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International Dispute Resolution Online PGDip

Part of: Law

Explore the field of international dispute resolution through a flexible distance learning format. We provide an in-depth study of both arbitration theory and practice which you can follow at your own pace, without the constraints of fixed schedules or locations.

  • Have the choice to study an LLM, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in International Dispute Resolution at a leading UK University
  • Have access to the same resources as the Queen Mary students who attend on campus including careers advice from our dedicated law careers team and access to extensive online databases to support your learning.
  • Take part in lively online webinars with your peers lead by our excellent academic team and guest lecturers who are leaders in arbitration.
  • Gain a qualification in one of our most popular areas of legal practice from Queen Mary, who are ranked 38th in the world for law (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024).

Study options

Starting in
September 2025
Location
Distance Learning
Fees
Home: £10,550
Overseas: £10,550
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.
Apply nowRegister your interest

What you'll study

e programme covers a broad spectrum of arbitration topics including commercial and investment arbitration, as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

The two modules on commercial arbitration provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key legal issues that arise during arbitration proceedings. The investment arbitration modules offer an in-depth exploration of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), challenges to investor State arbitration and all of the substantive protections provided in investment treaties.

Together, these modules equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field, whether as in-house lawyers, outside counsel, academics or arbitrators.

Lead by the School of International Arbitration (SIA) at Queen Mary, you’ll have access to events run by the SIA, the first centre dedicated  to research and teaching of international arbitration.

Structure

The LLM in International Dispute Resolution is available for part-time study offered over two academic years.

You will complete 120 credits of compulsory modules in total.

Master Journey Webinars

Master Journey Webinars

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Modules

Assessment

For each module you will be assessed based on tasks such as a module essay and final assessment exercise (take-home exam).

You can directly consult with the course convenor and director if you need some support which fosters a strong student-tutor relationship. For the final LLM dissertation, you will conduct independent research on a topic agreed upon with your supervisor.

FAQs

Read our FAQs for more information about applying to us.

Teaching

As a Distance Learning Student of Queen Mary, we encourage you to actively participate in your learning through discussion forums and group webinars.

You will be required to conduct individual study which will be guided by weekly online content, along with your reading lists and assignments. We expect you to demonstrate an active role in your learning by reading widely and expanding your knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

Independent study helps foster the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help you throughout your working life.

Where you'll learn

Facilities

  • Delivered online via QMplus
  • Free access to online databases and collections including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Justis, Eur-lex, Hein-Online and many more
  • Queen Mary’s excellent Law Library and European Documentation Centre
  • Access to the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and the Library at Senate House

Campus

QMplus is our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and is based on Moodle. 

QMplus is made up of online course areas and may include material such as lecture slides or presentations, tools for communicating such as chat rooms and discussion forums, coursework submission areas for assignments and quizzes, and other collaborative and group-work activities.

About the School

The School of Law

The School of Law is part of Queen Mary University of London, a member of both the University of London and the Russell Group. The School was ranked 7th in the UK and 32nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, and 10th in the UK and 50th in world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject.

The School of Law has consistently been ranked in the top 10 law schools in the UK for the quality of our research and teaching, and many of our internationally recognised staff act as advisers to governments, industry and NGOs, both nationally and internationally.

The School's central focus is on the role of law and its institutions in contemporary international society. The School of Law is divided into two organisational units: the Department of Law and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). The School of Law hosts the largest and most diverse LLM programme in the UK.

 

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School of Law

Career paths

During the course, you will get a broad perspective on arbitration that is not limited to English arbitration law. Instead, we study statutes and cases from numerous jurisdictions, covering continental Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

Through our PGDip, students with no background in arbitration will gain a comprehensive knowledge of both commercial and investor-State arbitration. Students gain both practical and theoretical insights into these fields of practice from our experienced faculty all of whom work in arbitration (both as practitioners and arbitrators).

For experienced arbitration lawyers, studying our LLM is an opportunity to take some distance from your everyday work and gain a top-down, theoretical understanding of the subject matter.

A specialised PGDip will also bolster both experienced and inexperienced lawyers’ credibility as arbitration practitioners, thereby helping you achieve your professional goals. 

Fees and funding

Part-time study

September 2025 | 16 months

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

Funding

There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.

School of Law scholarships

The School of Law offers a range of scholarships for Law Masters programmes each year. Full details are made available on the law funding page from October – November each year.

Other sources of funding

Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:

Entry requirements

UK

Degree requirements

A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in Law or a degree with substantial law content.

Law graduates with a 2:2 honours degree who also have other legal qualifications and/or substantial professional legal experience may also qualify.

Other routes

Non-law graduates with a minimum second class honours degree, that have also obtained a Merit (or 60 per cent) in the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) recognised by the UK professional bodies, may also qualify. Non-law graduates may also be considered on the basis of exceptional professional experience (of at least five years) in a legal area or an area directly related to their programme of study.

Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.

International

English language requirements

All postgraduate programmes in this school have non-standard English language requirements.

For the English language requirements for this course, see programmes with non-standard English language requirements .

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa.

Contact

School of Law

Postgraduate Admissions

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