Programme Specification (Postgraduate) Date amended: Feb 2014 1. Programme Title(s): LLM International Commercial Law 2. Awarding body or institution: University of Leicester 3. a) Mode of study Full Time b) Type of study Campus-Based 4. Registration periods: The normal period of registration is one year full-time or two years part-time The maximum period of registration is two years full time or four years part-time 5. Typical entry requirements: Candidates should have a first class or good second class degree in law or an equivalent degree where law is a substantial element, or an equivalent degree in an appropriate discipline. English language requirement when applicable is IELTS 7. 6. Accreditation of Prior Learning: N/A 7. Programme aims: The programme s aims and objectives are: The development and refinement of expertise in international commercial law. The acquisition of a critical understanding of the relevant legal principles, the policy considerations that underpin them and, as appropriate, their social-legal, comparative and interdisciplinary contexts. The development of the ability to analyse, interpret and apply a wide range of legal, sociolegal and contextual materials in the solution of complex legal problems. The stimulation of capacity for independent legal and interdisciplinary research. The course is structured and assessed in such a way that class members have an adequate opportunity to demonstrate progression in both subject knowledge and a range of skills, including oral and written expression. 8. Reference points used to inform the programme specification: External Examiners Reports The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) Annual Development Review University of Leicester Learning and Teaching Strategy University of Leicester Periodic Development Review Bar Council and Law Society CPD accreditation Programme Annual Internal Review
9. Programme Outcomes: Intended Learning Outcomes Development and refinement of expertise in international commercial law. apply legal, socio-legal and contextual materials in the solution of complex legal problems. Capacity for independent legal and interdisciplinary research. Command of bibliography, research methods, writing and critical skills Development of the ability to analyse, interpret and apply a wide range of legal, socio-legal and contextual materials in the solution of complex legal problems. Ability to present material to a high standard in a variety of formats (written, oral etc). apply a wide range of legal, socio-legal and contextual materials in the solution of complex legal problems. apply a wide range of legal, socio-legal and contextual materials in the solution of complex legal problems. Ability to write clearly and concisely in a style appropriate to the context (e.g. report, academic essay). Ability to develop ideas and arguments effectively in speaking and writing. Command of scholarly protocols e.g. referencing Teaching and Learning How Demonstrated? (a) Subject and Professional skills Knowledge reading and research. Concepts reading and research. Dissertation supervision. Techniques Critical analysis reading and research. Dissertation supervision. Presentation Provision of writing guide. Appraisal of evidence (b) Transferable skills Research skills Communication skills Feedback on coursework Data presentation exams and dissertation
Intended Learning Outcomes Ability to select, organise and analyse information. Ability to access, search and use all electronic sources and databases available freely on the internet and in the library. To access and use Blackboard, email and word-processing software Ability to solve problems in relevant legal areas Knowing how and when to draw on the knowledge and expertise of others; ability to contribute and comment clearly and concisely on ideas; develop effective group work skills Ability to work independently and manage own learning. Meeting deadlines, taking initiative, planning ahead. Identifying a credible research project and completing it to an agreed timeframe. Ability to plan for the next stage of career, including developing links with potential employers, supervisors etc. Teaching and Learning Information technology Lectures, guides, problem solving classes, computer practical classes, resource-based learning, independent research. Use of internet for research, use of IT to present material and to communicate with the School. Problem solving Seminars and presentations Working relationships Group presentations, autonomous learning groups. Managing learning Workshops, seminars, study skills, student support service. Engagement with careers service, tutors and professional practitioners. How Demonstrated? Word-processed assessed essays and Online submission of coursework. Successful use of Blackboard, internet resources and email. Assessed essays and dissertation Group presentations, group discussions and assessed essays. Submission of coursework and dissertation on time and to a good standard. To achieve a viable transition from the course to the next career stage. 10. Special features: This programme is designed to give students a specialised knowledge of international commercial law. The programme is designed to cover the fundamentals of international commercial law while allowing students to tailor their programme to their interests through their module choices. 11. Indications of programme quality: The School has been running LLM programmes since 1987 External examiners reports Degree results Annual Development Review reports Periodic Development Review reports Peer review of teaching and peer review of marking exercises Student Feedback Publication of dissertations 12. Scheme of Assessment This programme follows the University s regulations governing taught postgraduate programmes: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/regulations/general-regulations-for-taught-programmes
13. Progression points Full time students are required to successfully complete 120 credits of taught modules divided equally over two semesters, in order to progress to the Dissertation stage. Part time students complete the same amount of credits over four semesters. To qualify for an LLM the student then has to complete a 60 credit dissertation over the summer vacation. Students wishing to take only 60 or 120 credits will be eligible for a Certificate or Diploma respectively. Students wishing to complete the LLM must undertake a dissertation 14. Rules relating to re-sits or re-submissions: Senate Regulations (6.21-6.25 refers) allow for students to resubmit once only up to 60 credits of coursework for individual taught modules. The maximum mark awarded for a resubmitted component of assessment is 50%. Where a candidate fails a module having previously resubmitted modules totalling 60 credits, the registration of that candidate will be terminated but the Board of Examiners must first consider whether a transfer to the Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate is appropriate. Senate Regulations (6.26 refers) also allow for the dissertation to be resubmitted and the mark will be capped at 50%. 15. Additional information [e.g. timetable for admissions] The programme begins in October of each year. Admissions for that year are closed on 31 st August prior to the October start date. Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations) Candidates study the core modules, five modules marked * plus one from any of those on the optional list below (subject to availability and timetabling). Notes: (i) Modules marked ^ are available to students who hold a degree in law (or in which law is a substantial element). (ii) Candidates who wish to study LW7155 must first study LW7195 (iii) Only the best 4 students on LW7257 will be eligible for LW7258, based on a mooting competition, judged by 3 people. (iv) Candidates who wish to study LW7257 must be eligible to participate in the Willem C Vis moot competition according to the rules of the competition. Module Code Module Title Credits Core LW7004 Study Skills for Postgraduates in Law 15 LW7076 ^ Foundations in International Commercial Law 15 LW7300 Dissertation Campus 60 Optional LW7005 * ^ Private International Law: Jurisdiction Rules for Civil and 15 Commercial Jurisdiction LW7006 * Civil Dispute Resolution 15 LW7008 * Capital Markets 15 LW7010 * ^ Private International Law: Choice of Law Rules for Civil 15
and Commercial Matters LW7015 * Contemporary Problems of World Trade 15 LW7020 * ^ Contracts for the Carriage of Goods by Sea 15 LW7043 * ^ Current Issues of Law in International Business Law 15 LW7078 * Freedom of Expression 15 LW7116 * ^ International Banking Law 15 LW7143 * International Environmental Law 15 LW7145 * Comparative Corporate Law 15 LW7146 *^ International Investment Law 15 LW7150 * ^ International Sales Transactions 15 LW7155 * ^ Issues and Procedures of European Union Competition 15 Law LW7170 * Law and Organisation of the World Trading System 15 LW7195 * ^ Principles of European Union Competition Law 15 LW7202 * Regulation of Financial Markets 15 LW7257 * ^ International Commercial Arbitration Moot 1 15 LW7258 * ^ International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2 15 LW7259 * Transnational Corporate Governance 15 LW7014 Comparative Law 15 LW7041 Critical Perspectives in Law 15 LW7042 Current Trends in International Law 15 LW7045 Diplomatic Law 15 LW7067 Feminist Perspectives on International Law 15 LW7081 General Principles of International Law 15 LW7085 Global Protection of Human Rights: Core Principles 15 LW7090 Global Protection of Human Rights: Implementation 15 LW7096 Human Rights and Health Care Law 15 NEW LW7147 International Migration Law 15 LW7166 The Law of Armed Conflict 15 NEW LW7168 Law of United Nations 15 LW7171 Reasoning in Law 15 LW7235 The European Convention on Human Rights 15 LW7250 The State, the Law and Religious Freedoms 15 LW7255 Contemporary Perspectives on Human Rights 15 LW7261 Use of Force by States: Perspectives from Comparative Constitutional Law and International Law 15 Compulsory only for the degree of LLM Qualifications Awarded: (i) (ii) (iii) Candidates who accumulate 60 credits from the taught modules (that is excluding the dissertation) and satisfactorily complete the assessment requirements for each of the taught modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. Candidates who accumulate 120 credits from the taught modules (that is excluding the dissertation) and satisfactorily complete the assessment requirements for each of the taught modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. Candidates who accumulate 180 credits, and satisfactorily complete the assessment requirements for each of the taught modules and submit a satisfactory dissertation will be awarded the degree of Master of Laws. Appendix 2: Module Specifications See module specification database http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/courses/documentation