Prepare for career success in international trade.
Join an online LLM that gives you a route to specialise in treaty negotiation.
International trade law and trade negotiation are attracting increased interest given economic globalisation, trade wars, world events like Brexit, and emphasis on sustainable development issues in trade policy.
Earn the specialist legal skills you need to succeed in this fascinating and challenging field.
In this unique online law programme, you can choose to graduate with one of two LLM qualifications:
LLM in International Trade Law
- Study 100% online, or
LLM in International Trade Law and Treaty Negotiation with Professional Skills
- combine online study with an on-campus Professional Skills summer school in place of a dissertation.
You can also study this degree full-time on campus with a dissertation or Professional Skills option.
Do law differently with Professional Skills
Our online LLMs offer a practical alternative to completing a traditional dissertation.
Choose the Professional Skills route to join our on-campus summer school and learn sought-after industry skills.
Earn your LLM without taking a career break
With flexible part-time hours, you can study this degree around full-time work.
You’ll earn an LLM from a respected UK law school. And you’ll graduate ready to start or progress your career in government, trade finance, law firms, business, industry associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Choose the University of Aberdeen for your LLM in International Trade Law
Study with a university that’s home to one of the largest and most internationally experienced teams of legal experts in any UK or European law school.
Top 5 in Scotland for Law
We’re ranked Top 5 in Scotland for Law in two league tables (Guardian University Guide 2025 and Complete University Guide 2025).
Over 525 years of excellence
Join a university founded in 1495, where law has been taught for more than five centuries.
Fits around full-time work
This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for an:
- LLM in International Trade Law – studying 100% online
- LLM in International Trade Law and Treaty Negotiation with Professional Skills – studying online with an on-campus Professional Skills Summer School, or
- start with one of the short courses that make up this degree.
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
How you’ll study
LLM International Trade Law is delivered 100% online, with a dissertation. You can study with us anywhere in the world and manage your study hours to suit you.
LLM in International Trade Law and Treaty Negotiation with Professional Skills is delivered via blended learning. It combines flexible online study with a Professional Skills Summer School on campus in Aberdeen in lieu of your dissertation.
Online learning
Your online teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including online lectures, case studies, projects and videos.
You’ll also have online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library and the Taylor Law Library, a dedicated resource for law students. Both have first-class collections of reference works in law and related subjects. Find out more about our libraries.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from an experienced and enthusiastic team of academics and legal practitioners. They’ll challenge you with complex, realistic scenarios as you develop your expertise in this exciting, fast-growing area of law.
Assessment
This degree is assessed online via methods including online discussion boards, essays and quizzes.
If you attend the on-campus Professional Skills Summer School, assessment elements will take place while you’re on campus.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Professor Burcu Yüksel Ripley
Burcu is the degree coordinator. She’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
Amanda Rose
Amanda is part of the School’s support team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
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Where this will take you
Your LLM qualification
You’ll graduate with a respected LLM from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same LLM qualification online as you would on campus. Your LLM title will not mention online or distance learning.
Your LLM qualification will be recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities.
Careers
You’ll graduate ready to start or further your career in a range of international trade areas, including:
- diplomacy
- politics
- businesses involved in the import or export of goods
- industry associations
- government departments
- NGOs with interests in trade and sustainable development issues.
You can also pursue a career in academia in this area of law and/or conduct a PhD study.
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
Master of Laws
180 credits
£16,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
The fees quoted above are based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our indicative costs include a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online LLM degrees
Earn as you learn
We fit around full-time work, so you can earn qualifications while you keep earning a salary.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.
Entry requirements
LLM
- A 2:1 (upper-second) honours degree (or equivalent) in Law.
- Relevant practical experience in a related field will also be beneficial.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online LLM International Trade Law
If you do not meet these entry requirements, or are not ready to commit to a full LLM, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about the short course route to entryApply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £16,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
Apply via our Applicant Portal
