Law - International & Comparative Business Law

Students can choose from a range of modules at an advanced level and tailor their LLM to suit their interests and career plans. You will expand your knowledge of business law from a national, regional and international perspective. Modules include such diverse options as EU Competition Law, Advanced Intellectual Property Law, and European Consumer Law to Global Issues in Contemporary Labour Law. This programme provides students with an opportunity to engage with leading commercial practitioners to develop their legal expertise and skills in business law.

Semester 1

3 modules (30 ECTS)

Semester 2

3 modules (30 ECTS)



Semester 3

Commercial Legal Placement (30 ECTS) or (Summer) Minor Thesis



Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change, but may include the following optional modules. Click on 'Year 1 (90 Credits)' on the bottom of this webpage to view description of each module or download this document: LLM in International and Comparative Business Law Modules.



EU Competition Law

International Commercial Property Law

Vis Moot

Legal Skills: Commercial Practice, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Advanced Intellectual Property Law and Development

Advanced Comparative Law

Commercial Law in Context

EU External Relations Law

Advanced Legal Research & Method

Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law



Optional LW5209: Legal Skills: Commercial Practice, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5205: Advanced Intellectual Property Law and Development - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5203: Advanced Comparative Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5206: Global Issues in Contemporary Labour Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5208: European Consumer Law and Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5211: EU External Relations Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5212: Vis Moot - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5201: EU Competition Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5204: International Commercial Property Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5210: Commercial Law in Context - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required LW450: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Required LW483: Advanced Legal Research & Method - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5116: Gender and Human Rights - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5126: Critical Race Theory and Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5105: Contemporary Issues in International Migration Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5207: International Business Law Moot - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW575: Crime and Disorder - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW491: Equality Law: Principles & Thematic Application - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW439: Advocacy, Activism and Public Interest Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5202: Internet Regulation: International Trends and Topical Issues - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5200: Commercial Legal Placement - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5103: Islam and Human Rights I - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5111: Business and Human Rights 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW525: Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5113: The Common European Asylum System - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5114: International Refugee Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5117: International Human Rights Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5118: Public International Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5120: European Convention on Human Rights: Law and Politics - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW530: Procedure Before International Criminal Courts - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5214: Imprisonment and Rights - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW486: Theories of Judicial Activism - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional LW5122: International Criminal Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Entry Requirements

-An approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (2.1) in law, or an inter-disciplinary degree in which law was a major component.

-Applicants awarded a Graduate Diploma in Law may be considered but will be admitted only where they demonstrate a strong academic performance in both the undergraduate degree and diploma.

-In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional law experience.

-International students should refer to the country-specific information section of the International Office website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/country.html

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/postgrad-admissions/key-dates/



Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

1 year, full-time;

2 years, part-time.

Next start date September 2024

Closing Date Offers are made on a rolling basis.

Career Opportunities

The LLM in International and Comparative Business Law is of particular interest to students interested in pursuing a career with an international law firm. The School of Law runs a programme of careers events annually including a Careers in Law Week, during which students have an opportunity to meet partners from leading law firms and attend interview-skills workshops. An enhanced knowledge of the international business world and its interactive relationship with laws and regulations allows students to develop an exceptional set of skills along with a global outlook.



Additionally, the programme offers a number of ‘Commercial Legal Placements’ with the leading law firms in the jurisdiction enhancing the students practical knowledge of working in a commercial firm and ensuring they gain skills which will be very attractive to prospective employers in the commercial sector. Graduates can consult on business and legal matters to international law firms, multinational professional services firms, in-house counsel with major global firms and more.