LLM in Corporate Law
The LLM in Corporate Law provides an in-depth knowledge of the legal, economic, financial, and governance matters covering the most relevant aspects in the life-cycle of a corporation.
This innovative programme goes beyond a narrow focus on legal rules and situates the study of corporate law in a wider comparative and interdisciplinary context. As a student of this programme, you will have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the key matters and the most recent developments in across three main areas:
- Comparative and international corporate governance, including topics such as shareholder activism, the role of independent non-executive directors, the representation of employees on boards, board gender diversity, corporate culture, corporate governance codes
- Economic analysis of corporate law and finance, covering topics such as economic theories of the firm, shareholders’ rights, directors’ fiduciary duties, executive remuneration, hostile takeovers, corporate social responsibility
- UK company law, focusing on a broad range of core company law topics, from setting up a company, to shareholders’ rights and remedies, directors’ duties, capital maintenance rules, insider dealing and market abuse
The LLM in Corporate Law will equip you with:
- A critical understanding of the main legal, economic and financial matters spanning the entire life-cycle of a corporation, developed in an international and interdisciplinary perspective
- A sound understanding of fundamental concepts of economics and governance which are necessary for an integrated understanding of the context in which corporate law and regulation operate
- The ability to work with international legal materials and to grasp the legal implications of transactions involving international institutions and multinational corporations
Edinburgh University offers the perfect balance of high academic standard, beautiful surroundings and nature allowing you to delve into both.
Our diverse portfolio of courses will help you gain awareness and critical understanding of the latest developments in the corporate world, from shareholder opposition to excessive executive remuneration, the relevance of gender and racial diversity on boards, the rise of corporate social responsibility, the importance of corporate culture, or the rationales behind hostile takeovers.
We analyse some of the most recent developments in these areas in the UK, the US, and elsewhere in the world. This gives you the opportunity to identify the aspects or areas of corporate law you feel more passionate about, and help you choose your career path accordingly. Our graduates have moved on to pursue successful careers in international law firms, public institutions, NGOs, or in the academia.
As a student in the LLM in Corporate Law at Edinburgh Law School, you will have access to a wide range of projects and activities developed by our research centres:
- The Edinburgh Centre for Commercial Law fosters research in various fields of commercial law, such as company law, banking law, labour law, agency law, and consumer protection law. The members of the centre study Scots and UK commercial law in its comparative European or international context.
Edinburgh Centre for Commercial Law - The Edinburgh Centre for Private Law fosters and develops a tradition of private law scholarship at Edinburgh University which goes back to 1722. The centre holds seminars, symposia and conferences, encourages research and informal discussion, and facilitates publication.
The Edinburgh Centre for Private Law
The centre hosts numerous events throughout the academic year, including a prestigious Annual Lecture and a Fintech Lecture. Our distinguished guests include world-leading academics, policy makers, judges, and other practitioners.
In addition, the Law School hosts an exciting calendar of events, including public lectures and conferences that regularly attracts high-profile speakers and delegates.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the LLM in Corporate Law please don't hesitate to contact us.
This programme can be taken full-time over one year, or part-time over two years subject to visa restrictions. It offers a range of subjects across the field of corporate and commercial law from an international perspective, allowing you to tailor the programme to suit your interests.
The programme consists of 180 credits, comprising taught courses worth 120 credits (60 credits per semester) and a 10,000 word dissertation worth 60 credits.
Full programme details for the 2023-24 academic year are available on the University Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study website.
View 2023-24 programme and course information for the LLM in Corporate Law Degree
Courses listed below are scheduled for the 2023-24 academic year.
With the exception of the compulsory courses, and depending on demand, space on specific courses may be limited.
You must take both of these courses:
Corporation Law and Economics (20 credits, must be taken in Semester 1)
The activity of business corporations cannot be fully understood without a firm grasp of the economic rationales that underpin the internal structure of such organisations and the transactions they engage in. This is why Law and Economics is rapidly becoming indispensable analytical tool for mainstream corporate law and practice.
Throughout this course, you will acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principal theories, principles and concepts that underlie the law and economics analysis of corporations. Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire an inter-disciplinary understanding of the relations among corporate constituencies and the economic incentives that trigger various business transactions.
This course does not require previous knowledge of Economics or ability to understand mathematical models or calculus. The readings and discussions are tailored to a law audience.
Comparative Corporate Governance (20 credits, must be taken in Semester 2)
The course focuses on the theory, law and practice of the governance of corporations across different jurisdictions. Corporate governance regulates the relationships between various corporate constituencies (directors, officers, majority and minority shareholders, employees, creditors) with a view to establishing an adequate system of controls that prevents any single corporate constituency from acquiring overriding power or influence. Because legal systems rank social priorities differently, several models of corporate governance have emerged worldwide. Consequently, comparative knowledge and understanding of corporate governance are essential tools for business lawyers and policymakers.
Throughout this course, you will acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical approaches to governance of companies in the Anglo-American model of corporate governance, the continental European model, Asian jurisdictions and at supra-national level (such the OECD, the European Union, the UN).
You must select between 40 and 80 credits of the following courses:
Company Law (40 credits, full-year course)
This course aims to give you a broad understanding of United Kingdom corporate law, including current changes; where appropriate, reference will be made to the position in Europe. The course seeks to develop awareness of the interaction between theory and practice, and the complex issues involved in balancing the needs of business and the community and encourages you to consider the problems involved.
- Insolvency Law (20 credits)
An examination of selected issues of insolvency law, including personal and corporate insolvency. The course will primarily focus on law within the United Kingdom and will take an advanced look at a variety of topics. Theoretical and comparative law material from a variety of systems (in Europe and the anglo-american tradition) will be used to examine the subjects studied. Applied Corporate Law (20 credits)
This course demonstrates what corporate lawyers do in practice. To do so, it examines theories of whether law impacts on transactions struck between parties, and the role that lawyers have in undertaking such transactions. The course then applies these concepts to practical examples of corporate law in action by way of four specifically themed pairs of seminars. Each pair of seminars is based on a case study delivered by a leading legal practitioner. In the first seminar of each pair we will explore the theories and law underpinning a certain area. In the second seminar of each pair the practitioner will deliver their case study in that area, and then be available to answer questions from students as to how or why such transactions developed the way they did. As a result, this course explores what corporate lawyers do, and by extension corporate law does, in practice across the UK market.
You will have the option to take between 0 and 60 credits of courses from different subject areas offered by the Law School, depending on availability and with the express permission of the Programme Director.
Full programme details, including core and optional courses is available on the University Degree Programme Tables website.
View 2023-24 programme and course information for the LLM in Corporate Law Degree
Having successfully completed 120 credit points of courses within the LLM, you will be ready to move onto a single piece of independent and in-depth research. The 10,000 word dissertation allows you to focus on a preferred topic from within the field of corporate law, normally based on a subject you have studied in one of your courses during the programme.
You will be assigned an academic dissertation supervisor who will provide you with support and guidance while you prepare and write your dissertation.
The dissertation is a challenging but rewarding endeavour, asking you to demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the relevant literature and an ability to engage critically with a range of sources, drawing on the skills and knowledge you have developed during the course of the programme. Students are encouraged to show originality and evidence of independent thinking, whether in terms of the material used, or the manner in which it is presented.
The dissertation is written in the summer months (April to August) after the taught courses are successfully completed.
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of demand for particular courses, we may not be able to run all courses as advertised come the start of the academic year.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the LLM in Corporate Law please don't hesitate to contact us.
Staff teaching on the core courses of the LLM in Corporate Law in 2023-24 are experts in their field and are actively involved in cutting-edge research in various areas of commercial law.
Staff teaching on the programme may include:
Dr Remus Valsan - Programme Director 2023-24
Remus joined Edinburgh Law School in May 2011. He studied law at McGill University, Montreal (Doctor of Civil Law), University of Alberta, Edmonton (Master of Laws), and Nicolae Titulescu University, Bucharest (Bachelor of Civil Law).
Before joining academia, he worked as a corporate and commercial lawyer with a major Romanian law firm. His main research interests lie in the fields of fiduciary law, comparative corporate law and governance, law and economics, and trust law.
Jonny was a solicitor in private practice for 10 years before starting at the Law School. Jonny’s research is conducted across a broad range of commercial law (particularly rights in security) and company law (particularly the law of private companies). Most of Jonny’s research has a law and economics methodology, which he has applied to a broad range of different subject matters.
Scott has research interests in the area of rights in security (including floating charges), issues in property law, and legislation, the legislative process, and statutory interpretation.
He is currently working on work on the legislative history of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, based on a period of research in the archives in the Scottish Law Commission; and is working on articles relating to the enforcement of standard securities.
Dr. Longjie Lu joined Edinburgh Law School in September 2019. Prior to Edinburgh, Longjie taught law at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London, and completed her Ph.D. in law at the University of Leeds.
Longjie’s main research interests are in the areas of financial regulation, corporate governance, corporate finance and empirical legal studies.
Before joining the University of Edinburgh in 2023, Andrew was a Lecturer in Law at University College London, where he also served as Co-Director of the UCL Centre for Law, Economics and Society. Andrew holds a PhD in Law from UCL, an LLM in Law and Economics from Queen Mary University of London, and an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Edinburgh.
Andrew’s research interests include antitrust/competition law, corporate finance and corporate governance, financial law and regulation, and the role of economics in legal and regulatory contexts.
The staff teaching on this programme are subject to change for the 2023-24 academic year. Staff listed as on sabbatical will not be available to teach for the duration of their sabbatical.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the LLM in Corporate Law please don't hesitate to contact us.
Find out what it's like to study for an LLM in Corporate Law at Edinburgh Law School from our current and former students.
Cetin studied the LLM in Corporate Law in the academic year 2021-22, graduating in 2022.
"Upon completing my LLB and Executive MBA in Turkey, I contemplated ways to enhance my abilities in corporate law. The University of Edinburgh offered a well-designed programme with many interesting courses, which seemed the perfect option to immerse in corporate governance.
The way the programme was designed allowed the professors to be the source of inspiration whilst putting the spotlight on the students to be the key actors in their seminars and research and also allowing time for themselves to explore beautiful Scotland. As a perfect combination of nature and city life, Edinburgh presents you with diverse people and many social opportunities.
Looking back now, I am glad that I took my chances to apply to one of the best law schools in the world which introduced me to a new world filled with not only academic challenges but also an exciting social life and a gorgeous city that can only be described as an open-air museum."
The LLM in Corporate Law provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the underlying theories of corporate law as a whole as well as with a fundamental knowledge of UK corporate law. The academic staff always encouraged a comparative perspective and interactive discussions in the classroom. At the same time, due to the broad scope of optional modules, I was able to gain insight into areas of law adjacent to corporate law, such as trust or international tax law.
Outside of the classroom, Edinburgh University offers a vibrant student life, with a vast choice of societies, such as the Whisky society, enabling the experience of both a diverse, international student body as well as the unique and captivating Scottish culture. Even in times of the corona pandemic, studying in the astoundingly beautiful city of Edinburgh was an experience I would have never wanted to miss.
Veronika studied the LLM in Corporate Law in the academic year 2019-20, graduating in 2020.
The LLM in Corporate Law is an intellectually challenging and fulfilling course. Students take part in both mandatory and optional modules. I benefitted from this, being able to structure the LLM to suit my own personal interests.
Seminars are supported with carefully selected reading materials, and students are encouraged to discuss and explore their perspectives. The Law School develops each individual’s skills, which presents the opportunity to work in a broad range of positions within the legal field.
The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of resources, along with extremely supportive and accessible staff. There is an inviting academic environment, with a diverse student population from around the world. I am delighted with my decision to study in Edinburgh, and thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the LLM in Corporate Law.
The spectacular diversity of curriculum options and multicultural studying environment with an add-on of true experience of English law, and the School of Law staff whose amazing passion for teaching and overall helpful attitude to students brings about the true flavour of the legal academic experience.
Edinburgh Law School has developed my confidence, research and analytical skills!
Through the LLM Corporate Law programme, I have attained great insights into the history of corporate laws and tools to tackle the emerging challenges in the corporate landscape.
Along the way, I have made lasting relationships with peers and academics.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the LLM in Corporate Law please don't hesitate to contact us.
Please note that the information provided is for entry in the 2024-25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ.
This programme can be studied full-time over one year, or part-time over two years subject to visa restrictions.
Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. This is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test, for overseas students who may need time to satisfy necessary visa requirements and/or to apply for University accommodation.
Apply nowWe require a minimum 2:1 honours degree from a UK university, or its international equivalent, in law. We may also consider a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a social science subject. Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study.
Supporting Your Application
- Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
- Relevant professional qualifications will be considered.
- Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme.
International qualifications
You can check whether your degree qualification is equivalent to the minimum standard before applying.
Students from China
This degree is Band A.
Find out more about our postgraduate entry requirements for students from China
Postgraduate study in the field of law requires a thorough, complex and demanding knowledge of English, so we ask that the communication skills of all students are at the same minimum standard.
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Online: total 7.0 (at least 7.0 in the writing component and 6.5 in each other module)
- TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 25 in writing and 23 in each other module)
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 (at least 185 in writing and 176 in in all other components)
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components
- PTE Academic: 70 overall with at least 70 in the writing component and 62 in each other component
- Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital): 9 overall with at least 9 in the writing component and 8 in each other component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The UK Government's website provides a list of majority English speaking countries.
View the UKVI list of majority English speaking countries
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or equivalent, that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.
Approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
View approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries
Your application may not be successful if you do not currently satisfy any of these requirements; alternatively, you may be offered a place conditional on your reaching the satisfactory standard by the time you start the degree.
Find out more about the University's English language requirements
Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes
We also accept satisfactory completion of our English for Academic Purposes programme as meeting our English language requirements. You must complete the programme no more than two years and one month before the start date of the degree you are applying to study.
Find out more about the University's Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes
English language support
The University runs a series of programmes for English Language Education, including a pre-sessional English Language Programme intended to strengthen your English Language skills before you start your programme of study.
Find out more about English language support offered by the University
Deadlines for applicants applying to study the LLM in Corporate Law in 2024-25 are provided in the table below.
| Round | Application deadline | Decisions by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 November 2023 | 14 December 2023 |
| 2 | 04 January 2024 | 20 February 2024 |
| 3 | 04 March 2024 | 29 April 2024 |
| 4 | 01 May 2024 | 25 June 2024 |
| 5 | 21 June 2024 | 17 July 2024 |
We monitor application numbers carefully to ensure we are able to accommodate all those who receive offers. It may therefore be necessary to close a programme earlier than the published deadline and if this is the case we will place a four-week warning notice on the relevant programme page.
Please note that the deadline for meeting the conditions of an offer is 18 August 2024.
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- You will need to submit a personal statement of around 500 words, outlining your academic history and relevant experience. Guidance on writing your personal statement.
- Degree certificates showing award of degree
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes (please upload the full transcript showing results from all years of study)
- A reference in support of your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
Please be aware that applications must be submitted and complete, i.e. all required documents uploaded, by the relevant application deadline in order to be considered in that round. Your application will still be considered if you have not yet met the English language requirement for the programme.
Students at this University must not undertake any other concurrent credit bearing studies in this (or in any other) institution, unless the College has granted permission. The College must be satisfied that any additional credit-bearing studies will not restrict the student’s ability to complete their existing programme of study. Students will not be permitted to undertake concurrent degree programmes in any circumstances.
If you are studying at this or another institution just prior to the start of your postgraduate studies you must have finished these studies before the start of the programme to which you have an offer.
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University's applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary, however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
Please note that the deadline for meeting the conditions of an offer is 18 August 2024. - Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University's guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Deferring your offer
We do not normally offer deferrals, however, we may be able to make a very limited number of offers for deferred entry in exceptional circumstances.
If you receive an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, you will be asked to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,500 (within 28 days of receiving your offer) to secure your place on the programme.
The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Contact us
If you have any questions about applying to the LLM in Corporate Law please don't hesitate to contact us.
