Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

60.000 Credits or 30.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 3

Organiser: Dr Ama Eyo

The Applied Procurement Research Project (APRP) consists of research and legal writing in the field of Procurement. The APRP is compulsory for every participant who desires to graduate with an LLM degree in Procurement Law, Strategy & Practice. The project assignment will take the form of a single essay with a maximum length of between 18,000 and 20,000 words.

The APRP will be used to familiarise participants with a broad range of current themes in Public Procurement Law, Strategy, and Practice. Indicative areas where participants may undertake applied research projects include: Procurement Law & Practice, Procurement Relationships & Ethics, Contract Design & Management, Strategic Issues in Procurement, International Procurement Regulations, Procuring Innovation, Leadership and Risk Management.

Other topics, including a combination of the topics above, may be proposed by candidates, but these will be subject to ratification by the Convener.

Participants will choose to undertake their Applied Procurement Research Project (APRP) following consultation and discussions with a project supervisor. Indicative list of areas where projects may be undertaken is provided below. It is possible that projects may be undertaken in other areas, subject to availability of supervision staff, and the appropriateness of suggested topics.

Procurement Law & Practice, Procurement Relationships & Ethics, Contract Design & Management, Strategic Issues in Procurement, International Procurement Regulations, Procuring Innovation, Leadership and Risk Management.

excellent

(70%+ / A- to A*) Displays mastery of a complex and specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing advanced skills to conduct procurement research. Excellent work in this module will contain the qualities recognized in good work, but will show them in a more consistent way, and at all points. It will demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, much of which is at the forefront of this academic discipline. Work at this level shows a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to the student’s own research or to advanced scholarship. It shows throughout an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced in the work indicates that the student can critically evaluate advanced scholarship in the discipline, and do so in a consistent manner. The work shows an ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and, where appropriate, propose hypotheses.

good

(60-69% / B- to B+) Displays accomplished ability within a specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing good quality skills to conduct Procurement research. Good work in this module will demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, much of which is at, or informed by thinking at, the forefront of the academic discipline. Work at this level shows a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to the student’s own research. It shows an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced in the work indicates that the student can evaluate advanced scholarship in the discipline. The work shows an ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and, where appropriate, propose hypotheses.

threshold

(50-59% / C- to C+) Displays ability within a specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing appropriate skills to conduct procurement research. Work at threshold quality demonstrates an adequate knowledge and understanding of current issues in the field of Public Procurement. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, some of which is informed by thinking at the forefront of the academic discipline. Work at this level shows a developing understanding of techniques applicable to the student’s own research. It shows an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced by the work indicates that the student can evaluate scholarship in the field.

1. Articulate a detailed and critical understanding of the subject of procurement in relation to (indicative list): Procurement Law & Practice, Procurement Relationships, Governance & Ethics Contract Design & Management Strategic Issues in Procurement International Procurement Regulations Procuring Innovation Leadership and Risk Management in Procurement.

2. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse the legal and business conditions in the international environment that drive trade and procurement between nations, including the issues facing companies and governments.

3. Provide insights into the procurement behaviour of the procurement function in public and private sector organisations and examine the legal polices and frameworks that affect procurement operations.

4. Demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of procurement processes and the legal frameworks that support them.

5. Demonstrate a sophisticated familiarity with previous and current theoretical and applied law research across the range of core subjects delivered on the LLM in Procurement Law, Strategy & Practice.

6. Explore and critically analyse the wide range of procurement processes associated with operations management, performance management and legal guidance.

7. Understand to an advanced level and critically evaluate how procurement strategies are formulated, developed and implemented within public and private sector organisations.

8. Critically analyse, evaluate and apply a complex body of "procurement" knowledge against a wider organisational background.

		Hours
One-to-one supervision	3 x 1hr (3 hours) personal one-to-one supervisions conducted with the candidate via SKYPE. Prior to each of these scheduled SKYPE sessions, the candidate will be expected to produce a dissertation progress plan and a 250-word dissertation reflection. Both the plan and the reflection will be non-assessed, but will be a mandatory requirement.	3
Private study	Students will engage in significant private study to write their dissertation	597

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Participants will acquire an understanding of advanced legal theories and jurisprudence concerning the development of Public Procurement Law at International, European Union and domestic levels.

Participants will become familiar with the latest thinking and practices in the procurement of innovation.

Participants will become familiar with techniques to evaluate and manage risk; and to appreciate the distinction between management and leadership in the procurement domain.

Participants will become familiar with the principles of good contract design and management.

Participants will be sensitised to what is good ethical behaviour in the procurement context and gain an appreciation of what good governance in procurement and effective supplier relationship strategies looks like.

Participants will acquire critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, informed by the latest academic literature, legislation and case law.

Compulsory in courses:

• M1AY: LLM Procurement Law, Strategy & Practice (Distance Learning) year 1 (LLM/PLSP)