About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: M29A2
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Bristol Law School
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: One year full-time; two or three years part-time
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Course director: Evadne Grant LLB LLM
- Programme leader: Dr Nicholas Ryder, LLB, LPC, PhD
Introduction
The postgraduate courses in law have been designed to require and encourage critical analysis of relevant legal issues and provide a leading edge qualification, giving you the edge over other graduates. The breadth and depth of study undertaken and the demands of independent research make the undertaking of a specialised LLM distinct from the undergraduate study of law.
Of particular importance to the law postgraduate scheme is independent research and analysis. One of the six taught modules, Research Methods, provides you with the key skills of postgraduate study, and facilitates development of your own research strategy. The dissertation requires you to produce a piece of written work which represents a contribution to existing legal knowledge, in terms of originality or approach.
The aim of this course is to provide you with the opportunity to study integral parts of the international banking and financial system. On successfully completing the course, you will understand and be able to comment critically on such fundamental issues as the importance of effective and proportionate financial regulation, the impact of the credit crunch, the necessity for corporate social responsibility and the increasing significance of ethical banking.
Structure
Content
The International Banking and Finance Law LLM consists of seven modules in total, including a dissertation of up to 15,000 words. This constitutes an original contribution to the corpus of legal knowledge within the area of International Banking and Finance Law.
During the postgraduate certificate phase, two of the three modules studied are compulsory, as detailed below:
- Research Methods - The Research Methods module aims to facilitate the development of the individual’s own approach to legal research by introducing you to key skills and concepts.
- International Banking and Finance Law - The module comprises the law relating to the international banking and financial sectors. The module considers the historical development of the banking and financial services sectors, the policy adopted by the United Kingdom and the United States of America towards financial regulation, and the impact of the credit crunch upon financial institutions.
You must then choose one option module from the following:
- Contract Law in Comparative Perspective - This module enables you to analyse elements of law and evaluate the nature of the different principles designed to fulfil the same role in comparative common law.
- International Contracts - This module will provide a sound knowledge of the main principles of international contracts and their application, enabling them to gain an overview of the different legal and economic elements involved in an international transaction.
- Globalisation and the Law - Understanding what globalisation means in economic, political, cultural and social terms and the legal consequences that derive there from will be critical to this module and you will assess whether international law is equipped with instruments and institutions to regulate the consequences of globalisation.
The postgraduate diploma consists of one compulsory module, detailed below:
- International Financial Crime - This provides a critical understanding of the international legal principles and concepts relating to financial crime and enables you to evaluate and discuss the effectiveness of European Law towards the prevention and detection of financial crime.
You must also choose two option modules from the following:
- Carriage of Goods by Sea - By the end of the module, you will demonstrate a basic understanding of the issues, constraints, interests and risks involved in the shipping industry and the role sea transportation plays in international trade.
- Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility - This module focuses on the difference between the concepts of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility, enabling you to assess the effectiveness of corporate governance and self-regulatory schemes.
- European Employment Contracts - You will become familiar with theoretical concepts in this area of study and develop these to be able to critically evaluate European frameworks and how other legal systems operate.
- International Commercial Disputes - This gives you the ability to apply your understanding of international legal principles and concepts relating to international commercial disputes to practical contexts.
- One option, not listed above, offered on any of the other LLM courses.
Dissertation:
In addition to the modules studied, the dissertation gives the opportunity to research an area of international banking and finance law of interest to you. This requires you to submit an original piece of work by looking at topics or issues in the subject area that have not already been studied before, or by looking at the topic in a different way.
Teaching and learning
The flexible nature of the course allows you to study on a full or part-time basis. The course involves both extensive independent research and discussion in the context of seminars. These seminars provide you with analytical and reflective skills and you must prepare for each seminar beforehand to participate actively in discussion with your tutors and peers.
Full-time attendance
Full-time students have approximately six to nine contact hours a week and will study over the course of one year. However, as independent study is a fundamental aspect of the course, the total study time for full-time students should be around 36 hours a week.
Part-time attendance
The flexible part-time study option can be completed over two or three years. You will usually have approximately three hours contact with tutors each week, depending on the route you are following, and between 12 and 18 hours a week should be spent studying independently.
Assessment
There are no formal 'closed-book' means of assessment during the LLM International Banking and Finance Law course and taught modules are assessed through a combination of written assignments and oral presentations.
The culmination of the LLM course is a dissertation of up to 15,000 words that constitutes an original contribution to the corpus of legal knowledge within a given area of law.
Special Features
Study facilities
Bristol Law School has excellent, state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated LLM base room and mock law courtrooms, where you can put your learning into practice. The courtrooms are also equipped with the latest recording equipment to record the advocacy sessions for later analysis. Our 24-hour law library and computer rooms allow you to access a wide range of legal resources, including Hein Online, LexisNexis, Westlaw and iLaw.
Simulations in Transactional Activities (SIMITA) is an online interactive learning environment which gives you the opportunity to acquire and practise case working skills, with the help of technology that behaves and feels exactly like that of a modern professional office.
Dedicated Support
We pride ourselves on the student experience we offer and our LLM students are given the highest level of support both during their studies and after they have graduated. Every student is allocated a personal tutor on arrival, who they can meet with to discuss all aspects of the course. There is also a dedicated law careers support member of staff to help you further your career after completion of the LLM.
Pro Bono Unit
The Bristol Law School Pro Bono Unit has developed a comprehensive programme to provide opportunities for you to undertake legal Pro Bono work in and around the Bristol area. The unit (which includes its free Community Legal Advice and Representation Service (CLARS)) has also received national recognition through the various awards it has achieved.
International Law and Human Rights Unit (ILHRU)
The ILHRU is a dynamic research unit within the Centre for Legal Research in Bristol Law School. It provides an energetic forum for research activity, embracing an invigorating combination of research emphases. The work of the unit covers a broad spectrum and has a special research emphasis on the relationship between the environment and human rights.
Careers/further study
Studying for an LLM provides an ideal opportunity to develop specialist skills that will be favoured by employers, both in the legal world and beyond. It opens up a range of career opportunities and gives you the edge over other graduates. The in-depth knowledge you will acquire in a particular area of law will give you a thorough grounding in the subject area and raise your employability prospects, enabling you to become a true specialist within your organisation. It is for this reason that many of our LLM graduates choose to go on to complete a PhD or go into teaching and research.
In an age when law increasingly has a transnational nature, our courses are directed to providing you with knowledge and skills which will be attractive to employers both in the UK and beyond.
Recent graduates from Bristol Law School have gained positions in local government, solicitors firms, the Ministry of Defence and other organisations including Marks and Spencer plc, Direct Line and Lloyds TSB.
Entry
Entry requirements
- You should hold a law honours degree (minimum 2:2) from a recognised Higher Education institution or equivalent from a recognised overseas institution.
- Candidates who have successfully completed the common professional examination (CPE) with at least a merit or have provided substantial evidence of work that has warranted an upper second or first class mark will also be considered for admission onto the course.
- Non law graduates will also be considered for admission if they have relevant experience
If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency.
For example, you should have either:
- A minimum grade of 6.5 overall on the British Council International English Language Test (IELTS)
Or
- A TOEFL score of at least 600 (written) or 250 (computer) scale.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarship information.
How to apply
Please apply online. Applications for the LLM course may be submitted at any time of year and the deadline for applications is 1 September for study that same academic year.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011