Law LLM
LLM Law
LLM Law
Overview
If you want to add to your existing law qualifications by specialising in an area of law that interests you, or if you’re a graduate from another subject area who's looking to develop your legal knowledge, our LLM Law degree course is the perfect next step for you.
By selecting modules and a dissertation that you’re passionate about from our wide range of options , you’ll tailor your degree to meet the needs of your career. This Master’s degree is ideal for you if you’re already practising law and you want to specialise, or if you’re considering a career in legal research or teaching.
You’ll learn from subject experts as you develop your knowledge, and study topics that could range from arbitration and mediation, to human rights, intellectual property law and employment law.
To study this course you may have previous work experience in law, although this isn’t required, and you should want to expand your understanding of a range of legal subjects. You’ll have strong analytical skills, alongside critical thinking skills and the ability to criticise and analyse situations.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Choose specialist modules in an area that interests you
- Develop an in-depth understanding of legal issues and law
- Learn from subject experts
- Explore topics such as corporate governance, arbitration and mediation, and employment law
- Work with an external company during your final project
- Prepare for or build on your law career
What you'll study on this LLM Law degree course
Full-time
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Clarify, specify and justify the aims of a research project related to your work
- Review, assess and draw on relevant previous research
- Draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations from research outcomes, supported by relevant evidence and arguments
- Communicate the aims, review of previous research, critical analysis of research methodology, arguments and conclusions and recommendations of the research project in a clearly written and structured document
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify which legal issues are relevant based on the facts of the Case Study
- Clearly explain relevant laws and best practice principles
- Apply relevant laws and best practice principles to the facts of the Case Study
- Understand how legal rules from different legal subjects can impact upon one another
- Effectively use a range of legal sources and cite them in accordance with OSCOLA
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Integrate a sound knowledge, an understanding and a critical awareness of the nature, structure and fundamental principles of data protection law
- Develop a critical awareness and original insights on practice-related issues and challenges pertinent to data protection law and policy
- Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the subject area and to engage in informed debate on current/emerging legal and policy issues/challenges observable in the data protection field, displaying elements of original thinking
- Work independently in the analysis of a variety of authoritative primary and secondary resources in the area of data protection law to be able to create cohesive and persuasive arguments
- Communicate effectively ideas and the results of independent research in academic and professional communication with others
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of strategy as a multi-faceted organisational phenomenon.
- Apply that understanding to develop, justify, and critique an approach to strategy.
- Critically assess the implications of the developed strategy approach for corporate governance.
- Judge the ethical and governance implications of strategic decisions and demonstrate how to prioritize stakeholders. This will include the demonstration of a critical awareness of stakeholder implications of sustainability related practices of the organization.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Clearly and succinctly explain relevant legal principles
- Understand the operation of, and how to effectively use, relevant sources of law
- Critically and objectively analyse legal sources and principles involving the administration of English legal system
- Use legal knowledge to identify legal issues and apply various sources of law to practical situations
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop an awareness of legal and social meanings of words
- Acquire an understanding of the general approaches to statutory interpretation
- Evaluate specific rules and maxims of statutory interpretation in the light of the general approaches
- Critically analyse exceptions/special cases in statutory interpretation
- Apply the approaches to - and specific maxims of - statutory interpretation to hypothetical cases
Part-time
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Integrate a sound knowledge, an understanding and a critical awareness of the nature, structure and fundamental principles of data protection law
- Develop a critical awareness and original insights on practice-related issues and challenges pertinent to data protection law and policy
- Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the subject area and to engage in informed debate on current/emerging legal and policy issues/challenges observable in the data protection field, displaying elements of original thinking
- Work independently in the analysis of a variety of authoritative primary and secondary resources in the area of data protection law to be able to create cohesive and persuasive arguments
- Communicate effectively ideas and the results of independent research in academic and professional communication with others
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of strategy as a multi-faceted organisational phenomenon.
- Apply that understanding to develop, justify, and critique an approach to strategy.
- Critically assess the implications of the developed strategy approach for corporate governance.
- Judge the ethical and governance implications of strategic decisions and demonstrate how to prioritize stakeholders. This will include the demonstration of a critical awareness of stakeholder implications of sustainability related practices of the organization.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Clearly and succinctly explain relevant legal principles
- Understand the operation of, and how to effectively use, relevant sources of law
- Critically and objectively analyse legal sources and principles involving the administration of English legal system
- Use legal knowledge to identify legal issues and apply various sources of law to practical situations
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop an awareness of legal and social meanings of words
- Acquire an understanding of the general approaches to statutory interpretation
- Evaluate specific rules and maxims of statutory interpretation in the light of the general approaches
- Critically analyse exceptions/special cases in statutory interpretation
- Apply the approaches to - and specific maxims of - statutory interpretation to hypothetical cases
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop an awareness of legal and social meanings of words
- Acquire an understanding of the general approaches to statutory interpretation
- Evaluate specific rules and maxims of statutory interpretation in the light of the general approaches
- Critically analyse exceptions/special cases in statutory interpretation
- Apply the approaches to - and specific maxims of - statutory interpretation to hypothetical cases
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Clarify, specify and justify the aims of a research project related to your work
- Review, assess and draw on relevant previous research
- Draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations from research outcomes, supported by relevant evidence and arguments
- Communicate the aims, review of previous research, critical analysis of research methodology, arguments and conclusions and recommendations of the research project in a clearly written and structured document
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify which legal issues are relevant based on the facts of the Case Study
- Clearly explain relevant laws and best practice principles
- Apply relevant laws and best practice principles to the facts of the Case Study
- Understand how legal rules from different legal subjects can impact upon one another
- Effectively use a range of legal sources and cite them in accordance with OSCOLA
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
During this LLM Law Master's you'll develop your law knowledge and research skills, and have the opportunity to work with an external company on your final project.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
It is our expectation that all international students will join us here on campus in Portsmouth.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 12 months full-time
You can expect:
- 2-3 days on campus per week during the University term
- Some online learning activities, including pre-recorded lectures
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- Coursework
- Reports
- Reflective essays (written or video submissions)
There are no exams on this course.
Full details of assessment can be found in the modules in the 'What you'll study' section.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2022 and January 2023 start)
- Full time: £8,100
- Part time: £2,700 per year
- Full time: £17,000
- Part time: £2,700 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2023 / January 2023 start
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Law
