Programme specification: Human Rights Law (LLM) in 2018/19

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Programme organisation

Programme code	9LAWD016T
Programme type	Postgraduate Taught Degree
Programme director(s)	Charlotte Villiers
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Teaching institution	University of Bristol
Awarding institution	University of Bristol
Mode of study	Full Time
Programme length	1 years (full time)

The Law School seeks to provide excellence in teaching and learning within a top quality research environment. This programme aims to provide students with an understanding of Human Rights Law by means of a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches. The principal subject-specific aim of the programme is to equip students to explore the subject of contemporary Human Rights Law and specialist legal issues. It integrates theoretical approaches with the study of many examples, cases and issues. The programme's structure and content have been devised to be discrete, structurally coherent and intellectually challenging. The substantive and methodological content is at or informed by the cutting edge of scholarship in the sub-field and wider discipline. Students learn how knowledge in the sub-field and discipline advance, how to critique existing methods and how to use that understanding to generate their own original and creative solutions to existing and new problems. We aim to expose students comprehensively to the core theoretical constructs and methods of this subfield of the discipline of law and expand their knowledge of a range of systems, institutions, practices, behaviours and ideas. Our more general goal is to produce top quality postgraduates who have an advanced understanding of theoretical and conceptual tools with which to critically evaluate Human Rights Law phenomena within and beyond the remit of their degree programme. The Law School places primary emphasis on students' written analysis of issues. However, our assessment procedures encourage students to develop a broad range of transferable skills, including oral argument, rigorous time management skills, critical thinking, conceptualisation, independent learning and team-work. As a result, students emerge from the programme with a set of problem-solving skills that enable them to exercise sound judgement as professionals in complex, uncertain and new environments; to communicate clearly with specialists and non-specialist audiences; and to continue to develop their skills independently in those environments.

Programme outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes	Learning and Teaching Methods
To develop an awareness and understanding of current developments in UK, European and International Law relevant to Human Rights Law; To understand more specialist areas of law through the study of a specialist area in each of the optional units. To develop a good understanding of theories and issues in law. To develop advanced understanding of the subject-matter via the dissertation.	Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of Human Rights Law. In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of Human Rights Law which they relate to the field as a whole in their dissertation. The main teaching methods are: directed reading (through the identification of required reading on syllabi), independent reading (from a range of sources, encouraged by extensive lists of supplementary reading on syllabi including case law, journal articles, texts, policy documents and, on occasion, electronic materials), seminars (involving individual participation, team work, discussion directed by the tutor, simulation and debate), seminar presentations, essays, dissertation synopsis, dissertation supervision and the writing of the dissertation itself. Use of learning technologies including Blackboard (all units registered), discussion boards, the internet, visual presentations, PowerPoint, and handouts. Use of a wide range of literature and information sources, specifically primary texts, academic texts, journals, articles, course packs, websites and news media sources.
Methods of Assessment
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of Human Rights Law is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment (including seen and unseen examinations, essays and presentations). Completion of all elements of formative and summative student work contributes to the allocation of credit points. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and written feedback on formative essays and seminar presentations, and verbal and/or written feedback on the dissertation synopsis. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law includes written feedback on analytical and research-based essays (or equivalent other work) and the dissertation. The school retains electronic copies of essay and dissertation feedback sheets.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

Learning and Teaching Methods

To develop an awareness and understanding of current developments in UK, European and International Law relevant to Human Rights Law;
To understand more specialist areas of law through the study of a specialist area in each of the optional units.
To develop a good understanding of theories and issues in law.
To develop advanced understanding of the subject-matter via the dissertation.

Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of Human Rights Law.

In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of Human Rights Law which they relate to the field as a whole in their dissertation.

The main teaching methods are: directed reading (through the identification of required reading on syllabi), independent reading (from a range of sources, encouraged by extensive lists of supplementary reading on syllabi including case law, journal articles, texts, policy documents and, on occasion, electronic materials), seminars (involving individual participation, team work, discussion directed by the tutor, simulation and debate), seminar presentations, essays, dissertation synopsis, dissertation supervision and the writing of the dissertation itself. Use of learning technologies including Blackboard (all units registered), discussion boards, the internet, visual presentations, PowerPoint, and handouts. Use of a wide range of literature and information sources, specifically primary texts, academic texts, journals, articles, course packs, websites and news media sources.

Methods of Assessment

The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of Human Rights Law is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment (including seen and unseen examinations, essays and presentations). Completion of all elements of formative and summative student work contributes to the allocation of credit points.

Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and written feedback on formative essays and seminar presentations, and verbal and/or written feedback on the dissertation synopsis. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law includes written feedback on analytical and research-based essays (or equivalent other work) and the dissertation. The school retains electronic copies of essay and dissertation feedback sheets.

Intellectual Skills and Attributes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes	Learning and Teaching Methods
The ability to identify, locate and retrieve standard legal materials in paper and electronic form. The ability to apply legal knowledge to a practical situation of a complexity appropriate to postgraduate study and to draw reasoned and arguable conclusions supported by legal authority. The ability to synthesise information from a number of primary and secondary legal sources to appreciate their relative value. The ability to recognise and rank legal issues in terms of relevance and importance. The ability to analyse, evaluate and interpret the principal sources of UK, European and Human Rights Law at a level of sophistication appropriate to post-graduate study. The ability to make a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or arguments, and to provide alternatives to them, at a level of sophistication appropriate to postgraduate study.	Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of Human Rights Law. In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of Human Rights Law which they relate to the field as a whole in their dissertation. The main teaching methods are: directed reading (through the identification of required reading on syllabi), independent reading (from a range of sources, encouraged by extensive lists of supplementary reading on syllabi including case law, journal articles, texts, policy documents and, on occasion, electronic materials), seminars (involving individual participation, team work, discussion directed by the tutor, simulation and debate), seminar presentations, essays, dissertation synopsis, dissertation supervision and the writing of the dissertation itself. Use of learning technologies including Blackboard (all units registered), discussion boards, the internet, visual presentations, PowerPoint, and handouts. Use of a wide range of literature and information sources, specifically primary texts, academic texts, journals, articles, course packs, websites and news media sources.
Methods of Assessment
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of Human Rights Law is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment (including seen and unseen examinations, essays and presentations). Completion of all elements of formative and summative student work contributes to the allocation of credit points. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and written feedback on formative essays and seminar presentations, and verbal and/or written feedback on the dissertation synopsis. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law includes written feedback on analytical and research-based essays (or equivalent other work) and the dissertation. The school retains electronic copies of essay and dissertation feedback sheets.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

Learning and Teaching Methods

The ability to identify, locate and retrieve standard legal materials in paper and electronic form.
The ability to apply legal knowledge to a practical situation of a complexity appropriate to postgraduate study and to draw reasoned and arguable conclusions supported by legal authority.
The ability to synthesise information from a number of primary and secondary legal sources to appreciate their relative value.
The ability to recognise and rank legal issues in terms of relevance and importance.
The ability to analyse, evaluate and interpret the principal sources of UK, European and Human Rights Law at a level of sophistication appropriate to post-graduate study.
The ability to make a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or arguments, and to provide alternatives to them, at a level of sophistication appropriate to postgraduate study.

Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of Human Rights Law.

In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of Human Rights Law which they relate to the field as a whole in their dissertation.

Methods of Assessment

Other Skills and Attributes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes	Learning and Teaching Methods
To approach developments and changes in international legal matters and issues in Human Rights Law effectively by creating new and imaginative solutions through approaching a problem or using material in different ways; To work independently in planning and undertaking assignments in units studied; To engage in independent library-based research; To use some electronic information retrieval tools; To prepare effectively for, and participate in, seminar discussion; To engage in independent library-based research; To develop independent research and writing skills for a developed project through the dissertation.	Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of Human Rights Law. In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of Human Rights Law which they relate to the field as a whole in their dissertation. The main teaching methods are: directed reading (through the identification of required reading on syllabi), independent reading (from a range of sources, encouraged by extensive lists of supplementary reading on syllabi including case law, journal articles, texts, policy documents and, on occasion, electronic materials), seminars (involving individual participation, team work, discussion directed by the tutor, simulation and debate), seminar presentations, essays, dissertation synopsis, dissertation supervision and the writing of the dissertation itself. Use of learning technologies including Blackboard (all units registered), discussion boards, the internet, visual presentations, PowerPoint, and handouts. Use of a wide range of literature and information sources, specifically primary texts, academic texts, journals, articles, course packs, websites and news media sources.
Methods of Assessment
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of Human Rights Law is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment (including seen and unseen examinations, essays and presentations). Completion of all elements of formative and summative student work contributes to the allocation of credit points. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and written feedback on formative essays and seminar presentations, and verbal and/or written feedback on the dissertation synopsis. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of Human Rights Law includes written feedback on analytical and research-based essays (or equivalent other work) and the dissertation. The school retains electronic copies of essay and dissertation feedback sheets.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

Learning and Teaching Methods

To approach developments and changes in international legal matters and issues in Human Rights Law effectively by creating new and imaginative solutions through approaching a problem or using material in different ways;
To work independently in planning and undertaking assignments in units studied;
To engage in independent library-based research;
To use some electronic information retrieval tools;
To prepare effectively for, and participate in, seminar discussion;
To engage in independent library-based research;
To develop independent research and writing skills for a developed project through the dissertation.

Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of Human Rights Law.

In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of Human Rights Law which they relate to the field as a whole in their dissertation.

Methods of Assessment

Intellectual Development

Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.

Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate	The structure of the degree programme has been designed to engage the student in a cumulative process of developing skills and knowledge through a sequence of complementary stages. All Certificate, Diploma and Masters students develop foundational knowledge and understanding of Human Rights Law through studying the major methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of the field; develop general intellectual skills and attributes necessary for that knowledge and understanding; and are required to cover a wide range of practical, professional and transferable skills.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma	To study the syllabus set in each of the taught Part One units that the student selects. This will involve attendance at the lectures and/or seminars delivered on that unit, reading the materials set, seeking to answer questions raised in unit handouts and developing arguments relating to policy-related issues. The student will thereby gain a thorough knowledge of that area of Human Rights Law (as applicable to the unit), should be able to identify and prioritise key legal issues, and should be able to analyse and evaluate sources at a level of sophistication appropriate to postgraduate study. This should be demonstrated by achievement of a mark of 50% or more in the final examination taken in May/June and/or in summative assessed coursework. Diploma and Masters students (and those Certificate students who gain their qualification by a mix of mandatory and optional units) explore subject specific areas through a combination of optional seminar units taught by individual members of staff or by teams of staff. The optional units reflect the research strengths and broad research interests of the relevant staff and deal with important methodological, theoretical and empirical issues. They enable the student to extend and apply the subject-specific content, intellectual skills and wider general skills first learned in mandatory units.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters	The dissertation acts as the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme, as she/he applies the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a piece of research devised in consultation and supervised by a staff advisor and located clearly within the broader field of Human Rights Law .The dissertation should reflect the student's ability to identify significant issues, to engage in independent library-based research, to structure and develop arguments and to engage in critical evaluation of their merits. This would be demonstrated by achievement of a mark of 50% or more.

Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate

The structure of the degree programme has been designed to engage the student in a cumulative process of developing skills and knowledge through a sequence of complementary stages. All Certificate, Diploma and Masters students develop foundational knowledge and understanding of Human Rights Law through studying the major methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of the field; develop general intellectual skills and attributes necessary for that knowledge and understanding; and are required to cover a wide range of practical, professional and transferable skills.

Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma

To study the syllabus set in each of the taught Part One units that the student selects. This will involve attendance at the lectures and/or seminars delivered on that unit, reading the materials set, seeking to answer questions raised in unit handouts and developing arguments relating to policy-related issues. The student will thereby gain a thorough knowledge of that area of Human Rights Law (as applicable to the unit), should be able to identify and prioritise key legal issues, and should be able to analyse and evaluate sources at a level of sophistication appropriate to postgraduate study. This should be demonstrated by achievement of a mark of 50% or more in the final examination taken in May/June and/or in summative assessed coursework.

Diploma and Masters students (and those Certificate students who gain their qualification by a mix of mandatory and optional units) explore subject specific areas through a combination of optional seminar units taught by individual members of staff or by teams of staff. The optional units reflect the research strengths and broad research interests of the relevant staff and deal with important methodological, theoretical and empirical issues. They enable the student to extend and apply the subject-specific content, intellectual skills and wider general skills first learned in mandatory units.

Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters

The dissertation acts as the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme, as she/he applies the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a piece of research devised in consultation and supervised by a staff advisor and located clearly within the broader field of Human Rights Law .The dissertation should reflect the student's ability to identify significant issues, to engage in independent library-based research, to structure and develop arguments and to engage in critical evaluation of their merits. This would be demonstrated by achievement of a mark of 50% or more.

Intended Learning Outcome Mapping

Human Rights Law new ILO mapping.docx

The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.

Other information

Admissions Information

For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.

Additional Information

Students on this programme may, like many other part-time students, complete Parts I and II within two years.

Source For Further Information

Professor Charlotte Villiers, University of Bristol Law School
c.villiers@bristol.ac.uk

Programme structure by entry cohort

Year 1 (2018/19 entry cohort)

Unit Name	Unit Code	Credit Points	Status
Dissertation	LAWDM1001	60	Mandatory	AYEAR
Three or four units from this list. If three from this list, then one unit from the other LLM streams (as in second list) or one foundation unit (see criteria below):
Individual Employment Rights	LAWDM0021	30	Optional	TB-4
General Principles of International Law	LAWDM0026	30	Optional	TB-4
Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society	LAWDM0089	30	Optional	TB-4
International Law and the Use of Force	LAWDM0111	30	Optional	TB-4
Migration Law and Policy - International, European, and Human Rights Dimensions	LAWDM0112	30	Optional	TB-4
European Human Rights Law	LAWDM0120	30	Optional	TB-4
International Law and Human Rights	LAWDM0123	30	Optional	TB-4
Migration and Work	LAWDM0124	30	Optional	TB-4
International Criminal Law	LAWDM0129	30	Optional	TB-4
African Human Rights System	LAWDM0135	30	Optional	TB-4
International Law of Labour and Social Rights	LAWDM0136	30	Optional	TB-4
If three units from above then one unit from the list below or one foundation unit (see criteria below):
Carriage of Goods	LAWDM0006	30	Optional	TB-4
Company Law	LAWDM0008	30	Optional	TB-4
Environmental Law	LAWDM0013	30	Optional	TB-4
Regulation of Financial Markets and Institutions	LAWDM0017	30	Optional	TB-4
Intellectual Property	LAWDM0022	30	Optional	TB-4
Law Gender and Sexuality	LAWDM0033	30	Optional	TB-4
Corporate Governance in the United Kingdom and United States	LAWDM0069	30	Optional	TB-4
Information Technology Law	LAWDM0070	30	Optional	TB-4
World Trade Law	LAWDM0115	30	Optional	TB-4
International Corporate Finance	LAWDM0116	30	Optional	TB-4
Global Perspectives on Corporate Governance	LAWDM0117	30	Optional	TB-4
Insolvency Law	LAWDM0118	30	Optional	TB-4
The Law and Policy of Mergers and Acquisitions	LAWDM0125	30	Optional	TB-4
Maritime Security	LAWDM0126	30	Optional	TB-4
Health Inequalities, Law, and Society	LAWDM0130	30	Optional	TB-4
Public and Global Health Law	LAWDM0131	30	Optional	TB-4
Law and Governance for Mental and Social Well-Being	LAWDM0132	30	Optional	TB-4
Health Law and the Body	LAWDM0133	30	Optional	TB-4
Law, Governance and Health	LAWDM0134	30	Optional	TB-4
International Economic Law and Institutions	LAWDM0141	30	Optional	TB-4
Bank Regulation and Governance	LAWDM0142	30	Optional	TB-4
International Sale of Goods	LAWDM0143	30	Optional	TB-4
Banking Conduct and Law	LAWDM0144	30	Optional	TB-4
International Commercial Litigation	LAWDM1004	30	Optional	TB-4
International Commercial Arbitration	LAWDM1005	30	Optional	TB-4
One optional foundation unit is permitted if the student has not previously studied in a common law jurisdiction.
Public Law	LAWDM0059	30	Optional	TB-4
Law of Contract	LAWDM0061	30	Optional	TB-4
Law of Tort	LAWDM0062	30	Optional	TB-4
Land Law	LAWDM0075	30	Optional	TB-4
Criminal Law and Criminal Justice	LAWDM0086	30	Optional	TB-4
Constitutional and Substantive EU Law	LAWDM0088	30	Optional	TB-4
Trusts	LAWDM0140	30	Optional	TB-4
LLM Human Rights Law		180

Progression/award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Exit awards

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.

Degree classifications:

An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.

Diploma/certificate stages:

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Unit and programme catalogues

Academic year

Programme specification: Human Rights Law (LLM) in 2018/19

Programme organisation

Programme aims

Programme outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Intellectual Skills and Attributes

Other Skills and Attributes

Intellectual Development

Intended Learning Outcome Mapping

Other information

Admissions Information

Additional Information

Source For Further Information

Programme structure by entry cohort

Year 1 (2018/19 entry cohort)

Progression/award requirements

Exit awards

Degree classifications:

Diploma/certificate stages:

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