Directors' duties, boards and modern compliance for legal professionals
Online only
Corporate governance failures destroy value and public trust. This LLM equips lawyers, company secretaries, compliance officers and governance professionals with rigorous knowledge of directors' duties, board systems, financial services conduct regulation, ESG disclosure law and corporate investigations. Teaching combines doctrinal analysis with board case clinics and comparative governance systems. The dissertation enables specialisation — from financial crime to data governance or sustainability law.
Complements the LLM International Commercial Law for candidates focused on internal corporate control rather than cross-border commercial contracts. Practising professionals can study entirely online around full-time roles.
Faculty spotlight
Practising counsel and academic lawyers co-teach board clinics; financial regulation specialists lead conduct and financial crime modules.
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 12 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. The University of Edinburgh publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@edinac.uk.
Study online
Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.
Accreditation & recognition
