ObjectivesTo develop and refine expertise in the selected areas of study; to obtain a critical understanding of relevant legal principles, the policy considerations that underpin them and, as appropriate, their socio-legal, comparative and interdisciplinary contexts; to develop the ability to analyse, interpret and apply a wide range of legal, socio-legal and contextual materials in the solution to complex legal problems; to stimulate your capacity for independent legal research; to enhance skills in oral and written expression.
Entry requirementsCandidates should normally have a first or good second class honours degree in law, OR an equivalent degree where law is a substantial element, OR an equivalent degree in an appropriate discipline, OR be qualified as a barrister or solicitor or have an equivalent qualification.
Academic titleLLM
Course descriptionThe LLM streams
The six LLM streams are designed to provide a wide choice of modules, while allowing the possibility for specialisation in a particular field. The following streams are available:
LLM (General Programme)
Students make free selection of 120 credits of modules from any of those offered (provided they meet the pre-requisite for that module), enabling pursuit of a diverse range of interests.
LLM in European Law and Integration
Students choose 90 credits of modules from those modules marked (EL) and 30 credits of modules from any of those offered. European Law refers to both the law of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights.
LLM in Human Rights
Students take a compulsory 15 credit module in both Semesters One and Two that cover fundamental international human rights issues, (Global Protection of Human Rights I and II). They choose a further 60 credits of modules from those marked (HR), and 30 credits of modules from any of those offered.
LLM in International Commercial Law
Students choose 90 credits of modules from those marked (ICL) and 30 credits of modules from any of those offered. This stream provides a specialist knowledge of international, European and domestic commercial law. Some modules (marked *) require prior legal qualifications/training.
LLM in Public International Law
Students choose 90 credits of modules from those marked (PIL) and 30 credits of modules from any of those offered.
LLM in Legal Research
Students take the six compulsory modules marked (LR) totalling 90 credits, and 30 credits of modules from any of those listed. The six compulsory modules are taught in the form of intensive seminars during three separate weeks in November, January and March.
Course structure
Leicester LLM students are required to complete taught modules totalling 120 credits and a dissertation weighted as 60 credits. As most of the modules on the LLM programme are 15 credits, this normally means studying four modules in both semesters (a small number of modules are 30 credits). To obtain one of the specialised degrees you must ensure that you meet the requirements for that stream, which are set out above.
LLM students may also apply to study abroad for one semester in one of our many European partner institutions.
LLM Modules:
While every effort is made to offer the modules listed below, the availability of a particular module cannot be guaranteed. Please see the Department’s web pages for more details:
Semester 1
-Commercial Conflict of Laws: Issues of Jurisdiction (ICL)*
-Diplomatic Law (PIL)
-Freedom of Expression (HR)
-Global Protection of Human Rights: Implementation Methods (HR) (PIL)
-Human Rights and Health Care Law (HR)
-Intellectual Property and the European Internal Market (EL) (ICL)*
-International Commercial Arbitration Moot 1 (ICL)
-International Regulation of Companies (ICL)
-International Sales Transactions (ICL)*
-International Trade and Intellectual Property (ICL)
-Law and Organisation of the World Trading System (ICL) (PIL)
-Principles of EU Competition Law (EL) (ICL)
-The European Convention on Human Rights: Institutions, Procedures and Fundamental Rights (EL) (HR) (PIL)
-Institutional Structure and Constitutional Governance in the EU (DL)
-Comparative, International and European Copyright (EL) (ICL)
-Managing and Communicating Research (LR)
-Legal Argumentation and Method (LR)
-Socio-legal Research (LR)
-Comparative Law (LR)
Semester 2
-Aspects of E-Commerce Law (ICL)
-Commercial Conflict of Laws: Choice of Law Issues (ICL)*
-Contemporary Legal Problems of World Trade (ICL)
-Contracts for the Carriage of Goods by Sea (ICL)*
-European and International Patent and Trade Mark Law (EL) (ICL)*
-Feminist Perspectives on International Law (HR) (PIL)
-Financial Services Crime (ICL)
-Financing International Sales Transactions (ICL)*
-Global Protection of Human Rights: Core Principles (HR) (PIL)
-Issues and Procedures in European Union Competition Law (EL) (ICL)
-International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2 (ICL)
-International Boundary Disputes (PIL)
-International Corporate Insolvency (ICL)*
-International Courts and Tribunals (PIL)
-The European Convention on Human Rights: Convention Rights (EL) (HR) (PIL)
-Economic Governance and the Internal Market (DL)
-The State, the Law and Religious Freedoms (HR)
-Theories of Rights (HR)
-Critical perspectives in Law (LR)
-Graduate Conference (LR)
Key
EL = European Law and Integration
HR = Human Rights
ICL = International Commercial Law
PIL = Public International Law
LR = Legal Research
DL = Distance Learning (Leicester LLM students may take a maximum of 60 credits of distance learning modules).
* = module available only to students with a degree in law (or in which law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.
Teaching and assessment methods
The modules are taught by seminars which are designed to allow students to discuss and debate the subject, with guidance from the tutor. All modules are assessed by written coursework, although other forms of assessment may be used in addition. Students also complete a dissertation over the summer months.