Introduction
Legal work and practice, as is the case across the professions, is increasingly focused on technological innovation. Employers are very interested in law graduates who are tech-savvy both in terms of awareness of legal matters in technology but in terms of how technology is coming to operate within the profession (such as for research and also for promotional purposes). The School of Law aims to address that gap, through an employer-partnered LLM programme in Law and Technology that introduces students to the interplay of and interfaces between technology and law.
This innovative and employment-focused programme draws on the School of Law’s substantial experience in technology, e-governance and innovation, in terms of law’s role in regulating technology and technology’s role in transforming governance and legal practice.
Law And Technology Highlights
Career Development
We are dedicated to student employability and our strong industry links mean over 94% of Queen's postgraduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation. This employer-focused programme places employability skills at the core of the student experience (including problem-based learning and leadership modules), introducing students to the interplay of and interfaces between technology and law. Employers will be involved in assisting on project-based learning and in delivering guest lectures to students.
World-Class Facilities
The prestigious home of the School of Law features world-class facilities to support an innovative culture of learning. Opened in summer 2016 it provides bookable group study rooms and a number of innovative teaching spaces central to which is the Moot Court Room interactive teaching space. Queen’s has some of the best campus facilities in the UK and Ireland. Investing £700m over a 20-year capital development programme, we are continuing to transform Queen’s historic campus into a beacon of learning and innovation.
Internationally Renowned Experts
The Law School at Queen’s is ranked in the Top 100 in the World (QS World Rankings 2020). The School also ranks Top 10 in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020). Law at Queen's is taught by world-leading experts in the area of Law. Our staff have close research links with the professions, government and civil society. Research in Law was ranked 15th in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2014). Over 95% of the Research Activity in the School was judged to be of international quality and above.
Student Experience
This programme will equip you with a thorough and crucial understanding of the key questions we face regarding regulation and governance technologies. You will possess a deep appreciation of matters in the regulation of technology, borne from both classroom and project-based experience. You will have developed a sophisticated sense of how technology interacts with law, but also a sense of how law and technology are operationalised in legal practice. At Queen's, you will be part of a thriving postgraduate culture built on teaching excellence, leading-edge research, innovation, collaboration and engagement. These components are woven together in our Graduate School, (ranked third worldwide). It is here you will develop new skills and increased personal effectiveness that will enable you to stand out in the crowded and increasingly competitive global job market. Life at Queen's is not just about the degree. We offer our students the opportunity to really enrich their studies. Whether you're into student societies, sports, music, dance, or just a coffee with your friends, Queen's has exceptional facilities to cater for all interests. Queen's was ranked 2nd worldwide for satisfaction with social facilities.
Course Structure
Compulsory Modules
Law and the Challenges of Technology
Exploring and analysing the impact of technology on society and the response required by law and regulation. Topics include big data, the advance of robotics, the internet of things, and machine learning; this is in the context of a general question of whether the new law is required to deal with the implications of new technology, or whether existing law can be developed and enforced more imaginatively. Addresses issues such as e-government and the role of information technology in legal practice.
Regulating Innovation
Exploring and analysing the impact of technology on innovation, the construction of online markets, and the implications of new systems and services for law and regulation. Examining the idea of ‘cyberlaw’; jurisdiction over online activities (which law applies in a transnational context); specialist areas including intellectual property and data; and the rise of liability considerations around platforms.
Law and Technology: project-based learning
Students will be required to work in groups on short projects based on (law and technology) issues presented and then respond with presentations and documents in a manner that simulates client-facing practice.
Approaches to Legal Research
Students will be introduced to several important theoretical frameworks and research programmes for legal research. This includes empirically oriented research that investigates how the law interacts with other social phenomena, and fundamental principles of research design and methodology, covering both 'qualitative' and 'quantitative social science methods.
Dissertation
Optional Modules
Computational methods and skills
Introduces students to methods of data analysis and computer programming. Engage with ideas around ‘computational thinking', data visualisation and basic statistical programming. Includes teaching of ‘Python’ programming (for beginners), which will be useful in the subsequent project as well as in equipping students with technical and data literacy skills.
Foundations of Cybersecurity
The module helps students who are seeking to develop a base-level understanding of the main issues within the field of Cybersecurity and the building blocks of a defence system. The module will be used as a primer for students going on to a more in-depth technical exploration of Cybersecurity.
Copyright in the Digital Environment
Investigation of current topics in copyright law; recent topics have included artificial intelligence and authorship; regulation/liability of social media sites; digitisation, heritage and archives.
International Financial Law
Introduces the law of financial transactions and the regulation of financial institutions in Europe and the US. Topics include the structure of financial systems and the relations between central banks, banks, securities firms, financial investors, depositors, and states; types of finance (e.g. equity, securities); banks; corporate governance of financial institutions; payment systems.
Business and Human Rights
Key debates regarding the corporation's role in society, including topics such as the human rights obligations of corporations to workers, host countries, other stakeholders, the rise of corporate social responsibility reporting, global initiatives and frameworks, the role of civil society in corporate regulation and self-regulation, corporate promotion of labour standards, and human rights considerations in international corporate investment.
Medical Law and Ethics
Medical Law and Ethics examine current legal and ethical issues in the interfaces between the regulation of medicine and emerging health technologies. The module emphasises the application of theoretical frameworks to ‘real world’ cases.
Comparative Competition Law: the Case of the EU as the Leading Model
Innovative module funded through a European Union project; involves a combination of classroom and electronic learning, visiting expert speakers from across the EU. Explores the internationalisation of competition law in the context of globalisation and international trade with a particular focus on EU competition law as a leading model, followed by many other states.
Leadership and Innovation Skills for Law Students
Incorporates the Graduate School’s 'Mastering Your Leadership' programme, including skills training in leadership, project management, group work and other workplace skills. Also engages with the topics of law's role in business and the legal profession itself.
Data, privacy and the law
Studying the interplay of data, privacy, and the law. Explores recent legal changes (e.g. GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation, on topics such as consent, sensitive personal data, and online communications), current debates on law reform (e.g. the proposed revision of the E-Privacy Directive regarding issues like surveillance and spam), and related issues (e.g. investigatory powers).
Regulating digital communications
Focus on the regulation of digital communications, including comparative approaches to content regulation/censorship, the application of criminal law to social media posts, and enforcement of broadcasting and other standards in a digital context.
Contact Teaching Hours
Small-Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial;
8 (hours maximum);
In addition, students should set aside 10-12 hrs per module for reading and preparation.
Career Prospects
This employer-focused programme places employability skills at the core of the student experience (including problem-based learning and leadership modules), introducing students to the interplay of and interfaces between technology and law.
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities associated with the course are outlined below:
Learning and Teaching Opportunities
The Law School at Queen's is ranked as one of the top schools in the UK and Ireland. There are over 850 undergraduate students enrolled in the School, 200 postgraduates, 50 PhD students and over 50 members of academic staff. You will be taught by scholars from all over the world, many of whom have international reputations in their fields and all are committed teachers and researchers. Students will also have access to an excellent law section in the new library and extensive IT facilities.
The School operates a proactive system of student support. Advisers of Studies are allocated to each degree programme tasked to guide and support you throughout your time with us, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff. We place considerable emphasis on facilitating good communication between staff and students. To this end, a Staff-Student Consultative Committee, comprised of elected student representatives, the Director of Graduate Studies and other members of academic staff, meet at regular intervals throughout the academic year. This Committee provides students with a forum in which to raise matters of concern to them and also enables the School to keep students informed about matters affecting the School and wider university.
At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. We do this by providing a range of learning experiences that enables our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, life-long learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
E-Learning technologies
Information associated with lectures and assignments is communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the programme through, for example, interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in project-based work etc.
Lectures
Provide information about topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s Law student when important private reading and research, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
Seminars/tutorials
These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Law, Social Sciences, Humanities or a cognate discipline.
Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) OR for those applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) along with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience.
Admission under the Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) may be considered for this course. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL).
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check with us the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for the English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1: £6,450
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2: £6,450
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1: £7,250
EU Other 3: £17,700
International: £17,700
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however, this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however, this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22 and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
