Postgraduate study
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International Banking Law and Finance LLM

Awards: LLM

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

I'm really happy that I chose to study this programme as it not only provides extensive knowledge of the financial sector but also addresses current issues such as Fintech. All of the lecturers are experts in the field, so you know you're learning from the best.

Paphawarin Thongtumlung LLM in International Banking Law and Finance, 2019
Paphawarin Thongtumlung               LLM in International Banking Law and Finance, 2019

The legal and regulatory infrastructure and fundamental theoretical concepts underpinning global finance have undergone fundamental changes since 2008. This has had a profound impact on financial law theory and practice and the operation of global finance. Ever-evolving finance practices, the impact of technology, and a complex regulatory infrastructure, have created a challenging environment for those working in global banking and finance as industry leaders or policy-makers and regulators.

A successful career in today’s global markets requires an extensive and in-depth knowledge of complex and sophisticated global and domestic finance laws, regulations and practices. This skillset may not be developed without extensive study and a solid understanding of the economic, financial, legal and regulatory theories supporting the operation of global finance.

This programme is ideal for those pursuing a successful career in the legal, accounting and banking industries, or those who aspire to work with regulatory authorities, central banks, and other related public sector organisations. Graduates will position themselves as highly skilled experts and future leaders in the wider area of banking law and finance.

The value of the programme to prospective students is underscored and evidenced by outstanding graduate destinations, Just in the last year, programme graduates have been recruited by:

  • leading city law firms
  • leading wall street law firms
  • US and UK fund managers and fintech firms e.g. Linklaters
  • prestigious public organisations, e.g. the European central bank
  • other leading private sector undertakings (e.g. PWC China)

To add flexibility in terms of student choice, programme students will also have the ability to pick two optional courses in order to complete their LLM qualification. The two optional courses aim to provide students with foundational knowledge of principles of private banking law and international financial transactions. As well as the fundamentals of regulation of securities/capital markets, and sustainable finance, including green washing.

Based on Edinburgh’s strong law and finance expertise, this programme, taught by leading international experts, offers an interdisciplinary study of the legal and economic aspects of international banking and corporate finance law and practice, and of global finance regulation.

Previous students have had the opportunity to attend guest lectures from high-profile speakers ranging from top regulators, previously including the European Banking Authority and of the Prudential Regulation Authority, to highly respected law professors and outstanding economists.

The programme focuses on:

  • interdisciplinary analysis of the regulatory policies and structures underpinning international and national finance;
  • the key role played by the legal infrastructure in underpinning global banking and cross-border financial transactions; and
  • lawyers’ role in structuring banking and corporate finance practices.

Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of demand for particular courses, we may not be able to run all courses as advertised in a specific academic year.

This programme's structure and courses have been updated for 2024-25 entry. Please visit the Law School's website for further details:

(Revised 3 November 2023 to include details of programme's updated structure and courses for 2024-25 entry)

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
LLMInternational Banking Law and Finance1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

Past graduates have joined, or advanced pre-existing careers with, large global banks, global law firms, regulatory agencies, central banks, private sector consulting firms, FinTech operators, venture capital and private equity firms, asset management companies, compliance and accounting firms and other public and private sector organisations.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in law, finance, accounting, management or business studies.

In evaluating your application for postgraduate study, greater emphasis may be placed upon results of prior learning in subjects relevant to the intended degree programme.

Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study.

Supporting your application

Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.

Relevant professional qualifications will be considered.

Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme.

Students from China

This degree is Band A.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 25 in writing and 23 in all other components.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 185 in writing and 176 in all other components.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 70 in writing and 62 in all other components.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, you will be asked to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,500 (within 28 days of receiving your offer) to secure your place on the programme.

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
LLMInternational Banking Law and Finance1 YearFull-timeTuition fees

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Edinburgh Law School Postgraduate Office
  • Old College
  • South Bridge
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9YL
Programme start date Application deadline
9 September 2024 21 June 2024

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.

Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2024/25:

Round Application deadline Places awarded by
1 13 November 2023 14 December 2023
2 04 January 2024 20 February 2024
3 04 March 2024 29 April 2024
4 01 May 2024 25 June 2024
5 21 June 2024 17 July 2024

Please note that the deadline for meeting the conditions of an offer is 18 August 2024.

Please be aware that applications must be submitted and complete, i.e. all required documents uploaded, by the relevant application deadline in order to be considered in that round. Your application will still be considered if you have not yet met the English language requirement for the programme.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Edinburgh Law School Postgraduate Office
  • Old College
  • South Bridge
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9YL