LLM Law Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised August 2023
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6	Programme Title			LLM Law
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:					Award type			LLM
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10	What level is this qualification?			7		Length of programme			1 year
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			Yes
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Law Graduate School Board
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18	Lead department			Law		Other contributing departments			N/A
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	The modular design of this programme meets the Framework for PGT programmes as set out in the Unversity's Framesworks for Programme Design. The the latest (Nov 2019) QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Law https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-law.pdf?sfvrsn=b939c881_18 is currently under QAA review and consultation. As with the current version, the latest draft QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Law only deals with undegraduate law degrees(https://www.qaa.ac.uk//en/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements/consultation-on-revised-subject-benchmark-statements). However the draft guidance on: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Accessibility; Sustainability; and Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Education have been considered in the design of this programme. The programme is compliant with the QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks.
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	No.
37	No.
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	None.
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	Yes.			Transfers out:	Yes.
48			Yes.				Yes.
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	The LLM in Law at York Law School allows you to combine both the depth of academic analysis which Masters level study provides, with the flexibility to design your own programme to explore a variety of areas of law which you find of interest. If you are aiming for a career in professional legal practice, you will be able to choose from a range of options to tailor your own programme of study to gain a level of expertise in specific areas of interest to prepare yourself for your next stage of qualification. However, the course is not only designed for students looking to enter into legal practice. It also provides an excellent grounding, both in terms of knowledge and skills, for any career in which a deeper understanding of legal issues and their societal context is required. The course also serves as a grounding for doctoral-level investigation in law and the social sciences. Whether you come from a civil or common law background, the programme will provide a foundation upon which to develop your further exploration of the law by allowing you to discuss and critique the fundamental principles and theories of common, civil and international law systems and which will develop your understanding of the operation of such principles. You will engage in a variety of learning activities including the use of problem-based learning (PBL) techniques. York Law School is at the forefront of the application of PBL as a tool in legal education. Within a PBL group you will work as a team to dissect real-world-inspired scenarios and determine what information you require to meet the challenges presented in the scenario. This approach allows you to see legal problems within a broader context; develops your ability to analyse client interests, legal, practical, commercial and professional issues; and strengthens your team working and communication skills. If you successfully complete your mandatory and optional modules you will undertake a supervised dissertation on a topic inspired by one, or more, of your chosen modules. This will allow you to develop further your research and project planning and implementation skills.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	PG Diploma in Law			Exit award only.	Students exiting with the Postgraduate Diploma will have completed 120 credits. Students exiting with the PG Diploma will have met PLOs 1 to 6 but not the entirety of PLO 7. These students will have covered a significant amount of PLO7 in that they will have developed skills in using computer databases and search strategies during their non-dissertation modules and, having taken the Legal Systems and Research Methods Module (to be run in the Semester 1), will have engaged in critical evaluation of normative research questions and determination of research methodologies which can be used to successfully address such questions. However, in not taking the Dissertation Module (to be run in the Summer Vacation until the end of the programme at the end of September) they will not satisfy fully PLO7 in that they will not have applied the skills and knowledge developed on the programme to a selected problem, nor planned, project managed and implemented a substantial project with minimal guidance.			At least Legal Systems and Research Methods must be appropriately completed, along with any other combination of optional modules that adds up to the requisite number of credits.
66	PG Cert in Law			Exit award only.	Students exiting with the Postgraduate Certificate will have completed 60 credits. Students exiting with the PG Diploma will have met to an extent PLOs 1 to 6 but not the entirety of PLO 7. These students will have covered a significant amount of PLO7 in that they will have developed skills in using computer databases and search strategies during their non-dissertation modules and, having taken the Legal Systems and Research Methods Module (to be run in the Semester 1), will have engaged in critical evaluation of normative research questions and determination of research methodologies which can be used to successfully address such questions. However, in not taking the Dissertation Module (to be run in the Summer Vacation until the end of the programme at the end of September) they will not satisfy fully PLO7 in that they will not have applied the skills and knowledge developed on the programme to a selected problem, nor planned, project managed and implemented a substantial project with minimal guidance. Students exiting with the Postgraduate Certificate will have completed 60 credits which must include LAW00001M, LAW00002M, and the Legal System and Research Methods module.			At least Legal Systems and Research Methods must be appropriately completed, along with any other combination of optional modules that adds up to the requisite number of credits.
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68	Programme Learning Outcomes
69	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
70	1	Discuss and critically evaluate the fundamental principles and theories of common, civil and international law systems and apply a comprehensive understanding of the operation of such principles to the analysis of legal and commercial problems.
71	2	Apply and adapt problem-solving skills working efficiently and effectively to develop effective solutions to diverse, complex and integrated legal, practical or societal problem scenarios.
72	3	Influence debate in chosen areas of specialisation and interest by developing well-reasoned, critical and creative arguments, theories and solutions to broader legal issues within society, supported by researched evidence, with the capacity to draw on these to produce original responses.
73	4	Reflexively draw upon and apply a broad awareness of perspectives and interests in their work, capable of taking into account ethical, social, political, professional, commercial, financial, business, international, policy, human rights, ethnic, gender and client interest considerations when evaluating propositions and solving problems.
74	5	Record, reflect on, and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and progress in their own personal learning and professional development.
75	6	Develop legal research skills including: the use of computer databases and search strategies; critical evaluation of normative research questions, determine research methodologies which can be used to successfully address such questions, apply the skills and knowledge developed on the programme to a selected problem, and plan, project manage and implement a substantial project with minimal guidance.
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77	Diverse entry routes
78	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
79	All students on this programme will in the first semester take a Core module (Legal Systems & Research Methods) in which they will examine the main sources of the law, be those sources the common law, international law or civilian (civil code derived) systems. Students coming from civilian legal systems (predominanently non-Commonwealth nations) will be introduced to the origin, principles and working of the common law, whereas those trained in common-law jurisdictions (predominanently Commonwealth nations, the United States and Rebublic of Ireland) will be introduced to the origin, principles and working of systems which use a codified system. All students will be introduced to the sources and workings of international legal systems. The similarities and contrasts between these systems will compared and contrasted. In this way students from diverse entry routes (particularly international students) will be given a foundation upon which the other modules will build. Within this training students are given guidance as to team work, problem analysis and information handling. Students are given guidance as to how to arrive at problem-specific learning outcomes and how to find answers to these LO's through research using the library and on-line resources. Within first semester modules students are given an opportunity to further practice their PBL analyis and independent research skills and develop their academic reading and writing. Students with English as a second language may access sessions run by the Writing Centre to develop their skills in academic English. During the Core Legal Systems & Research Methods module students will focus on on how one should approach answering a substantial normative legal question. This will be further developed during the Semester two modules (whether PBL- or seminar- focussed) which will enable students to practice and deepen their analytical and independent research skills. The independent study module serves to further embed these skills and allows students to gain further confidence in their academic voice.
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88	Inclusion
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90	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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92	Employability
93	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
94	The Programme Leader has considerable experience as a legal practicioner, and many module leaders are former practising solicitors or barristers. That experience informs the planning and delivery of the programme. Accordingly, the programme looks to strongly enhance student employability. Firstly, the Problem-based Learning focus of many modules within the programme has at its heart the development of skill sets that will be of great advantage in any professional work place. Amongst these are: ability to analyse scenario problems and to determine research strategies to address those problems; the ability to work within a team, chair sessions and capture team output; and orally present research results to the team. Those students choosing to take modules in International Corporate Governance and Law & Commercial Transactions will develop an understanding of commerciality and the economic drivers affecting business decisions. Those students taking the Intellectual Property Law optional module will further develop their Problem-based Learning skills by encountering an extended-scenario PBL model with allows for a greater analysis of the temporal elements of a problem and there is significant focus on undertstanding intellectual property rights within a commercial setting and with an eye to giving pragmatic advice to clients. Those students taking the Applying International Human Rights Law will enhance their oral and written advocacy skills. All students are able to take advantage of the York Law School Careers and Development Programme run by out full-time Employability Tutor (which encompasses a wide variety of engagement with employers including law fairs, link days, mentoring schemes, alumni events etc.).
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