Law* LLM
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Course Summary
In today's globalised legal landscape, there is a growing need for expertise to navigate complex transnational interactions. The LLM Law is designed to equip you with the necessary expertise to succeed in this dynamic environment. The LLM covers public and private international law matters with expert teaching focusing on Human Rights and Business and Commercial Law. Explore regulatory frameworks across various jurisdictions and tailor your learning with our diverse range of modules.
At the School of Law and Social Justice we blend academic theory with practical relevance to enhance your knowledge, advance your career, and specialise in key areas. Through modules such as International Human Rights, International Business, Corporate Governance and Ethics, Commercial Conflicts of Law, and International Dispute Resolution, you'll research deep into crucial aspects of international law, gaining insights that bridge theory and practice.
Join a vibrant academic community comprising staff and students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Engage in lively discussions and debates, where each participant's unique lived experiences contribute to a rich academic discourse, broadening your perspective and understanding.
Explore a multitude of postgraduate-focused employability opportunities facilitated by our Careers and Employability services, pro bono activities, and valuable work experience opportunities. Embark on a journey that not only enhances your knowledge and skills but also propels you towards a rewarding and fulfilling career in international business and commercial law.
What you'llStudy
Students need to complete 6 modules and a dissertation. Each module has 200 hours of which 30 structured hours, 170 independent guided study.
Module content:
The content covered in this module will provide students with the knowledge required to design and manage an independent research topic. The module will examine the role of research in law and the social sciences, covering main research paradigms and core philosophical debates. The principal methodologies used in social science research will be examined, together with contemporary applications. Teaching hours will cover all aspects of the research process required to design and manage a successful research project in contemporary legal studies, including:
- Research Methodologies, particularly doctrinal and socio legal
- Research methods and design
- Research ethics
- Writing an effective research proposal
- Presenting research findings
The module content will enable a student to produce a research proposal which will be the basis of their LA7009 Dissertation.
Module aims:
The over-arching aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity develop the core skills required to conduct independent research relating to legal issues, both those arising in theory and practice.
The module aims to supply students with the skills that will be required to undertake an extended piece of research and writing at Masters study. the module will enable a student to produce a research proposal on their chosen area of law which will be the basis of their dissertation.
Module content:
This module introduces students to the complex issues that arise when a legal case with a foreign element comes before the courts of England and Wales. The module considers the three questions: jurisdiction, choice of law and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. These questions are explored through primary and secondary sources.
Content:
Fundamental concepts and issues
Domicile and residence
Jurisdiction
Stay and Restraint of Proceedings
Foreign judgments
Topical application selected from:
- Contracts
- Torts
- Restitution
- Property
- Successions and trusts
Module aims:
To introduce students to the complex issues that arise when a legal case with a foreign element comes before the courts of England and Wales.
To explore the three questions of a conflicts of law case: jurisdiction, choice of law and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments.
To critically analyse case scenarios, identify conflicts of law issues, select and apply appropriate rules, and construct a viable argument proposing a solution and predicting its likely success.
Module content:
The module will provide a consideration of Common Law from a domestic and international perspective.
The module will assess common law, considering its history and development as well as it functions in a modern legal system.
The module will provide a solid foundation for students studying common law jurisdictions and enabling them to navigate the complexities of such a system.
The module will consider the common law in action and support students in developing a framework to utilising common law within complex legal scenarios.
Topics to be covered will be:
- Origins of the Common Law
- Evolution of the Common Law
- The Common Law in a modern context, challenges and developments
- Application of common law in particular fields of law
Module aims:
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Module content:
This module is principally an independent study module and, accordingly, much of the specific content will be chosen by students, with direction from their supervisor, dependent on which particular area(s) they have chosen to focus on over the course of their Masters programme.
Designated supervisors will provide further individual advice and support on specific modes of analyses as relevant. The dissertations may require ethical approval and this will be considered by the School of Law research ethics committee as required.
Module aims:
The over-arching aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an extended piece of research and writing in an area relevant to their Masters study, and support students in further developing the necessary skills to do this well. Accordingly, the module aims to allow students to undertake largely self-directed study of key issues at the forefront of contemporary legal studies
Module content:
Indicative Module Topics for International Dispute Resolution:
- Understanding Arbitration: Nature and Scope
- Legal Frameworks in International Dispute Resolution
- Formation and Validity of Arbitration Agreements
- Roles and Authorities of Arbitral Tribunals and Mediators
- Procedural Aspects: Arbitration Processes and Mediation Techniques
- Court Jurisdiction and its Interplay with Arbitration
- Award Enforcement and Settlement Agreement Considerations
- Contemporary Challenges and Developments in International Dispute Resolution
Module aims:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and principles in international commercial dispute resolution.
- Equip students with advanced research skills to effectively locate and evaluate suitable legal resources both locally and internationally.
- Enhance analytical capabilities to identify legal and factual issues in hypothetical scenarios of international commercial disputes, and apply relevant principles to formulate solutions.
- Foster awareness of key current developments in the field of international arbitration.
- Cultivate the ability to construct coherent and persuasive legal arguments in the context of international commercial dispute resolution.
Module content:
Indicative Module Topics for Foundations of International Commercial Law:
- What is International Commercial Law?
- Challenges for commercial law;
- Harmonisation and uniform law agendas;
- Using Contracts in International Commercial Law
- Standard Trade Terms (e.g., INCOTERMS);
- Secured Interests in Mobile Equipment;
- UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts; and
- International commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Model Law and the New York Convention.
Module aims:
- Analyse, evaluate, and synthesise complex challenges associated with cross-border transactions, incorporating legal, social, and economic dimensions.
- Assess and synthesise complex aspects of key areas within International Commercial Law.
- Utilise internationally relevant legal and non-legal materials effectively for the study of commercial law.
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of contextual challenges within International Commercial Law through structured written analysis.
Module content:
The module will focus on Human Rights Law from an international perspective, it will cover the following core areas:
- Institutions of International Human Rights
- Sources of International Human Rights Law
- Fundamentals of Human Rights law at an International and regional level
- Enforcement of Human Rights
- Substantive Human Rights
(Including indictive examples of substantive rights)
- Rights to privacy
- Rights of workers
- Rights of a Child
- Right to Education
Module aims:
- To outline fundamental elements of Human Rights Law as relevant internationally and to different jurisdictions
- To enable students to appreciate the approaches and complexities of enforcing Human Rights internationally
- To equip students to utilise their understanding of legal principles and independent research methods to determine applicable laws internationally and within different jurisdictions on Human Rights.
The course includes six taught modules plus the Dissertation. Each taught module amounts to a total of 30 hours of tutor contact time. In addition, each module is designed with a notional 170 hours of private study.
Beyond the Classroom
The Law School’s Legal Advice Clinic and Community Law Projects offer award winning opportunities to develop employability skills during your studies.
Through these activities, the Law School has a strong relationship with a wide range of law firms, businesses, local and national stakeholders and charities.
These contacts and opportunities mean that Law School graduates are well placed to secure jobs within the Legal Profession, local and international businesses, as well as the public and charity sectors.
Additionally, the LLM fosters the development of essential research skills, preparing you for potential advancement to a PhD programme or an academic career focused on international human rights law.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally be expected to hold a relevant degree with a minimum 2:2 honours, or equivalent.
Relevant degrees are considered to be in:
- Law
- Business
- Finance
- Political Science
Applications are also welcome from those with non-standard entry qualifications. A typical applicant may be a new/recent graduate, who has attained a first degree and wishes to augment that with further study to optimise their career opportunities.
2:2 honours degree
A 2:2 honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification is required.
Relevant degrees are considered to be in:
- Law
- Business
- Finance
- Political Science
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
Fees and Funding
TBC
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.
£14,750 for the full course (2024/25)
The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750.
International fees for 2025/6 are to be confirmed shortly.
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
Your Future Career
Job Prospects
Completing the LLM in Law programme equips you for a diverse range of professional roles. Whether you aspire to pursue a career in law or to work within the public sector specialising in human rights, this programme lays a solid foundation.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.