International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills, LLM

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International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills, LLM

Introduction

LLM International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills provides a unique research-lead curriculum for top-quality candidates aiming to break into the field of international dispute resolution and maximise their level of expertise.

Learn about alternative methods to resolve commercial disputes outside of the traditional judicial system, and advance your skills and ability to maintain commercial relationships throughout the legal dispute process.

This LLM is designed to serve a wide range of professionals, including those without a law degree.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
LLM
Duration
12 months or 24 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
January or September
Location of Study
Aberdeen
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The last 50 years has seen high growth in international commerce. Arbitration, in particular, has always been the engine room of legal development. Commercial stakeholders rely on international law and procedures to provide protection and means of trading successfully. This programme presents you with an opportunity to understand and resolve, with commercial awareness, legal disputes arising from commercial obligations. It offers a comprehensive range of courses that combine theory and practical professional skills in the field of International Dispute Resolution.

Dispute resolution is faster, less adversarial, and more cost-efficient than the traditional litigation process. It’s why organisations and individuals are increasingly choosing to resolve disputes outside of court. Today there is a rapidly growing interest in and use of international dispute settlement procedures, especially in the fields of international commerce, energy and investments. This prestigious, practical and research led LLM degree will give you the right skills and knowledge to offer a very competitive edge in the marketplace.

The LLM International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills offers students the opportunity to develop key practical skills in arbitration. Students on this programme undertake an intensive summer school course, followed by a simulated practical exercise and submission of an extended piece of writing. As well as first rate teaching from our academic staff, you will be taught by international arbitrators and practitioners of the highest repute.

The School is proudly awaiting reaccreditation consideration by CIArb with an expected outcome to follow very soon.

Please note a similar programme can be studied online and via our dissertation study route too.

Available Programmes of Study

Please note: Students staring their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.

Duration: 12 months full-time. 24 months part time.

LLM

International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills

Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month Location  
LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen More
LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More

Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programme(s) above.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Fee Information

Additional Fee Information

  • Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

Scholarships

Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.

From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

How You'll Study

Learning methods include lectures, workshops, and seminars, as well as hands-on and practical skills, and advanced writing.

Learning Methods

  • E-learning
  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lab Work
  • Peer Learning
  • Research
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment Methods

Courses are assessed through essays, presentations, role play, group work and project work. The variety of assessments in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practical situations in order to become expert at being able to analyse and reason issues thoroughly.

The Professional Skills module is assessed through a combination of attendance and participation in classes, preparatory work, a simulated practical exercise and submission of a final piece of extended writing.

Why Study International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills?

A foundation discipline of the University in 1495, today our Law School is considered one of the UK’s elite training grounds for lawyers - and there’s no substitute for experience.

There are over 40 nationalities within the School of Law community, so you will benefit from the experiences of international students from all over the world

Students choose to study Law at Aberdeen because of our reputation for academic excellence and unrivalled student experience

At Aberdeen, you will:

  • Gain an advanced understanding of commercial law within an international context, enabling you to apply for jobs around the world as an adviser and consultant
  • Benefit from being taught by an internationally renowned teaching staff and authors of major international agreements
  • Have the opportunity to study the full spectrum of international commercial law across wide ranging markets

We are located in Aberdeen, a dynamic and cosmopolitan city with worldwide links in energy, healthcare and international tourism.

Our Centre for Commercial Law fosters research excellence in commercial law and offers unique research activities by serving as a dynamic hub for law academics, legal practitioners, those working in related professions, industry representatives, activists and policymakers, providing opportunities for synergy and rich engagement. Lecturers regularly provide consultancy, policy work at international level and publish in The International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition, Journal of the Copyright Society of the USA, Law International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Modern Law Review and many other publications.  

What Our Students Say

King Fung China

King Fung China

I wanted something more practical as Hong Kong is a very fast paced working environment. I’d recommend the course to students as you get to learn from leading experts and arbitrators from around the world.

Entry Requirements

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Normally a 2:1 honours degree in Law (or another related discipline) or equivalent. Relevant practical experience in the field of commercial law will also be beneficial.

Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.

Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.

January 2025 September 2025

Careers

This programme is ideal for students aiming to work as policy makers, government officials, adjudicators, arbitrators, mediators, judiciary, legal practitioners, researchers and academics, surveyors, construction professionals, and the financial and accounting professions.

Accreditation

This degree holds accreditation from

Top 15 UK Law School

We are ranked Top 15 in the UK for Law by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Image for useful fact about this Subject

3rd for Law in Scotland

We've been ranked 3rd in Scotland for Law by the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Guardian Guide 2025

Our Experts

The University of Aberdeen is renowned for attracting world-class teaching staff, unrivalled in their breadth of knowledge and experience in their specialist subjects. You will have access to first rate teaching from highly respected staff, many with an international profile, including members of the Centre for Commercial Law.

Many of our courses are designed and delivered by practicing experts. We have guest speakers from top law firms as well as national and international organisations.

Other Expert
Dr Patricia Zivkovic, The University of Aberdeen
Programme Coordinator
Dr Gloria Maria Alvarez, The University of Aberdeen

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Get in Touch