About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: M29042
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Construction and Property
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Two years part-time or via distance learning; one year full-time with dissertation to follow
- Programme leader: Jim Mason, LLB, Solicitor
- Key fact: This course is now available via distance learning enabling you to study with us wherever you are.
Introduction
Historically the construction industry is notorious for its high incidence of conflict. The resulting disputes are a drain on the construction industry's profitability and reputation.
The Department of Construction and Property, in collaboration with Pinsent Masons LLP (the construction industry's leading law firm), now offers a course aimed at giving you the skills necessary to identify and address legal issues related to construction projects as well as tackling disputes should they arise. A key aim of the course is to make a contribution towards reducing the incidence of unnecessary disputes.
There is a pronounced need for people with knowledge and skills in the law relating to construction projects law. This will only increase with the developing technical, organisational and financial complexity of modern projects. The breadth of the subject, from new procurement systems through to new standard forms of contracts and European Union regulation, makes postgraduate study the ideal medium in which to form an in-depth and systemic understanding of the fundamental issues.
Students on the course can expect to gain exposure to a wide range of construction law sufficient to underpin and complement their existing professional practice whatever the context within the built environment. The programme covers the whole of the construction process from inception to post-completion issues. The modules have been designed to directly mirror industry practice and to be of immediate use and relevance to professional practice.
This innovative course is aimed at those who already hold a degree in another subject and/or have experience as a professional working within the construction industry. The course will appeal to a wide range of professionals seeking specialist knowledge in the field of construction law.
Successful completion of the course provides an array of opportunities including enhanced career development and improved service to clients. You will benefit from networking opportunities with professionals from all sectors of the industry. The further academic qualification achieved will be tangible evidence of expertise in this area.
Course aims
- To provide a programme which is firmly rooted in the needs of professional practice enabling the student to play a leading role in meeting legal challenges faced
- To encourage the development of skills, insights and attitudes required for dispute avoidance and efficient/effective dispute resolution, such as investigation, problem-solving, presentation, legal analysis and advocacy
- To provide a thorough understanding of the legal framework within which construction organisations and projects are managed
- To develop a critical understanding of the nature of risks in construction, a general strategy for allocation and systems for managing their occurrence
- To give experience in the interpretation of construction contracts and an awareness of the complexities that emerge from amendments and their intended purpose
Structure
Content
The Master's in Construction Law involves 180 credits of study and is offered as a two year part-time course. To complete the course eight taught modules are undertaken on day-release by those in full-time employment. The dissertation module is studied alongside the taught modules over the course of the study.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Law involves 120 credits of study and is offered as a two year part-time course. To complete the course eight taught modules are undertaken on day-release by those in full-time employment.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Construction Law involves 60 credits of study and is offered as a one year part-time course. To complete the course, four modules are undertaken on day-release by those in full-time employment.
The modules studied in Year 1 (comprising the Postgraduate Certificate) are:
1. Construction Contract Law - a critical evaluation of current practice and the legal framework within which construction contracts are used. There will be particular emphasis on key project risks, dispute resolution and innovations in procurement. The assessment for this module includes a report identifying key contractor risks following a detailed examination of a set of amendments to a JCT Design and Build contract.
2. Construction Procurement Principles - an in-depth analysis of the management of the purchasing of contract works and the development of an understanding of the selection criteria for appropriate procurement strategies together with strategies for supply chain management. The assessment is by way of a seen exam and a report into government sponsored initiatives aimed at improving the procurement process.
3. Real Estate Law - a practical investigation into the legal issues encountered during the early stages in the life of a construction project. Aspects of the law of tort, development and environmental law are covered in this module. The teaching material used on this module includes a true-to-life scenario involving the non-disclosure of certain issues attached to a development site.
4. Adjudication Practice - all aspects of adjudication practice are studied in this module from the legislative framework and case law on the subject through to the legal skills required to successfully prepare and present a case to an adjudicator. The assessment follows a true-to-life adjudication case with students assigned the role of either Referring or Responding Party.
The modules studied in Year 2 required for completion of the Master's are:
5. Environmental and Sustainability Law - students studying this module will gain an in depth appreciation of current issues and the application of this highly topical and relevant field of law as it applies to the construction industry. The assessment for this module is based around case studies and a live project of national importance.
6. Construction Claims and Insolvency Law - this module involves a detailed examination of the law as it applies to the recovery of money in situations arising both under and outside of construction contracts. The dual focus of the module centres on practical issues surrounding the failure of a business and the ramifications for unpaid parties to the contract.
7. Advanced Construction Law - this module looks beyond the relationship between the Employer and Contractor. The focus here is on the other parties involved in the construction process and the specialist areas of law which apply to them including bonds, indemnities, insurance, consultancy agreements and PFI, PPP arrangements.
8. Research for Policy and Practice - students are required to take this module to give them the skills necessary to write the dissertation for which the remaining 60 credits are awarded to complete the Master's qualification. This module is a comprehensive guide to the academically challenging dissertation module which represents a unique opportunity for students to choose their research area and produce a piece of work from which the student, their employers and the wider industry can benefit.
Teaching and learning
Teaching methods are varied depending on the module: lectures, project work and tutorials all have a part. Formative work feedback will help improve performance on the final assessments. The teaching staff provide a friendly, enabling environment for learning. This environment is complemented at every turn by the commercial expertise and practical know-how of Pinsent Masons LLP.
Pattern and duration of study
Four modules can be studied over one year with attendance required on 20 day sessions during the year, normally one day per week over the two semesters. It is possible to defer modules and take them over a longer period if necessary. The normal duration of the course is two years, possibly into a third year for the dissertation module to be completed.
One of the Departments main aims is to foster an active graduate community, encompassing students on postgraduate taught courses and students undertaking research degrees. There are currently around 800 students on postgraduate taught courses, and about 60 postgraduate research students. Graduate students have a dedicated space on the main campus, with teaching rooms and informal areas. Each course has a student adviser who provides pastoral support and general advice. Access is provided to a vast number of books, journals and databases online thorough the UWE Bristol library (open 24 hours).
If you are studying via distance learning you will be a full UWE student but will not be required to attend for tutorials or lectures. You will be fully supported by tutors and support staff, making extensive use of the University's virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
In the distance learning mode, you will be directed to Blackboard to complete your readings. Discussion boards facilitate communication between tutors and fellow students. Tutors and support staff can also be contacted by telephone or by email.
Irrespective of the mode of study you choose, you will be expected to attend the University to sit your exams.
Study time
Each module involves five days attendance over one semester. You will study two modules in each semester. It is possible to defer modules and take them over a longer period if necessary.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited as meeting all the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors. This is an important quality assurance standard which the course has met and signifies the career opportunities available to successful graduates.
Entry
Entry requirements
We normally require a first degree of 2:2 or above. We will also consider applicants with an appropriate professional qualification or substantial relevant experience. Please contact us for an application form.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
How to apply
Please select the Apply for this course option under Next steps at the top of this page.
We welcome applications from students without the conventional entrance requirements but who do have substantial relevant work or other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course.
We also welcome applications from people with disabilities, and we are happy to arrange visits for disabled applicants to find out whether the course is suitable, and discuss what support is appropriate.
We are committed to supporting students with disabilities, and wherever possible we will make reasonable adjustments to these activities to enable students with disabilities to successfully complete the course. We encourage applicants to disclose any disabilities or support needs in their applications forms, so that we can offer information, advice and support. There is a Disability Service at UWE Bristol and a Disability Support Co-ordinator in the Department. Following is a list of the types of activities that the course normally involves:
- Use a computer
- Read and produce drawings, plans and maps
- Visually inspect buildings and locations, including physical movement around and through buildings and locations
- Visually inspect construction sites, including physical movement around and through construction sites
- Participate in field courses or activities away from the University
- Measure distances and sizes of buildings, materials or sites
- Team working and negotiation
- Laboratory work involving observations and physical manipulation
- Take part in discussions and presentations
Open days
We run open days throughout the year, when you can meet lecturers and current students, see the facilities and resources that we offer, and visit the student accommodation. Please ask for details. For further information regarding the course, you are welcome to contact: Jim Mason (Course Leader) Jim.Mason@uwe.ac.uk or the Admissions team fet.admissions@uwe.ac.uk +44 (0)117 32 84242.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011