Overview
If you want to add to your existing law qualifications – or you're a graduate from another subject area who's looking to develop your legal knowledge and gain a relevant qualification – our LLM Law degree course is the perfect next step for you.
On this flexible course – which can be studied either part-time or full-time – you'll develop expertise in law, supplemented with a choice of specialist subjects, including corporate governance, employment law, intellectual property law, and international commercial arbitration.
Choose from optional subjects taught by experts and tailor-make your degree to match your interests. Studying for an LLM will give you the opportunity to develop your legal and research skills. It can also be the first step to a career in research.
What you'll experience
On this course you'll:
- Learn from a skilled and experienced team of academics, including active researchers and qualified solicitors and barristers with extensive experience of legal practice
- Experience a variety of teaching methods, including group work, discussion, case studies, simulation and debate
- Benefit from our lively careers and employability programme. You'll get the opportunity to attend workshops, gain relevant work experience and participate in our professional mentoring programme
- Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of online ejournals
- Pursue specific areas of academic interest or, if you prefer, develop a wider range of skills and knowledge
Work experience and career planning
We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your legal skills to work.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What you'll study on this LLM Law degree course
Law route
If you have a UK law degree or equivalent, you'll undertake a dissertation or professional practitioner project and four modules from the following list:
- Community Legal Research Project
- Corporate Governance: Theory, Law and Practice (not available for September intake)
- Employment Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- International and European Business Law
- International Commercial Arbitration
- Work-based Learning Unit
- Commercial and Consumer Law
- Theory of ADR
- Negotiation Theory and Practice
- Dissertation or Professional Practitioner Project
Non-law route
Those who don't have a UK law degree or equivalent will be enrolled on the non-law route and will undertake the following modules:
- Legal Approach to Business
- Dissertation/Professional Practitioner Project
You'll also choose three modules from:
- Community Legal Research Project
- Corporate Law and Governance
- Employment Law
- Global Corporate Responsibility
- Intellectual Property Law
- International and European Human Rights Law
- International Commercial Arbitration
- Work-based Learning Unit
- Commercial and Consumer Law
- Theory of ADR
- Negotiation Theory and Practice
- Dissertation or Professional Practitioner Project
Teaching
If you're studying full-time, you'll be expected to attend 8 hours of class time per week. If you're studying part-time, you'll be expected to attend around 4 hours of class time per week.
You'll be encouraged to study independently, with time devoted to group problem solving, discussion and debate.
How you're assessedYou'll be assessed through a mixture of exams and coursework, but you'll also produce a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Careers and opportunities
The LLM Law degree course provides a springboard for many career paths, including academia, business or the public sector. If you are an aspiring lawyer, the LLM can give you a competitive edge. If you're already a law practitioner, you'll have the opportunity to pursue new subject specialities.
What jobs can you do with a Law degree?
Career opportunities include:
- Legal adviser
- Compliance officer
- Procurement professional
- Human resources adviser
- Paralegal/legal clerk
- Further research or study