Start with a short course
Our online short courses provide an alternative entry route to this online LLM if:
- you want to start your postgraduate studies without committing to a full LLM
- you’ve missed the deadline to apply for the full LLM, or
- you do not meet the formal LLM entry requirements.
A way to study for this online LLM without a degree
Our entry-route short courses are self-evaluating.
This means you do not need to provide formal qualifications in order to study them. You’re welcome to join a course if you believe you’re academically capable.
To help you decide if a short course is right for you, check the entry guidance on the course page. It explains the level of teaching involved.
How it works
- Complete 60 credits’ worth of the recommended online short courses shown below.
- Achieve an average grade of 15.00 or higher for each course, according to our Common Grading Scale.
- Ensure you meet the English language requirements for this LLM.
- Then apply to transfer to the online LLM in August.
By earning 60 credits from the recommended courses successfully, you’ll have proved you’re capable of learning at this level.
You’ll then be eligible to apply to transfer to the online LLM. Transfers are not automatic, and the LLM coordinator has the final say on transfers.
Degree transfers take place once a year, in August only.
Buy
Purchase and complete at least 60 credits’ worth of the short courses that we recommend below.
Apply
We’ll contact you during your studies to help you apply to transfer to the online LLM.
Transfer
Provided the LLM coordinator is happy with your performance, and you meet our English language requirements, we can transfer you.
Get started on the short course route
To start on the entry path to this online LLM, complete 60 credits’ worth of the recommended online courses below.
All are elective courses for our CIArb-accredited LLM Dispute Resolution programme.
These courses are delivered at LLM level. At this level, you would normally have:
- a 2:1 (upper-second) honours degree (or equivalent) in Law, or
- a 2:1 (upper-second) honours degree (or equivalent) in another discipline, or
- significant professional experience.
Credits from our online Legal Principles course do not count towards entry to this LLM.
Courses starting on 23 September 2024
Core Principles of World Trade Organisation Law (15 credits)
Ready yourself for a career in international trade law. Study the World Trade Organisation, how it operates, and what WTO law means for the UK’s trading future.
Buy Core Principles of World Trade Organisation Law
International Investment Arbitration (15 credits)
Develop your expertise in arbitration and international law. Study the rules of investment, trade and what arises when disputes occur within international investment agreements.
Buy International Investment Arbitration
International Investment Law (15 credits)
Develop your understanding of international investment law. Examine the legal issues of international investment agreements, and learn how disputes arising from them can be resolved.
Buy International Investment Law
Mediation Theory and Practice (30 credits)
Learn to deal with difficult conversations and negotiations whatever your work sector on this course accredited by the CIArb.
Buy Mediation Theory and PracticeCourses starting on 27 January 2025
Core Principles of World Trade Organisation Law (15 credits)
Ready yourself for a career in international trade law. Study the World Trade Organisation, how it operates, and what WTO law means for the UK’s trading future.
Buy Core Principles of World Trade Organisation Law
Negotiation Skills (30 credits)
Learn to negotiate contracts and disputes and explore a range of negotiation strategies, tactics and perspectives.
Buy Negotiation SkillsPurchasing your courses
To join a course, apply via the course page and follow the application and checkout process.
Courses are available to purchase until one week after their start date, but we encourage you to purchase your courses as early as possible to ensure a smooth start to your studies.
Study at your own pace
- Each 30-credit course is around 15 – 20 study hours per week, plus extra at assessment time.
- Each 15-credit course is around 10 – 15 study hours per week.
If you’re planning to study part-time, especially if you’re studying around full-time work, we recommend taking a maximum of 30 credits per term.
You’re welcome to go at a slower pace and begin with one 15-credit course. But you cannot transfer to the degree until you have 60 credits from the recommended courses that are part of this online LLM.
Flexible postgraduate options
With this flexible LLM, you can also:
- study for a specialist Postgraduate Certificate in Mediation or International Arbitration, from which you can transfer to the LLM once you’ve completed the PgCert successfully
- study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution, or
- choose to study short course by course, at your own pace, with the option to transfer to the LLM when you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions we receive about our short course routes.
If your question is not answered here, we’re here to help. Get in touch.
We recommend these specific courses for the short course entry route to this LLM because:
- the content of these courses will provide the best foundation for study in the Dispute Resolution programme, and
- it is the recommended route set out by the LLM’s coordinator.
Alternatively, you can complete one of the specialist Postgraduate Certificates in Mediation or International Arbitration that are part of this LLM, and then apply to transfer to the LLM from there.
Credits from our online Legal Principles course do not count towards entry to this LLM.
You’ll be eligible to apply to transfer to this online LLM when you:
- pass 60 credits’ worth of short courses from this LLM that are not Legal Principles
- achieve an average grade of 15.00 or higher for both courses according to our Common Grading Scale, and
- meet this degree’s English language requirements if English is not your first language.
If you fulfil these requirements, you can apply to transfer. Transfers are not automatic. The LLM coordinator makes the final decision on degree transfers.
You can transfer once a year, in August. We carry out transfers in August because:
- August is the start of the new academic year, and
- it gives you time to choose your courses ahead of teaching starting in September.
The transfer process takes place once a year, in August only.
The School will contact you during your studies to find out what your intentions are for the next term. It’s at this point you can apply to transfer in August. The School will support you through the transfer process.
If you’re taking the short course route, you do not need to apply for the Masters degree separately via our Applicant Portal. Instead, the School will fast-track you into the online Masters, providing you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you fail your first attempt at a short course, you’ll be offered one chance to resit the course assessment.
If you fail this resit, you cannot take the course again.
We would then be able to advise you as to your options – you may still be able to qualify with a postgraduate qualification in a different specialism.
No. Once you’ve completed your entry-route short courses, you will not need to study them again when you transfer to the Masters degree.
The credits you have completed will count towards the Masters degree.
Once you’ve transferred to the Masters, you will not need to pay for the courses that you have already studied. Your Masters fee will be adjusted to deduct the cost of the courses you have already paid for.
A pay-as-you-go degree
We never charge the full fee for a Masters degree upfront. Instead, we charge for our degrees one term at a time, so you can spread the cost.
How pay-as-you-go works
Each term, you decide how many courses you’d like to take. Then you pay for these courses just before term starts. This gives you control over your degree fees and your workload, term by term.
- Each 30-credit course is around 15 – 20 hours of study time per week, plus extra at assessment times.
- Each 15-credit course is around 10 – 15 hours of study time per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You’ll find more detailed and course-specific study hours on each online course page.
Studying around work?
If you’re planning to study part-time, especially if you’re studying around full-time work, we recommend taking a maximum of 30 credits per term.
I’ve already applied for this Masters degree, but I want to study via the short course route instead
If you’ve already submitted an application for this degree, please:
- email our Postgraduate Admissions team with your applicant number and ask them to cancel your degree application
- then purchase and join your chosen short course(s).