International Banking Law and Finance LLM

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.

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.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

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.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

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:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

• Approved universities in 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:

• English language requirements

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