures. The module will examine the functions and limits of international law in governing world trade in goods/services. Taking into account political, economic and historical contexts, it will discuss the effects of international trade law on states' interests, policies and individuals' lives/wellbeing. Topics may include trade negotiations, dispute settlement, core disciplines reciprocal exchanges, discriminatory treatment, interaction of trade rules with economic development, trade regionalism, intellectual property rights, environmental protection, and other societal values.

    15 credits
    Introduction to Company Law and Corporate Governance

    This module begins with an outline of the principles of company law for those who have not studied it before. It then offers an overview of directors duties, decision-making, and minority protection versus market protection. These topics are then set in their broader corporate governance context, with an overview of theoretical approaches to corporate governance, as well as some of the main mechanisms characteristic of the UK system

    15 credits
    Current Issues in Company Law and Corporate Governance

    This module explores in detail a number of topical issues in company law and corporate governance. Topics may include corporate theory, board composition, remuneration, takeovers, codes of conduct, introduction to corporate social responsibility, corporate finance including creditor protection, stakeholder corporate governance and corporate governance and the financial crisis.

    15 credits
    Corporate Social Responsibility and the Law

    This module will critically look at the developing legal regulation of CSR. The module will first look at the meaning of CSR, how it has evolved as a concept and how it is linked to law. The module will then approach CSR from the perspective of different legal fields. The focus will be on English law, but examples from other systems will also be referred to. The module will first look at CSR from a company law perspective, particularly focussing on reporting duties on CSR issues, but also covering directors' duties and the role of shareholders. Secondly, the module will address CSR in global supply chains, focussing on contract law. Thirdly, the module will discuss liability-based approaches to promoting greater CSR such as transnational tort litigation and corporate criminal liability with extraterritorial effects. Fourthly, the module will study CSR from a consumer (law) perspective which particularly raises questions of enforcement. Finally, the module will shift its focus to CSR in emerging economies 

    15 credits
    International Law and the Protection of Foreign Investment

    This module introduces students to States' obligations under public international law toward foreign investors and their property and examines the substantive and procedural rules applicable in settling investment disputes. International law concerning the treatment of foreign nationals and their property has important consequences in facilitating foreign direct investment and for host States' capacities to define and pursue the public interest. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with existing law and practice concerning investment protection and the settlement of investment disputes, and to consider whether, and how, these rules and practices might be improved.

    15 credits
    International Intellectual Property Law and Sustainable Development

    The module examines the international frame of Intellectual Property (IP) and how, and to what extent, this can contribute to fulfil the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose agendas overlap with IP-related issues, i.e. most of them. In particular, the module will (a) analyse the 'Agreement on the Trade-Related aspects of IP Rights (TRIPs)', focusing on its key principles and outlining the key IP rights regulated therein; (b) discuss selected issues of international importance connected with IP and the SDGs frame such as: access to medicines; access to educational materials; protection of biodiversity and traditional heritage.

    15 credits
    International Trade Law: Advanced Issues

    This module covers in-depth topics of international trade law and governance. Building upon the foundational knowledge of international trade law (as offered in WTO Law: Foundations, Institutions, Challenges), this module explores advanced issues that are at the core of contemporary challenges facing the world trading system.
    This module will address some of the following themes:
    Advanced issues of the law and policy of the World Trade Organization;
    The world trading system in a context of deglobalization of complex global value chains and increasing economic nationalism;
    The future of global trade governance in a brave new world of regional trade agreements.

    15 credits
    Legal Tech and Lawyering in the Digital Age

    This module will consider the changing face of 21st century legal practice, with a particular emphasis on the growing influence of digital technology. Students will explore the current and future uses of a range of legal tech and critically evaluate its impact on various aspects of legal practice, including professional ethics and notions of professionalism. Students will have the opportunity to contextualise this through reflection on the wider currents of change within the legal profession, enabling them to develop a vision for the future of lawyering in a digital age.

    15 credits
    Patent Law and Policy

    The module examines the operation of patent law and policy in an international, European and domestic setting. It also explores the appropriate role of patent law within science and society, and its wider implications for innovation and access to emerging technologies. Its aims are to provide students with a critical understanding of development of patent law, and how this explains the operation of that law today; to enable students to examine legislation, case law and academic literature to enable an awareness of how patent law is interpreted and perceived; to enable students to critically investigate the various patent law systems in Europe, the various courts that decide on these issues, and how they interact with one another; to enable analysis of current and enduring issues arising from the operation of the patent system, including access to medicines, the patentability of biotechnological inventions and the role of patents in innovation and emerging technologies and to explore the role of patent law and policy in society, to situate law and policy analysis in its broader social and cultural context.

    15 credits
    Data Privacy and Governance

    This module will address the legal regulation of privacy, data protection and data governance. The module will first introduce the concept of online privacy and the regulatory challenges to which electronic communications give rise (e.g. transborder flow of data). The module will then discuss data protection issues online (data collection and targeted marketing, spam and cookies). Moreover, the module will critically evaluate the practices of promoting and restricting cross-border data flows (e.g. data free-flow and data localisation laws). This will be followed by further discussions on how the law could support data sharing (including data altruism) for research and other charitable purposes. Finally, the module will address issues of freedom of information and public access laws (such as open data in the public sector) as well as the online surveillance by states, especially focusing on the rise and fall of data retention laws.

    This module aims to 1) provide the students with an understanding of the legal issues pertaining to data privacy and regulation; 2) critically discuss the current legal framework, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018, drawing on legal and interdisciplinary research in the field; 3) develop problem solving skills, research skills and communication skills.

    15 credits
    Principles of Commercial Law

    This module aims to give students an understanding of the principles of commercial law within the system of English law, which is a popular choice of law in commercial transactions. It will examine the main concepts and principles of commercial law and how these apply to a number of common commercial transactions.  The course will examine legal and judicial doctrines critically, to evaluate the conflicts, inconsistencies and tensions between the principles. Transactions/issues considered could include, for example, the interpretation of contractual terms, the laws of agency, limitations and restrictions of liability and security transactions.

    15 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    • 1 year full-time
    • 2 years part-time

    Teaching

    The course is delivered through regular seminars in each subject area.

    Assessment

    Assessment is through essays and a dissertation.

    School

    School of Law

    Three postgraduate students walking up the staircase of Bartolomé House

    At the School of Law, you will learn to identify and address the complex legal, moral, ethical and social questions that underpin the law. You will be taught by academics, some of whom are practising legal professionals, that are researching at the cutting edge of law and criminology. Our commitment to research-informed teaching means their discoveries become yours, as this research filters into teaching.

    Our courses have been developed in consultation with the legal profession and have a strong international focus to develop you into a highly employable graduate. Top law firms regularly visit us to meet our students and take a hands-on approach by contributing to your wider education. They also interview our high-achieving students for jobs.

    Our school is acclaimed for its exceptional research performance, aided by our world-leading academics, as well as our pioneering research centres and projects. 91% of our research is rated in the highest two categories in the REF 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

    We endeavour to help you build the employability skills that employers value. At the School of Law we have a dedicated pro bono centre offering you a range of practical experiences. You will have the opportunity to work in our FreeLaw Clinic, fight injustice with our Criminal Justice Initiative and Miscarriages of Justice Review Centre, and gain work experience with our commercial clinic for start up businesses, CommLaw, delivering legal advice on commercial legal issues.

    You can also provide practice support to litigants in person with Support Through Court and have the opportunity to get involved with local projects and charities such as Victim Support and Citizen’s Advice Sheffield.

    You’ll be based at Bartolomé House, where you will learn through a variety of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and group work. You can also enhance your degree by taking advantage of our careers and employability sessions and there are also a variety of student societies that you might join. This includes the student-run Edward Bramley Law Society.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

    Subject requirements

    We accept degrees in the following subject areas: 

    • Law
    • Economics
    • International Relations
    • Management/Business Administration

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    Apply

    To apply for this pathway, begin an application for Law LLM and then select the pathway.

    Apply now