Description

Contents

The course is comprised of a Research Methodology module and all students will submit a dissertation.

Research methodology.

At whichever entry point a student starts, they will take Research Methodology for the first semester and be expected to start the dissertation which will have to be handed in at the end of the year.
This module is designed to enable students to undertake research at postgraduate level. The module will enable the student to write a research proposal that will eventually underpin the dissertation that they will write. The module is divided into four parts.

Part One is Undertaking Postgraduate Research and is designed to enable students to appreciate how research leads to the furtherance of academic knowledge and understanding of law and the contribution that the LLM student can make at this level. The focus of this part is primarily methods of data collection, however it also covers policy analysis and theorisation (development of theories or hypotheses).

Part Two concentrates on the Process and Demographics of Research, thereby considering research ethics that exist alongside and assessing the perfect research proposal. This part of the module builds on the ways in which research studies are formulated, leading the student to begin the formulation of their own proposals.

In Part Three, the module introduces the students to Data Collection, Analysis and Dissemination Methods, focusing on not only the differences between quantitative and qualitative research and primary, secondary and tertiary data sources, but also the analysis.

Finally, Part Four of the module covers The Writing Up and Dissemination of Research leading students to the dissertation writing up process, as well as building on Part Three by assessing other methods of dissemination ie Journals etc.

The module is taught through a blended mix of taught and online lectures, practical case studies and seminars. It is taught over one semester as a single module. The assessment is designed so as to test both breadth and depth of knowledge in legal and related research

Requirements

This Masters programme is designed to provide a Masters degree for:

o Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC), where sufficient study has been completed equivalent to 120 credit modules, within the last 5 years;
o Graduates of the Bar Vocational Course (BVC), where sufficient study has been completed equivalent to 120 credit modules, within the last 5 years;
o Practising solicitors who have undertaken the former Law Society´s Solicitors´ Final Examinations and have at least 6 months recent practice experience within the last 2 years;
o Practising barristers who have undertaken the former Bar Final examinations and have at least 6 months recent practice experience within the last 2 years;
o Foreign qualified lawyers admitted to practice in England or Wales and have at least 6 months recent practice experience within the last 2 years.

A minimum enrolment number is required for the opening of any class.

International entry criteria

International students need to meet our English language requirement at either IELTS at 6.5 or above, TOEFL paper based test score at 575 or above, TOEFL computer based test score at 232 or above, TOEFL internet base test score at 90 or above.

English Language Requirements