Shipping Law (LLM)

How will I be taught?

Study for an LLM is intensive and challenging and it is important that you take full advantage of the teaching that is provided in order to succeed.  Attendance at classes and dissertation supervisions is compulsory and we will expect you to be well prepared. 

Our teaching is very flexible and your modules may be delivered through seminars or a combination of lectures and seminars.  Other teaching methods include the online use of discussion boards, self-access study packs and formative quizzes and activities.

Modules may be diverse in content to cater for the fact that for some LLM courses there may be a high proportion of international students or students with previous qualifications other than in law.  Modules are typically led by experienced staff actively engaged in research relevant to their subject area.

How will I be assessed?

The School of Law and Politics makes use of both formative and summative assessment.

Formative assessments do not count towards your degree but are designed to give you the opportunity to practice for your summative assessments and enable you and your tutors to assess your progress in your modules.  Formative assessments will normally involve written coursework or a class test or may comprise individual student presentations.  

Summative assessments count towards your degree. Your marks in these assessments count towards your formal progression from Stage One (taught modules) to Stage Two (the dissertation), and towards the determination of your final award.  Summative assessments in Stage One will vary by module but will typically involve written coursework (5,000 word essays), unseen examinations or pre-release examinations.  The Dissertation (up to 15,000 words) comprises the Stage Two summative assessment.

How will I be supported?

The School of Law and Politics has created a specially designed research and study skills module which is studied by all LLM students at the beginning of the programme.  We also offer writing skills support for students whose first language is not English.

Your learning will be supported through e-learning; all modules are supported by Learning Central, a virtual learning environment that is available on and off campus through which you will access a wide range of materials for your modules.

You will receive dedicated pastoral support through our personal tutor scheme.  We offer an extensive programme of careers lectures and workshops within the School with an in-house Law Careers Consultant and a Pro-bono Scheme Co-ordinator.  A designated Disability and Diversity Officer ensures that reasonable adjustments are made for students with disabilities.  The University has a range of services to support you, including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service and excellent libraries with specialist law librarians and resource centres. 

Feedback

Feedback is available through oral feedback during seminars and you will receive written feedback on both your formative and summative assessments.  Individual feedback on formative work will help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your learning, as well how you might improve your performance in summative assessments.  Written feedback will be made available no later than four weeks from the submission of your assessment.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Postgraduate students are expected to assume a greater responsibility for their education than undergraduates.  Through the LLM, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic employability skills.  During the programme you will be able to extend your communication and presentation skills, both oral and written.  You will also be able to develop collaborative skills, take leadership roles and enhance skills of disciplined and independent study.

You will be encouraged to work independently to seek out legal materials for yourself, to read and analyse these materials critically and to present structured and reasoned argument under the guidance of your tutors and supervisors.  You will be provided with training in postgraduate research skills to develop your independent legal analysis, research and writing.

Outside the curriculum you will have the opportunity to develop wider “employability” skills through participation in the school’s Law in Action pro-bono schemes run with partner organisations, in which student volunteers assist real people in their dealings with the law.  The schemes currently include: 

• Law in Justice: the Innocence Project, (dealing with alleged miscarriages of justice);
• Law in Healthcare: the NHS Continuing Healthcare Scheme, (challenges to NHS healthcare funding assessments);
• Law in Sport: the Rugby Union Project – (providing legal advice and legal newsletters to rugby clubs).