Developer Info

At a glance

• Teaching will be delivered in the new £38million Redmonds Building
• Approved by Bar Council/Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• Open to all LPC/BVC/BPTC qualified students and to members of the solicitors’ and barristers’ professions, regardless of the date of qualification
• Postgraduates are highly sought after by employers and over 95% are in work or further study six months after graduation

Course overview

This programme offers an exciting opportunity to research an area of law of your own choosing and to make a significant and measurable contribution to the body of legal knowledge in your chosen subject. You will learn how to research effectively at postgraduate level, how to write, structure and present your work to best effect, and how to manage your time and resources so that you are able to complete a master’s level project. On successful completion of the programme you will have a certified degree of expertise in your chosen subject that may well open new doors for you in your future career.

The programme is open to all LPC/BVC/BPTC qualified students and to members of the solicitors’ and barristers’ professions, regardless of the date of qualification. In addition, the LLM in Legal Practice is a stand-alone qualification that will enhance your career prospects through the acquisition of vocationally relevant knowledge and skills, thereby leading to a more rounded appreciation and understanding of your chosen areas of expertise.

Initially, your learning developed through participation in seminar-based or workshop sessions, under the guidance of an experienced tutor. This is a relaxed and informal style of education, particularly suited to master-level study. Participants learn from each other through discussion and exposition in small groups. Latterly, you will largely study on your own with full support and guidance from your dissertation supervisor and, where necessary, other members of the School’s academic staff.

Our Law School staff are a blend of research active lecturers; qualified and former practitioners of law and criminal justice services; and internationally established leading experts in their field.

Current research interests include: criminal law, legal history, corporate governance, banking and finance, global finance law, obligations, media law, comparative private/public law, EU law, international law, commercial law, sports law, German public law, Italian public law, medical ethics, bioethics, legal theory, human rights, terrorism, police powers, transnational crime, family law, law and religion.

Why study this course at LJMU?

The programme provides both legal practitioners and intending legal practitioners with new and exciting opportunities to expand their levels of expertise and develop their career prospects through an in-depth study of an area of law / legal practice of their own choosing within a project of their own design. The experience is seen as a satisfying and rewarding one – and one that may open new doors for all those who successfully complete the course.

Introduction to the School

The School of Law at LJMU offers a range of opportunities for students to play an active part in an evolving, dynamic, and engaging postgraduate culture.  Housed within the Faculty of Arts Professional and Social Studies, one of the largest and most diverse faculties within the LJMU structure, the School has built a 50 year reputation for providing professional, practitioner, and work-related learning opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students alike. 

The Law School staff group ensure the Faculty of Arts Professional and Social Studies plays host to the most advanced knowledge and expertise that the University has to offer in the realms of business, commerce, law, criminal justice. 
 
The School offers a range of post graduate programmes:

• Legal Practice Course
• LLM International Business, Corporate and Finance Law
• LLM Legal Practice
• LLM European Law
• LLM Global Crime, Justice and Security
• MA in Criminal Justice
• MPhil/PhD

The vast majority of teaching input on these programmes is delivered by full and part-time members of the School of Law team.  This staff group are a blend of research active lecturers, qualified and former practitioners of law and criminal justice services, and internationally established leading experts in their field.  

Through these programmes of study and the enthusiastic support and guidance of a dynamic and dedicated staff group, the School of Law offers a stimulating and rewarding environment for postgraduate study.  Within a culture of teaching and learning that keep work related skills development in clear focus. The School, staff and programmes delivered seek to help maximise the ability, strengths, and ambitions of all its students.

Staff research interests

Research in Law

Research in Law includes the following areas: criminal law, legal history, corporate governance, banking and finance, global finance law, obligations, media law, comparative private/public law, EU law, international law, commercial law, sports law, German public law, Italian public law, medical ethics, bioethics, legal theory, human rights, terrorism, police powers, transnational crime. family law, law and religion.

How will I be assessed?

The students’ dissertation proposals and dissertations are assessed by academic staff in the School of Law against sets of assessment criteria which have been specifically devised for the purposes of assessment on this programme. Detailed feedback will be provided on both drafts (formative assessment) and final pieces of work (summative assessment).

Entry requirements

The entry requirements are either:

• a Diploma in Legal Practice from a recognised LPC provider, or
• a Diploma in Legal Practice at the Bar from a recognised BPTC provider.

If a student possesses either of these qualifications then, ordinarily, he or she will be credited with 105 M level credits towards the completion of the LLM in Legal Practice. These requirements may be waived where it can be shown that the applicant has previous work experience which has made the applicant suitable for this Masters programme.

The further 75 credits required to complete the programme will be gained from the above-mentioned legal research methodology module which culminates in the dissertation proposal (15 credits) and the dissertation itself (60 credits).

In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to secure an accredited prior learning exemption from the research methodology module.

International students who have successfully completed an LPC /BVC/ BPTC programme in England and Wales are welcome to join the programme.

Application and Selection

Will I be interviewed?

Fees information

How much you pay as a postgraduate student depends upon whether you are classified as a Home (UK), EU or an International student.

Tuition fees for Full-time UK and EU students for the academic year 2013-2014 are £1,920.

Please contact the Admissions Office for tuition fees for International students for the academic year 2013-2014

Financial support

Securing funding is one of the main hurdles you may have to face when considering Postgraduate study. However there is help available and you may be able to apply for funding from the sources below.

Loans

This will normally be from a bank. The most popular of these is a Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL). These loans are from £300 to £10,000 in value and can be used to cover up to 80% of your course fees. Further Information from www.direct.gov.uk and look for PCDL

Charities and Trusts

Trusts and charities can offer assistance to some students. Eligibility for these trusts and charities vary enormously. Your local library will have a section of books and directories of grant making trusts.

Research Councils

Research councils may provide support for recognised postgraduate courses. Their websites offers useful information regarding the support and funding opportunities on offer. Competition for this type of funding can be very strong. For more information about Research Councils visit: www.rcuk.ac.uk

Statutory funding

You need to be aware that most PG courses do not attract statutory funding. The ones that do attract statutory support (grants and/or loans) that we offer at LJMU are:

• PGCE courses , for more information please vist www.directgov.co.uk and www.tda.gov.uk
• MA social work for which an NHS bursary is payable to some students. For more information please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
• PG dip in Architecture

Advice and support at LJMU

LJMU offers a Postgraduate bursary of £500 to students who go from an undergraduate course to study a taught PG course. For further information and eligibility see http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/117585.htm

LJMU employs a team of staff that are experts in fees and funding who can offer advice based upon your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 904 6056/6057, or email studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for guidance and support.

How to apply

Please apply via the online application form

LJMU's Admissions policy is in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and applications are welcome from all candidates who fulfil the entry criteria. The university has a commitment to equality of opportunity and welcomes application from everyone regardless of age, disability, race or sex. The University is committed to widening participation and therefore will actively consider applicants who do not have a relevant degree but who are able to provide satisfactory evidence of their knowledge in the area. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment and Selection Panel, if shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend for an interview.

International students

LJMU offers an extensive support system through its international office and study centre. An equivalence to the normal entry requirements is needed for entry. Students must also demonstrate a proficiency in communicating through English, for example with an IELTS tests or equivalent. Please note that because of UK visa restrictions, International students are only permitted to study on a full-time basis. Please contact LJMU’s International Team by visiting www.ljmu.ac.uk/international for more information and advice.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies on:

tel: 0151 231 5175
email: APSadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

If you have any queries relating to LJMU or university life in general please contact:

Course Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)151 231 5090
Email: courses@ljmu.ac.uk
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk

Employment and careers

As a postgraduate student you will be able to take full advantage of the extensive range of advice and guidance available in our World of Work Careers Centre, including our Ready for Work training courses, which cover everything from interview skills to preparing for assessment centre tests.

LJMU also has a dedicated Centre for Entrepreneurship, offering business advice and start-up funding, to students and graduates interested in setting up their own companies or working freelance.

Our World of Work Programme – endorsed by FTSE 100 companies and leading business organisations – offers you the chance to get an additional certificate proving to potential employers that you have the skills and experience they are looking for. No other university in the UK or internationally, offers students the chance to develop these skills and organisations backing the scheme include the Confederation of British Industry, United Utilities, Sony, Siemens, Peugeot Citroen and Marks and Spencer.

LJMU offers a superb environment for postgraduate study and top level research.

Whether you are studying on a taught master's course or embarking on a research degree, LJMU offers you a supportive, flexible academic environment, well-structured programmes and round-the-clock access to extensive resources.

Our research environment is rated as 'world-leading' in a majority of our subjects and all of our postgraduate programmes are taught by academics actively involved in research or consultancy projects with business and industry.

It is this combination of academic expertise and 'real world' experience that ensures LJMU's courses have real currency with potential employers and why over 95% of our postgraduates are in work or further study six months after they graduate (HESA 2010).

We believe this expertise – coupled with world-class academic standards – 75% of LJMU's research is rated as internationally important – puts us in a league of our own.

To find out more about our postgraduate courses and research opportunities plus the range of facilities and support we offer, click on the links opposite.

Why Liverpool?

Liverpool is a fantastic student city, bursting with opportunities and lots of things to do: a legendary music scene that's bigger than just the Beatles, a city centre bursting with clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. Plus award-winning shopping facilities, museums, galleries and theatres, not to mention two Premier League football clubs, golf courses, beautiful parks and outstanding countryside a few miles up the motorway.

The city recently won Trip Advisor’s Best Nightlife Destination Award 2011, beating Manchester, London, Glasgow and Brighton. The city has also achieved Purple Flag accreditation, commending Liverpool as a safe place to enjoy a night out.

Liverpool is also a city that is very supportive of all the students who live, work and study in its universities. With such a warm and hospitable culture – Liverpool is the perfect 24-hour student city.