International Dispute Resolution with Dissertation, LLM

International Dispute Resolution with Dissertation, LLM

Introduction

LLM International Dispute Resolution delivers a solid theoretical grounding in international dispute settlements, broad interdisciplinary training across specialist legal areas and the practical tools required to succeed in the field. It provides opportunities for individual study and skills development for the new generation of lawyers to rethink traditional approaches to conflict and its resolution.

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

As technology, trade and transportation have reduced the significance of borders, alternative methods of dispute resolution will increasingly be used in all economic sectors, therefore the need for highly specialised professionals in this field is rapidly expanding.

This LLM will prepare you for a career in the challenging and exciting field of international dispute resolution. It provides a solid foundation in all relevant areas, including both private and public international means of dispute resolution, and will allow you to specialise in your chosen legal field. It offers theoretical and practical courses in international commercial law, litigation, energy and investment arbitration.

You will study this programme with a dissertation to further develop your academic and research skills. This programme is also available to study online and via the Professional Skills study route.

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 Dissertation

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

Programme Fees

Fee information
Fee category Cost
EU / International students £23,800
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year
UK £11,900
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

All students must complete:

Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS551T)

This course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which will be required for LLM-Taught courses. The course is delivered as a series of five interactive lectures with two individual assessments designed to encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities for early feedback. It also incorporates a library workshop to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.

International Investment Law and Energy Arbitration (LS555L)

30 Credit Points

The complex interaction between investment protection and the sovereign right of states to regulate has been most acute in the energy sector. On the one hand, investors require strong guarantees that states will respect the “rules of the game” that constitute the basis of their investments. On the other, states can be tempted to interfere with foreign energy investments because of their strategic and social importance. This course aims to analyse if existing investment disciplines and international investment protection framework, are adapted to the specific regulatory risks that investors face in the energy landscape of the 21st Century and how best to avoid disputes and manage them.

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Optional Courses

Thereafter at least one course must be selected from LS553T or LS552K which both run in January. or LS503M International Commercial Litigation, which runs in September.

A fourth 30 credit course may either be chosen from the three options above or from any other LLM Programme (excluding LS501K, distance learning and professional skills courses). Please visit the Course Catalogue for details: Postgraduate Law 2022-2023 - Catalogue of Courses (abdn.ac.uk)

Applied Issues in International Economic Law (LS553T)

30 Credit Points

There is limited appreciation given to the study of the state as a policymaker, legislator, and disputing party in the context of international economic law. Yet, the states have become the “investor of first-resort", while participating in an unprecedented surge of international investment disputes and international economic agreements. The course covers how international investment law interacts with the State’s regulatory powers in different economic sectors.

Comparative Contract Law (LS555K)

30 Credit Points

International commercial lawyers frequently work on contracts involving parties from different countries. Here, each one of these jurisdictions may offer a different interpretation of the same contractual provisions. This course is aimed to help commercial lawyers understand how different legal traditions offer different viewpoints on key contractual challenges. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand many of the discrepancies and similarities between legal systems, thus honing a fundamental skill for an international commercial lawyer. The course will cover a wide range of European legal systems, as well as transnational contract law mechanisms including the Principles of European Contract Law and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)

60 Credit Points

Between May and mid-August students prepare a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice related to their specialist LLM programme. Students are instructed through the delivery of a preparatory lecture, two supervisory meetings and a two hour dissertation planning workshop in a small group setting. Students are expected to spend considerable time on independent research throughout the course of the dissertation module, including; preparation of dissertation plan, amendment of plan in accordance with supervisory comments, preparation for the dissertation workshop, and, of course, in the final 10,000 word dissertation itself.

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

International Commercial Arbitration (LS5083)

30 Credit Points

The demand for international commercial arbitration has increased significantly over the last 20 years. Empirical surveys conducted consistently report figures that suggest around 60% of businesses prefer arbitration over other dispute resolution methods.

Seminar topics have been chosen to give students a good knowledge of international commercial arbitration law. The topics covered will be: (1) Arbitration Agreement and Arbitral Jurisdiction (2) The Role of the Seat (3) Applicable Substantive Law (4) The Arbitral Tribunal (5) Arbitral Procedure and Evidence (6) The Arbitral Award.

The course also provides a lecture on the introduction to international commercial arbitration.

Optional Courses

Thereafter at least one course must be selected from LS503M International Commercial Litigation, which runs in September, or LS553T or LS552K, which both run in January.

A fourth 30 credit course may either be chosen from the three options above, or from any other LLM Programme (excluding LS501K, distance learning and professional skills courses). Please visit the Course Catalogue for details: Postgraduate Law 2022-2023 - Catalogue of Courses (abdn.ac.uk)

International Commercial Litigation (LS503M)

30 Credit Points

This course introduces international commercial litigation, the major means of commercial dispute resolution for many sectors of industry and the default means of dispute resolution against which international arbitration is positioned. The course demonstrates the relevance of a venue’s Private International Law (PIL) to its attractiveness for dispute resolution and provides advanced instruction in the relevant post-Brexit aspects of PIL to parties engaged in litigating international commercial disputes.

Programme Fees

Fee information
Fee category Cost
EU / International students £23,800
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year
UK £11,900
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year

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 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships 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

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops

Assessment Methods

You will be assessed through a combination of exams, essays and group presentations.

Why Study International Dispute Resolution with Dissertation?

This programme will equip you with an enhanced understanding of commercial, trade, and energy law, as well as the expertise required to resolve legal problems from a social justice perspective.  A key feature of this programme is the combined training in specialist legal areas with the skills needed to effectively resolve disputes, offering maximum benefit to students upon graduation.

The programme has been carefully coordinated to align with the competencies required for today’s international job market. Studying LLM International Dispute Resolution at the University of Aberdeen will give you the opportunity to examine a diverse number of exciting topics under the guidance of our world-class teaching staff, who regularly provide consultancy work at an international level. This particular programme was designed in collaboration with experts in dispute resolution.

What Our Students Say

Graham Cottingham

Graham Cottingham

Graham Cottingham

I have found Course Coordinators prompt and attentive in responding to queries arising along the way.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

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

Entry requirements differ slightly depending on the qualification you choose. LLM, PGDip, PGCert
• A 2:1 (upper-second) honours degree (or equivalent) in Law.
You can also apply if you have:
• a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in another discipline
• or significant relevant professional experience.

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 page.

Aberdeen Global Scholarships

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.

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.

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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 Experts
Professor Derek Auchie
Dr Patricia Zivkovic
Programme Coordinator
Dr Gloria Maria Alvarez

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