University of Northumbria, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (North) - LLM/Postgraduate Courses

Advanced Commercial Property Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM

Course Information

The LLM in Advanced Commercial Property Law is designed with the busy property professional in mind. It enables participants to gain a postgraduate qualification of direct relevance to their career and will appeal to those with a general interest in commercial property law, including lawyers, surveyors and other property professionals.

The course combines a practical approach with an in-depth study of commercial property law. The options allow students to pursue their particular interests and professional needs with the flexibility of distance learning study.

Comprehensive course materials and a structured distance learning programme allow students to work at their own pace, planning their study timetable to best suit their circumstances. Optional study days provide an opportunity for guest speakers, lectures and practical exercises.

The course takes between 1 and 2 years to complete, depending on the route chosen and the availability of advanced standing. Each subject is taught from a practical viewpoint, enabling students to both understand and apply the relevant law. Students are guided through each subject by comprehensive study materials written by expert practitioners in each field. Where appropriate students also receive textbooks which provide further material.

Weekend study days allow participants to deepen their understanding of the critical issues in each subject and to share their own diverse practical experiences with each other. In addition, there is the opportunity for both formal and informal interaction with subject tutors.

Subjects studied may include:

• Commercial property rent and service charges
• Construction law
• Environmental liabilities
• Management of residential property
• Repair and disrepair of commercial property
• Site acquisition and development
• Planning Law
• Termination and renewal of commercial leases.

Year 1 - The course begins with the Legal Research Unit. This unit develops the research skills needed to study at Masters level and provides an invaluable grounding in legal research methods for non-lawyers. The remainder of the year is made up of three options, enabling students to concentrate on areas of particular interest and practical relevance to their own fields. At the end of the first year students with advanced standing may elect to terminate their studies and are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Commercial Property Law.

Year 2 - Students with advanced standing who wish to obtain a Masters degree have a further six months to complete a researched project of between 16,000 and 20,000 words on an area of their choice, enabling them to explore a topic of particular interest to them in even greater detail.

Students without advanced standing complete a further two options in the first half of Year 2, at which point they qualify for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Commercial Property Law. In order to obtain a Masters degree students then spend the remaining 6 months of the year completing a researched project of similar length on an area of their choice.

Coursework and assessment

Study days are built into the course at regular intervals, these are non-compulsory. The study days provide participants with an opportunity to meet with tutors and one another, and to attend lectures and workshops.

Each option is assessed by way of a written researched assignment, with a maximum word limit of 4,000 words. Students wishing to gain an LLM must successfully complete a project of 16,000 to 20,000 words.

Advanced Legal Practice LLM
3 semesters by distance learning

Course Information

The LLM in Advanced Legal Practice is designed to promote the acquisition of legal knowledge in a practical context and will be of interest to both solicitors and barristers. The programme will also interest postgraduate students who have completed the Law Society or Bar Council postgraduate vocational training programmes but have not as yet entered practice and wish to improve their employment prospects.

The programme is designed to build on the postgraduate study which will have already been undertaken by participants for the Law Society final exam, Legal Practice Course or Bar Vocational Course. In fact, successful completion of any of these programmes is recognised as partial completion of the requirements for this programme. The programme also counts towards continuing professional development requirements for the relevant period and provides an alternative to attendance at short programmes.

The programme has a flexible structure. It is designed specifically for students who do not wish to attend classes or who are unable to attend due to geographical location.

Legal Research Module
The programme begins with the Legal Research module which provides students with the opportunity to update their writing and research skills and gain experience of working at LLM level.

Project
Students can choose their own project title and form of presentation (subject to availability of a subject tutor). The project should be between 20,000 - 25,000 words. Since the project requires in-depth research, it may be closely related to the student's area of practice and be based on practical scenarios.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment is by way of written submissions, there are no examinations. The assessments have been designed to enhance participants' knowledge and skills.

Bar Vocational Course
1 year full-time

Course Information

The University's Bar Vocational Course is approved by the Bar Council, and is the vocational stage of training for students who wish to enter pupillage in order to qualify as a barrister. The programme is based in new purpose-built accommodation.

The Bar Vocational Course comprises knowledge areas and legal skills. The legal knowledge areas of the programme are Criminal Litigation, Civil Litigation and Evidence. These areas are taught individually over three terms and also on an integrated basis with the five legal skills areas.

The emphasis of the programme is on developing the five main skills used by practising barristers namely: advocacy, drafting, opinion writing, negotiation and conference skills. These skills are taught within a practical context using simulated briefs to counsel. Students will also choose two specialist options which are studied in terms two and three.

Standard Entry
Applicants should hold an appropriate degree or comparable professional qualification. Candidates who have obtained extensive experience in a work-related field will also be considered.

Additional Notes
Those for whom English is not their first language should be able to demonstrate that their command of English is adequate for the programme. A score of 6.5 or better in the IELTS test would be acceptable evidence.

Course Information

This programme has been developed and written in conjunction with Ward Hadaway Solicitors who are on the NHSLA's solicitor panels. In response to growing demand from the health care profession this programme provides an opportunity for those involved in the field of claims and risk management in health care to gain a Masters degree, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate whilst still pursuing their careers. The programme combines a practical approach with an in-depth study of the law surrounding claims and risk management in health care.

The programme is available to a wide range of candidates including health care administrators and managers, doctors and hospital nursing staff.

Comprehensive materials and a structured distance learning programme enable students to develop their knowledge, understanding and analytical skills within a supported learning environment and a framework which accommodates other time commitments.

Successful completion of Year 1 of the course will entitle the student to exit the programme with a postgraduate certificate. Successful completion of the five core modules and one option will entitle the student to exit the programme with a postgraduate diploma. Those who wish to attain an LLM must additionally complete a researched dissertation in a related topic of their choice of 16,000 - 20,000 words.

Year 1
Legal research and clinical negligence
Clinical risk in context and claims management
Risk assessment in health care.

Year 2
Treatment: Consent and patients' rights Quality and risk management in health care.

One option from the following list:
Employment issues in health care
Legal structure of the NHS
The medical witness
Patients' rights and remedies.

Those students who wish to attain an LLM must also submit a dissertation.

Coursework and Assessment

Each option is assessed by way of written, researched assignments with a maximum word limit of 4,000 words. Students wishing to gain the LLM must successfully complete the project of 16,000 - 20,000 words.

Other Info

Study Days
There are six Saturday study days built into the programme. These are non-compulsory, although highly recommended. Study days provide participants with an opportunity to meet with tutors and one another, and to attend lectures and workshops.

Commercial Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM
1 year full-time

Course Information

Commercial awareness is a pre-requisite for both legal practitioners and those in business. The LLM/Diploma in Commercial Law is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Commercial Law and opportunities for personal development within the area. Students on the programme gain specialist legal knowledge within a practical context, whilst developing expertise in chosen areas and enhancing research skills.

The programme will be of interest to legal practitioners, to those in business and postgraduate and to people in the public sector who encounter various aspects of Commercial Law. It will also interest students who wish to enhance their qualifications in this area.

The programme builds upon participants experience - whether gained through undergraduate study, employment or legal practice - and in addition to developing existing expertise and knowledge, the programme offers a range of practical benefits including:

- Greater awareness of legal commercial issues
- The ability to apply specialist legal knowledge to practical problems
- The acquisition of expertise in new specialist areas
- The ability to critically evaluate legal issues
- Enhanced research and presentation skills.

Core subjects

• Legal method and research
• Foundations of commercial law.

Students must select 4 options. Students may not select more than two options from the B list.

The A list comprises:

• Commercial Contracts
• Company Law and Insolvency
• Construction Law
• E-Commerce Law
• Employment Law
• Environmental Law
• Free Movement of Goods and Persons
• Human Resources/Marketing
• Intellectual Property Law

The B list comprises:

• Carriage of Goods by Sea
• Competition Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• Law of International Trade
• Marine Insurance
• WTO Law

Coursework and Assessment

Each core and optional module is assessed through the completion of a written assignment. Students are required to submit an assignment of no more than 4,000 words for each module. There are no examinations on this programme. Students wishing to gain an LLM must complete a dissertation of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in a related topic of their choice.

Other Info

There are two intakes for this programme - one in September and one in February.

Criminology Postgraduate Diploma/MA

Course Information

This programme is a mixture of core modules and options and students will study topics of their choice. Students will be offered support in research methods.

Semester One

Historical reflections on crime, law and punishment
This module will help students to develop a broad understanding of the ways in which illicit activities, the criminalising authority of law and the methods and purposes of punishment have changed over time.

Advanced research methods
This module is concerned with the variety of methods of research used in the social sciences and criminology which are appropriate at postgraduate level. It describes and evaluates these methods but more importantly, it places emphasis on the application of such methods to research problems. Alongside this module, which is a 20-credit module, students also undertake a 10-credit module entitled Evaluating social research.

Evaluating social research
The module provides students with the tools to appraise reports and articles based on empirical social research. It defines the key stages of the research process and identifies the criteria to distinguish good quality research.

Semester Two

Current thinking on crime, criminology, penology and social control
The overall aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to critically review and synthesise the contemporary issues, debates, themes and controversies of interest and concern to criminologists and social theorists.

Options modules
Students choose one option subject during their first semester from a list of options which include:
Youth and community safety
Crime, violence and masculinity
Crime, social justice and law and order politics
Crime and the media
or
Option drawn from a School postgraduate programme
Plus

Putting knowledge to work
The focus of this module is work-based. There will be an induction workshop supported by appropriate staff to aid students in issue identification and the adoption of appropriate methodologies for analysis.

This will be supported by developmental workshops to allow staff and peers to guide progression.

Dissertation

The dissertation will be a single piece of work on a topic of the student's own choice. It will be maximum 20,000 words in length excluding bibliography, but including appendices. The dissertation will demonstrate the students' ability to apply sociological/criminological methods and/or perspectives to the chosen topic.

Coursework and Assessment

A variety of teaching methods is used including: lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and directed learning. All assessment will be by written assignment.

European Union Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM

Course Information

This course is designed to provide a flexible pattern of learning with support, and to enable students to enhance their legal research and written communications skills whilst acquiring valuable and practical knowledge of European Union Law. It is recognised by the Law Society for their continuing professional development requirements.

Year 1

Semester One

• EU legal research
• Foundations of EU law.

Semester Two
Two options from the following:

• EU competition law
• EU discrimination law
• Environmental law
• Intellectual property law
• Free movement of persons in the EU
• Free movement of goods in the EU
• Constitutional law of the EU
• Remedies and enforcement of EU law.

Year 2

Semester One
Two options from the list above.

Students will be provided with a set of study materials, containing detailed information, self-test questions and case studies, and supplemented by a textbook and materials book.

Coursework and Assessment

All units are assessed by way of written assignments. Students who successfully complete this stage of the course and who wish to terminate their studies at this point are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in EU Law.

In order to progress to the LLM, students must complete a project of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in an EU law topic of their choosing. This will be completed during the second semester of Year 2 and will be supervised by one of the Law School staff.

Graduate Diploma in Law, Common Professional Examination
1 year full-time

Course Information

This programme provides the academic programme of education in law for graduates of disciplines other than law, who wish to qualify as solicitors or barristers. The length of the full-time programme is 1 year. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of a Graduate Diploma in Law (with the exception of students with exemption from some of the CPE subjects, who are not normally awarded the Diploma).

The aim of the programme is to provide the core academic stage of training required by the Law Society and the Bar Council, and provides the necessary foundations of legal knowledge, understanding and competencies for subsequent vocational training and legal practice.

Throughout the programme, students receive lectures and seminars on a weekly basis. Attendance is a requirement of the programme. Students are expected to attend the University 5 days a week. In general, they receive between 11 and 18 hours of tuition per week. In addition, they are expected to prepare for seminars and coursework. In total, the approximate workload on the full-time programme is 35-40 hours per week.

Students will be required to study seven foundation subject areas:

• Criminal law
• Contract law
• Equity and the law of trusts
• European Union law
• Property law
• Public law
• Law of Torts

In addition students will research a further area of law.

Students who have previously studied at least four of these subjects may be able to gain some exemption.

Applicants wishing to become solicitors should direct enquiries about exemptions to:

The Law Society
Education and Training
Ipsley Court
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 0TD
Tel +44 (0) 870 606 2555
Website http://www.lawsociety.org.uk

Applicants wishing to become barristers should direct enquiries about exemptions to:

The Bar Council
2/3 Cursitor Street
London
EC4A 1NE
Tel +44 (0) 207 440 4000
Website http://www.barcouncil.org.uk

Coursework and Assessment

A variety of assessment strategies are adopted, including coursework and unseen written examinations.

Careers

Students who successfully complete the CPE programme will receive a Graduate Diploma in Law and are then eligible to apply for the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Vocational Course.

Other Info

Conversion to a law degree
Students successfully completing the CPE programme are eligible to convert their Diploma to an LLB (Hons) degree. This one-year conversion programme comprises the study of two extra legal subjects and the submission of a project of 10,000 - 15,000 words on a legal subject area chosen by the student.

The options for the extra legal subject are:

• Company law
• Medical law
• Evidence
• Employment law
• Family law (only available on a part-time evening basis)
• Intellectual Property (available through Open Learning only)

International Commercial Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM
1 year full-time

Course Information

The LLM/Diploma in International Commercial Law offers students the opportunity to study a variety of commercial law subjects in an international context. In order to qualify for this award, students must select at least three of their optional modules from a specific list of options that have an international component. The dissertation must be based upon an International Commercial Law topic.

The programme will be of interest to legal practitioners, to those in business and to those people in the public sector who encounter various aspects of International Commercial Law. It will also be of interest to students who wish to enhance their qualifications in this area.

The programme builds upon participants experience - whether gained through undergraduate study, employment or legal practice - and in addition to developing existing expertise and knowledge, the programme offers a range of practical benefits including:

• Greater awareness of legal issues in international commerce
• The ability to apply specialist legal knowledge to practical problems
• The acquisition of expertise in new specialist areas
• The ability to critically evaluate legal issues
• Enhanced research and presentation.

Core modules:

• Legal Method and Research
• Foundations of Commercial Law

Students must select 4 options. In order to be considered for the award of LLM International Commercial Law, at least three options must have an 'international' component. Accordingly students must select at least three options from the B list.

The A list comprises:

• Company Law and Insolvency
• E-Commerce Law
• Intellectual Property Law

The B list comprises:

• Carriage of Goods by Sea
• Competition Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• International Sale Contracts
• Law of International Trade
• Marine Insurance
• WTO Law

Students wishing to gain an LLM must complete a project of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in a related topic of their choice.

Coursework and Assessment

Each core and optional module is assessed through the completion of a written assignment. Students are required to submit an assignment of no more than 4,000 words for each module. There are no examinations on this programme. Students wishing to gain an LLM must complete a dissertation of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in a related topic of their choice.

International Trade Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM
1 year full-time

Course Information

The LLM/Diploma in International Trade Law offers students the opportunity to study a variety of commercial law subjects in an international context. In order to qualify for this award, students must select at least three of their optional modules from a specific list of options that have an international component. The dissertation must be based upon an International Trade Law topic.

The programme will be of interest to legal practitioners, to those in business and to those people in the public sector who encounter various aspects of International Trade Law. It will also be of interest to students who wish to enhance their qualifications in this area.

The programme builds upon participants experience - whether gained through undergraduate study, employment or legal practice - and in addition to developing existing expertise and knowledge, the programme offers a range of practical benefits including:

• Greater awareness of legal issues in international commerce
• The ability to apply specialist legal knowledge to practical problems
• The acquisition of expertise in new specialist areas
• The ability to critically evaluate legal issues
• Enhanced research and presentation

Student complete four core modules:

• Legal Method and Research
• Foundations of Commercial Law
• Carriage of Goods by Sea
• International Sale Contracts

Students must select two options from the following:

• Company Law and Insolvency
• Competition Law
• E-Commerce Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• Marine Insurance Law
• WTO Law

Students wishing to gain an LLM must complete a project of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in a related topic of their choice.

Coursework and Assessment

Each core and optional module is assessed through the completion of a written assignment. Students are required to submit an assignment of no more than 4,000 words for each module. There are no examinations on this programme. Students wishing to gain an LLM must complete a dissertation of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in a related topic of their choice.

Legal Practice Course
1 year full-time

This programme satisfies the Law Society's requirement for those wishing to enter into a training contract to qualify as a solicitor. The programme is intended primarily for those students who have completed the academic stage of training by obtaining a qualifying law degree or passing the Common Professional Examination.

This programme is an integral part of the vocational training of intending solicitors. It aims to prepare students for entry into a training contract with a solicitor.

The programme includes a large amount of substantive law as well as providing training in the skills of drafting, advocacy, research and interviewing.

These areas are covered in the three compulsory modules:

• Business law and practice
• Litigation (civil and criminal)
• Property law and practice

In addition, students will take three elective subjects from the following:

• Advanced advocacy
• Child care law
• Commercial dispute resolution
• Commercial law
• Commercial property
• Employment law
• Family law
• Housing law
• Intellectual property
• Law and the elderly
• Mental health law
• Planning and environmental law
• Sales, acquisitions and corporate finance

The curriculum incorporates the pervasive themes of business and commercial awareness, financial services and accounts. There is also a close focus on the Human Rights Act and its implications for all areas of legal practice.

The full-time programme runs from September to June the following year. It begins with a 2-week foundation block, and is then taught in two blocks: the first contains the three compulsory subjects; the second block contains the three options.

The part-time programme has a slightly different programme structure, with a 1-week foundation block at the start of each year, after which the programme requires one full day of attendance per week.

Coursework and Assessment

The three compulsory areas and the electives (other than advanced advocacy) are assessed by a formal examination with access to permitted materials. Legal skills are assessed on a competent/non-competent basis through a mixture of written and oral assessment.

Medical Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM

This programme combines in-depth study of Medical Law with the flexibility of distance learning.

The programme enables participants to gain specialist knowledge within a practical context whilst enhancing research skills and developing expertise in a chosen field. Participants benefit from weekend study days - where they attend lectures and workshops - comprehensive learning materials written by experts in the field and a choice of option modules which allow participants to adapt the programme to suit their professional needs and enhance understanding of Medical Law issues.

The programme will be of interest to practising lawyers, doctors, other health care professionals, administrators and those with a general interest in Medical Law.

The programme is taught on a distance learning basis, with the provision of study packs, and lectures and workshops with six non-compulsory study days.

Year 1

Legal principles and methodology
Clinical negligence
Treatment: consent and patients' rights
Patients' rights and remedies

Year 2

Semester One

Two options chosen from the following:
Risk management in health care
Employment issues in health care
Advanced clinical negligence litigation
Legal structure of the NHS
Medical witness

On completion of this part of the programme, students may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma. Semester Two Those who wish to study for the LLM will continue for another 6 months, in order to complete a project on a medical law topic of their choice.

Coursework and Assessment

Each option is assessed by way of written researched assignments with a maximum word limit of 4,000 words. Students wishing to gain the LLM must successfully complete the project of 16,000 - 20,000 words.

Other Info

Study Days
There are six Saturday study days built into the programme. These are non-compulsory. Study days provide participants with an opportunity to listen to guest speakers with specialist knowledge in the field, and to meet with tutors and each other.

Mental Health Law Postgraduate Diploma/LLM

Course Information

The LLM in Mental Health Law aims to combine in-depth study of mental health law with the flexibility of distance learning study. The programme enables participants to gain specialist knowledge within a practical context whilst enhancing research skills and developing expertise in a chosen field. Participants benefit from:

• Saturday study days where they attend lectures and workshops
• Comprehensive learning materials written by experts in the field
• A choice of option modules which allow participants to adapt the programme to suit their professional needs and enhance understanding of mental health law issues.

The programme will be of interest to practising lawyers, psychiatrists, social workers, hospital administration and those with a general interest in mental health law. It explores and develops key areas of mental health law and practice, including community care, rights and duties under the Mental Health Act and related legislation, the rights of the mentally incapacitated child and elderly client.

The programme will be taught on a distance learning basis, with the provision of materials in the form of study packs, and lectures and workshops provided in 6 non-compulsory study days.

Students will study the following core subjects:

• Research skills and legal methodology
• Compulsory civil admission to hospital, and guardianship
• Mental health review tribunals
• Consent to treatment.

Plus two options from the following:

• Mental health law and the elderly
• Community care law
• Mental health law: children and young persons
• The mentally disordered offender.

Successful completion of both the core and option modules leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Law. Those participants who wish to continue to Masters level must then complete a project in a related topic of their choice.

Study Days
There are six Saturday study days built into the programme. These are non-compulsory, although highly recommended. Study days provide participants with an opportunity to meet with tutors and one another, and to attend lectures and workshops.

Coursework and Assessment

Each option is assessed by way of a written researched assignment, with a maximum word limit of 4,000 words. Students wishing to gain an LLM must successfully complete a project of 16,000 to 20,000 words