|
The Curriculum and Degree Structure
The curriculum for the various LLM degrees is composed of taught courses. Each specialised LLM degree has a core set of course options attached to it. Full details of courses can be found on the relevant programme pages.
All courses are assessed by essays or in some cases by essay and/or written assignments or a written examination. The MSc curriculum is composed of six one-semester modules, some compulsory and others optional. Teaching in all LLM and MSc courses is seminar-based with an emphasis on student participation and discussion. This style of teaching is ideally suited to the advanced standard achieved at postgraduate level.
All students who complete their taught courses to the standard required for an LLM or MSc degree then progress to write a dissertation of approximately 10000 words on an approved subject of their choice. This must be completed by late August. Dissertations are supervised but in a 'light touch' way that enables students to develop their scholarly skills, analytical ability and intellectual independence.
Courses
In addition to full-year courses, a wide range of specialised one-semester courses are also offered. Students can select either three full-year courses, six one-semester courses, or a combination of both full-year and one-semester options, thus enabling each individual student to tailor their own curriculum as best suits their interests and future career plans.
This list of courses that we offer illustrates the impressive breadth of the subject matter covered by our Law School teaching and research programme and this will continue to inform and, indeed, be enhanced by our new curriculum.
Read descriptions of all the courses offered on our postgraduate programmes
Some General Principles Relating to Choice of Course
Unfortunately, not every course can be offered every year. Because our courses deliver research-led teaching, staff sabbaticals, for example, can have an impact on our course offerings each year. While every effort is made to ensure that all courses will be taught, the University also reserves the right to withdraw courses which are under-subscribed (fewer than five students) or in response to staff changes or other unforeseen circumstances.
To maintain the rewarding seminar format of its postgraduate teaching, the School also reserves the right to limit numbers attending all LLM and MSc classes to not more than 25. Students registered for a specialist LLM degree or the MSc will have priority access to courses that form part of that degree. Students not registered for the relevant degree will only be permitted to take specialist degree courses if fewer than 25 students in total intend to take the course in question. In determining which students will be permitted to take such courses account will be taken of the student's previous degree or experience and their relevance to the subject-matter of the course. Some courses are not suitable for students who do not have some previous knowledge or experience of the relevant subject or legal system and therefore have special admissions requirements. It is therefore essential that you give careful thought in advance to which LLM programme best suits your interests.
LLM students may take any two of the MSc modules on condition that the course organiser is satisfied that the student has the required background to take the course.
| | |
