About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: M3AC12
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Bristol Law School
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: 3-4 years max (LLM Advanced Legal Practice), 4 (3 PT) years max (LLM Legal Practice) but as agreed with your supervisor
- Delivery: There are two entry points each year, June/July and early January.
- Programme leader: Robert Owen LLB Solicitor
Introduction
This award is divided into 2 separate courses which we distinguish as the LLM Legal Practice and the LLM Advanced Legal Practice, depending on when you qualified, and whether you are already practising as a solicitor or barrister.
With both these routes the dissertation (we call it a "Research and Practice Portfolio") provides you with an opportunity to generate work which will impress your firm/chambers (current or future), demonstrate your commitment to a legal career and showcase your analytical skills and original thinking. We intend that your work will greatly enhance your CV in the legal jobs market.
LLM Legal Practice
The LLM Legal Practice provides you with an opportunity to convert your LPC or BVC (BPTC) into an LLM. If you qualified less than 30 months ago you only need to write a Research and Practice Portfolio which has relevance to, and is in a form which is suitable for, legal practice. You also attend a 'mini course' on research methods for the LLM Legal Practice.
LLM Advanced Legal Practice
If you are a solicitor or barrister (England and Wales) who qualified more than 30 months ago and are already working in a law firm/chambers you can apply for the LLM Advanced Legal Practice, which, in addition to the Research and Practice Portfolio, includes some taught elements. The course allows you to study with colleagues on bespoke content written by UWE with your firm/chamber's detailed input. The course will reinforce and extend your knowledge of your specialist practice area.
Structure
Content
The LLM Advanced Legal Practice has intensive 2 day taught sessions over an 18 month period followed by the Research and Practice Portfolio.
For the Research and Practice Portfolio the choice of subject is up to you, depending on your specialist practice area. Just make sure it is relevant to legal practice. You can discuss this with your supervisor. You will start with a compulsory one or two day mini course on research methods.
Teaching and learning
The LLM Legal Practice involves extensive independent research developing analytical and critical reasoning skills and supporting reflective study and independent learning.
The LLM Advanced Legal Practice also involves two day sessions which are intensive problem solving interactive exercises, and include practice based scenarios.
Assessment
The LLM Legal Practice course is assessed through a Research and Practice portfolio of up to 15,000 words on a topic chosen by you in consultation with tutors.
The taught element of the LLM Advanced Legal Practice is assessed through an exam, a reflective log book and an oral presentation on your log. You must pass this assessment to start your Research and Practice portfolio which is also assessed.
Careers/further study
The course will enhance or develop a specialism that will be attractive to employers in the legal world.
Times are hard out there; we have structured the LLM to improve your employability. It gives you an opportunity to make yourself a more attractive job candidate by demonstrating high level legal skills in delivering a practical product. This is why we stress research AND practice.
Entry
Entry requirements
You will need:
- A minimum of a pass (or predicted pass) on the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course.
- To provide an outline to accompany your application: this must be no more than one page, broadly indicating the area of law you intend to work in, what you intend to do and the form of your dissertation. This is simply to allow BILP to consider whether it can support you through your LLM and assess your Research and Practice Portfolio.
If you are a student from another institution, you will need:
- To provide evidence of the pass on the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course and details of an academic referee
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
Click here to apply for this course.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011