General LLM
Birmingham Law School's General LLM gives you the opportunity to decide which areas of law have the most relevance to your future career and to choose modules that most interest you. This is the ideal pathway if you wish to gain Masters-level knowledge and skills without restricting yourself to just one particular branch of law.
The pathway provides one of the widest ranges of options in the UK with nearly 35 modules available, enabling you to create a unique degree tailored to your future career aspirations.
The General LLM pathway allows you to study modules across the full range of available subjects. This pathway is particularly suitable for those seeking exposure to a range of legal disciplines, giving students expertise across the board and providing the skills and knowledge required for a successful legal career.
Why study this course
- Research-led teaching - 96% of our research is judged to have global impact
- Module choice - One of the widest ranges of LLM modules available in the UK
- Employability - Birmingham is one of the top universities in the UK for graduate employment
- Professional links -annual law fair, visits to and from leading firms
- Pathway route - allowing flexibility in the LLM specialism you graduate with
Modules
You follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits); the latter to be submitted at the end of the year of study.
Students on the general LLM pathway choose six modules from the range available across all the LLM pathways and write a dissertation on a subject of their choice.
Students choose their modules from the full Birmingham LLM Module list.
Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Learning and Teaching
Birmingham's LLM pathways have been designed to provide in-depth analysis of important legal topics. Modules are all 20 credits in value, comprising 10 two-hour seminars to enable students to develop significant expertise in each area of law.
Birmingham offers small-group teaching on the LLM, and students opting for popular modules with large groups of students will receive (where possible) additional teaching time: classes will be split into two separate seminar groups so as to provide an equal opportunity for class interaction compared to those in smaller modules.
The LLM course last 12 months, running from September to September. All LLM pathways follow the same basic structure:
- In part I of the course, you take six 20 credit modules: the range available depends on the pathway you decide to follow. Assessment in those modules, by essay or formal examination, is in May and June.
- In part II of the course, your research and write a 15,000-word dissertation on a selected topic of law under the supervision of a member of staff.
The LLM pathways enable you to develop expertise in a range of subjects. You will acquire a systematic understanding of these along with a critical appreciation of the problems that arise in these fields. You will be encouraged to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge together with a practical understanding of how established research techniques are used to create and interpret knowledge.
Law School induction
At the start of the course, there is a comprehensive welcome and induction programme designed to help you settle in and gain an understanding of the Birmingham LLM. You will familiarise yourself with the various ways in which we can support you throughout the year to ensure that your LLM course is an exciting and rewarding experience.
Students can register for modules before arrival as well as at the start of the academic year. As part of the induction process, you will get the opportunity to learn more about the various modules available and make choices that correspond to your interests.
Studying part-time
All the LLM pathways may be taken part-time and completed over a period of two years. This mode of study is particularly suitable for barristers and solicitors who wish to combine professional practice with the university-level study, gaining CPD points in the process.
Classes for part-time students on the LLM will be scheduled between 9am-6pm and students will typically have between 2-4 hours of teaching each week. Fees are the same as for full-time study but are split over two years.
For students from outside the UK, there will be an opportunity for induction to familiarise themselves with the English legal system, as it forms the basis for the modules on offer. The English for International Students Unit provides a range of support in reading and writing academic English.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a good Honours degree in law or a degree in another discipline augmented with a pass in the Common Professional Examination.
International students:International qualifications which are equivalent to a UK honors degree in Law will be considered.
If your first language is not English you must provide an English language qualification. Recognised qualifications include:
- IELTS: 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band
This school offers programs in:
- English
Last updated February 13, 2018
