Course code: OLPBF Level: 7
This course is the quickest route to a specialised LLM in Legal Practice. It builds on previous qualifications and experience to help you gain a competitive advantage over other practitioners in the legal services market. The programme allows you to develop a deep understanding of an area of law directly relevant to your practice, enhancing your employability and career prospects.
It is aimed at those people who are currently in or about to enter practice and who wish to show they have a higher level of understanding and command of critical analysis in key areas of legal practice. This course is relevant whether you’re based in the UK or qualified to appear at the Bar (or equivalent) in a European or Overseas jurisdiction, or a member of a professional body that qualifies you to provide graduate level professional legal services in an European or Overseas jurisdiction.
Fast-track Masters
The LLM in Legal Practice is a fast-track Masters designed by our expert law academics for those people who are legal service professionals. It consists of two modules, Legal Scholarship and Independent Studies, that will provide you with legal research skills and the opportunity to write a dissertation in an area of legal practice that is of interest to you.
Progress your Law career
This course is a natural progression from the Legal Practice course or the Bar Professional Training Course.
If you want to build a career as a professional practitioner in law or move into academia, an LLM is considered essential. With a specialism in legal practice and plenty of chances to get involved in research, it’s also an ideal springboard for further progression onto a PhD.
The LLM is also now becoming a way to demonstrate specialism to many employers and so gives you an advantage when applying for positions within private business organisations beyond the legal sector.
You will need to complete the following modules:
Modules:
Masters
-Independent Study
Code:7LA997
Info:
The Independent Study forms an essential and major component of the Masters Programme. You will conduct a major piece of independently researched work which will be a dissertation or employment based report.
This will provide you with an opportunity to utilise and enhance the knowledge and intellectual skills gained during the programme by means of an extensive investigation of a significant topic within the context of law or legal practice.
Credits:60
Stage:Masters
Core:Core module
Core
-Legal Scholarship
Code:7LA540
Info:
This module seeks to aid you in your development of existing legal research skills and general skills and assists you with your personal and professional development.
This will also provide a stepping stone if you wish to present your work at conferences and in this regard this element of the module would be of direct relevance to PhD students in the early stages of their research careers. It will also include sessions relating to getting work published and will set out practical advice on this.
Credits:20
Stage:Core
Core:Core module
You will need to have one of the following:
-to have completed the Legal Practice Course (or its predecessor the Law Society Finals course), Bar Vocational Course, be Graduate Members of CILEx, Fellows of CILEx, Chartered Patent Agents or similarly qualified to provide professional graduate level legal services at the point of commencement of the Independent Study;
OR
-to be qualified to appear at the Bar (or equivalent) in an European or Overseas jurisdiction or be members of a professional body that qualifies them to provide graduate level professional legal services in a European or Overseas jurisdiction. Applicants from outside the EU and Commonwealth may be asked as a condition of acceptance to provide evidence of the national status of a professional organisation, including certified translation of any relevant documentation. Any such applicant must have undertaken a full programme of study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
If English is not your first language you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:
-IELTS 7.0
-TOEFL 600 (paper based) 250 (computer based) or 100 (internet based)
-Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
-Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
-London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
-International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
-International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C
We would welcome and encourage applications from people of all ages as long as they can be considered adequately prepared to succeed on the programme.
Specialist online university
University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) specialises in delivering higher education and its objective is to empower students to achieve their full potential through a first class educational experience supported by information, advice and guidance.
University experience enriched with support
UDOL recognises that studying online and at a distance comes with its own challenges and that it’s a very different experience to traditional campus based study. The university´s support services have been designed to ensure that you can make the most of your time at the UDOL; with a wide range of support and information readily accessible.
Student support services include:
– Academic Team and Online Tutor
– Online Learner Advisor
– Student Wellbeing
– IT Service Centre
– eLibrary and Resource Centre
– Study Skills Advisory Scheme
– Skills Diagnostic Self-Assessment Tool
– Careers and Employment Service
Read more below:
Academic Team and Online Tutor
UDOL has a large team of highly qualified academics from around the world, who are experts in their field. They are research active and many of them have a wealth of experience in industry as well as in academia, bringing great value to the programmes. The team also has a high level of expertise in online learning, using best practice techniques combined with online teaching methods to ensure your studies are rich and stimulating.
Online Learner Advisors
Once enrolled onto your course, you will be assigned a dedicated Online Learner Advisor with extensive knowledge of your programme, who will be your main point of contact throughout your course.
To help you succeed in reaching your academic goals, your Online Learner Advisor will maintain regular communication with you, offering advice and guidance for any non-academic issues such as pace of study, fees and funding, authorised breaks from study, dealing with exceptional circumstances, and much more.
Student Wellbeing
Achieving success in your studies is affected as much by your wellbeing as it is by your academic ability. If you are happy and confident within yourself and your environment, then you will be far more able to achieve the success that you deserve.
The Student Wellbeing services offer support for anything that may impact on you, your academic performance or your experience as a student, from budgeting and anxiety to managing serious problems. The counsellors are especially trained in supporting students online, no matter the issue.
For students with disabilities, learning difficulties or long-term or mental health conditions, specialist support is also available. The student wellbeing team will assess your requirements and put Support Plans in place containing reasonable adjustments to the way you are taught or assessed.
IT Service Centre
The IT Service Centre is able to provide assistance if you are experiencing technical difficulties. They are available 24 hours a day so no matter your time zone, IT support is just a call away.
eLibrary and Resource Centre
The University’s library is accessible to online and distance learners. Investment has been made to make sure that your reading lists are in electronic format and that there is a wide range of online databases, digital texts and ejournals available to you.
As a UK based University of Derby student, you can also access other libraries via the SCONUL Access Scheme, which enables materials to be borrowed from higher-education libraries across the country. Many universities, HE colleges and national libraries throughout the UK and Ireland participate in the scheme making their resources widely available.
The library runs a comprehensive schedule of Support Sessions covering a wide range of topics. These live, one hourly webinars cover topics such as study skills, using the virtual library enquiry desk and dealing with assessment anxiety.
Study Skills Advisory Scheme
Developing your study skills is an integral part of studying. It is particularly important if you are returning to study after a long break and lack confidence in this area.
There is a wide range of resources including guides, audio-visual tutorials and live webinars covering:
– Writing essays and reports
– Writing a dissertation or Independent Studies
– Citing and referencing
– Reading and note taking
– Research skills
– Time management and coping with pressure
– Reflection and personal development planning
– And much more…
Skills Diagnostic Self-Assessment tool
To ensure you have the skills needed for online and academic study, our unique study skills diagnostic tool gives you the opportunity, at any point of your studies, to identify the skills that you are strong at and those which you may need additional help with. The tool will direct you to information and assisted support according to your needs.
Careers and Employment Service
Whether you’re just starting your career or are on a well-established pathway, the Careers and Employment Service has lots to offers. Live webinars, career coaching, CV tailoring and online resources are just some of the services that are freely available to help you develop your employability skills and to plan your next career move. The Careers and Employment service is equipped to help you explore what you will need to do to enhance your career and support you in applying for roles.
As an Alumnus of the University, you will have access to the Careers and Employment Centre for up to 3 years after graduation. You can access the service online, over Skype/ Hangout, on the phone, through e-mail or in person at our Derby campus.
– Step 1- Start your online application.
It’s free to apply and you have 28 days to complete your application so don’t worry if you don’t have everything to hand right now.
– Step 2 – Submit your online application.
Provide as much detail as you can and we will send you an email acknowledging receipt of your application.
Please, attach the following documents to your online application:
– Photo ID – this could be your passport or driving licence
– Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
– Copies of certificates or letter of testimony for previous qualifications
Don’t worry if you can’t attach your documents right away. Simply write your name and unique application id onto them, email, fax or post them to us after you’ve submitted your completed application.
– Step 3 – Wait for a response.
Our Online Learning Advisors will review your application and contact you within 1 working week. If your application is successful, we will make you an ‘unconditional’ offer. If we still need some additional information from you (eg evidence of your qualifications and experience including certificates and references) we may make you a conditional offer. If your application is unsuccessful on this occasion, we will email you to let you know.
– Step 4 – Time to enrol
We’ll ask you to enrol onto your course about 4 – 6 weeks before the start of term. For example, if you apply to start your course in September enrolment will open approximately mid-August.
– Step 5 – … and pay
Contact us for more details about payments and notes for sponsors.
– Need Help?
If you have any questions during your application, don’t hesitate to contact your friendly Online Learning Advisors for assistance.
