PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES KEY FACTS Programme name International Commercial Law Award LLM School The City Law School Department or equivalent Academic Courses Programme code LALMICL01 (Route code: PSINCL) Type of study Full Time Part Time Total UK credits 180 Total ECTS 90 PROGRAMME SUMMARY The LLM in International Commercial Law is a flexible Masters programme which will enable you to develop a full understanding of international commercial law through indepth scholarship, extensive practitioner contact and real world insights. You will have a choice of three different programme options: 1) Complete the LLM in International Commercial Law by choosing 4 modules from a range of approximately 30 and completing a dissertation in any one of those 4 chosen areas. 2) Add a specialisation to the LLM in International Commercial Law by taking two modules and the dissertation in a single specialist area of law, plus any other two modules from the wide range available. You can be awarded an LLM in International Commercial Law with specialisation in the following areas: International Competition Law Maritime Law Energy Law EU Commercial Law International Banking Law IT & Media Law International Tax Law. 3) Gain one of the following subject specific LLMs by taking 4 modules and the dissertation in a single area of law: International Competition Law Maritime Law EU Commercial Law International Banking Law. Outside of normal classes, you will have the opportunity to attend our unique law and practice fora: a series of seminars delivered by leading lights in the profession. You can also apply for a variety of internships in a selection of organisations specialising in international commercial law. Taught at our Gray's Inn Place campus in the heart of the legal community by high 1
profile professionals from around the world this Masters truly opens up the world of commercial law. The course can be completed on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years. The aims of the LLM programme are: - to equip you with a sophisticated knowledge of certain key areas of law; - to enhance your professional and specialist legal skills - to provide an opportunity for critical reflection on aspects of the law and/or on legal practice; - to aid you to make an informed choice about the desirability of pursuing doctoral research either in this country or abroad; - to permit you to demonstrate self-reliance and innovative thought through the submission of a substantial dissertation; - to provide an interdisciplinary approach where relevant. LLM To be awarded the LLM, you must obtain 180 credits; this will include the dissertation. For all of you completing the LLM, you will complete a number of taught modules to gain 120 credits, and you will complete a dissertation examining an aspect of international commercial law. You will propose the topic that you would like to examine in the dissertation, identifying a current topic that you see as relevant to your own developing career. Your dissertation should be based on a systematic and evaluative review of the current literature, and may also include some empirical exploration of the topic which might inform enhancement of legal practice. This will provide an opportunity to explore an aspect of legal practice in depth. Your study in the taught modules will enable you to explore and develop your knowledge of international commercial law, combining a sound academic base with insights into current practice. The approach will involve critical examination of material and consideration of different perspectives, which will help you to develop insight and practice-related techniques. The assessments that you undertake in relation to the taught modules to achieve this qualification will comprise coursework requiring, as relevant, analysis of statutes, rules, cases, policy documents, and academic research and comment. Your work will be expected to demonstrate a sound scholarly base, with critical analysis and practicefocused insight. PG Dip A Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded to you if you successfully complete modules worth 120 credits, excluding the dissertation. PG Cert A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded to you if you successfully complete modules worth 60 credits, excluding the dissertation. 2
WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE? On successful completion of this programme, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in selected areas of international commercial law, including research methodologies where appropriate; Display a thorough knowledge of a range of aspects of one or more distinct areas of law or legal practice including critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of international commercial law; Demonstrate how techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in international commercial law; Skills Demonstrate high quality legal research skills; Display excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to express complex arguments clearly and accurately; Undertake independent learning and to assess your own capacity for progressing to higher level studies; Demonstrate self-direction and originality in addressing problems or issues arising from the current state of the law in the subject area studied and/or proposals for its development or reform; Apply knowledge of the law, whether gained during current or previous studies, in an appropriate and, on occasion, original manner to address issues of concern to selected areas of international commercial law; Deal with complex issues, including those where data maybe incomplete, both systematically and creatively and to reach sound judgements. Values and attitudes Exhibit rigour throughout the research process Deal with research materials ethically and appropriately HOW WILL I LEARN? The programme will be delivered primarily as a series of 2 hour seminars, which provide a forum for exploration of issues, analysis, and critical debate. Active student participation and involvement is expected and you may be required to prepare for and lead discussion and to give presentations to your peers. You will be expected to spend significant amounts of time on self-directed study (280 hours per module) and to read widely around the subject area being studied (it should be noted in relation to this point that the total student learning hours indicated in the module specifications are notional rather than exact). Guidance on appropriate reading materials is provided; you are expected to develop your research skills through following up materials for yourself in relation to the taught modules. Research skills are developed 3
more explicitly through the work undertaken in preparation for the dissertation. The induction programme provides an introduction to the Programme, including ''pitching'' lectures by module leaders explaining the substance and content of their modules, and lectures in respect of common law and European Union law legal systems to assist those who do not have much substantive knowledge of either system. Complementing the formal teaching and assessment, the City Law School organises a series of Law and Practice Forums involving senior practitioners, regulators, litigation specialists and distinguished academics. These focus on the practical side of the law; discussion of important new cases; important practical developments or new regulatory developments. These complementary activities give you the opportunity to consider the application of some of the theoretical and practical issues discussed within the taught modules to commercial institutions. You will be provided with 80 hours of seminar contact time over two terms, combined with additional one to one supervision for the dissertation. Additional contact time is provided through seminars and other academic engagements throughout the year. We would expect 280 hours per module of self-study and a similar period for dissertation preparation. WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT? Assessment and Assessment Criteria The taught modules which comprise the degree will be assessed by coursework only. It is considered that you will obtain the greatest academic benefit and satisfaction from researching a topic, reflecting on it and providing considered arguments in relation to it, as well as affording the opportunity to explore particular topics in greater depth. You will be offered a range of assessment titles in each subject. Additional titles may be added to reflect any developments in the subject occurring during the teaching of the module, enabling you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues and to respond to the most up to date information available. The dissertation requirement reflects the assumption, and the concerns of employers, that an LLM graduate should display a high standard of competence in research and a capacity for original thought. Supervision of dissertations will be undertaken by internal members of staff and visiting lecturers ensuring that expert guidance is available to all. Where it is appropriate for a student to be supervised by a visiting lecturer, because of the subject area of the dissertation, the student should ensure that they have agreed in advance methods of communication including the mode and frequency of contact. Assessment Criteria are descriptions, based on the intended learning outcomes, of the skills, knowledge or attitudes that you need to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured. Grade- Related Criteria are descriptions of the level of skills, knowledge or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order achieve a certain grade or 4
mark in an assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured and placed within the overall set of marks. Assessment Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria will be made available to you to support you in completing assessments. These may be provided in programme handbooks, module specifications, on the virtual learning environment or attached to a specific assessment task. Feedback on assessment You will have the option of engaging in formative assessment of your written work through an optional 1500 word essay in one of your taught modules in preparation for the summative assessments. Feedback on summative assessments will be provided in line with our Assessment and Feedback Policy. In particular, you will normally be provided with feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline or assessment date. This would normally include a provisional grade or mark. The timescale for feedback on final year projects or dissertations may be longer. The full policy can be found at: https://www.city.ac.uk/ data/assets/pdf_file/0008/68921/assessment_and_feedback_p olicy.pdf Assessment Regulations In order to pass your Programme, you should complete successfully all of the relevant modules and will therefore acquire the required number of credits. The taught part of the programme will be weighted as 67% of your final mark and the dissertation will be weighted as worth 33%. The Pass mark for each module is 50%. If you fail a module, the following will apply: 1. Compensation: where you fail a module (other than the dissertation) you may be allowed compensation if: It can be demonstrated that you have satisfied all the Learning Outcomes of the modules in the Part, and A minimum overall mark of 40% has been achieved in the module to be compensated, and An aggregate mark of 50% has been achieved overall. If you receive a compensated pass in a module you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The original component marks shall be retained in the record of marks and the greater of the original module mark and the minimum pass mark for the module shall be used for the purpose of calculation towards the Award. Only one module can be compensated. 2. Resit: you will normally be offered one resit attempt. However, if you did not participate in the first assessment and have no extenuating circumstances, you may not be offered a resit. 5
If you are successful in the resit, you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The mark used for the purpose of calculation towards your Award shall be calculated from the original marks for the component(s) that you passed at first attempt and the minimum pass mark for the component(s) for which you took a resit. If you do not satisfy your resit by the date specified you will not progress and the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme, but satisfy the requirements for a lower-level Award, then a lower qualification may be awarded as per the table below. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme and are not eligible for the award of a lower level qualification, the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at City, please see the full version of the Assessment Regulations at: http://www.city.ac.uk/ data/assets/word_doc/0003/69249/s19.doc WHAT AWARD CAN I GET? Master s Degree: Part HE Level Credits Weighting (%) Class % required Dissertation 7 60 33% With Distinction 70 Taught 7 120 67% With Merit 60 With Pass 50 Postgraduate Diploma: Part HE Credits Weighting Class % required Level (%) Taught 7 120 100% With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 With Pass 50 Postgraduate Certificate: Part HE Credits Weighting Class % required Level (%) Taught 7 60 100% With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 With Pass 50 WHAT WILL I STUDY? Taught component The LLM in International Commercial Law degree consists of taught modules of 30 credits and a compulsory dissertation module of 60 credits. Part 1 is the taught element 6
of the course; you will select four taught modules from the range of available subjects. Two modules are taken each term. Part 2 is the dissertation element of the course and is completed following the Spring Term and submitted in September. Please note that it is possible to start the course in September or January. If you start the course in January you will undertake 2 taught modules in the Spring Term, complete the dissertation over the summer and then undertake another 2 taught modules during the Autumn Term. Details of which modules contribute to which specialisation and subject specific LLM are set out below. Please note that Law of Government Commerce II: Public Private Partnerships can only be undertaken if Government Commerce I has also been completed. Module Title SITS Code 7 Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be Compensated? International Banking Law LMM032 30 E Y 7 International Insurance Law LMM033 30 E Y 7 International Tax LMM034 30 E Y 7 Substantive EU Competition LMM037 30 E Y 7 Law International Cartels LMM038 30 E Y 7 European Business LMM040 30 E Y 7 Regulation I World Trade Law LMM041 30 E Y 7 Mergers LMM044 30 E Y 7 Comparative Antitrust Law LMM045 30 E Y 7 Admiralty Law LMM046 30 E Y 7 Marine Insurance LMM047 30 E Y 7 Carriage of Goods by Sea LMM048 30 E Y 7 International Trade Law LMM075 30 E Y 7 International Corporate LMM079 30 E Y 7 Finance Project Finance and Law LMM081 30 E Y 7 International Arbitration LMM082 30 E Y 7 Not Cartels: Permitted cooperation Between Competitors LMM088 30 E Y 7 Energy Law LMM089 30 E Y 7 International Investment Law LMM090 30 E Y 7 Data Protection LMM091 30 E Y 7 European Litigation LMM092 30 E Y 7 European Antitrust LMM096 30 E Y 7 Procedure & Enforcement European Business LMM097 30 E Y 7 Regulation II Energy, Environment & LMM098 30 E Y 7 Security European Union Banking LMM099 30 E Y 7 Level
Law European Union Tax Law LMM106 30 E Y 7 European Intellectual LMM115 30 E Y 7 Property Law Money Laundering Law LMM116 30 E Y 7 Global Energy Policy & the LMM117 30 E Y 7 Law International Intellectual Property Law and Policy LMM155 30 E Y 7 Dissertation component Module Title Dissertation - LLM International Commercial SITS Code Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be Compensated? LMM101 60 C N 7 Level To obtain the LLM in International Commercial Law you can study any 4 modules and write your dissertation on any area of International Commercial Law. Additionally you can complete a specialised degree or degree with specialisation as follows: Specialised degrees Specialised degrees can be studied in the following areas: International Competition Law Maritime Law International Banking Law EU Commercial Law To qualify for a specialised degree, you must study four modules in the area and complete a dissertation in the area of specialisation. LLM in International Commercial Law with specialisation To obtain the LLM in International Commercial Law with a specialisation you must study two modules in that area of specialisation (and any 2 other modules) and complete a dissertation in that area. In addition to those listed above, you can also study for the LLM in International Commercial Law with specialisation in: Energy Law International Tax Areas of specialisation International Competition Law Maritime Law LMM046 Admiralty Law LMM045 Comparative Antitrust Law LMM048 Carriage of Goods by Sea LMM096 European Antitrust Procedure LMM075 International Sales 8
& Enforcement LMM038 International Cartels LMM047 Marine Insurance LMM044 Mergers LMM041 World Trade Law LMM088 Not Cartels LMM037 Substantive EU Competition Law Energy Law LMM098 Energy, Environment & Security International Banking Law LMM089 Energy Law LMM099 EU Banking Law LMM117 Global Energy Policy & Law LMM106 EU Tax LMM032 International Banking Law International Tax Law LMM079 International Corporate LMM106 EU Tax Finance LMM090 International Investment Law LMM034 International Tax LMM034 International Tax LMM081 Project Finance LMM116 Money Laundering Law EU Commercial Law LMM040 European Business Regulation I LMM097 European Business Regulation II LMM037 Substantive EU Competition Law LMM115 European Intellectual Property Law LMM092 European Litigation TO WHAT KIND OF CAREER MIGHT I GO ON? The LLM in International Commercial Law, subject LLMs and specialisations provide you with a sound basis for developing a career in international commercial legal practice, whether it be with a national or international firm, in house or with a national or international regulator. If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please go to: http://www.city.ac.uk/careers/for-students-and-recent-graduates. HOW DO I ENTER THE PROGRAMME? Applicants should normally hold a good first degree in law, or an equivalent qualification (including a first degree in a non-law subject and a CPE qualification), and must be fluent or near-fluent in written and spoken English. If your first language is not English you must demonstrate that you have met the University's English language requirements and in particular must obtain an IELTS score of 7.0 or the equivalent. Applicants with a first degree in a subject other than law will be considered, but it should be noted that this may restrict the choice of modules where content is dependent on a 9
prior knowledge of law. Four scholarships worth 12,000 are available for any of the available routes. You must submit a 2000 word essay with your application form to be eligible for the scholarships. Version: 2.0 Version date: 23/05/2014 For use from: 2014/15 10