Which LLM specialisation suits a BA LLB graduate with a legal background interested in international, corporate, or human rights law?

International law, corporate law and human rights law overlap in an LLB curriculum but diverge sharply once you are practising, since they lead toward organisations that recruit and pay very differently. The clearest way to choose is to work backward from the kind of institution you want to work for rather than forward from which subjects you enjoyed most. The subjects below matter more here than in most master's decisions, since the specific modules you take often shape which employers take your application seriously, not just the specialisation title on your degree.

International Law: The Route Toward the UN and Diplomacy

• Treaties, dispute resolution, humanitarian law: core subjects for international courts and organisations.
• Trade and investment electives: keep arbitration and cross-border legal work open too.
• Careers: international legal researcher, policy analyst, arbitration associate.

Core Subjects and Typical Employers For Each Track

• International Law: public international law, the law of treaties, international dispute resolution, international humanitarian law and international trade law, often with an international criminal law elective.
• Corporate and Commercial Law: corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, competition law, insolvency law and contract drafting.
• Human Rights Law: international human rights law, refugee and migration law, humanitarian law, constitutional rights and transitional justice.

Beyond the obvious law-firm or NGO route, international arbitration tribunals, embassies and multilateral development banks also recruit International Law LLM graduates directly, a Corporate and Commercial LLM often leads to Big 4 advisory arms or in-house counsel roles at multinationals rather than only private practice, and Human Rights LLM graduates increasingly find openings in corporate ESG and business-and-human-rights advisory teams as companies build out those functions.

Corporate and Commercial Law vs Human Rights Law

My Advice

In my experience, if you are genuinely torn, consider an LLM in International Law with Trade or Human Rights electives, since it keeps arbitration, policy and advocacy doors open rather than committing early. Prioritise faculty research strength and internship access over the degree title when comparing universities.