Law - International & Comparative Business Law

Course Overview

Winner: Postgraduate Course of the Year in Law at the GradIreland Higher Education Awards 2020 sponsored by PwC. The judging panel’s comments included: “Excellent innovation and teaching methodology, with strong links to industry.”



This programme provides an excellent grounding in business law, for those interested in pursuing a career in legal practice or in the commercial world. 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.



Commercial Legal Placements

A limited number of places are available for ‘Commercial Legal Placements’, which allow students to work in a leading commercial law firm over the summer as an alternative to the minor thesis. Selection of students for ‘Commercial Legal Placement’ is competitive and is decided upon the basis of an application and interview.



Minor Thesis

Those not undertaking the placement are required to complete a minor thesis (15,000 words) over the summer months. The thesis allows students to conduct supervised research in an area of business law of their choosing. Students will receive support and guidance from their supervisor on how to identify a research topic, conducting the research and writing up the minor thesis which will be due for submission mid-July.



Course highlights:

• Prestigious placements - opportunity to apply for a limited number of placements with leading commercial law firms. Selection is on the basis of interview by the firm.

• Vis Moot - students on the programme are offered the opportunity to participate in an international arbitration moot, the Willen C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot which takes place in Vienna, each April. Selection will be by interview. This module will enable students to develop their advocacy skills.

• Focus on skills and employability to equip students with key business skills including critical thinking, drafting legal submissions, negotiation, advocacy and mediation.

• Expert lecturers deliver this programme through small group seminars with guest talks from leading practitioners. Students also have the opportunity to attend and present at key conferences, nationally and internationally as well as participate in moot court competitions.

• International field trips enable students to see the law in action in a global context.

• Career support is provided through professional workshops coaching students on CV preparation and interview skills. Careers in Law Week also provides an opportunity to meet partners from leading law firms.

• Diverse modules from EU Competition Law, Advanced Intellectual Property Law, and Current Issues in Internet Law to Global Issues in Contemporary Labour 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.

• 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



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).

Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

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

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time

2 years, part-time

Next start date September 2025

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.