University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2023/24 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > University of Bristol Law School > General Legal Studies (LLM) > Specification
Programme code | 9LAWD009T |
---|---|
Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
James Davey
|
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 or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
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 General Legal Studies 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 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 Legal 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.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to General Legal Studies. In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of General Legal Studies 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 (formative and summative) | |
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of General Legal Studies 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 General Legal Studies 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 General Legal Studies 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/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of General Legal Studies. In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of General Legal Studies 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 (formative and summative) | |
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of General Legal Studies 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 General Legal Studies 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 General Legal Studies 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/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of core methodological and theoretical approaches to General Legal Studies. In Part 2, via the dissertation students develop an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of General Legal Studies 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 (formative and summative) | |
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of General Legal Studies 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 General Legal Studies 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 General Legal Studies 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. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
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 General Legal Studies 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. |
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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 General Legal Studies (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 General Legal Studies .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. |
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.
Students on this programme may, like many other part-time students, complete Parts I and II within two years.
University of Bristol Law School website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/law/study/postgrad/
Email: law-pg-admissions@bristol.ac.uk
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dissertation | LAWDM1001 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Students on this stream will study three or four units from List A (90-120 credits). If three units (90 credit points) selected from List A then one foundation unit (30 credit points) can be studied if the student has not previously studied Law in a common law jurisdiction. | ||||
List A | ||||
Company Law | LAWDM0008 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Environmental Law | LAWDM0013 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Individual Employment Rights | LAWDM0021 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Intellectual Property | LAWDM0022 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
General Principles of International Law | LAWDM0026 | 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 |
Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society | LAWDM0089 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
World Trade Law | LAWDM0115 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Corporate Finance | LAWDM0116 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Human Rights | LAWDM0123 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Health Inequalities, Law, and Society | LAWDM0130 | 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 Sale of Goods | LAWDM0143 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Banking Conduct and Law | LAWDM0144 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Workers, Unions and Collective Labour Rights | LAWDM0149 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Insurance Law | LAWDM0156 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Financial Markets and Bank Regulation | LAWDM0157 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Armed Conflict | LAWDM0158 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Migration and Labour Exploitation in the Global Economy | LAWDM0160 | 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 Law 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 General Legal Studies | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 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.
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.
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 7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Students on the part-time General Legal Studies LLM will take four optional units worth 120 credits, plus a mandatory 60 credit dissertation unit over two years. Students must take at least three List A units over the course of the programme. In Year 1, students take either: two units from List A, or a List A and a foundation unit (if the student has not previously studied in a common law jurisdiction). | ||||
List A units: | ||||
Company Law | LAWDM0008 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Environmental Law | LAWDM0013 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Individual Employment Rights | LAWDM0021 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Intellectual Property | LAWDM0022 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
General Principles of International Law | LAWDM0026 | 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 |
Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society | LAWDM0089 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
World Trade Law | LAWDM0115 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Corporate Finance | LAWDM0116 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Human Rights | LAWDM0123 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Legal Perspectives on Sustainability | LAWDM0127 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Health Inequalities, Law, and Society | LAWDM0130 | 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 Sale of Goods | LAWDM0143 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Banking Conduct and Law | LAWDM0144 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Workers, Unions and Collective Labour Rights | LAWDM0149 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Insurance Law | LAWDM0156 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Financial Markets and Bank Regulation | LAWDM0157 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Armed Conflict | LAWDM0158 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Migration and Labour Exploitation in the Global Economy | LAWDM0160 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Climate Law | LAWDM0162 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Digital Markets, Competition and Regulation | LAWDM0163 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Digital Technology in Legal Practice | LAWDM0164 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Commercial Arbitration | LAWDM1005 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Foundation units: | ||||
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 |
Postgraduate Certificate | 60 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
In Year 2, students take two units (one in TB1, one in TB2) plus the Dissertation and Legal Research Skills unit (which runs across TB1 and TB2). Students must take at least three List A units over the course of the programme. The fourth unit can either be another List A unit or a foundation unit (if the student has not previously studied in a common law jurisdiction). | ||||
Dissertation and Legal Research Skills | LAWDM0177 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
TEACHING BLOCK 1: Students take one optional unit in TB1 worth 30 credits | ||||
TB1 - List A | ||||
Environmental Law | LAWDM0013 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Individual Employment Rights | LAWDM0021 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Intellectual Property | LAWDM0022 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
General Principles of International Law | LAWDM0026 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Information Technology Law | LAWDM0070 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society | LAWDM0089 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Migration Law and Policy - International, European, and Human Rights Dimensions | LAWDM0112 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
World Trade Law | LAWDM0115 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
International Corporate Finance | LAWDM0116 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Legal Perspectives on Sustainability | LAWDM0127 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Health Inequalities, Law, and Society | LAWDM0130 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Law, Governance and Health | LAWDM0134 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
International Sale of Goods | LAWDM0143 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Banking Conduct and Law | LAWDM0144 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Insurance Law | LAWDM0156 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Migration and Labour Exploitation in the Global Economy | LAWDM0160 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Digital Technology in Legal Practice | LAWDM0164 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Company Law in Practice | LAWDM0178 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Law and Markets | LAWDM0182 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
TB1 - Foundation units | ||||
Public Law | LAWDM0059 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Law of Contract | LAWDM0061 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Criminal Law and Criminal Justice | LAWDM0086 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
TEACHING BLOCK 2: Students take one optional unit in TB2 worth 30 credits | ||||
TB2 - List A | ||||
Law Gender and Sexuality | LAWDM0033 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
International Law and Human Rights | LAWDM0123 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Public and Global Health Law | LAWDM0131 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Law and Governance for Mental and Social Well-Being | LAWDM0132 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Health Law and the Body | LAWDM0133 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Workers, Unions and Collective Labour Rights | LAWDM0149 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
International Investment Law | LAWDM0152 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Financial Markets and Bank Regulation | LAWDM0157 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
International Law and Armed Conflict | LAWDM0158 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Climate Law | LAWDM0162 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Digital Markets, Competition and Regulation | LAWDM0163 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Intellectual Property Law | LAWDM0165 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Corporate Governance in a Global Context | LAWDM0175 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Information Technology Law | LAWDM0181 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Privacy and Data Protection Law: Theory and Practice | LAWDM0183 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
International Commercial Arbitration | LAWDM1005 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
TB2 - Foundation units | ||||
Law of Tort | LAWDM0062 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Land Law | LAWDM0075 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Constitutional and Substantive EU Law | LAWDM0088 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Trusts | LAWDM0140 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
120 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 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.
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.
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 7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 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.
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