Maritime Law (LLM)

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.

You’ll begin preparing for your dissertation during semester 1, and continue this work in semester 2.

For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on a research project and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Year 1

You must choose your modules from the following modules in year 1:

• Admiralty Law: Enforcement of Maritime Claims
• Admiralty Law: Principles and Liabilities
• Business Finance
• Corporate Governance
• Insurance Law
• Intellectual Property Law in a Global World
• International Commercial Litigation
• International Competition Law and Policy
• International Sale of Goods
• Law of the World Trade Organization
• Marine Environmental Law
• Marine Insurance: Cover and Practice
• Marine Insurance: Law and Principles
• Principles of Commercial Arbitration
• Selected Principles of the International Law of the Sea
• The Law on Bills of Lading
• The Law on Charterparties

Year 2

• Dissertation

As an LLM graduate, you’ll be able to work in specialist maritime organisations. Southampton graduates are regularly sought after by these firms:

• Campbell Johnson Clark
• White & Case
• Ince & Co
• Reed Smith
• Addleshaw Goddard
• Clyde & Co
• Burges Salmon

LLM graduates also often work in Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs including:

• Gard
• Skuld
• Britannia Steam Ship
• The Standard Club
• Steamship

You will be invited to our Law Careers Fair to meet with a wide range of important shipping companies and law firms.

Through our business links, we can offer monetary awards and placements to high-performing students, offering unique opportunities to build professional experience and networks.

You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and guided independent study. During your studies, we'll encourage you to explore and debate a range of topics with other students, deliver presentations and even argue for a case in trial court proceedings, known as a moot.

You will enhance your legal knowledge and develop important skills in areas such as:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Critical Appraisal
• Logical Reasoning

Some lectures and seminars will be run by legal and maritime professionals, including judges, ship brokers and representatives from classification societies.

You’ll take part in the LLM challenge, where you’ll work in a team to debate a current topic and compete for a small prize. This is a chance to exercise your intellect and develop your talents for collaboration and leadership.

Assessment

Depending on the modules that you take, you'll be assessed through a mixture of:

• Exams
• Coursework assignments