M (Res) Law and M (Res) Law & Society
- Aims, objectives and skills
- Programme content
- Entry requirements
- Part-time/modular arrangements
- Career prospects
- Further information
Aims, objectives and skills
The Masters of Research programmes equip graduates with a sound and thorough understanding of the ways that law and legal knowledge form a part of the political, cultural and economic fabric of local, regional and international entities. They aim to provide students with advanced skills in legal research, the ability to undertake high level analysis of law and legal issues, a grasp of the research methods that underpin the discipline and its places in the humanities and the social sciences, and a grounding in legal research methods. They will be especially suited to candidates who wish to undertake professional or postgraduate research in law and the administration of justice.
The two degree programmes share common ground in their focus on developing high level research skills but have different orientations.The M Res (Law & Society) provides candidates with an excellent grounding in social science research methods and their application, and has a strong emphasis on socio-legal research. Candidates will be closely involved with the activities of the Graduate School of Social Sciences. The M Res (Law) provides a wider scope for choice of modules and will be especially suited for candidates with a strong interest in doctrinal, theoretical and contextual approaches to Law.
The social science research skills acquired in the M Re (Law & Society) are especially suitable for candidates who wish to pursue career opportunities in socio-legal and social science fields generally.
Both programmes provide ideal preparation for entry to a PhD.
Programme content
Candidates in both programmes will complete 40 credits of research training modules (LWMTRM Research Methods and LWMRLK Legal Knowledge and Legal Writing) and write a 60 credit dissertation.
In the M Res (Law) the remaining 80 credits will be comprised of modules taken from the Law School's suite of Masters level offerings. Some of these may be done as research-based modules where project is driven primarily by a candidate's research interests.
In the M Res (Law and Society) there will be 40 credits of advanced social science research training (40 credits, covering social science research design, interviewing and observation-based research, language and text analysis, and transferable research skills). The remaining 40 credits will be comprised of modules taken from the Law School's suite of Masters level offerings. Some of these may be done as research-based modules where project is driven primarily by a candidate's research interests.
Entry requirements
Candidates should have a background in any of law, humanities or the social sciences. See the Entry Requirements for all taught postgraduate programmes
Part-time/modular arrangements
The programmes may be undertaken over two years on a part-time basis. In the M Res (Law), core methods courses will be done in first year and the dissertation in the second year, with optional modules spread across both years. In the M Res (Law & Society), methods courses will be spread across the two years. Specific requirements may apply to the order in which modules are taken.
Career prospects
With its emphasis upon legal research skills and independent research, these programmes are particularly suited to those who are thinking of entering the legal profession, pursuing career paths in research-based positions in national or international government or non-government institutions, or who wish to pursue a PhD in law or related areas. The Law & Society programme will provide an especially strong foundation for careers involving the conduct or analysis of empirical research, including careers in the administration of justice.
Further information
For further information about these programmes, contact Dr Lawrence McNamara or the Law School's Postgraduate Admissions Secretary at law-pg-admissions@lists.reading.ac.uk.