About This Course
On this Law LLM student’s will be able to pick from an expansive range of modules, giving opportunity to specialise in certain areas. This course aims to allow students to further develop their legal knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, values, principles and rules of law within a social, national and global context.
Studying for a masters in Law helps to develop your legal knowledge and apply your understanding of legal principles, rules, doctrine, skills and values to legal problems and contemporary issues giving an appreciation of how law works in practice. Students on this course will learn about the principles and values of law and justice and of ethics, when studying Law we need to consider ethics and values of those that make and apply it. You will have the opportunity to discuss ethical questions and dilemmas and consider the future of ethical decision-making.
Law is shaped by, and impacts on, ethical, social, political, environmental and economic norms, so this degree will help you be civic-minded and well-rounded with an understanding of wider societal challenges. By studying this LLM you can choose to cover a range of different topics including legal concepts relating to contemporary Wales, the UK, Europe and the wider international community. You can also delve deeper into areas of the law such as business and human rights law, cultural heritage and international law, international climate change law and many other.
Why Choose Bangor to study LLM Law?
- Flexibility to build your own programme, and pick combination of modules from across our suite of specialist LLMs.
- Dedicated Law Library on campus which houses specialist collections, law reports, journals, and specialist Master's level monographs and texts.
- Electronic access to specialist online law databases, including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Justis, and Hein Online.
- A replica courtroom on campus, with state-of-the-art specialist audio-visual equipment (for facilitating personal reflective development, as well as international moot court competitions remotely, via video link).
- Gives you a competitive edge in the job market by providing Masters level legal skills and knowledge, whilst developing new specialisms.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Our LLM Laws gives students the chance to choose from a range of key areas of international, commercial, environmental and criminology choices, through our range of options, with our Legal Research Methods (20 credits) and Dissertation (60 credits) modules as compulsory.
In Legal Research Methods you will be given key guidance as to how to develop your legal writing skills, learn key methods of researching on legal questions, equipping you with skills needed for your dissertation, and your research and writing careers beyond the degree.
Students will be able to choose optional credits in topics such as*:
- Intellectual Property Law
- International Commercial Arbitration
- Public International Law
- International Criminal Law
- International Human Rights Law
- International Climate Change Law and Policy
- Global Trade Law
- Comparative International Criminal Justice
- Transnational Crime
- Business Law and Human Rights
- Cultural Heritage in International Law
- Contemporary Issues in International Environmental Law
Students will be able to pick and choose from topics such as the above, ensuring there are a balance of options across semesters amounting to 180 credits (including Legal Research Methods and the Dissertation).
Programmes and modules are constantly updated and reviewed. As with most academic programmes, please remember that it is possible that specific modules or programmes may not be offered in any particular year, because a member of staff is on study leave, for instance, or too few students opt for it. Bangor Law School reserves the right to vary or withdraw any course or module.
How will I learn?
Teaching on the LLM course will mostly be seminar-based which will promote group and individual interaction, which also ensures that every individual student is encouraged to contribute to discussions. Seminar-based teaching enables lecturers and students to discuss issues and investigate topics in greater depth, and develops critical thinking and solution-based learning skills in students; whilst also allowing the course teachers to monitor closely each individual’s progress. Emphasis will be placed on the use of virtual learning through the mechanism of the Blackboard computer-assisted learning system and databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. Throughout all modules, comparative elements with other legal systems will be emphasised.
Teaching will be in English; however, according to the University’s Welsh language policy, students who so wish may be examined and present essays, coursework and dissertations through the medium of Welsh.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Law LLM Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Entry Requirements
We accept applications from graduates of LLB and other disciplines. For LLB graduates, we normally require a minimum of a lower second class degree from an approved University. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis for students with degrees in other subjects. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification or relevant practical experience may be accepted.
In general, all applicants are judged on their individual merits. Work experience and other factors are also taken into consideration.
We have many years’ experience of making offers of entry based on qualifications awarded worldwide and we welcome applications from international students. Entry will require a qualification deemed to be equivalent in level to the UK bachelor degree. For further advice and guidance about your qualification, please contact us at internationaladmission@bangor.ac.uk
International applicants are normally required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The minimum English language requirements will normally be:
- IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each individual component score
- Pearson PTE: a score of 62 (with no element lower than 58)
- Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 176 (with no element lower than 169)
Careers
In addition to developing your expertise in specialist areas, studying for a Masters of Law degree adds value to your CV and enhances your career opportunities. The skills set of an LLM graduate includes legal research and writing, analysis, and critical evaluation and communication skills, which are highly valued by both the public and private sector alike.
Students can also benefit from our clinical legal education program and CYMUNED employability scheme. In addition, Law takes part in the annual College Employability Fair, which introduces students to a variety of prospective employers in traditional and non-traditional legal careers. Students can also develop additional advocacy skills in our moot courtroom.
LLM study opens a range of professional opportunities for students hoping to develop a career within domestic, regional or international law, or those already in a legal career. Studying a Masters of Law (LLM) can also help you gain employment in sectors such as;
- the civil service
- government departments
- international diplomacy
- business
- teaching and further academic research
