LLM Degrees - Shipping and Trade Law

A range of specialist LLM degrees taught by leading academics

Why pursue your Masters in Law degree with us?

‌The Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law is a thriving academic environment committed to excellence in teaching and research, which provides an exceptional student experience.

Swansea is a city with longstanding maritime tradition. At the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law we offer a wide range of LLM degrees in the areas of Commercial, Maritime, Trade, Oil and Gas and Intellectual Property Law.

You will study in a professional but friendly environment which attracts students from the Far East, Middle East, Asia, South East Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Students have the opportunity to take part in extracurricular activities, such as mooting and summer schools abroad.

Members of the IISTL are at the forefront of scholarship in their areas, and their skilled and innovative teaching bridges the gap between academia and practice.

Graduates are eligible to apply for several exemptions from the professional qualifying exams of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and the Chartered Insurance Institute. If you successfully complete the International Commercial Arbitration module, you will be eligible to apply for exemption from level 2 education requirements of CIArb membership allowing you to apply to be awarded the level of Member of the Institute or MCIArb.

The Department of Shipping and Trade Law offers excellent pastoral support and free English language classes designed to help you improve your critical legal thinking and writing.

We enjoy close links with the legal practice and various elements of the shipping and business sectors and organise employability initiatives such as talks to develop employability skills, guest lectures, an annual LLM Career Fair, Networking events and visits to leading enterprises within the City of London.

Swansea LLM alumni are particularly well placed in the job market all over the world. Find out what they have to say about the Institute, or get in touch if you have any queries.

M.Phil and PhD research degrees

The School offers three types of research programme leading to advanced degrees of Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

In all cases students engage in supervised research leading to a thesis which is presented for examination. LLM or M.Phil. degrees require a minimum of one year’s full-time study, while a Doctorate (PhD) takes at least three years.

Applicants without a master's qualification are usually required to register for an LLM or M.Phil in the first instance. This may be converted to a Ph.D after a probationary year.

Part-time LLM or M.Phil. students must complete a minimum period of five years research. The programme aims to expand students' knowledge in their own field and develop their research skills, thus enhancing their career potential. The Doctoral Programme provides guidance on research methodology in a wide range of subject-specific and multi-disciplinary areas.

The Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law can provide specialist supervision in subjects such as shipping, charterparties and bills of lading and international trade. The expertise across the School includes legal theory, global law, international law, European law, environmental law, criminal law and evidence, human rights law, medical law, public and administrative law, family law, ethics and philosophy and socio legal studies.