The Taught Master of Laws Degree

Prospective LLM Students' Home Page >

Structure of the LLM Degree

The LLM is available as a taught Master of Laws Degree, which can be completed in one academic year, beginning in either September or January. Participants in the LLM often have significant experience in a range of areas and the great variety in the background of students makes an enormous contribution to the programmes.

Teaching is organised into two 12-week sessions. The first session runs from late September until mid December and is followed by a revision period in early January and examination in late January. The second session begins at the end of January, and examinations are at the end of May. A dissertation is compulsory for the taught LLM, and it is done during the summer months, both for January and September start students. This means that students who start in January write their dissertation in the middle of their LLM programme.

Students are required to complete a course on research methods (20 credits), a dissertation of about 10,000 words (40 credits), and four optional content modules (30 credits each) from within the degree specialism. In some cases, up to 30 credits may be accumulated from approved courses outwith the specialism.

How postgraduate study is different from undergraduate study

The nature of study at postgraduate taught Masters level is significantly different to the experience of university study at undergraduate level. Teaching is not carried out through an intensive class schedule but tends towards directed reading, with the focal point of each course being periodic seminars and/or lectures. Teaching methods combine lectures, seminars, project work, and independent reading. The programme is designed to stimulate critical and creative thought and to question assumptions about law.

Students are expected to take considerable responsibility for organising their own study time and developing their independent study and research skills. To achieve this objective, good students are selected, classes are kept small, and independent reading and group discussion, both within and outside the classroom, are strongly emphasised. Personal skills are developed through group project work, presentations, and participation in group discussion. Computer literacy is essential.

The Dissertation

Supervision is given through the planning stages of the dissertation. All students are required to attend at least two meetings with members of staff, as well as a dissertation workshop, before the main writing-up work begins in June. Thereafter, students are expected to work independently on their dissertations. Applicants who plan to begin a programme in January should note that they will start planning and researching the dissertation almost as soon as they begin their studies. For that reason, it is a good idea for these students to begin thinking about a potential dissertation topic before they arrive to start their studies.

Degree Specialisms

It is possible to specialise in one of 13 areas of study:

• LLM in European Law
• LLM in European and International Law
• LLM in Criminal Justice
• LLM in International Commercial Law
• LLM by Distance Learning in International Business Law
• LLM in Climate Change Law and Sustainable Development
• LLM in International Law
• LLM in Criminal Justice and Human Rights
• LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice
• LLM in Human Rights
• LLM in Oil & Gas Law
• LLM in Private International Law
• LLM in International Law and Globalisation

For students who do not wish to select a specialist LLM programme, it is possible to take a general LLM. Students must complete approved courses to the value of 120 credits. In addition students are required to complete the course on research methods (20 credits) and the dissertation (40 credits).

General enquiries concerning the taught LLM should be addressed to Ms Caroline Ransom, School of Law, University of Aberdeen, Taylor Building, King's College, Old Aberdeen, AB24 3UB, Scotland. Telephone: 01224-272443. Fax: 01224-272442. E-Mail: law-pg-enquiries@abdn.ac.uk.