LLM in Law LLM

About the course

To this end, all our LLM Programmes are assessed on the basis of coursework alone. Candidates choose the times of working. There are no examinations to sit.

We offer a dynamic range of fourteen different taught modules and there are five named pathways, which you can opt to study:
• LLM in Commercial Law
• LLM in E-Commerce Law
• LLM in International Law
• LLM in Maritime Law
• LLM in Telecommunications Law

If you choose to study a named pathway then you will study two compulsory modules (one each semester) as well as two options (one each semester).There is also the option to study for a Joint Pathway, (where you study the two compulsory modules from the two named pathways) to give you a total of four modules of study. Or, you can study for a general LLM in Law, which allows you a completely free choice of four modules so that you can study areas of law of particular interest to you. Even more flexibility is built in to the programmes in that you can commence your studies in either September (Semester A) or January (Semester B) of each year.

Semester C: Dissertation or Internship?

As well as taking the four taught modules you are also required to complete a 15,000 word dissertation (this counts as two modules) on a topic related to your chosen pathway. The dissertation provides you with an opportunity to carry out assisted research in area of interest to you. The assistance comes in the form of supervision by an expert member of staff and by regular research methods and skills sessions. The dissertation is submitted by mid-September in your final year.

However, our innovative and professionally facing ethos led to the validation of the Internship Module option to run in Semester C alongside the traditional dissertation.

Students have the option of pursuing either the dissertation or the Internship module (the Internship module is subject to an application procedure). If you choose the Internship, it will provide you with the opportunity to work in a law firm and/or the legal department of a business for one or two days per week over a period of about three months. The internships are organised by the School of Law to ensure that all students will gain a genuine and invaluable insight into the legal working environment. Assessment is carried out by means of an oral presentation, a reflective diary and a portfolio (in all totalling 15,000 words on submission).

 

Why choose this course?

Our LLM Programmes are designed to appeal to people from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of interests ranging from recent undergraduates who wish to acquire specialist knowledge before starting their careers to practising lawyers who seek to compliment their day to day work with further study. Such a wide range of people require programmes to have flexibility to fit into busy lives.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

The University has an extensive careers service available to all students, while the School has two academic members of staff, former solicitors, who hold regular 'surgeries' providing careers advice including CV writing, interview skills and suggestions for obtaining work placements during your studies at the School.

Teaching methods

Teaching takes the form of weekly lecture/workshop sessions. You are expected to come to these sessions prepared and ready to contribute to discussions. If you are studying full-time, you attend for two lectures and small group seminars per week and part-time for one lecture and small group session per week. You will be given comprehensive module guides and reading lists at the beginning of each module to enable you to read widely and research issues independently.

You are expected to approach issues of law critically and to consider law in its social, political and economic context. Each module is assessed exclusively by means of coursework and makes extensive use of our flexible, learner-centred managed online learning environment (StudyNet). Seminar tutors are specialists in their area of teaching and will be available and willing to help with any questions or concerns in the preparation for classes.

Professional Accreditations

This Programme is validated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for Continuing Professional Development purposes.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Dissertation - LLM

  The Dissertation requires students to select a topic relevant to the LLM degree pathway being pursued. Guidance on selection is provided through Research Methods & Skills session within the programme. Students are encouraged to undertake projects which have a far more practical, business focus to them and which will underpin their professional development. Students are allocated a supervisor for their dissertation; these meetings will be documented by way of Diary Sheets completed by both parties and will form the basis of the self reflection journal which accounts for 15% of the overall mark. Students are required to give a presentation at the beginning of the module, which accounts for 10% of the overall mark and to submit a 15,000 word dissertation which accounts for the remaining 75% of the marks.

Optional

• Banking Law

  The course will examine the structure and content of domestic and international banking systems. Students will also examine the regulatory and supervisory regimes, including their development. The course will also examine the banker - customer relationship in considerable depth and consider banking law in its broader private law and ethical contexts.

• Commercial Law

  The course will consider the following elements of commercial law: the theoretical principles which underpin UK commercial Law and the codification debate the historical development of commercial sale of goods and the growth of consumerism with analysis of the competing ideological demands the legal implications of property and risk in commercial sale of goods contracts and the legal and practical implications of reservation of title remedies and dispute resolution in commercial law the legal and practical implications of the use of business intermediaries with particular reference to Commercial Agents the principles of corporate insolvency and their application to winding up and other insolvency mechanisms, including an examination of the liability of directors the development of the corporate rescue culture in the UK and other jurisdictions

• Company Law

  The course will examine the structure of the modern day limited company in both the public and private form. Students will examine the procedures for incorporation as well as the legal/financial consequences. The course will also look at the constitution of a company, the rights and duties of directors and shareholders, as well as the interests of employees and creditors, in terms of corporate governance. Finally, the course will consider shares.

• Conflicts of Law

  The course will consider the following elements of private international law: the nature and history of English Conflict of Laws and its traditional concepts of jurisdiction and domicile the development of EC influences upon English law in relation to matters of jurisdiction, choice of law in contract and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments the process of litigation including; stays, interim measures and anti-suit injunctions choice of laws in relation to contractual and tortuous obligations general theoretical issues including; Public Policy, Renvoi and Classification / Characterisation

• Data Protection and Cyber Security

  The course will consider the following elements of data protection law: the development of data protection legislation within the United Kingdom the nature and rise of internet-specific crimes and analyse whether the response of the law is adequate the proposed introduction of identity cards in the United Kingdom will be followed and analysed the purpose and use of encryption and the use of cookies in the make-up of the Internet

• E-Commerce Law

  The course will examine a wide variety of e-commerce principles. These will include the development of Internet governance, traditional methods of contract formation (including contract conclusion and incorporation of terms) and analyse their application to contracting on the Internet. Examination will be made of key European consumer protection legislation. The emphasis will then shift to webvertising and specifically spam, with a pan-European and American approaching to dealing with the issue. The course will conclude with a session on domain names and the changing nature of domain name disputes. The coursework comprises three pieces of work and assesses a student's ability to conduct independent research as well as to synthesise, evaluate and apply relevant legal knowledge to complex questions. The self reflection log requires students to explore (i) their ability to work within a group context; (ii) their ability to reflect on their own, and others', functioning; (iii) implications for their own professional development; (iv) the challenges faced through independent learning / research.

• Intellectual Property Law

  The aims of this module are to enable students to: extend their understanding of the law relating to intellectual property law, such as traditional issues of copyright and patents as well as the protection of intellectual property rights on the Internet and/or other mediums of communication. enhance their intellectual, transferable and interpersonal skills as well as developing other postgraduate skills including independent research, the exercise of initiative and critical awareness of current problems to provide education that enhances students' prospects of professional, commercial, business or academic employment.

• International Commercial Law

  The course will examine choice of law/jurisdiction clauses, the different types of international commercial contracts and the respective implications for the parties involved. The course will also examine the various international conventions applicable to international trade as well as the typical method of financing used. Finally the role of documentation will be analysed through a consideration of bill of lading.

• International Financial Services

  The course will consider the following elements of financial services law: the nature and development of Financial Services Law the development of global and European influences upon English law the sale of debt and asset securitisation the Syndication of Loans fraud, Corruption and Money Laundering

• Internship

  The Internship requires students to undertake a period of work within a firm / organization identified by the School and to reflect upon their experiences supported by appropriate research activities so as to underpin their professional development. Students are allocated a supervisor for their internship; these meetings will be documented by way of Diary Sheets completed by both parties and will form the basis of the self reflection journal which accounts for 15% of the overall mark. Students are required to give a presentation at the beginning of the module, which accounts for 10% of the overall mark and to submit a three pieces of written work which accounts for the remaining 75% of the marks, the largest of which is an 8,000 word portfolio which requires a degree of 'strategic sectoral analysis'.

• Maritime Law

  Following a general examination of Admiralty jurisdiction, the course will then look more closely at actions in rem and actions in personam and the related topics of maritime liens and the arrest of ships the ship as property including ownership, sale and shipbuilding contracts. Financing such contracts with an examination of mortgages, mortgage registration Safety at Sea through an examination of Flags of Convenience and Port State Control Marine Insurance, including general insurance concepts and particular maritime issues collisions and liability including corporate manslaughter ancillary matters including use of harbours and docks, pilotage, authority of master, rights and duties of crew and limitation of liability; salvage at common law, contractual salvage [Lloyds Open Form], P&I Clubs [SCOPIC], and towage contracts

• Public International Law

  The course will examine modern public international law. First, the course examines the nature of public international law, its sources and the relationship of international law to domestic law. Second, the course reviews the principles of international law including personality, recognition, sovereignty, jurisdiction, settlement, as well as the concepts of state and international organisation. We will not analyse in details the issue of diplomatic immunity and state liability. Third, the course studies the evolution of public international law on the basis of democratization and globalisation. It focuses in particular on the diversification regarding the subject of law and the blurred distinction with private international law. It scrutinises two particular areas that have considerably evolved, namely international human rights and international economic law.

• Telecommunications Law

  Introduction to Telecommunications Law in the Digital Age -- Phenomenon of Convergence. The UK Regulatory Structure 1 The UK Regulatory Structure 2. The EU Regulatory Structure -- The Framework and Implementing Directives. International Aspects of Telecommunications Law Competition Law and Telecommunications. Overview and Future Implications/Developments.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,250 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £10,500 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply