Master of Laws (LLM)

Course Code: F64 Course Level: Postgraduate Subject Area: Law Course Qualification: Degree This course is available for study in: Globally This course is NOT available in: China, Nigeria, South Africa

What you will learn

This taught masters degree is a flexible modular qualification designed to consider the role and place of law in an increasingly globalised world. A critical legal approach is taken and the modules use different perspectives and case studies to explore, contextualise and illustrate a number of contemporary issues challenging the international community. Study on the degree is also designed to develop key postgraduate transferable skills, including advanced legal research, which are attractive to employers and which assist with professional advancement. It is designed for law graduates, non-law graduates and lawyers wanting to develop their interests in law at postgraduate level.

There is an increasing demand for professionals who have an in-depth understanding of the role and purpose of law in the increasing global society and the associated advanced legal research and reasoning skills.

This qualification enables you to pursue advanced legal study and gain those sought after postgraduate legal skills in a challenging but supportive environment. The approach taken throughout the qualification is the critical study of law and you will be encouraged to take both comparative and contextual perspectives.

As part of your studies you will explore the interaction of law, law making bodies, institutions and regulators in an international context, the role and function of law in an increasingly global society, the role of states, international institutions and multi-national companies. You will consider a range of contemporary legal issues such as corporate social responsibility, trans-national crime, humanitarian aid and security issues providing you with an opportunity to engage with topical legal issues. You will also explore current and possible future developments; receive grounding in law and its place in society; study methods of reasoning and analysis in law and evaluate the complexities inherent in law, regulation and legal study At the end of your studies you will have the opportunity to undertake an in-depth piece of independent legal research.

As part of your studies you will develop key legal transferable skills which are widely sought after in a wide range of legal and non-legal careers, both with a national and international dimension. You will become skilled in legal reasoning and engage in sustained, independent research.

The qualification will predominantly focus on common law systems although a comparative approach will be taken throughout. It is suitable for study whether you are a law graduate, non-law graduate or lawyer and on successful completion of the qualification you will be able to demonstrate an impressive array of transferable skills to employers.

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer (solicitor or barrister) you need to study our undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons) (Q05), or if you already hold a degree we offer a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (graduate entry) (Q75).

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Time required and cost

To achieve a Master of Laws (LLM) you must successfully gain 180 credits. This qualification typically takes three years to complete based on 12-16 hours of study each week. You have a maximum of seven years to complete this qualification.

The total cost of this qualification depends on the modules studied. For details on module costs please see the tables at the bottom of this page.

NB: Prices and course details are subject to change.

Career impact

This degree will contribute to your career development by providing academic knowledge and a number of highly sought after transferable skills valued by employers.

Typically holder of the LLM will:

• deal with complex legal issues both systematically and creatively
• communicate their subject knowledge clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems
• exercise initiative and personal responsibility
• be able to develop a persuasive legal argument based on evidence
• demonstrate independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Key dates

Please refer to the module table shown below for this information.

Entry requirements

You should hold a UK honours degree or equivalent, or recognised overseas qualification, or relevant professional legal experience. You will be expected to follow the suggested study pathway, although there is some flexibility.

You will also need to be proficient in English, to an IELTS standard of 6.0. If you are unsure you will be able to take a free English test as part of the registration process.

Classification of course

On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Master of Laws entitling you to use the letters LLM (Open) after your name.

Credits

For information on Credits, click here.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the following regulations:

• Student Regulations
• Module Regulations
• General Qualification Regulations
• Master of Laws
• Schedule B to the Qualification Regulations.