Last modified: 23 Mar 2026 14:46
This course introduces students to one of the most dynamic and highly discussed areas of law in modern societies: global competition law. While competition law and policy offer essential tools to curb market abuses and protect consumers, enforcement faces complex, cross-border limitations.
Moving beyond a single-country focus, this course explores the global spread of competition law by comparatively analysing the regulatory frameworks of multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. It focuses on the core pillars of antitrust: anticompetitive agreements, abuse of dominance, and merger regulation. Furthermore, the course offers critical insights into the modern application of competition law in digital markets and of international enforcement.
By taking a truly global and comparative approach, the curriculum is designed to be highly practical. It is particularly useful for those aspiring to or currently working in private practice, as in-house counsel, or as governmental and regulatory officials around the world who must navigate the overlapping complexities of international markets.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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As market competition becomes increasingly globalized, antitrust authorities worldwide have emerged as the ultimate guardians of fair markets. Their decisions carry profound, cross-border impacts for global businesses and society at large, drawing enormous international attention to how these laws are enforced.
This course provides a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional overview of the structure and substance of global competition laws. By focusing heavily on comparative and international antitrust regulation, the curriculum examines the current legal frameworks and underlying policy considerations of multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. Because it bridges theory with global practice, the course is highly valuable for legal professionals navigating overlapping regulatory regimes—including those in private practice, in-house counsel, and government or regulatory agencies around the world.
Throughout the module, we will highlight how antitrust law adapts to the specific legal systems and societies where it is applied, allowing students to critically appreciate both the similarities and the nuanced differences between distinct global antitrust regimes.
Course Structure and Delivery
The course utilizes a blended learning approach, featuring three pre-recorded lectures (uploaded to MyAberdeen at least one week prior to the relevant seminar) and six interactive in-class seminars. The module will conclude with a dedicated revision class.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To acquire knowledge and understanding of the concepts and institutions of competition law as a foundation for further specialisation and study in preparation for future careers. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the theoretical concepts to concrete case scenarios and critically analyse the case law |
| Reflection | Analyse | Develop their understanding of the relevance of certain concepts in the theory, doctrine, method and goals of Competition Law |
| Reflection | Create | Develop problem-solving skills and the ability to generate ideas for the solution of legal problems |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate and consider the implications of abuses in global (digital) markets and localised antitrust enforcement |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To acquire knowledge and understanding of the concepts and institutions of competition law as a foundation for further specialisation and study in preparation for future careers. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the theoretical concepts to concrete case scenarios and critically analyse the case law |
| Reflection | Create | Develop problem-solving skills and the ability to generate ideas for the solution of legal problems |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3). |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To acquire knowledge and understanding of the concepts and institutions of competition law as a foundation for further specialisation and study in preparation for future careers. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the theoretical concepts to concrete case scenarios and critically analyse the case law |
| Reflection | Create | Develop problem-solving skills and the ability to generate ideas for the solution of legal problems |
| Reflection | Analyse | Develop their understanding of the relevance of certain concepts in the theory, doctrine, method and goals of Competition Law |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate and consider the implications of abuses in global (digital) markets and localised antitrust enforcement |
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