Postgraduate taught 

International Competition Law & Policy LLM

International Competition Law & Policy

International Competition Law & Policy provides you with the opportunity to specialise in a vital area of law, which impacts on commerce across the globe. The programme places the law in its economic and commercial context, through detailed coverage of US and EU law, and extensive coverage of the law in China, alongside references to other legal regimes and examples.

  • LLM: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time

Why this programme

  • Competition laws are being adopted or revised by increasing numbers of states, feature prominently in regional association agreements, and have an extremely significant impact on global and local business.
  • The programme explores offered by the well-established US and EU regimes, which are being challenged by the emergence of China as a significant jurisdiction wielding considerable influence.
  • You will engage with the significant international debates about the role of competition law, the difficulties faced by companies complying with different laws, and the possibilities of convergence.
  • The programme’s teaching team (including Dr Magali Eben, Dr David Reader, Dr Stavros Makris) has considerable experience in the field. All staff members have a high level of expertise, publish extensively, and maintain strong national and international links. See further information about the team and their research. 
  • We offer excellent facilities including our dedicated School of Law library; our main University Library also contains our extensive collection of legal materials and official publications with full access to key databases of US, EU and Chinese materials.

Programme structure

You are required to take at least four courses from the following list (plus two others) and to submit a dissertation as falling within the area. For this programme your course choices must include the core courses of International Competition Law, and Competition Law Enforcement. Courses are delivered through a blend of lectures and seminar style teaching. 

Core courses

Optional courses

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The programme provides a thorough academic background in the area of competition law and policy. Competition law has been subject to a dramatic growth in recent years, and the need for properly qualified people has risen correspondingly. This is particularly the case in East Asia, but the trend is part of a wider one. Our graduates work in leading international law firms or prestigious domestic firms in a wide range of countries. Others are placed with regulators and competition agencies around the world, or work directly for industry and commerce.

Former students from the LLM International Competition Law & Policy are in employment in leading law firms in several jurisdictions, in competition agencies around the world, and in relevant Governmental bodies. The LLM offers an up to date and detailed look at key issues in competition law, providing a strong overall background combined with an emphasis on recent (and potentially future) developments.

In addition to the key academic staff – who have between them engaged significantly with professional development programmes in both the private and public sector – students are given the opportunity to attend talks by current academics, enforcers, policy makers and practitioners and to network with them. Sessions on the course Advanced Competition Law have in the past been delivered by leading practitioners.

We have also placed students in internship positions with competition law practices in Scotland (although internships can never be guaranteed as their availability is driven by the needs of law firms).

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Extra-curricular activities

In addition to these curricular activities, students in the International Competition Law & Policy LLM also have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities that are designed to hone their professional skills:

  • The Finance and Social Justice Project is a unique opportunity for students to work on current, real-world problems at the intersection of finance and social justice while gaining a practical insight into less conventional careers in corporate and financial law.
  • Professional Skills Programme (PSP) tailored to LLM students in order to facilitate the improvement of their professional skills.
  • Graduate Skills Programme (GSP) offered by the College of Social Sciences to support students in their ability to communicate their professional skills (As developed, for example, in the PSP, to employers.

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Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24

LLM

UK

  • Full-time fee: £10560
  • Part-time fee: £1174 per 20 credits

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £24960

Deposits

International applicants are required to pay a deposit of £1000 when an offer is made.

Deposits terms & conditions

The University requires a deposit to be paid by International applicants in receipt of an offer to this programme and who require a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University in order that they can apply for a student visa. This is required where the programme is competitive and the deposit is required in order to demonstrate your commitment to attend the programme should you meet all the conditions of your offer.

If you are made an offer for this programme the University will write to you and request a deposit with information on how to pay your deposit and the deadline for making the deposit payment. Please note that if you are unable to pay a deposit because you are planning to fund your studies through an official financial sponsor then you should upload a copy of your scholarship application or award letter to your application by the deadline date.

The following guidelines will apply in determining whether or not a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 10% handling fee will be deducted.

Deposits WILL be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

  1. Where the University is unable to offer you a place.
  2. Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
  3. Applicant can prove that they have applied for a visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but the VISA has been refused. The applicant must have shown ‘real intent' to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to obtain their visa.
  4. Applicant does not meet his / her conditions of offer: this may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s online application to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide a language test which was taken after the date that the deposit was paid).

Deposits WILL NOT be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

  1. Applicant decides to go to another institution.
  2. Applicant cannot be released from work to study at the University of Glasgow.
  3. Applicant does not send completed documentation as requested in the condition of the offer: this may be required in order to prove that the offer has not been met for academic or language test conditions - failure to respond to requests for this information will result in no refund.
  4. Applicant has not secured funding to attend the University of Glasgow: this may be as a result of not being successful in applications for scholarships, OR simply not having sufficient funds in bank at time of visa application. This condition will apply unless it can be proven that there are clear mitigating circumstances which have significantly changed the applicant’s position since the time of application.
  5. Applicant has requested a deferral – in this situation, if a deferral is granted, the University will retain the deposit and credit it against the applicant’s account for securing their place for the following year of entry. Please note that some highly competitive programmes do not allow applicants to defer. 

Refund requests must be made within 60 days of the programme start date stated on your offer letter: requests made after this date will be subject to discretion.


Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

GREAT Scholarships for Justice and Law 2023

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering seven scholarships to students in China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey who are applying for one-year master’s programmes and will enrol in the 2023/24 academic year. Applicants from Kenya and Thailand are only eldigible if applying for the postgraduate Law prgrammes.

The GREAT Scholarships 2023 programme, launched by the British Council and 49 UK universities, supports postgraduate students accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The programme offers a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 49 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2023, please visit Study UK.

GREAT Scholarships 2023 - China

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering seven scholarships to students in China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey who are applying for one-year master’s programmes and will enrol in the 2023/24 academic year.

The GREAT Scholarships 2023 programme, launched by the British Council and 49 UK universities, supports postgraduate students accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The programme offers a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 49 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The University of Glasgow GREAT Scholarships are open to applications for most postgraduate taught courses for China, Egypt, Mexico and Turkey. Applicants from Kenya and Thailand are only eligible if applying for the postgraduate Law programmes. Please see the eligibility section for a full list of courses and exclusions.

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2023, please visit Study UK.

GREAT Scholarships 2023 - Turkey, Mexico and Egypt

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering seven scholarships to students in China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey who are applying for one-year master’s programmes and will enrol in the 2023/24 academic year.

The GREAT Scholarships 2023 programme, launched by the British Council and 49 UK universities, supports postgraduate students accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The programme offers a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects at the 49 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The University of Glasgow GREAT Scholarships are open to applications for most postgraduate taught courses for China, Egypt, Mexico and Turkey. Applicants from Kenya and Thailand are only eligible if applying for the postgraduate Law programmes. Please see the eligibility section for a full list of courses and exclusions.

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2023, please visit Study UK.

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow African Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students, alumni or staff at one of the University partners in Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

Please see the University of Glasgow Africa Partners List 2023.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 5 scholarships for students, alumni or staff from our partner The University of the West Indies in the Caribbean.  The scholarship is available to International students, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering 5 scholarships for International students from the Caribbean, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

Postgraduate Access Scholarship

The University of Glasgow is pleased to be offering Postgraduate Access Scholarships to support Home students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. Applications are particularly welcomed from applicants who met any of our widening participation criteria, or equivalent, at undergraduate level. The value of each scholarship is £4,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.

University of Glasgow Scholarships for Turkey and Syria

Following the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria, the University of Glasgow is offering 6 exclusive full tuition fee waivers to students from this region, who are facing challenges in progressing on to Higher Education. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Taught (one-year Masters) programme in 2023-2024.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent in law or other subject with at least 50% of the credits in law.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • 7.0 with no subtests under 6.5.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 95 with minimum R 23, L 23, S 22, W 24.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

  • 68 with minimum 62 in all subtests.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

  • 65%.
  • Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2023

As there is extremely high demand for places on this degree programme, the University has established an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.

Round 1 application dates

1 October to 1 November 2022. All applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 13 January 2023.

Round 2 application dates

2 November to 15 December 2022. All applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 24 March 2023.

Round 3 application dates

16 December 2022 to 15 February 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 6 May 2023.

Round 4 application dates

16 February to 15 April 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 24 June 2023.

Round 5 application dates

16 April to 1 June 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 4 August 2023.

All applications submitted by 15 December 2022 (application rounds 1 and 2) will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 16 December 2022, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

Apply now

More information about this programme

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