phd law dubai

• Doctor of Philosophy in Public Law

Explore More Programs

• Bachelor in Law
• Doctor of Philosophy in Private Law
• Undergraduate

Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Law

Course Description :

For course description

https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/ar/academics/Colleges/Law/Pages/Doctorate-of-Philosophy-in-Public-Law.aspx Special Admission Requirements : For admission requirements

https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/ar/Research/gs/phd/Pages/ar.aspx

Program Structure :

For program structure https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/ar/academics/Colleges/Law/Pages/Doctorate-of-Philosophy-in-Public-Law.aspx#progStrct

Eligibility

Application procedure, apply online, student loan providers, fee structure, visa information, important dates.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Research is an integral component in an institute of higher learning. BITS Pilani Dubai campus with its state-of-the-art research facilities offers Ph.D. programmes with strong emphasis laid on interdisciplinary, mission oriented and relevant research. Topics of Research can be chosen from any of the disciplines in which the Institute offers the First and Higher Degree Programmes or any interdisciplinary or allied areas as given in Page 23-26 of the higher degree prospectus. Click here for prospectus.

BITS Pilani offers Ph.D. programme in Engineering & Allied Disciplines under the following schemes:

Full-Time Ph.D (On-campus Ph.D)

Candidates registered for the On-campus programme will undergo the entire pursuit of their thesis on campus. Candidates admitted under this scheme will work full time toward their Ph.D. research and will not take any other assignment till the submission of the final thesis. The required components for On-Campus Programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Teaching Practice, Seminar, Doctoral Thesis and Research Methodology. It is expected that the Ph.D. Scholar submits his/her Ph.D. thesis within an upper limit of ten semesters subsequent to passing the Qualifying examination.

Part-time Ph.D.

This unique opportunity is offered for employed professionals working in Industries, Academic Institutes and R&D organizations and having long experience and proven competence in various fields to work towards the Ph.D. degree. Candidates meeting the input qualifications and working in an organization, which encourages and facilitates research and situated preferably in the close vicinity of the BITS Pilani campus are eligible to apply for admission in “Part-Time” Ph.D. programme. The required components for Part-time and Off-Campus Doctoral programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Practice Lecture Series, Research Methodology, Independent Study & Doctoral Thesis.

Ph.D. aspirant scheme

Candidates meeting the input qualification and working in an organization collaborating with BITS Pilani will normally be considered for admission to “Off-Campus” programme, also known as Ph.D. Aspirant Scheme. Such candidates will be allowed to pursue their research at their own locations of work. The required components for Off-Campus Doctoral programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Practice Lecture Series, Research Methodology, Independent Study & Doctoral Thesis.

The BITS-RMIT & SIRE PhD Program

• Apart from the regular Ph.D. programs, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus offers the following new programs based on specific projects obtained by the faculty members in different schemes. The Ph.D. scholars will be recruited across all the campuses for the following programs centrally and guided by a team of faculty members involved in the project. The projects will be announced twice in a year in the respective portals. The recruited scholars will be provided attractive stipends and fee concessions.
• The BITS-RMIT PhD Program is a unique transnational program that allows to obtain a joint PhD, from two leading universities BITS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science) and RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology). The scholars will have an opportunity to spend a year in RMIT. (For details, refer the link https://bitsrmit.in/ ).
• The School of Interdisciplinary Research and Entrepreneurship (SIRE) is envisioned to be a virtual entity that promotes interdisciplinarity in Research and innovation within BITS Pilani. Ph.D. Programs: CDRF, SPARKLE, SOLVE & Ph.D. Drive, (For details, refer the link: https://sire.bits-pilani.ac.in/ ).

Eligibility Criteria For Ph.D.

The following eligibility criteria is applicable for admission to BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus: M.E./M.S./M.B.A./M.Phil. of BITS Pilani or its equivalent with a minimum of 60% aggregate.

Eligible Candidates will be required to take a written test and interview. The admission will be based on the performance in the qualifying degree, experience, test and interview.

Application Procedure For Ph.D.

The Application procedure for admission is listed in detail. Please ensure that you read the instructions carefully and submit all of the documents to avoid disqualification.

•  Read the Admission Bulletin 2024-25 carefully.
• Visit admission.bitspilanidubai.ae
• If you are a candidate for admission to On Campus Ph.D. Programme, sign up as a new user and select the “ Apply Now” link under the Programme “Ph.D. On Campus”
• If you are a candidate for admission to Part Time/Off Campus Ph.D. Programme, sign up as a new user and Select the “ Apply Now” link under the Programme “Ph.D. Part Time”
• Enter all the information required carefully and correctly in the online form.
• Ensure the correctness of all entered data before submission. Once you confirm the correctness of the entered information and submit the form, the entered data will be recorded and you will not be able to change it.
• On starting the application, you will be allotted a unique reference number and you will be directed to proceed for Application fee payment.
• You have the option of paying the fee online through Debit or Credit Card or paying offline either by Cash or Bank Transfer.
• Upon successful completion of online application fee payment, you will be allotted a unique application number and you will be instructed to upload your documents.
• In the event you opt for offline application fee payment (Cash or Bank Transfer), print the filled application form and attach the documents required. (Refer section 4 below) send the proof of fee payment along with Applicant’s name and Application reference number by email to [email protected] for the allotment of unique application number.
• Upon receipt of the unique application number, you can proceed to upload the required documents (jpeg or pdf format) and your submission will be complete.
• For candidates submitting the application and fee online, the system will generate a unique application number. You may note down the number for all future references. For those candidates who are opting for offline submission or payment, a unique  application number will be allotted and informed to the candidate by the institute on receipt of the application and fee. In all subsequent correspondence with the Institute, the candidate must quote this application number.
• Copy of Degree certificate and Transcript/Mark sheets of the first degree programme.
• Copy of Degree certificate and Transcript/Mark sheets of the higher degree programme.
• List of courses and syllabus of each course prescribed for the fulfillment of the Higher degree programme.
• List of prescribed text books for each course.
• Final examination question papers for each course.
• Passport copy.
• Outline of Proposed Topic of Research.
• Profile of your organization.
• Employment Certificate is required by the employer /organization.
• Consent or No-Objection Certificate from Parent Organization from Part-time candidates.
• Proposed supervisor’s consent and his biodata (for off-campus only).
• Consent of supervisor’s organization permitting him to act as a supervisor (for offcampus only).
• Nature of his association with the candidate’s organization if working in a different organization (for off-campus only).
• An amount of AED 220.00 only (Arab Emirates Dirhams Two hundred and twenty only) payable online by Debit/Credit Card or offline either by Cash or Bank Transfer (refer page 25 of Admission bulletin for details).
• Application received without application fee will not be considered.
• The last date for submitting the Application form is 30 May 2024
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Click here to apply online

Fee Structure - Ph.D.

BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus offers a very competitive fee structure.

Note: * VAT of 5% is applicable on this fee ; **VAT of 5% is included in this fee; ***VAT of 5% will be charged on the food cost of this fee; $ Refundable on graduation or on leaving the institute, after due adjustment for damages, breakages caused by the student, if any.

Self-funded Scholars: For the full-time scholars, 80% concession will be provided on their tuition fee of AED 12000 (VAT excluded)/ semester whereas 50% concession will be given on their tuition fee for the part time scholars and aspirants. This is subjected to the allotment of duties in the respective departments 6-8 hrs. per week.

Research assistants: applicants with prior research experience and excellent academic credentials will be awarded research assistantships up to aed 2000 per month for 4 years maximum. the tuition fee concession as specified in #1 is also applicable. research assistants have to support the institute in teaching theory and lab classes., hostel fee concession will be given for the self-funded scholars as well as research assistants., self-funded full-time scholars can apply for research assistantships after 1 year. the award of the research assistantships is based on their excellence in the performance after joining the programme., fee payment instructions.

The admission fees can be paid by any one of the modes given below:

• Payment by Cash: The fee can be paid by Cash in AED or USD at the Fee counter in the Institute.
• Payment by Cheque: Payment by cheque will be accepted only if the cheque is from a bank based in UAE. All Cheques should be drawn in favor of “BITS Pilani FZ LLC” and payable in AED at a bank in Dubai. There should be no corrections or alterations on the cheque.
• E-payment: We offer a secure e-payment facility to pay your fee. For e-payment click here .
• Payment by Telex/Bank transfer: Payment can be made directly to one of our bank accounts given below through your bank along with collection charges if any. The TT advice/receipt copy received from your bank must be sent to the Accounts department, by email ( [email protected] ), mentioning the name & application number of the student.
• Payment by Demand Draft: All Demand Drafts should be drawn in favor of “BITS Pilani FZ LLC” and payable in AED at a bank in Dubai.

Please note that the fee must be paid in full and any charges towards collection or clearance of DD/TT must be borne by the students. The Institute will give credit only to the Net Amount credited in its bank account.

Refund policy.

• Application fee and Admission Fee are non-refundable.
• Activity fee is fully refundable if the student withdraws before the date of registration. If the student withdraws within four weeks from the date of registration, whether the student registers or not, 75% of the Activity fee is refundable. If the student withdraws after four weeks from the date of registration, the entire Activity fee is non-refundable.
• If a student accepts the admission offer and completes the admission formalities but withdraws before the date of registration, 80% of the first installment of first semester tuition fee is refundable.
• If a student withdraws within one week of the date of registration irrespective of whether the student registers or not, 50% of the first installment of first semester tuition fee is refundable.
• If a student withdraws after one week of the date of registration irrespective of whether the student registers or not, the first installment of first semester tuition fee is non- refundable.
• If a student opts not to avail the hostel facility after paying the hostel fee and if the request for the same is received before the commencement of the semester, 90% of the semester’s hostel fee and facility fee is refundable.
• If request for not availing the hostel facility is received within one week of the commencement of the semester, 50% of the semester’s hostel fee and facility fee is refundable.
• If request for not availing the hostel facility is received after one week of the commencement of the semester, the entire first semester’s hostel fee and facility fee is non-refundable.
• Visa fee and Medical Insurance fee is non-refundable, if the same has been applied.
• If a student opts not to avail the transport facility after paying the transport fee and if the request for the same is received before the commencement of the semester, 90% of the semester’s transport fee paid is refundable.
• If request for not availing the transport facility is received within two weeks of the commencement of the semester, 50% of the semester’s transport fee is refundable.
• If request for not availing the transport facility is received after two weeks of the commencement of the semester, the entire first semester’s transport fee is non refundable.

Note: All refunds will take a minimum of 4 weeks from the date of withdrawal.

Visa Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions.

• It is mandatory for all students to have a valid U.A.E. residence visa to study at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus (BPDC).
• If the parent or guardian cannot sponsor the student or if the student is a non-resident of UAE, then the BPDC can facilitate U.A.E. Student Residence Visa ( visa ) under the sponsorship of Dubai Development Authority (DDA) through Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) subject to the submission and approval of necessary documents given in the student residence visa application form (visa form), rules & regulations of BPDC and Government of UAE (Govt ). As a facilitator, BPDC only co-ordinates between DDA and students for obtaining the visa.
• The visa is valid for one year and is subsequently renewable every year. The issue of fresh visa and renewal of visa are subject to the submission of necessary documents and as per rules and regulations of BPDC, DDA, DIAC, General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai ( GDRFAD ), Ministry of Health (MOH) and Govt. BPDC is not responsible for any delay or non issuance of new visa or rejection of visa renewal by the Govt.
• The rules & regulations regarding conditions for visa issuance of GDRFAD, MOH and Govt may change from time to time.
• The mandatory documents as mentioned in the visa form should be submitted on or before the scheduled date by the BPDC Admissions Department and/or BPDC Administration (Admin Dept.).
• For visa renewal either the student should submit the necessary documents on or before the scheduled date by the Admin Dept or at least 8 weeks before the actual visa expiry date stamped in the passport.
• Submission of invalid documents or non-submission of required documents or late submission of required documents, or delaying the visa medical and/or related formalities beyond the scheduled date by DHA / National Emirates ID Authority (EIDA) / Institute will lead to immigration fines and penalty. The student is responsible for such fines and penalty.
• Valid health insurance is mandatory. Students are required to undergo a medical examination as prescribed by MOH / GDRFAD in the specified Govt. hospitals after their arrival in UAE to stamp the multiple entry visa in their passport. The medical examination and the related process usually take 3 – 5 weeks. If any student is declared medically unfit by MOH/GDRFAD, his/her residence visa will not be stamped / renewed and the student should leave the country immediately after canceling the visa.
• After the visa stamping in the passport, student can travel outside UAE any number of times with the prior approval of BPDC. Student should not stay outside UAE for more than 180 days continuously after the visa is stamped on the If the student stays beyond 180 days, his visa becomes invalid and will not be allowed to enter UAE
• Visa facilitated by BPDC is for the purpose of education only and students are not permitted to work .
• Student should contact the Admin Dept at least a month before the visa expiry for the visa renewal.
• Student should pay 2,900/-* for fresh visa & related service fee. The amount paid towards fresh visa & related service fee is non-refundable.
• In case of students, who are a resident of U.A.E. on their own visa sponsorship and wish to come under the visa facilitated by the Institute by in-country & local amendment should pay a sum of 4,700/-* towards fresh visa and related service charges. In such case, the student is required to submit the original passport and visa cancellation paper immediately after the cancellation of the existing visa along with all other required documents to process the student visa.
• Students should pay a sum of 2,150/-* per year towards visa renewal and related service charges.
• The visa and related services fee include Dhs 280 /- towards mandatory EIDA Card** issued by Govt.
• The visa renewal and related service charges should be paid before applying for subsequent year visa renewal.
• The visa cancellation can be done only inside UAE by DDA through BPDC. After completion of the program and/or before leaving the Institute, the student residence visa must be cancelled by the BPDC Admin Dept irrespective of the visa validity stamped in the passport of the student. Hence student must complete the necessary formalities including submission of the original passport, EIDA card and payment of cancellation fees (Normal process AED 850/- with time frame of 10 to 15 working days) as informed by the Admin Dept. Students who have stayed outside UAE for more than 180 days continuously are also required to cancel their visa through Admin Dept even though the visa is invalid. Failure to do so will result in serious consequences as per rules and regulations of Institute, DDA, GDRFAD and Govt.
• Students should keep themselves updated about the rules and regulations pertaining to the terms and conditions of their residence visa as stipulated by GDRFAD.
• Student should abide by all the rules and regulation of the BPDC, DDA, GDRFAD and Govt. Non-compliance of any laws and regulation by various Authorities may lead to penalty including deportation for which BPDC is not responsible.
• Cancellation of Entry permit will take a minimum of 10 to 15 working days.

* All the fee charges as mentioned above for visa & related services are indicative only and or subject to change as per rules and regulations of the Institute, DDA, DIAC, GDRFAD and Govt .

** With regards to EIDA log on to https://uae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/emirates-id

In case of any changes in the personal information provided in the visa form, the student should notify the same to the Administration Department of BPDC immediately.

Important Dates for Ph.D.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR Ph.D. ADMISSION 2024-25

Call us  on: +9714 2753 711 (Dubai) +91 91 21 90 7799(India) +91 72 07 89 9869 (India)

Write to us: [email protected]

Useful Links:

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Call us  on: +9714 2753 711 (Dubai) +91 91 21 90 7799 (India)

Write to us: [email protected]

• College of Law

About College of Law

The College of Law was established in 2014. In this short period of time, the College has been able to generate tremendous interest in the Master of Laws (LLM) program and attract a good number of students.

Since Dubai is a hub for investments and services, our present programs have been designed to cater specifically to this market. The University of Dubai recognized that there is a shortage of local manpower, well-versed in settling disputes arising from these investments and the illegal activities that could arise as a result of these investments, hence the University taken up the task of creating this manpower. Thus, the College offers two LLMs delivered in English, one focused (track) on Arbitration and Dispute Resolution and the other on Financial Crimes and Money Laundering. The two tracks can be combined so that a student will have the option to earn an LLM with dual concentrations.

The Arbitration track focusses on providing a student with both the theoretical knowledge and the latest developments on settling disputes arising from investments using arbitration. Whereas, the Financial Crime track focusses on the practices and theoretical understanding about corruption, money laundering and bribery. Moreover, the students are also given a firm grounding in the other complementary laws required to give them rounded knowledge in the application of laws generally. In all our efforts to expand and deliver on our goal to provide Dubai with the required manpower, we have been fully supported and guided by the members of our college advisory board. This board is composed of some of the best legal minds who care about the quality of legal education in Dubai. Hence it is based on their advice that we are formulating the courses to be offered for the LLM. Additionally, I should also mention the stellar role played by our visionary President Dr. Essa Al Bastaki in providing us the leadership.

All programs offered in the College of Law are accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Education. *Declaration: The LLM degree is a non-professional qualification.

College Vision

To be the leading legal educational institution in the UAE.

College Mission

The College vision is accomplished by:

• Be a leading English language grade legal education institution in the UAE, offering a range of subject specialty LLM degree that prepare graduates for increased responsibility in the organizations.
• Offer advanced legal training, with instruction in English language.
• Prepare citizens and residents of the UAE for greater leadership roles in specialized law, expanding the influence of UAE in the global economy.
• Educate legal professionals using a variety of teaching methods including theory and application of skills.
• Strengthen student and faculty collaboration between COL and society for lifelong, self-directed learning through research and consultancy, management and professional development services as dictated by the dynamic business environment.

Message from the Director

Dear Students,

Greetings from University of Dubai (UD) College of Law (COL)!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the College of Law, University of Dubai. Keeping to the vision of the University to be a world-class institution in education, research and innovation for the betterment and prosperity of the people in the region, I am happy to announce the shifting of the College of Law to the state-of-the-art building in the vibrant and dynamic Academic City, Dubai.

Presently, our courses help to create the necessary legal acumen to support the commercial growth envisioned for Dubai. Undoubtedly, a successful completion of the LLM program can offer students with better career prospects. Pursuing this vision, the College plans to add innovative and industry focused courses in the coming years. Further, we have revamped our teaching staff with research potential and industry experience.

Thus, I welcome you all to the College of Law, University of Dubai and wish you a successful study program.

With warm regards, Dr. Mohammad Rababa Program Director College of Law

Graduate Career Opportunities

The  Master of Laws (LLM)   in   Financial Crimes and Money Laundering  is a unique opportunity for all interested in the prevention of financial crimes. The course is tailored to meet the larger needs of a compliance community; so it has something both for a professional and a researcher. Apart from imparting the basic practices of Anti-Bribery and Anti-Money Laundering efforts, the course exposes the students to the limitations of the fight against financial crimes. Such a holistic approach is required for any person working in compliance to better understand their role. Thus, this course could not only open up new employment avenues, it also leads to staff retentions and higher satisfaction.

The  Master of Laws (LLM) in   Arbitration and Dispute Resolution  (ADR) is a specialized masters degree program designed for UAE and Non-UAE trained lawyers with interests in amicable dispute settlement systems at both domestic and international context. Non Lawyers who aspire to acquire knowledge and skill in becoming negotiators, arbitrators, expert determiners and professional mediators are accepted in to the program. Community leaders, entrepreneurs, government advisers, Law enforcement agents, who aspire to provide a leading role in their respective organizations will find the program tremendously useful and important. The program is designed to help students understand the complex nature of disputes in general across public and private law dichotomy at both domestic and international levels. The program trains students to acquire the toolkit necessary to comprehend and solve complex economic and non-economic disputes at both global and domestic legal environments. The program is suitable for those who aspire to work in various government departments, private law firms, law enforcement agencies, Human Resource Departments, Private Consultants, Court or Arbitration experts, etc.

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Dear Students, Greetings from University of Dubai (UD) College of Law (COL)! It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the College of Law, University of Dubai. Keeping to the vision of the University to be a world-class institution in education, research and innovation for the betterment and prosperity of the people in the region, I am happy to announce the shifting of the College of Law to the state-of-the-art building in the vibrant and dynamic Academic City, Dubai. Presently, our courses help to create the necessary legal acumen to support the commercial growth envisioned for Dubai. Undoubtedly, a successful completion of the LLM program can offer students with better career prospects. Pursuing this vision, the College plans to add innovative and industry focused courses in the coming years. Further, we have revamped our teaching staff with research potential and industry experience. Thus, I welcome you all to the College of Law, University of Dubai and wish you a successful study program.

With warm regards,

Program Director College of Law

FACULTY MEMBERS

Our faculty members are not just educators, but mentors, advisors, and role models who are committed to providing an exceptional learning experience for our students. They are at the forefront of cutting-edge research and are dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and intellectual curiosity

Come and meet our outstanding college team and faculty members who are shaping the future of education and research. We invite you to explore their profiles, connect with them, and be inspired by their passion, talent, and expertise. Join us in celebrating the exceptional individuals who make our academic community thrive.

• Core Values
• Career Opportunities

All programs offered in the College of Law are accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Education.

Our core values serve as guiding principles that underpin our academic programs, research, and community engagement. They are:

Excellence: We strive for excellence in all aspects of our work, including teaching, research, and service. We uphold high standards of academic rigor, integrity, and professionalism, and we constantly seek to improve and innovate in order to deliver the best possible legal education.

Ethics and Integrity: We uphold the highest ethical standards in our conduct as legal professionals and educators. We emphasize integrity, honesty, and respect for the rule of law in our interactions with students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. We cultivate a culture of accountability, transparency, and fairness in all our endeavors.

Diversity and Inclusion: We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to, nationality, culture, gender, religion, and background. We foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment that promotes respect, tolerance, and open-mindedness. We believe that diversity enriches our educational experience and prepares our graduates to thrive in a globalized and multicultural world.

Social Responsibility: We recognize our responsibility to contribute positively to society through our knowledge, skills, and service. We promote access to justice, human rights, and social justice as fundamental values of the legal profession. We engage in meaningful community outreach, pro bono activities, and public interest initiatives that address pressing legal issues and promote the welfare of individuals and communities.

Lifelong Learning: We recognize that legal education is a lifelong journey that extends beyond the classroom. We instill in our students the importance of continuous learning, critical thinking, and adaptability in the face of rapid changes in the legal landscape. We foster a culture of curiosity, intellectual curiosity, and professional development among our faculty, staff, and students.

We are proud to uphold these core values and strive to instill them in our students as they embark on their legal education journey at the College of Law, University of Dubai. Together, we aim to shape the future of the legal profession in the UAE and beyond, and make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of law and justice in our society.

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International Commercial Law LLM

Ranking Top 100 Times Higher Education 2024 Ranking details

Campus Dubai

Delivery format In person

Start date Jan 2025 (part-time) Sept 2025 (full- & part-time)

Duration 1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)

Award Master of Law

Entry requirements A 2:1 Honours Degree (or international equivalent) in Law Full requirements

Fees Annual fee for January 2025 entry AED 57,125 (part-time) Fee details

Page contents

Course overview.

International commercial law is essential for global business and market growth. Become a trusted expert in this vital area of law.

Course highlights

Join a world top 100 Law School (THE, 2024) while studying in Dubai. Learn from experts with specialised knowledge of a range of legal disciplines. This course mixes the latest academic theory with real world relevance and professional opportunities.

• Get ready for your future career. Alumni from Birmingham Law School consistently find employment in the leading international law firms.
• Take advantage of additional training workshops offered by our Birmingham Law School Skills Academy on English Law, legal writing and interpreting case law.
• Join a prestigious community of staff, students and alumni, including ten Nobel Prize winners like the UK lawyer and diplomat Lord Robert Cecil.
• We offer a flexible combination of evening and weekend classes so you can fit your studies around work commitments.

Get expert knowledge from specialists in international commercial law.

Become part of a diverse community of staff and students from around the world.

Top 100 Law School in the World (THE 2024 Rankings).

Enhance your learning experience 

The programme and its modules are designed by expert staff from both the Dubai campus (UAE) and the Edgbaston campus (UK) so you’ll receive the same high-quality teaching materials and rigorous assessments as our UK campus. You can also interact with staff and students across the UK and Dubai campuses to enhance your learning experience.

Course delivery

At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Law. We offer a combination of evening and weekend classes to suit working professionals.

Our draft timetable for full-time students features teaching on one or two evenings from 18:30-20:30 and on Saturday or Sunday 09:00-17:00 (day varies per module).

However, this is a guide and subject to change – if you have any queries about the timetable for this course, please contact the programme lead.

We provide you with an innovative, challenging and research-driven education. You’ll actively participate in seminars and contribute original ideas to discussions. What’s more, you’ll develop your research skills, your ability to analyse the law, and your ability to advise and present solutions to practical legal problems.

Example timetable

We offer a combination of evening and weekend classes which are designed to accommodate working professionals and those who choose to study part-time. Please note that the example timetables are to be used as a guide and are subject to change.

Module information

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

You will follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a 60-credit dissertation. You will study each module for 10 teaching weeks in each term. All 20 credit modules equate to 200 hours of studying time: 20 hours will be in seminars and 180 hours is guided independent study.

2025/26 Session

Compulsory modules include a dissertation not exceeding 15,000 words on an approved legal topic relating to International Commercial Law.

To graduate with the named LLM (International Commercial Law), the following must be taken:

Students must choose 60 credits from a range of optional modules. The modules to run during each semester will be decided after considering student demand and operational capacity.

Choices of modules are (subject to availability):

Entry requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Law.

Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.

English language requirements

In order to undertake a programme of study here at the University, you will need to demonstrate that you have a good level of written and spoken English. You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications.

Fees and scholarships

The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation.

Part time – annual fee for January 2025 entry

The fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying courses over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Birmingham attracts the best and brightest students from across the globe. For students with the potential to thrive here, we have a number of scholarships available.

Application process

To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.

Career opportunities

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, team-working abilities and cultural awareness.

Our graduates move onto a diverse range of careers, with many going on to work in top law schools and law firms. Some examples of where our recent graduates have gone on to work include the UK Home Office, Pinsent Masons LLP, HSBC, and Kinstellar. A number of our postgraduate students go directly from Birmingham to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, Bar Professional Training Course and many other international professional qualifications.

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Crime and Public Safety | Jury convicts man in 2018 slaying of…

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Crime and Public Safety

Crime and public safety | jury convicts man in 2018 slaying of northwestern phd student in rogers park: ‘the law doesn’t allow a shooter to be a bad shot’.

Colombo, 25, had just walked into a condo the couple had purchased in Evanston for the first time, and sent Colores-Chalmers a video of himself there, laughing and saying hello. About two hours after he sent the video to Colores-Chalmers, Colombo, an incoming doctoral student at Northwestern University, was shot to death near Clark Street and Howard Avenue in Rogers Park .

On Thursday night, a jury found Diante Speed, now 26, guilty of first-degree murder after about four hours of deliberation. Inside the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Colombo’s mother, Tonya Colombo, gasped as the verdict was read. Speed’s mother and grandmother, on the other side of the courtroom, remained quiet.

Shortly after court was dismissed, Tonya Colombo, 58, grinned. It had been an anxious six years of waiting and “wanting justice, wanting to give him peace,” she said. “Now I feel we can finally do that.”

Waiting for the trial was stressful for both parents. Shane Colombo’s father, Ernesto, brought a tattered file of paperwork to each day of the court proceedings. The file contained everything from his son’s birth and death certificates to his social security card and notes from conversations he’s had with detectives. He has poured much of his grief into the intricacies of the legal process and Speed’s criminal history, even though he knew it would not undo the events of six years ago.

“Nothing’s going to bring him back,” Ernesto Colombo said. “(But) we’re at the part where we seek justice.”

During closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors said justice meant nothing less than a first-degree murder conviction. Whether Speed had aimed at Shane Colombo or at anyone else, Assistant State’s Attorney James Papa said, “the law doesn’t allow a shooter to be a bad shot.”

“(Speed) turned Howard and Clark Street into his own private target range,” Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Ward said. “He was a menace and a threat to everyone out there and the person who paid the price was Shane Colombo.”

Speed’s defense attorneys focused on the argument that Speed had been shooting in self-defense, after a man in a white tank top who Speed said was threatening him and his friends.

Surveillance video showed Colombo collapsing to the sidewalk but didn’t capture anyone firing a weapon. Assistant Public Defender Sarah Fransene said there wasn’t footage of Speed’s alleged intended target making the threats that they argued put Speed in fear of his safety.

“Just because the video didn’t pick up every single angle of what occurred at Clark and Howard that night doesn’t mean (something) didn’t happen,” Fransene said.

Defense lawyers also sought to cast suspicion on how Chicago police processed the scene of the shooting and accused the investigating detective of lying to Speed about how much of the shooting was captured on video. They acknowledged that the case was tragic and high-profile and suggested to the jury that police felt pressure to make progress on the case.

While prosecutors zeroed in on Speed’s words in a call to his mother where he said “I was shooting and I hit an innocent; I hit a white dude and he’s dead,” Speed’s attorneys instead focused on the account he gave his mother in the same phone call; claiming a man in a tank top threatened him.

Colombo’s death was “a senseless, awful, horrible tragedy,” Fransene said. “But you can’t let sympathy or any other prejudice influence your judgment on this case.”

As he sat and waited for the verdict Thursday afternoon, Colores-Chalmers sorted through pictures of Colombo on his phone. Colombo was always moving, he said. He always had a skateboard. He was always running late, often because he wanted to be “everywhere all at once.”

Though Colores-Chalmers said he knew instantly that he wanted to marry Colombo when they met at a fraternity event, the pair got engaged in 2017. Colombo wanted to play the James Blake song “Retrograde” at their wedding. Colores-Chalmers has gotten married, but he still can’t listen to the reams of playlists Colombo made for him throughout their relationship.

He lived in Evanston, in the condo he’d bought to share with Colombo, for three years. For the first few months, Colores-Chalmers brought flowers every day to the site where he was killed. He took public transit down the same streets that prosecutors and defense attorneys referenced throughout the trial. He left Chicago and has studied to become a death doula, focused on supporting dying people and their loved ones.

“The expression when you see someone (deceased) and have to identify them is awful,” he said. “I don’t want to live in a world where people get to leave it and their last experience is a terrible one. Wouldn’t you want to be helped and given dignity and respect and love?”

He hopes to work in hospital settings, but also in prisons and jails, where he is certain to encounter people convicted of crimes like the one that killed Colombo.

Colores-Chalmers said before the jury returned that he wanted to see the case resolved, but expressed sympathy for socioeconomic pressures that can land people in the criminal justice system.

“I feel bad that he wasn’t supported and he didn’t have an outlet to transform his life,” said Colores-Chalmers, 34, who wore Colombo’s engagement ring on a chain around his neck. “I hope that he lives a better life after this. Maybe he will be taken care of.”

Speed is set to be sentenced on Dec 3.

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