Delve into the legal principles surrounding the exciting field of global trade with a focus on the shipping industry. Specialise in two key areas of commercial law: International Trade law and Maritime Law, building your knowledge and skills within a continuously growing niche industry. These two areas bring together many fields of law from advanced contract to the law of the sea. The international nature of this course, covering international trade and shipping, is matched by the diverse staff and students that form our truly global community.

You develop a thorough and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the main principles of law in the areas of international trade and maritime law. Exploring the social, political, cultural, and economic background of the laws in question, you gain an understanding of how national, European Union Law and International Law interact. You will cover a variety of topics, including:

• Financing International Trade
• How Marine Insurance protects ships and cargoes
• International Law of the Sea issues
• Sale and Carriage of Goods by Sea Contracts
• Environmental Protection Laws

At Essex we specialise in commercial law, public law, and human rights law. We are ranked 51st for Law in the World University Rankings 2021 and we are 4th in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014, mainstream universities, THE 2014).

Our course uniquely combines International Trade Law with a particular focus on Maritime Law and our proximity to London means you are near the heart of the UK Finance, Insurance and Shipping industries. You develop your intellectual and critical faculties, encouraging you to think independently and teaching you to present rational, coherent, and accurate arguments orally and in writing. It will provide you with an excellent foundation for any career.

Your future

Our School of Law graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers in international and intergovernmental organisations or employment with governments across the world, in commerce and banking, in non-governmental organisations and, as might be expected, in the legal profession and the judiciary. Students have joined Protection and Indemnity Clubs, working in the Insurance industry including Lloyd’s of London opportunities; they join shipping companies and associations such as the International Maritime Purchasing Association. Others have gone on to Shipping Law firms or Commercial Banks and you can aspire to careers in organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation, UN Conference on Trade and Development or the International Chamber of Commerce. Maritime Law offers a plethora of opportunities and whilst you are at Essex, our staff can advise what type of careers will be suitable according to the modules you found interesting on the course.

During the year, we hold a careers session for our students in which we reflect upon our own careers and how they have been built as well as those from former students. We are always available to discuss career options and if you are interested in a particular area of the law, we can link you up with the relevant alumni to offer advice.

We work with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.