Brayford Pool
September 2025 and January 2026
1 year
2 years
In today's globalised world, the significance of national boundaries is diminishing and a comprehensive knowledge of the law governing international trade and commercial relationships is of critical importance.
This programme enables students to develop an in-depth knowledge of the law and regulations that govern corporate and commercial activities across national borders. It aims to prepare them for responding to the changing and dynamic nature of legal relations between corporations, individuals, and states, and gives them the opportunity to reflect on the private and public dimensions of the legal rules necessary to govern the world economy.
Students on this programme are expected to undertake a substantial dissertation, which is designed to enhance research skills through a detailed investigation in an area of their own choice.
Continuing career support after your course finishes
A focus on theoretical knowledge, understanding, and practical experience
Teaching delivered by experts in the field
Emphasis on the development of professional and research skills
Complete a research project in a specialist area
You will be expected to undertake eight modules four of which are core modules, and four of which are optional ones which you can select based on your interests and career aspirations.
Typically, teaching is delivered through lectures and seminars, however this varies from module to module. Across the week you can expect around eight contact hours, and at least one day will be free of classes.
There will also be a large amount of self-directed study with roughly two hours being self directed for every taught hour.
There is a compulsory dissertation module on the course, and this is a great opportunity for you to engage in an area of research which you are passionate about. Previous research topics have included corporate social responsibility in Vietnam, and Valuation of Crypto-assets of a Distressed Business.
The module will introduce students to the operations of international businesses and how their activities are influenced by legal frameworks. Students will be exposed to the legal and socio-economic factors that affect businesses that operate in the global marketplace. It commences by providing a primer on the nature of international businesses. Against this background, it expounds on the concept of globalisation and its link with international business. The course then focuses on the regulatory environment within which international businesses are developed and in which they operate. Proposed expansion strategies of businesses are also considered within the context of the local and global environment in which they operate.
This module aims to give students the opportunity to develop a thorough insight into the theoretical, legal, practical and ethical issues surrounding corporate governance and its influence on the management structure of modern companies. It will explore the relationships which exist between directors, shareholders, management, the company itself and other internal and external stakeholders. Students will have the chance to develop a firm understanding of the concept of corporate governance and the basic principles underlying the implementation of UK and international corporate governance codes.
This module focuses on the protections offered to foreign investors by international investment law and investor-State dispute resolution procedures. These protections are found in a network of bilateral and multilateral treaties as well as in customary law.
The module also explores recent developments in international investment law and how it relates to other areas of international law, such as international development law or permanent sovereignty on national resources.
The module aims to provide an understanding of the international law of trade. In particular, it focuses on acquiring a deep knowledge of the importance and functioning of the World Trade Organisation in regulating the trade in goods and services. It also supports an analysis and evaluation of its dispute settlement mechanism.
The module provides an understanding of the rules in the context of wider aims of international law, such as the protection of health or the environment.
The Dissertation module comprises two elements:
1. Research methods (20%)
The research methods element of the dissertation module comprises a total of four research training workshops (4 x 2hrs), two taking place in the Autumn term and two taking place in the Spring term. Students are assessed through a dissertation proposal.
2. The Dissertation (80%)
The production of the dissertation itself provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of investigative academic work on a chosen area of international corporate and commercial law. In the dissertation the students may develop ideas encountered in the taught modules or with other issues relevant to international corporate and commercial law.
The completed dissertation is expected to be an original and independent piece of work. It should, in the context of existing knowledge, demonstrate in-depth understanding, critical analysis and original thinking, as well as general academic and communication skills. Undertaking the necessary research and writing the dissertation is designed to provide academic opportunities to apply the research skills and presentational techniques developed during the programme.
This module aims to explore structural or emerging issues as well as developing areas of international law. By following this module, students should get a better grasp of some areas of development in international law, and how research in law informs and participates in these development.
The module introduces students to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as well as Business and Human Rights. These two separate but overlapping concepts inform how we currently understand the obligations of corporations beyond shareholders. Through this module, students will take part in the debates surrounding it so that they are able to critically evaluate the concepts and their practical implications for companies, regulatory bodies and policy makers in a globalised environment. To do so, student will look at the connections between the national corporate law obligations and International legal obligations.
The aim of this module is to provide students with the foundations of international law. These are necessary to underpin the understanding how the various field of international law operate, whether it regards the protection of the environment or fostering international commerce. This module is focussed on providing the structural elements of international law such as the sources, actors and international institutions. The module will enable students to gain a critical understanding of the impact and operation of this area of law to many contemporary issues.
This module provides the opportunity for students to develop a critical understanding of the idea of international criminal justice. The module aims to address the key issues and concepts in and policies underlying the enforcement of international criminal law considering the legal and political environment in which international criminal courts and tribunals operate. The principle focus will be the international crimes which come within the jurisdiction of the current international courts and tribunals – that is war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression– and analysing whether these institutions are effective for the pursuit of justice and peace within the international system.
In this module students will be introduced to the different methods of international dispute resolution in both a public and private law context. This module explores the legal frameworks governing international dispute resolution along with both the political and legal context and concerns relating to them. The module will examine the principal approaches to the settlement of international disputes in public international law and will also introduce students to the increasingly important area of private international law. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of international disputes, both public and private, and the options for resolving them and how a chosen option might be informed by the type of dispute presented.
This module examines the development and operation of international environmental law, considering in particular the historical evolution of the law, the elaboration of multilateral environmental regimes and the increasing judicial attention given to environmental issues. The module will also consider the issue of responsibility and liability for harm from environmental degradation as it is tackled at the international level.
The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity for students to develop a critical understanding of international human rights, and the way in which the concept of such rights is used to promote respect for certain standards and to protect the rights of individuals. The module will involve considering the role of international organisations (such as the United Nations); regional mechanisms (such as the European Convention on Human Rights); and the enforcement of international standards at the global, regional and domestic levels.
The aim of this module is to introduce students to an important and dynamic area of international law, the law of the sea. Students will have the opportunity to learn about maritime zones, the law of maritime delimitation, the rules on safety at sea, the protection of the marine environment, fisheries and marine scientific research. The module will enable students to gain a critical understanding of this area of international law through applying what they have learned to contemporary issues.
The financial services industry in various countries have undergone extensive regulatory reforms, particularly after the financial crisis. This course is focused on the law governing the regulation of the financial industry across various states. It starts by unearthing the rationale for regulation, particularly for banking institutions. It then focuses on the role and responsibilities of regulatory bodies. It specifically examines the process of authorisation and supervision throughout the lifespan of financial industries, for example banks and investment businesses. It also looks at how the regulators facilitate good governance in regulated institutions, effect sanctions to mandate compliance with the legal framework, or assist in the restructuring or resolution of such institutions.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
Modules are mainly assessed by written assignments, oral presentations, and group work. Students will also write a dissertation. There are no written examinations.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business. This programme aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills required to conduct transnational work within business and industry. The understanding of the legal issues at stake in terms of international economic law, international trade law, and international investment law aim to provide a grounding for careers in firms that either invest and operate in a number of different jurisdictions or which have strong commercial relationships with investors or customers in other countries.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
First or second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as business related subjects which include an introduction to business law.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
For each course, there may additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials, or equipment required. Some courses provide opportunities for students to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for travel and accommodation will be covered by the University. Where these are optional, students will normally be required to cover their own transport, accommodation, and general living costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts. However, students may prefer to purchase some of these for themselves and will be responsible for this cost.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
For more information about this course, please contact the Programme Leader.
Dr Nicolas Kang-Riou