As a leader and innovator of legal education, Birmingham Law School offers the opportunity to specialise and consolidate your legal knowledge at all levels of your professional career. Our faculty of academic lawyers are leaders in their fields. As such, they conduct cutting-edge research that informs law reform and underpins the policy-making process, providing students with the very latest academic and professional curriculum.
WHY CHOOSE OUR PROGRAMMES?
As Birmingham Law School is ranked among the Top 100 Law Schools in the world (QS World Rankings 2020 and The Times Higher Education World Rankings 2022), our specialist LLM Pathways provide the opportunity to study law in Dubai, a leading ‘hub’ for commerce, a region at the heart of energy and environmental policy, and home to a thriving international legal sector.
In addition to an academically rigorous curriculum, our connections to the global legal profession ensure that you will have the best possible opportunities for beginning or advancing your career in law. Alumni from Birmingham Law School work in leading international law firms. Many have achieved international distinction as lawyers, academics, members of the judiciary, and in other fields such as commerce and public service. By joining this programme, you will be part of a vibrant global community of students, alumni, and academics.
96% OF OUR RESEARCH IS JUDGED TO BE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED
(RESEARCH EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK)
HOW WILL YOU BE TAUGHT?
You will receive an innovative, challenging, and research-driven education, and benefit from practical experience gained by our international legal experts. You will be actively encouraged to participate in seminars and contribute original ideas to the discussion. You will also develop your skills in researching and analysing the law, in advising and presenting solutions to practical legal problems. Every module is planned and delivered by a University of Birmingham academic with the needs of the future legal professional in mind.
The modules will provide you with a grounding in common law and international approaches to a range of specialist issues. Specifically tailored to the needs of both law graduates aspiring to a professional career in law and working professionals seeking to further develop their knowledge this programme is designed to be flexible with full and part-time modes available, suiting the needs of a diverse student body.
GRADUATE CAREER DESTINATIONS HAVE INCLUDED:
Birmingham Law School graduates have progressed onto careers in organisations including:
- UK Home Office
- Pinsent Masons
- Lloyds Banking Group
- HSBC
- Vodaphone
- Volkswagen
OVER 60 YEARS AS A LEADER AND INNOVATOR OF PROFESSIONAL LEGAL EDUCATION
LLM General – 1 year or 2 years part-time
What will you study?
This General LLM pathway is particularly suitable for those seeking exposure to a range of legal disciplines, giving students expertise across the board, and providing the skills and knowledge required for a successful legal career.
On this pathway, you have complete flexibility in module selection, allowing you to decide which areas of law have the most relevance to your future career and to choose modules that most interest you. In the global hub of Dubai, the ability to study, learn, and apply law across disciplines is something that can truly set experts apart.
This is the ideal pathway if you wish to gain Masters-level knowledge and skills without restricting yourself to just one particular branch of law.
You will follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits) which is to be submitted at the end of your studies. You will have the opportunity to pick from a range of modules, which may include:
- Introduction to Legal Research
- International Oil and Gas Law
- Sustainable Energy and the Environment
- Intellectual Property Law
- Banking Law
- Carriage of Goods
- International Commercial Conflict of Laws
- Company Law and Policy
- Global Trade Law and Policy
- English and International Sales Law
- International Commercial Dispute Resolution
- International Construction Law
- International Mergers and Acquisitions
‘Birmingham Law School was always on my list given the incredibly renowned focus on facilitating world-class learning experiences and research. To experience exactly that, while working and living in Dubai, was definitely a win. Not to forget the range of modules and the syllabus that are provided in the LLM course at the University of Birmingham Dubai: very practical and relevant.’
Zaynab Ahmed (LLM Internat Comm Law PT)
International Commercial Law LLM – 1 year or 2 years part-time
What will you study?
There is almost no other way to keep up with the increasing amount of international commercial activity witnessed in the last decades, especially in the Middle East. We have witnessed enormous growth in global commerce, increasing the importance and prominence of international commercial law, as well as the emergence of Dubai as an international legal centre.
This area of law provides a basis for international business transactions and the development of international markets. The increasing relevance of our LLM degree in International Commercial Law makes it an excellent choice for those seeking opportunities in the commercial world and seeking an understanding of the global challenges it faces.
You will follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits) which is to be submitted at the end of your studies.
You will have the opportunity to study modules that may include:
- Introduction to Legal Research
- International Oil and Gas Law
- Global Trade Law and Policy
- English and International Sales Law
- International Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Company Law and Policy
‘The professors are extremely knowledgeable and cooperative, and genuinely want to help students achieve the overall development i.e. not just academically but also career progression wise. Dubai being the hub for international students, we are a class of varied nationalities that contributes to the overall understanding of different cultures. The class is small and closely knitted, and the fellow students are very supportive. This is turning out to be one of the best decisions of my life.’
Shoeb Saher, LLM International Commercial Law FT
LLM Energy and Environmental Law – 1 year or 2 years part-time
What will you study?
Our LLM Energy and Environmental Law will equip you with the essential skills you need to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges involving energy issues and the demands of climate change legislation.
Energy is crucial to our social and economic lives, and yet we’re having to do more with less against depleting natural resources and mounting environmental concerns. Law is key to meeting these challenges head-on. With a new UAE Environmental Policy on the table, energy and environment has never been a higher priority for the UAE and as part of its cultural legacy.
This route is ideal for someone working in energy and environmental regulation or policy, or those hoping to capitalise on the employability opportunities by specialising in the field.
You will follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits) which is to be submitted at the end of your studies.
You will have the opportunity to study modules such as:
- Introduction to Legal Research
- International Oil and Gas Law
- Global Trade Law and Policy
- Sustainable Energy and the Environment
‘It was a golden opportunity to join the University of Birmingham Dubai, while working as a full-time legal professional in the UAE. I thought long and hard about how I could continue to pursue my graduate studies without pausing my career in international commercial law. Thanks to the University of Birmingham Dubai, I now have a broader global perspective on local commercial laws, while acting locally in today's global community.’
Aws Abu Saqer, International Commercial Law PT
LLM International Dispute Resolution
What will you study?
The LLM International Dispute Resolution prepares you for a career in the challenging and dynamic field of dispute resolution. The programme will explore the international litigation process and alternative forms of dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration. You’ll explore theoretical and practical opportunities that hold real value in the commercial and non-commercial world.
You will benefit from our connections with the Dubai International Financial Centre and its associated practices, alongside unique insights into the legal landscape in the UAE and beyond.
This route will suit those looking to enhance their professional experience, or someone looking to gain the practical and theoretical knowledge to specialise in dispute resolution.
You will follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits); the latter to be submitted at the end of the year of study.
You will have the opportunity to study modules such as:
- Introduction to Legal Research
- International Oil and Gas Law
- International and English Sales Law
- International Commercial Conflict of Laws
- International Commercial Dispute Resolution
‘The research skills I learnt on the course helped me impress during my vacation scheme on a graded research project – which ultimately led to me being offered a full-time job. The technical and legal knowledge I learnt at Birmingham has enabled me to hit the ground running at work.’
Ophemetse Pitse, LLM International Commercial Law 2020/21