LLM (Master of Laws)

Choose to study a general LLM or one of three specialist routes: International Business Law, International Human Rights Law and International Law.

Course overview

If you’re ready to take your career in law forward, or in one of the many law-related fields, our LLM is an excellent next step. It’s a versatile qualification that produces highly employable graduates for an increasingly connected world.

With an element of independent study, you can focus on an area of law that interests you, with the support of specialist academics and researchers who are contributing towards shaping today’s legal, policy and business environment. And, while you can choose to keep your LLM broad, you could instead opt for a specialist route:

International Business Law
International Human Rights Law
International Law

Whichever route you choose, you’ll not only expand your legal knowledge, but also develop advanced analytical and research s...

What you need to know

When does the course start?
What is the length of the course?
1 year full-time

2 years part-time
Where will I study this course?
Manchester

Features and benefits

“I enjoyed the freedom of choosing different units to complete my LLM. I also enjoyed the kind and helpful attitude of my peers and tutors on the course.”
Jaskaran
LLM

Course information

From the rules on the relations between countries, to those governing global commerce and the rights and obligations of individuals, the law shapes the world as we know it. Our LLM (Master of Laws) is your chance to gain a deeper understanding of it all, while developing advanced analytical and research skills.

With the support of our leading academics, researchers and practising legal professionals you’ll take an in-depth look at the mechanics of forming and applying the law. This includes a focus on how the law governs relations between countries and how it relates to individuals, businesses and societies in and across countries.

You’ll explore the law’s impact on policy and policy-making processes at national, regional and international levels. You’ll also learn how the law relates to a wide range of areas from conflicts between countries and the fight for equality, to business regulation, international crime and migration flows, among many others. And, as you expand your legal knowledge, you’ll also develop advanced critical, analytical and evaluative skills that can be valuable in a range of different roles.

Throughout the advanced independent study aspect of this course, you’ll make the most of the latest learning technologies, while working with expert academics and researchers who are helping to shape the legal environment, from discrimination law and medical ethics, to intellectual property and competition law.

It is a flexible course, giving you the choice between studying a general LLM or a specialist route. You’ll spend an intensive year (or two if you study part-time) boosting your expertise with a course tailored to your professional interests or academic goals, whether you want a deeper understanding of subjects you’ve already studied or you would like to pursue new areas altogether.

General LLM: This route is perfect for students who want the knowledge and skills of an LLM but don’t want to commit to a specific route at this stage. A general LLM is just as valued and holds the same status as any of our specialist routes, the main difference is that you have free reign on the option units you can select and the topic of your advanced independent study project. Graduating with an LLM (Master of Laws) can lead to careers as a solicitor or barrister (with further training and qualification), lecturing, research, insurance, banking, government, police, charities and more.

International Business Law: This route is beneficial for students who want to study corporate and commercial law at an international level. You’ll study units such as international trade law and intellectual property and apply your specialist knowledge to specific careers in international business law, such as insurance and local government.

International Human Rights Law: This route is for students wishing to specialise in human rights law at a domestic and international level. You’ll explore UK based issues such as terrorism and equalities and international issues such as honour based violence and war crimes. This route provides career opportunities in central and local government, human rights charities, research and more.

International Law: Like the LLM International Human Rights Law this route provides you with a choice of specific units to expand your knowledge in international law. From international criminal law to human rights and healthcare you’ll be able to apply your specialist knowledge to a variety of different careers, including research, non-profit and government roles.

By the end of the course, you’ll emerge with an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification that will both help you stand out in a competitive jobs market and act as an ideal grounding for a move into legal research or academia. In short, it’s a versatile qualification that will open up opportunities across different disciplines, a range of sectors and around the world.

Over the course of a year’s intensive study (or two, for the part-time course), you will complete a range of units built around a strong core of advanced legal systems, skills and research. You can choose to do a General LLM, studying a variety of optional subjects, or one of the following specialist routes:

International Business Law
International Human Rights Law
International Law

Choosing your route

Every student on the LLM is required to study three core units. In addition to these core units, you will have the opportunity to select from a wide range of optional units to tailor your studies towards your interests. Your optional units will include the selection of two 30-credit units and two 15-credit units. These units may be pre-determined based on whether you choose to study a specialist route.

For the General LLM you can select from the following options:

Human Rights and Healthcare OR International Trade Law
International Human Rights Law OR Public International Law OR Principles of Corporate Law and Governance
Law, Terrorism and Human Rights OR Intellectual Property in a Global Context
International Criminal Law OR Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics OR Equality and Human Rights

For the LLM International Business Law you will study:

International Trade Law
Public International Law OR Principles of Corporate Law and Governance
Intellectual Property in a Global Context
Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics

For the LLM International Human Rights Law you will study:

Human Rights and Healthcare
International Human Rights Law
Law, Terrorism and Human Rights
International Criminal Law OR Equality and Human Rights

For the LLM International Law you will study:

Human Rights and Healthcare
International Human Rights Law OR Public International Law
Law, Terrorism and Human Rights
International Criminal Law

If you choose to study a specialist route your Advanced Independent Study unit will also be focused within the area you select.

Please note:  Optional units are subject to availability.

Core modules

Advanced Legal Systems, Skills and Research 1

This module introduces students to a higher level understanding of the national, European and international legal systems, the rules emanating therefrom and the relationships between them. It also focuses on the development of postgraduate study and research skills, particularly advanced legal writing and problem-solving and postgraduate legal research. Skills and reflection for employability will be pervasive.

Advanced Legal Systems, Skills and Research 2

This module provides students with an introduction to advanced legal research methods and methodology and legal and interdisciplinary approaches to research. It will provide students with the opportunity to develop their legal research skills with reference to national, European and international legal systems and the political, social and economic contexts in which they operate. Skills and reflection for employability will be pervasive.

Advanced Independent Study

Students are able to choose between completing an extended dissertation/research project; two advanced and independently researched, prescribed essays or problem questions. Where permitted in an academic year, students may choose, instead, to carry out a shortened dissertation/research project alongside a substantial reflective piece of work following a period of self-obtained work experience or pro bono work. This module is completed under the individual or group supervision of one or more members of staff from Manchester Law School or the wider Faculty.

Option modules

Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics

This module will consider the different theories on the role of the corporation in society and the theoretical arguments for businesses taking on ethical stances. In particular, the module will examine the ways in which unethical corporate behaviour produces adverse effects on the corporate world and the broader society. Such an analysis will aim at fostering students' awareness of contemporary issues and developments related to transnational commercial operations.

Equality and Human Rights Law

This module aims to provide students with a critical awareness the central and current issues in the protection of human rights and the promotion of equality in the UK, Europe and Internationally.

Human Rights and Healthcare

Human Rights and Healthcare examines current issues relevant to both human rights law and healthcare law and ethics. The course enables the critical examination of current topical human rights issues around healthcare law in the UK and internationally.

Intellectual Property in a Global Context

The module aims to provide a critical understanding of the global aspects of intellectual property rights, as they derive from international fora and are governed by international trade agreements. It encompasses both substantive and theoretical legal issues and enables the student to appreciate how international intellectual property law protection is tied to international trade.

International Criminal Law

This module will enable students to acquire an advanced understanding of the workings and procedures of the international criminal justice system and of the application of substantive international criminal law.

International Human Rights Law

The module module aims to provide students with a critical insight into and understanding of the international legal framework for the safeguarding of human rights; the respective roles of the key institutions and organs that make up the international human rights system; and the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms in international human rights law.

International Trade Law

This module provides a critical examination of the international laws that govern key aspects of trade contracts, including the laws that apply to the parties at all stages of trade contracts: from formation through to performance and to termination of trade contracts.

Law, Terrorism and Human Rights

This module examines the underlying causes and effects of terrorism and how law and policy-makers globally, in Europe and in the UK have sought to counter terror with a view to assessing the human rights and societal implications of their actions.

Principles of Corporate Law and Governance

This module aims to give students a critical understanding of the foundational concepts of company law such as corporate personality and limited liability and of the ever-evolving (global) governance debate about the correct allocation of discretionary power and to whom or what should the power-wielders ultimately be accountable.

Public International Law

The module aims to give students a high level of understanding of the institutions, procedures and substantive rules of public international law. Students will gain an advanced knowledge of the laws, rules and principles that govern the relationship between states and other subjects of international law with regard being had to contemporary international relations.

Study and assessment breakdown

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

Study

Full-time 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study
Part-time 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study

Assessment

Full-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
Part-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Placement options

As a student at Manchester Law School, you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in voluntary work through our Pro Bono Network.

Working with one of our partners to provide free expertise to people in need means building real skills and vital career-boosting experience. You can explore different areas of law in practice, build your professional network and increase your skills, confidence and employability. Ultimately, it’s a chance to stand out from the crowd while potentially making a difference to someone's life before you even qualify.

We work with a variety of organisations on our pro bono projects, both locally and internationally. If you join our network, you could be working in court with Support Through Court, on a free advice line at Slater & Gordon, with a team of commercial pro bono lawyers at Addleshaw Goddard at our Business Law Cafe or even at appeal hearings representing clients through the Legal Advocacy Support Project.

Find out more about our Pro Bono Network

Meet us

Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.

We offer:

Meet us

Taught by experts

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Meet your tutors Discover your department

Entry requirements

Please Note: Entry requirements are the same for each route on this course (both general and specialist).

You’ll need a UK honours degree - at least a 2:2 - in law or a related humanities, social science or business discipline, or an international equivalent. Alternatively, you will have a Graduate Diploma in Law/Common Professional Examination or a related professional qualification equivalent to a 2:2 OR a related postgraduate diploma or degree.

English Language Requirements

We require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. Accepted English qualifications can be viewed here.

International students please refer to mmu.ac.uk/international

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

Full-time fee: £9,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Part-time fee: £1584 per 30 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.

EU and Non-EU International students

Full-time fee: £18,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Part-time fee: £3084 per 30 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.

Additional information

A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional costs

other costs

Optional estimate: £450

Students should have their own laptops for work both inside and outside the taught sessions and should be prepared to buy their own core textbooks where advised in the relevant unit. The cost of purchased textbooks should cost no more than £150 in total. If students do not have a laptop prior to starting the course, estimated cost for a laptop is £300.

Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.

Career prospects

Our LLM course has everything you need to give your career prospects in the legal field, or in legally related areas, a real boost. It’s an interdisciplinary, versatile qualification that is internationally recognised, giving you the valuable skills and understanding that can open doors to exciting opportunities all over the world.

You should leave us with the advanced analytical and research skills that will appeal to a huge range of organisations from the law, government and the civil service to the third sector and the world of commerce. If you’d prefer to stay in academia and research, you will also be well prepared to take the next step with a PhD.

If you choose to study one of our specialist routes (such as International Human Rights Law) you can explore career opportunities in related fields that will put your advanced subject knowledge into practice.

Whatever your background or experience, completing this course will show employers that you have the intellectual drive and dedication to succeed in your chosen field. With the advanced knowledge and skills development our LLM offers, you will be well-placed to work in both legal and legally related jobs at a regional, national or international level.

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How to apply

Please contact our course enquiries team.

All students, regardless of whether you choose to study the general LLM or one of the three specialist routes, apply via the link above. If your application is successful, your chosen route will be allocated to your student profile once you start the course. Please give an indication prior to starting the course about which route you would like to follow.

The application submission deadlines for September 2024 entry are:

International students: Monday 22nd July 2024

UK or Home/ Channel Islands/ IOM students: Applications remain open - deadline to be confirmed

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

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Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions.

Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

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All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.