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Commercial law provides a comprehensive legal framework to support businesses and enable economic growth. This course examines this framework and how the law protects commercial interests while regulating corporate bodies.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Online/Blended
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Condensed first year available
UCAS codes
M221
Start date
September 2025
The Commercial Law LLB (Hons) course examines the legal mechanisms developed to ensure free-flowing trade and the protection of commercial interests. It also examines how commercial law has evolved to keep pace with changing business practice, whilst also reinforcing ethically and socially responsible commercial behaviours.
The course aims to help you:
The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
You will have the opportunity to:
If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.
Commercial Law LLB is a recognized degree by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). Any graduates of this course that pass the optional third year modules ‘Family Law’, or ‘Company Law’ and ‘Employment Law’, will not need to pass the CPQ Foundation stage or CPQ Advanced stage assessments and as such are capable of being recognised as CILEX Advanced Paralegals. Those who do not complete either ‘Family Law’ or ‘Company Law’ and ‘Employment Law’ will still be exempt from the mandatory aspects of CPQ Advanced stage. On completion of your course, you will have the option to pay for CILEX recognition. Visit the CILEX website for more information.
Professional recognition is reviewed on an annual basis and is not guaranteed. Applicants and students will be informed of any changes as soon as possible.
Coventry Law School is currently a member of the International Association of Law Schools, an association of around 250 law schools from over 60 countries, representing around 12,000 law faculty members. Having this status allows you to access a variety of international experiences, including with our partner institutions across the world.
Coventry Law School is also currently a member of the European Law Faculties Association with over 150 members from Europe and beyond.
Memberships are reviewed on an annual basis and are not guaranteed. Applicants and students will be informed of membership changes as soon as possible.
Coventry Law School collaborates with the Central England Law Centre in order to offer a professional element to your learning, through our pro-bono clinics. Students who are selected to participate in the clinics get involved with many aspects of what the solicitors do at the Law Centre, with supervisors who are currently working in practice and experts in specific areas of law. They get hands-on experience doing reserved legal activities, providing supervised advice and assistance to members of the public.
Coventry Law School also collaborates with Law QWE, a careers portal that connects individuals in search of qualifying work experience with top employers to support their route to qualification.
The Commercial Law LLB programme equips you with necessary skills and know how to interpret and examine the legal aspects of commercial transactions, as well as understand the practical reality of conducting commercial activity.
Dr David Ndolo, Course Director for LLB Commercial Law, 2022
During your first year, you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge of the law and develop the fundamental legal skills necessary to undertake the remainder of your course. You will also be exposed to a range of contemporary issues in the law that relate to each of the LLB courses on offer. If you discover that you have an interest in a particular area of law that you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degree courses to one of the other LLB courses listed below (subject to meeting progression requirements).
As you move through your second and final years, you will study further core legal modules whilst also exploring more specialist commercial law subjects and enhancing your practical legal skills.
Common first year courses
In this module, you will explore the main sources, institutions, and structures of the English legal system. You will develop an insight into the workings of the civil and criminal justice system, whilst exploring key challenges in providing access to justice for all. You will be introduced to sources of English Law, judicial precedent, statutory interpretation, legal personnel and the growing role of alternative dispute resolution and tribunals within the legal system. You will be encouraged to take a critical role by examining current legal issues that relate to the English legal system and debate different perspectives.
Compulsory
This module explores the law regulating state institutions, their interactions with each other and their relationship with the individual citizen. You will explore the constitutional arrangements for the United Kingdom (UK) and examine fundamental concepts such as the rule of law, legal accountability and human rights. You will also develop an awareness of the global significance of a specific constitution and the role that international and comparative law can play in setting standards of constitutional behaviour. You will also examine how governments and various state institutions are held to account through the area of administrative law, with particular reference to judicial review.
Compulsory
Contracts affect companies in the way that business is conducted and impact every person’s daily life. Contracts, therefore, have significant effects on both business practice and social relations. This module introduces you to the key legal principles and rules governing contracts and how these give rise to legally protected and enforceable obligations. You will examine the formation, operation, and termination of contractual obligations and how factors such as technological advancement, social change and changing commercial priorities may influence the development of contract law.
Compulsory
Criminal law in England and Wales includes a wide range of offences ranging from minor motoring offences to the most serious crimes, such as homicide. You will gain an understanding of the current law through an appreciation of the purposes of the criminal law, the principles underpinning the law and how the criminal law continues to adapt to address changes in social behaviours and the emergence of new types of harm. This module takes a contemporary approach by exploring the development of the criminal law within modern society, including the creation of new offences and how the law works to protect a person’s protected characteristics.
Compulsory
This module encourages you to acquire an applied understanding of how the law can be a creative force for meaningful change. You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other students to tackle a ‘grand legal challenge’ and through this, practice and develop your key legal skills. The module will equip you with the ability to conduct effective legal research in order to present reasoned legal solutions to real-world problems arising from the grand legal challenge. You will examine the limits of the law and identify instances where reform of the law would aid the resolution of real-world problems.
Compulsory
This module aims to examine and apply your understanding of the law to new social, economic or technological change. You will explore how, and when, the law must adapt to meet these changes and how public opinion, the media, political thinking, and international pressure can influence the law’s development. You will explore several contemporary issues and will evaluate ways in which the law has or may contribute to resolving those problems by examining key debates within contemporary legal research and thinking.
Compulsory
In your second year, you will continue to build your understanding of core legal subjects, whilst exploring commercial law in detail. You will also begin to develop your practical legal skills to provide you with an insight into life in legal practice.
Businesses engage lawyers at almost every stage of the commercial cycle. Lawyers will often advise on how to set up a business, including how to structure and finance an undertaking, the sale of goods and/or supply of services and the use of financial instruments such as contracts of insurance, negotiable instruments and securities. This module will provide you with an awareness and understanding of the various legal obligations, tools and remedies available to businesses and commercial ventures.
Compulsory
This module provides you with a working understanding of practical legal skills and professional ethical awareness in the areas of advocacy, drafting, interviewing and negotiation. The module is designed to introduce you to the type of work you would do in legal practice and inform your career aspirations. The skills you learn in this module are highly attractive and transferable to a variety of professional spheres both inside and outside of the legal profession.
Compulsory
European Union (EU) law remains hugely important to individuals and businesses both within the EU and beyond. Notwithstanding the UK’s withdrawal from the Union, EU law continues to pervade many aspects of English law. Additionally, as one of the world’s largest single markets, knowledge and understanding of the EU are crucial to any business, wherever located. Through this module, you will develop an understanding of the operation of EU Law within the English legal system and the legal frameworks that operate within the EU. You will gain an understanding of both the public law of the EU and the substantive rules of the internal market.
Compulsory
Tort law is the name given to the branch of law that imposes civil liability for breach of obligations owed by both individuals and organisations to one another. In this module, you will explore the foundational tort of negligence which has led to the growth of this discipline area. You will examine the kinds of damage the law permits recovery for and explore other torts such as nuisance, occupiers’ liability, trespass to the person and privacy/defamation, among others. Throughout the module, you will explore how tort law has developed in a changing social, economic and political climate, as well as how it relates to other legal areas such as contract, criminal law and human rights.
Compulsory
With a particular focus on land law, this module aims to acquaint you with the terminology, concepts, policy objectives and statutory schemes necessary to understand modern property law in England and Wales. It aims to provide you with the intellectual framework with which to identify, understand and resolve practical problems in property law and examine the underlying rationales which explain the current design and shape of the law of property. It will also introduce you to conveyancing practice.
Compulsory
This module introduces you to the equitable principles governing the creation, operation and administration of public and private trusts and examines the reasons for creating trusts in the contemporary social, economic and international context. Contemporary issues in this area may include the legal problems raised by crowd-funding and surplus funds, the potential problems of joint ownership of property outside of the family relationship and how philanthropy through the creation of charitable trusts provides funding that supports and advances UN Sustainable Development Goals. You will gain an understanding of the trust concept, the requirements for the creation of a valid trust, the different types of trust that may come into operation, the nature of trusteeship and liability for breach of trust. You will explore the flexibility of the trust concept, its traditional function in relation to family property and its contemporary role in commercial contexts.
Compulsory
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.
This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.
Optional
This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.
Optional
The final year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by further developing your professional legal skills in commercial law. In addition to your specialist commercial law subjects, you can choose from a variety of optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests and/or future ambitions. You could also work on a large final project on a commercial law topic of your interest or participate in one of the law school’s pro-bono clinics (subject to securing a place at the Coventry Law Centre2).
During the Project module, you will have the opportunity to apply and develop your research skills and extend your knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse a topic in a specialist area of interest. There are three routes for study in this module, which are:
Compulsory
In a legal system with increasing costs and delays, the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is becoming more prominent. You will be introduced to the alternative methods of resolving commercial law disputes, focusing on the key methods of negotiation, mediation and arbitration. You will develop your practical skills in relation to ADR by immersing yourself in simulated scenarios addressing issues with multiple parties who have differing economic goals. You will also be encouraged to take a critical approach toward the use of alternative dispute resolution in the context of commercial justice.
Compulsory
In the field of trade law, free and fair trade has been of fundamental importance to the prosperity of the global economy. Economic globalisation and world events such as Brexit and trade wars have thrown a spotlight on the issues, challenges and complexities of international trade and trade negotiation. In this module, you will examine the role of the rule of law in the regulation and liberalisation of international trade. You will examine the role of international treaties and institutions in developing international trade law, as well as the settlement of disputes. You will also explore how trade law operates in practice, from the conclusion of international contracts of sale, to export, carriage and import.
Compulsory
Any two optional modules from the following:
Company Law – 20 credits
Registered companies conduct most of the economic activity in the UK. Therefore, lawyers and other professional persons require an understanding of the concepts that shape company law, as well as the rules that govern corporate activities. Consequently, this module aims to develop your critical understanding of the laws that govern registered companies, as well as other business models such as partnerships and LLPs. In this module, you will examine the legal regulation of the formation, administration, financing, and governance of companies.
Employment Law – 20 credits
Employment law is a dynamic subject as it responds to changing, and sometimes conflicting, economic, political and social demands, within the UK, in addition to the impact of the EU and the wider global context. The module aims to provide you with a critical understanding of the regulation of employment by law and to place the legal rules in their broader economic and socio-political context. You will examine the legal regulation of the employment relationship from recruitment through to termination, the nature of employment and the rights and duties of both employers and employees.
Law, Innovation and Intellectual Property Law – 20 credits
Innovation is a major driver of added value and economic growth. This module considers the legal frameworks for the protection, harnessing, and exploitation of the economy of ideas. You will learn about the terminology, concepts, policy objects and statutory schemes necessary to understand Intellectual Property Law in the UK and the international protection measures which provide protection for intellectual property assets across national boundaries. You will further consider the ways in which innovation and new technologies can impact both the substance and practice of the law.
Family Law – 20 credits
This module will aim to develop your knowledge and understanding of family law, and the ways in which these areas of law operate in practice in their socio-legal context. You will primarily explore the ways in which English law regulates relationships between adult partners (in marriage, civil partnership, and co-habitation), and relationships between parents/carers and children. You will also develop your understanding of the operation of human rights law principles in family law, with a particular focus on the ways in which both private and public law operate to safeguard children and adults from violence and abuse in a family context.
International Criminal Law – 20 credits
This module will explore those crimes which are considered ‘international crimes’ i.e. the most heinous crimes which operate across national borders or those within states which warrant international scrutiny. This module examines the development of International Criminal Law (ICL), beginning with the aftermath of the Second World War, before focusing on the establishment of the more contemporary international criminal courts and tribunals. You will explore the basic principles of public international law which are relevant to ICL, before looking at the four ‘core crimes’ (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression), as well as various other aspects of international criminal prosecution, including the modes of criminal responsibility, defences and the international criminal trial process.
Optional
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
The Commercial Law LLB (Hons) degree has been designed so that it is capable of satisfying the academic component of Bar training as required by the Bar Standards Board. For further details of the requirements of the academic component of Bar training, please visit the Bar Standards Board website.
The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, online activities and directed readings.
Lectures introduce you to basic concepts and core principles. Workshops provide you with the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the subject matter through active exploration of legal issues, for example through debates, discussions, presentations, and other practical activities. Teaching sessions are designed to be interactive and may involve exploring real-world and hypothetical problems, considering case studies and analysing contemporary or more theoretical legal issues. This interactive approach enables you to develop your legal skills throughout your degree and immerse yourself in authentic legal experiences.
Throughout the course, your learning will be supported through AULA, our current mobile-first virtual learning environment and you will receive specialist training in the use of a variety of legal databases (our platform provider is subject to change).
If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.
We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which may include:
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Throughout the Commercial Law LLB degree, we aim to expose you to a wide variety of international opportunities2. From undertaking an international field trip to working with students from international universities in a Collaborative International Online Learning project, we aim to offer an international opportunity for everyone. The Law School has particularly strong links with the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China and established links with the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and the University of Nebrija in Madrid..
Throughout the course, you will explore aspects of international law and develop cognisance of diverse cultural and global perspectives. The Law School is a typically diverse community of legal academics and students, which brings depth and vibrancy to your student experience.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed.
Coventry University's lecturers and staff are exceptional. They genuinely want students to succeed, and as a result, they are always willing and open to providing students with academic guidance. Coventry University is more than just an educational institution, it has created a sense of community by providing a safe space for people from diverse backgrounds.
Khairat Abubakar, Law LLB Graduate, 2022
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Course name: Commercial Law LLB (Hons)
Course code: M221
Course location: Coventry University (Coventry)
If you didn’t get your expected grades or don’t have the traditional qualifications, don’t worry. Foundation level study offers an accessible route into undergraduate study search our degree with foundation year courses.
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Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,535 per year | Not available |
EU | £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary** £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | £16,800 per year | Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.
If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
The Commercial Law LLB course is delivered at Coventry University Main Campus, where you'll benefit from our dedicated law facilities4.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Our Moot Room gives you the opportunity to develop those vital and practical legal skills. You can practise your legal skills in a realistic setting, as well as having the chance to take part in mooting competitions.
Use the Legal Clinic to develop your practical legal skills and help you stand out in your future career. You will have access to 'real' clients and work alongside trained solicitors and lawyers.
Find out more about how Coventry University can kick start your legal career through our preparation courses.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
Law graduates can pursue a wide variety of careers both in the UK and overseas. Many graduates enter the legal profession as solicitors, barristers, paralegals or legal executives (additional education/courses and training required). However, the skills learned are also transferrable to career paths outside of law such as recruitment, management, teaching or finance. Many of our law graduates also go on to pursue a career in academia or undertake further academic study.
Previous law graduates from Coventry Law School have gone on to work at a wide variety of organisations and firms including:
I have volunteered with the Coventry Law employment clinic. This allows me to interview actual clients and produce advice for them. This has been extremely valuable in relating my studies to the world of work and given me incredible experience, as well as helping the clients. I have learned so much from this opportunity and I feel like I have a step up when it comes to training contract applications.
Leah Bolt, Law LLB Graduate, 2022
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Learn more about Phoenix+Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.
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International codes:
FBLU094
For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Complete our contact form
Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
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