Some start dates and study modes are subject to approval
Course overview
Do you want to pursue a career as a lawyer?
Would you like to develop the legal knowledge and skills needed to start or enhance your professional legal career?
The LLM Law is a practical, industry-focused course that engages actively with the academic stages of training needed to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister. The course has a heavy practitioner focus, particularly with regard to developing the essential knowledge needed for a career as a solicitor, barrister or other qualified lawyer or to allied careers, such as working in Criminal Justice, or further academic study in law.
This degree is particularly aimed at non-law graduates who want to study law at postgraduate level before beginning a legal career and for professionals already working in legal roles looking to enhance their careers through a formal law qualification.
About this course
On this course, you’ll learn the principles of law and legal practice and develop the foundation skills and knowledge needed to take the next step to become a solicitor or barrister or gain employment in a legal role.
Academics with practical knowledge and experience of working in the legal sector will help you develop your legal knowledge and understanding through studying the foundations of law.
You’ll explore the nature of the legal profession, reviewing, analysing and evaluating specific cases, and study the operation and fundamental principles of the legal system of England and Wales.
We’ll introduce you to the social, economic and political contexts of the law as well as the impact of underlying policy issues relating to the operation of the legal system.
You’ll develop your research and analytical skills appropriate to law and apply these skills to an in-depth study of a particular area of law through your dissertation or research project.
The LLM offers excellent preparation for graduates to continue to the Bar examinations or, as the programme is aligned with aspects of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), to SQE-specific training or directly into employment in the legal sector.
Career progression
The LLM offers an opportunity to gain an overview of the main areas of the SQE and the capacity to enter the workplace with confidence, relevant skills and legal knowledge. Graduates may choose to continue to the Bar examinations or SQE-specific training, or into employment in the legal sector.
On completion of further relevant study and training, LLM graduates may pursue careers as solicitors, barristers, legal executives, paralegals, legal technologists and patent attorneys.
Why study with us
- Develop the essential knowledge needed for a career in law.
- Gain an understanding of the law in practical contexts.
- Acquire and apply your knowledge in a supportive environment to establish the skills for a new career or to kick start your existing one.
- Study in Leeds, a major centre for Law and associated para-legal professions.
- Learn from academics with practical knowledge and experience of working in legal firms or practising law.
Modules
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Company Law and Practice
You’ll study the key principles of corporate law in England and Wales looking at the concept of the company as a separate legal entity and considering aspects such as limited liability, the corporate veil, constitution and the role of directors and shareholders. You’ll also explore the internal processes and procedures that a company must follow together with the associated legal reporting requirements. You’ll be encouraged to think critically about issues such as minority protection, majority rule and the separation of ownership and control so that you can apply these key concepts to problem-based scenarios.
Contract Law and Disputes
You’ll develop your awareness of issues surrounding contract law and dispute resolution. You’ll consider the practical and ethical implications of contract law and how it operates in society within a range of social, economic and political contexts. You’ll gain knowledge and understanding of the main legal principles and issues of dispute resolution, the contexts in which disputes may arise and the objectives of parties in disputes. You’ll have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the methods and processes used to resolve civil disputes cost-effectively in England and Wales, using contract law scenarios to contextualise the material.
Legal Foundations
You will be introduced to the core legal skills needed for a career in law and explore the operation and fundamental principles of the legal system of England and Wales, enabling you to acquire a basic knowledge of the main legal institutions and professions, sources of law and the criminal and civil justice systems. You’ll learn about the rules of interpretation and the funding of legal services as well as develop the critical and research skills required for the study and practice of law.
Public Law and Law of the European Union
We’ll introduce you to the operation and fundamental principles of the UK’s constitution, including the Crown and Parliament, central government, devolved institutions, EU institutions and the judiciary, as well as principles of the British Constitution, the nature, status and procedure for passing primary and delegated legislation, government accountability and the relationship between the government and parliament, parliamentary sovereignty, the separation of powers, the rule of law, judicial control of the Executive, the process and principles of judicial review and the role of the European Convention of Human Rights in domestic law. This module also explores the fundamental principles of the European Union’s legal basis and the important role that this supranational organisation still retains on the structure of law in England and Wales.
Land Law and Property
You’ll gain an appreciation of areas of key importance to legal practitioners in England and Wales relating to Property and Land Law. You’ll be introduced to the process of analysis of the definition of land and practical application to the conveyancing process. Areas covered will include: Estates; Unregistered and registered land and conveyancing processes; Trusts of Land; Adverse Possession; Mortgages; and Conveyancing. The theory will be illustrated using current and contemporary case studies to allow you to apply your learning to real scenarios and consider the interrelation of different areas of your studies.
Criminal Law and Practice
This module covers the main principles of English Criminal Law and analysis of their practical application. During this module, you’ll study a wide range of subject areas, which include: Elements of offences, Specific and Inchoate offences, Modes of liability, Capacity to commit offences, Defences, Burdens and standards of proof, Competence and compellability of witnesses, Special measures, Examination and Cross Examination, and Expert Evidence.
Torts
This module will enable you to develop your awareness of the role, remit and function of the law of Torts, including practical and ethical implications, its operation within society and the social, economic and political contexts and underlying policy issues relating to (and impacting on) its operation.
Equity and Trusts
You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of issues relating to equity and trusts. Through the use of specific case studies, you’ll explore practical and ethical implications, and evaluate the operation of equity and trusts within society. You’ll look at the social, economic and political contexts and underlying policy issues relating to their operation, and their impact.
Dissertation
In order to demonstrate your critical understanding of issues and concepts in connection with a legal topic, you will define a research project of your choice on an area of law. You will be supported through individual supervisions and workshops to formulate a proposal, research, analyse and make judgements on an informed understanding of arguments in the area of law in question, before evaluating and completing a research-based written dissertation.
Course Structure: Full-time, one year course
| Semester | Module | Contact Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Law and Practice | 10 x 2 hours |
| Contract and Disputes | 10 x 2 hours | |
| Legal Foundations | 10 x 2 hours | |
| Public Law and the European Union | 10 x 2 hours | |
| 2 | Land Law and Property | 10 x 2 hours |
| Criminal Law and Practice | 10 x 2 hours | |
| Torts | 10 x 2 hours | |
| Equity and Trusts | 10 x 2 hours | |
| 3 | Dissertation | 9 hours (including supervision meetings and workshops) |
Learning and Teaching
At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.
Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:
- high quality teaching
- an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
- a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.
We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.
We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Inclusion
- Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- Employability and Enterprise
To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.
We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:
- Personalised support
- Expert lecturers
- Strong connections with employers
- An international outlook
- Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development
Assessment
You will be assessed by a range of methods, which include:
- Presentations
- Case studies analysis
- Essays
- Exams
- Dissertation
Entry Requirements
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.
The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.
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An honours degree (2:2 or above) in any subject.
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Alternatively, we will consider applicants with equivalent professional experience.
For more information on meeting English language requirements and academic requirements by country, visit our International Applicants page.
Please contact us for personalised advice on 0113 283 7123 or at admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk
Fees and finance
Funding
UK Home Students:
For information about our tuition fees please visit our Student Fees and Finance pages.
If you studied your undergraduate degree at Leeds Trinity University, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 50% on the cost of your tuition fees.
International Students, including EU Students:
Visit our web page for international students.
Leeds Trinity Alumni Discount
Some Leeds Trinity graduates are eligible for a tuition fee discount on postgraduate courses of up to 50%, excluding PGCE Delivery Partner Model and Lead Partner Model, and Masters by Research courses. You will need to achieve a 2:2 or above in a Leeds Trinity undergraduate course to qualify.
| Postgraduate course | Discount |
|---|---|
| LLM Law | 50% for graduates with a 1st class honours degree |
| LLM Law | 35% for graduates with a 2:1 honours degree |
| LLM Law | 20% for graduates with a 2:2 honours degree |
How to apply
There is no official closing date for applications, but the course will be closed when it is full. We therefore encourage you to make your application as early as possible.
Please ensure you complete the application form in full and supply all the required supporting documentation when you make your initial application. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
If you need advice on your application, please contact our admissions team on 0113 283 7123 (Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, or Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm) or admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk
Home applicants - How to apply
Applicants who require a Student Route Visa
If you require a Student Route Visa in order to study in the UK, then you must apply to us by Sunday 30 June 2024.
Part-time study is not available for international students on a Student Route Visa.
For more information and to view academic requirements by country, visit our International Applicants page.
International applicants - How to apply
What happens next?
Our admissions team will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.
Where applications are submitted but references are still in progress, admissions will wait for the reference(s) to be received and then will process it, and forward it to the relevant Programme Leader within five days of receipt of the reference(s).
The Programme Leader will make a decision based on your application. You may be asked to provide a reference to demonstrate your academic and non-academic experiences, or you may be invited to attend an interview. If you are successful and are made an offer, the conditions will be outlined in your offer letter.
Applications will be acknowledged within five working days. Applicants will be contacted within 15 working days with a request for additional information, invite to an informal interview or an application decision.
Made an offer?
You should accept or decline your offer by emailing admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk.
If you accept, you'll need to prove you satisfy the conditions outlined in your offer letter.
You may be asked to present the relevant supporting documentation in person to the student information point on campus, if originals are not needed you’ll be contacted and given details of how to provide the supporting documentation.