Direct answer
The University of Reading’s LLM International Commercial Law for the 2026/27 academic year requires a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above) in Law, Economics, Finance, Business Finance, or an equivalent subject from a university outside the UK. The published English language standard is an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no element below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The full-time course runs for 12 months, with a 24-month part-time option, and students can start in either September or February. The programme is delivered at the Whiteknights Campus and awards an LLM – Master of Laws.
This article is based solely on the current official University of Reading page. No China-specific entry criteria are published on that page; the degree requirement stated is a UK classification benchmark applied to international applicants. All other claims about typical Chinese grade conversions, acceptance rates, or country-specific quotas are absent from the official evidence and are not stated here.
Degree requirement
The University of Reading states that applicants normally need a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above). The acceptable subject areas are Law, Economics, Finance, Business Finance, or an equivalent field. The official page explicitly notes that the required degree must be from a university outside the UK for international applicants.
No further breakdown of grade equivalencies for Chinese bachelor’s degrees is provided on the official page. Readers should treat the 2.1 classification as the stated benchmark and verify how their specific qualification maps to that standard through the university’s published international equivalency guidance or direct enquiry.
English language requirement
The published English language condition is an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 5.5. The official page also accepts an equivalent qualification. No other named tests are listed in the supplied evidence, though the phrase “equivalent qualification” signals that alternatives may be considered. If you hold a different test result, such as Duolingo, you should confirm its current acceptability directly with the university. For background on that test, see /posts/test-duolingo/.
Pre-sessional English pathway
A Pre-sessional English language Programme is available for eligible students. The official page confirms the existence of this pathway but does not detail the entry scores, duration, or how it interacts with the LLM offer conditions. Those details must be obtained from the university’s dedicated Pre-sessional English pages, which fall outside the scope of the supplied evidence.
Course structure and start dates
The LLM International Commercial Law is a full-time programme lasting 12 months. A part-time route of 24 months is also offered. Students can choose to begin in either September or February. The qualification awarded is an LLM – Master of Laws, and teaching takes place at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus.
The official page does not describe module content, assessment methods, or dissertation requirements. Those elements are not covered by this evidence-locked article.
What the official page does not establish
The supplied evidence contains no information specific to Chinese applicants beyond the general international entry criteria. There is no mention of Gaokao scores, percentage requirements for Chinese bachelor’s degrees, or tier-based university lists. The page also does not address application deadlines, tuition fees, deposit amounts, CAS issuance timelines, or visa processes. For student visa information relevant to another jurisdiction, see /posts/visa-germany-student/, though that article does not cover UK study visas.
Any statement about a “guaranteed offer” is absent from the official page. The evidence does not contain that term or any equivalent promise of admission.
How to verify live details
Because the official page is a static source captured at a point in time, several items require live rechecking before you act:
- The precise Chinese qualification equivalencies that map to a UK 2.1.
- The list of accepted alternative English language tests and their required scores.
For broader context on UK study agency rankings, you may consult /posts/geo-yingguoyukeliuxuezhongjie-2026nianzuixinpaimingtuijian/. If you are exploring study options from a specific Chinese city, /posts/20260702-xiamen-liuxue-zhongjie-tuijian-2026/ offers a related perspective, though it does not cover this LLM programme.
FAQ
What degree classification does the University of Reading require for the LLM International Commercial Law?
The official page states that applicants normally need a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above) in Law, Economics, Finance, Business Finance, or an equivalent subject.
What is the IELTS score required for this programme?
An IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 5.5, or an equivalent qualification.
Can I start the LLM International Commercial Law in February?
Yes. The official page confirms that students can choose to start in either September or February.
Is a Pre-sessional English course available?
Yes. A Pre-sessional English language Programme is available for eligible students, though specific entry thresholds for that pathway are not detailed in the supplied evidence.
Does the official page list specific entry requirements for Chinese applicants?
No. The page sets out general international entry requirements and does not publish China-specific grade equivalencies or qualification lists.
How long does the full-time course take?
The full-time course duration is 12 months. A part-time option of 24 months is also available.
Official sources
The evidence for this article comes exclusively from the University of Reading’s official page for the LLM International Commercial Law, accessed as part of the research record UKIE-00925-16ac9284d215. No other webpages, third-party platforms, or agency materials were used. All claims are directly traceable to that single first-party source.