International Banking Law and Finance LLM
Awards: LLM
Study modes: Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: International Banking Law and Finance
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.
Banking and finance underpins global markets that impact on the day to day activities of businesses and individuals around the world. To work in this high paced legal environment, you are expected to have developed a clear understanding of the regulation and practice of banking at national, supranational and international levels. The LLM in International Banking Law and Finance at Edinburgh Law School caters to those needs.
The principal aim of the LLM in International Banking Law and Finance is to provide postgraduate students with the opportunity for specialised advanced learning in certain key areas of banking and financial law and practice. The programme is forward thinking, considering emerging and developing technologies and their implications on the practice of banking and financing transactions.
The length of courses over one or two semesters plays a key role in fostering deep learning, enabling you to explore a wider variety of subjects in greater depth. You will enjoy significant flexibility in your course choices and can tailor your study to your needs and interests.
The main programme aims are to develop specialist knowledge in banking and finance law and practice, to foster independence of thought, critical reflection and the development of scholarly writing skills at an advanced level in law.
Specifically, this highly specialised LLM programme is suitable for ambitious students and professionals who aspire to pursue a successful career in the field of global financial markets and especially in the areas of:
- finance
- banking
- capital markets
- corporate finance
- financial technology
- accounting and law firms
It is also suitable for those who wish to pursue a successful career with regulatory authorities, central banks, and other public sector organisations. It will help you position yourself as a highly-skilled expert and future leader in the wider area of global financial markets, banking and finance law and regulation.
To enhance and broaden your professional prospects and horizons, some of the seminars in the programme are delivered by leading finance law practitioners/policymakers. This enables the programme to provide you with a good blend of theory and practical expertise.
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 and practices supporting the operation of global finance.
Based on the University of Edinburgh's strong law and finance expertise, the programme offers interdisciplinary, law and practice-oriented courses examining the legal, economic and political aspects of banking, corporate finance and the relevant regulatory frameworks at national, European and international levels. It also utilises key experience from practice to help you develop practical, problem-solving and drafting skills to handle complex policy, compliance, transaction structuring and completion challenges.
We pride ourselves on delivering intensive, high-quality teaching in small-group settings. This gives you the opportunity to study in detail the topics and subjects above through intellectually rigorous discussions guided by leading academics, including opportunities for feedback.
Seminars are challenging and students regularly present on seminar topics as well as engage in real-life or hypothetical case studies. Through frequent group presentations and by means of testing case studies, prepared and presented collectively by programme students, and students’ own study (revision) groups, you will benefit from the cross-fertilisation of different ideas and experiences. This approach facilitates critical discussion, and enables you to hone your problem-solving, presentation, and team-building skills.
Previous students have had the opportunity to attend guest lectures from high-profile speakers ranging from top regulators, including the European Central Bank and the Prudential Regulation Authority, to highly respected law professors, outstanding economists and lawyers.
This programme can be studied full time over one year, consists of 180 credits, comprising taught courses worth 120 credits (60 credits per semester) and a 10,000 word dissertation worth 60 credits. This programme's structure and courses have been updated for 2025-26 entry. Please visit the Law School's website for further details:
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.
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM | International Banking Law and Finance | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
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
- other public and private sector organisations
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
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 which 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 73 with at least 73 in writing and 65 in all other components. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 8 in writing and 7 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.
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
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM | International Banking Law and Finance | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
borrowing money
taking out a loan
family support
personal savings
income from work
employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
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
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2386
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Edinburgh Law School Postgraduate Office
- Old College
- South Bridge
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9YL
- Programme: International Banking Law and Finance
- School: Law
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
LLM International Banking Law and Finance - 1 Year (Full-time)
Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.
Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we may make offers to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.
We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible, especially if you intend to apply for funding. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.
Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including references and transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements e.g. via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, please upload that evidence as soon as you have it.
Selection deadlines
| Round | Application deadline | Places awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 January 2025 | 17 April 2025 |
| 2 | 29 May 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
Deadlines for UK/Scotland fee status
After Round 2, if there are still places available, applications will remain open only to applicants who are eligible for the UK/Scotland fee rate, including the EU/EEA Pre-settled Scotland fee status. Applications will remain open no later than 30 June 2025 and may close earlier than this if the programme becomes full, so we strongly recommend you apply as soon as possible.
If you apply with another fee status after 29 May 2025, your application will be rejected.
(Revised 18 October 2024 to add application deadlines and selection process information) (Revised 12 November 2024 to update information on uploading evidence for English language entry requirements)
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
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2386
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Edinburgh Law School Postgraduate Office
- Old College
- South Bridge
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9YL
- Programme: International Banking Law and Finance
- School: Law
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences