LL.M European Union Law

This programme is subject to formal approval by the Faculty.

• Aims and objectives
• Transferable skills
• Programme content
• Part-time/modular arrangements
• Entry requirements
• Career prospects

Aims and objectives

This is a structured postgraduate law degree which examines EU Law in its social and political context. It provides a flexible programme through a core course in European Union Law combined with a range of options, and the independent study of a dissertation component. As well as specific knowledge of European law, students should acquire the intellectual and practical skills expected of students with a postgraduate qualification. The course will help you to delineate and evaluate issues, select relevant materials and produce arguments encompassing policy, existing practice and knowledge at an advanced level. It will also help you to develop practical, generic and personal transferable skills necessary to conduct independent research.

Transferable skills

You are encouraged to act independently in planning tasks and use feedback to reflect on your performance and re-assess the appropriateness of current levels of knowledge and skill. You are expected to acquire an ability to think analytically, to develop frameworks for considering and resolving complex problems, and to discriminate between good and bad arguments. In addition, as a law graduate, you will be used to presenting arguments (both technical and general) orally and in writing and should be able to present such arguments clearly and concisely. You will be able to research a variety of sources in libraries and on the internet, and, in particular, to research and assess academic literature. Particular elements of the programme expose students to the use of information technology and encourage the development of general professional capabilities including recognition of deadlines and time management.

Programme content

The programme consists of 180 credits, comprising a taught element (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

• Within the taught element there are two core modules: LWMTEF European Union Legal Frameworks: Constitutionalism, Democracy and Citizenship (20 credits) and LWMTRM Research Methods (30 credits).

• The remaining 70 credits of the taught element are comprised of optional modules. At least 30 of these 70 credits must come from the Law School's European Law options. The other 30 credits may be taken from a set range of Master's and Honours level modules from the Law School and other Departments.

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation  -  LWMTDI (60 Credits)
• Research Methods  -  LWMTRM (30 Credits)
• European Legal Frameworks: Constitutionalism, Democracy and Citizenship  -  LWMTEF (20 Credits)

Law School European Law optional modules (subject to availability in any given year) - at least 30 credits from this group must be taken

• The Single Market: Trade and Commerce in an Integrated Europe  -  LWMTSM (30 Credits)
• EU Environmental Law  -  LWMTEE (10 Credits)
• EU Labour and Equality Law  -  LWMTEL (20 Credits)
• International Dispute Settlement  -  LWMTDS (20 Credits)
• International and European Aspects of Intellectual Property  -  LWMTIE (10 Credits)

Law School general optional modules (subject to availability in any given year)

• International Human Rights Law  -  LWMTHR (30 Credits)
• International Law and Terrorism  -  LWMTLT (20 Credits)
• Prosecuting International Crimes: Contemporary Issues and Problems  -  LWMTIC (10 Credits)
• War Law  -  LWMTWL (20 Credits)
• Intellectual Property  -  LWMTIP (30 Credits)
• International Children's Rights: Law and Politics  -  LW3ICR* (20 Credits)
• Advanced Legal Writing  -  LWMRAW* (10 Credits)

* enrolment in this modules requires permission of Director of PGT in Law

Optional modules from Graduate Institute in Politics and International Studies (GIPIS) (subject to availability in any given year).  All these modules are 30 credits

• International Relations of the Mediterranean  -  PIM11
• Political Integration in Europe - PIM15
• The EU as a Global Actor  -  PIM26
• Politics of the Monetary Union  -  PIM27

For descriptions of modules see the GIPIS postgraduate modules or see a full list of all the Law School postgraduate modules

Part-time/modular arrangements

The programme can be taken part-time over two years. In the first year of study, a student will be required to complete the core module LWMTEF European Legal Frameworks: Constitutionalism, Democracy and Citizenship, and further optional modules totalling no less than 40 credits and no more than 70 credits. In the second year of study a student will be required to complete the core module LWMTRM Research Methods, and any remaining optional modules, and the LWMTDI Dissertation module.T he programme may not be completed over more than two years.

Entry requirements

See the Entry Requirements for all programmes.

Career prospects

While very many law graduates take professional exams in law and go on to practise law either in the UK or abroad, many others pursue alternative careers. This is particularly the case with those who have chosen to pursue a postgraduate qualification in law. A postgraduate law degree does not disqualify you from any career open to non-specialist graduates and the skills it engenders are in great demand from non-legal employers. Equally, a postgraduate law degree will open many doors in more specialised areas of employment such as European and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, academia (with further postgraduate study), the media (journalism and broadcasting), the civil service and other branches of public service.

For detailed information, download our latest LLM brochure. (144 KB)