LLMCommercial Law and Professional Legal Practice
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- 2025
- 2026
- 2 years part-time
- 1 year full-time
Why study a commercial law and professional legal practice master's degree at Solent University
Gain essential insight into real-world commercial law alongside practical expertise that can be applied to business, management, compliance, legal, tech, HR and other roles.
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
- The course is delivered in collaboration with the College of Legal Practice and taught by mix of professional academic staff and practising solicitors.
- Make use of specialist law facilities including the University’s courtroom which offers a realistic environment for legal argument, as well as our extensive library of legal journals, case law and online materials.
- We are a founding member of Southampton City Law Network, so you can make use of an extensive network of professional connections, and experience workshops and guest lectures from visiting professionals, as well as additional opportunities to explore careers within the legal profession.
- We have a vibrant student Law Society, and a Mooting Society dedicated to developing your advocacy, negotiation and public speaking skills
- With many opportunities for internships, you could gain valuable commercial experience to enhance your professional skills.
- Free legal career consultation is delivered by our careers advice service, Solent Futures, which is available to all Solent students and graduates for life, helping you to progress in your current career or discuss options for a change in career.
- This course is eligible for a Postgraduate Master's student loan from Student Finance England and can be used to cover costs (ie, accommodation, tuition fees) associated with postgraduate studies.
- Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Course overview
The LLM in Commercial Law And Professional Legal Practice will enable you to develop a critically evaluative understanding of commercial law, while developing key legal professional skills, which are transferable to many contexts. You'll gain a a critical insight to be able to succeed in different businesses and organisations requiring a legal core
You will be taught and will have the opportunity to engage in alternative dispute resolution including mediations and negotiations – preparing you for the world of professional practice. You'll also consider in-depth business risk management, legal compliance matters (relating to the company, financial and charity sectors) and business continuity, broader commercial awareness, and key milestones in human resource management.
You'll also have the option to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, both in terms of the functional legal knowledge needed for SQE1, and the professional legal skills you will need for SQE2, alongside the core modules.
Delivered in collaboration with the College of Legal Practice, you can elect to be taught everything you need to pass your SQE assessments and to further develop your legal and professional knowledge and skills over a variety of practical and future facing topics.
We understand that every student’s journey is unique, this course is designed to recognise that. With a mix of hybrid and block teaching we endeavour to ensure the course will meet your needs, regardless of personal circumstance.
Studying across a variety of professionally and future focused modules, you'll be assessed in variety of formats to ensure academic and professional development, making sure you’re ready to take the step into your career as a legal professional.
Course features
Part-time option
You can study this course part-time
January start available
This course has an option to start in January
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
This course is for
This course is for both law and non-law graduates with a desire deepen their knowledge of commercial law and to develop key legal professional skills.
What this course leads to
This course provides students with detailed insight into the world of commercial law and various aspects of professional practice, including alternative dispute resolution, compliance, along with business and commercial awareness.
Alongside this, the course can prepare students for the professional assessments on the route to becoming a solicitor with comprehensive SQE preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2, should this be desired.
- Legal and compliance
- Managerial and executive positions
- Risk management
- Human resources
- Procurement and tendering
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Based in the University’s fantastic main teaching space, the Spark Building, Solent Law School also offers access to a dedicated Courtroom and seminar space.
Here law students can practice their advocacy and corporate negotiation skills in a realistic setting, helping you develop valuable experience.
Year one
Core modules
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
You will learn the difference and suitability of several kind of alternative to court dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation, negotiation and arbitration. You will learn the strategy and tactics required for a successful outcome.
Commercial Law
In this module, you will be provided an introduction to English commercial law as a whole, combined with an in-depth coverage of some contemporary aspects. You will become familiar with the fundamental principles of commercial law, and you will be able to apply these principles to a wide range of transactions, centred on contracts and the usages of the market, between merchants.
Optional modules
One of the following:
Legal Risk Management, Compliance and Artificial Intelligence
Legal risk management is one of the high-priority risk types for every business. You will learn the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling legal, strategic, and compliance risks of an organisation. How to reduce internal operational risks, such as fraud, and external legal risks such as lawsuits.
SQE 1 Preparation
This module is designed to prepare you the first of your SQE assessments; SQE 1. SQE 1 is comprised of two Functional Legal Knowledge assessments (FLK 1 and FLK 2). You'll be taught by practitioners and academics from the internationally renowned SQE training provider, the College of Legal Practice (COLP). Using COLP’s virtual learning environment and attending occasional on-site collaborative sessions at Solent University, you'll be prepared for your SQE 1 assessments asyou work through FLK 1 and FLK 2 modules, learning how to apply legal principles in the format SQE 1 requires. You'll have the opportunity to engage in mock SQE 1 styled assessments on all SQE 1 FLK topics and will also receive an “SQE Ready” check in from COLP to provide updates on your SQE 1 readiness. Students will have access to COLP materials for up to 10 months after completing this module.
Intellectual Property Law
You will focus on the UK and EU substantive law in relation to copyrights, and you will consider the impact of international and European policy on the scope of these rights in the UK. You will investigate the economic justifications for copyright protection and a comparison with the USA in addition to the Hargreaves review and its potential implications.
SQE 2 Preparation
This module is designed to prepare you for your SQE 2 assessment. SQE 2 builds upon SQE 1 and you'll develop and be tested on fundamental legal skills within areas of Functional Legal Knowledge, such as drafting, research, and interviewing. These skills are tested within specific areas of knowledge developed while studying the SQE 1 Preparation module. You'll be helped to apply fundamental legal principles in skills-based situations, developing critical legal skills for SQE 2 such as advocacy, Iinterviewing, attendance note-taking/legal analysis, case and matter analysis, legal drafting, legal research, and legal writing. This module is delivered through the College of Legal Practice and its virtual learning environment.
Dissertation
In this module you have the opportunity to select a topic area of interest within your chosen discipline and to demonstrate independence in learning. Drawing on knowledge from other modules, you will design, plan and conduct research in an area related to your academic interest and discipline field. You will learn about the processes and academic debates around doing research, planning, applying for ethics, collecting data, analysing data and writing your research project into a dissertation. You will also learn how to manage the research process and understand complications and how to manage these when they arise during data collections.
Internship
This is your opportunity to reflect upon, and to actively implement, the knowledge and skills you have gained from previous studies in a professional environment. The specific areas of study will depend on the context of the internship. This module will allow you to enhance and document achievements in a range of skills and knowledge areas. Common achievements include successful team working, customer awareness, problem-solving skills, skills in literacy and communications. Enhanced skills may include conflict management, negotiation and professionalism.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
The course offers a range of assessment activities designed to demonstrate the acquired knowledge and skills central to each module, including traditional examinations as well as practical skills-based assessments such as report writing or individual presentation.
Learn transferable skills
A key part of the course is mediation, alternative dispute resolution and negotiation – skills which are highly valued by employers and readily transferable to a wide range of contexts and industries. You will also develop your analytical and risk-management skills, consider compliance matters relating to the company, financial and charity sectors, and build a strong foundation of broader commercial awareness which will be readily applicable in a range of businesses and organisations.
Why choose a career in commercial law and professional legal practice
The commercial legal sector offers some highly rewarding careers, combining high-pressure decision-making roles with the breadth and variety of a fast-moving industry that is fundamental to the development of modern business. As a graduate of this course you will have the specialist legal expertise that employers across the business world are looking for, opening up a huge range of opportunities for you, primarily in business or commercial sectors, but with transferrable skills which are highly relevant in any professional environment. You could work as in-house legal specialist, or by enhancing your managerial or executive skillset with relevant legal knowledge, you will be well placed to take your career higher in areas such as legal and compliance, managerial and executive positions, risk management, human resources or procurement and tendering.
Solent Law School is more than just learning theory - students are encouraged to interpret and apply it, understanding the legal processes and the fast-changing legal environment. Students are encouraged to develop habits of lifelong learning and the professional awareness and personal attributes that will ensure the development as a professional long after graduation.
Our alumni leave Solent feeling confident for life, with the knowledge to embark on a successful career in law or to use their transferable skills in a broader business career. They will have had access to industry-leading teaching, and live client opportunities as well as exceptional facilities, including the University’s ‘moot courtroom’, which enables students to practice legal skills in a realistic environment.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: : £9,125 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,780 per year
For further information please visit our tuition fees page.
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
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Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
2:2 (or higher) honours degree in any subject
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 2 years part-time
- 1 year full-time
