The Taught Master of Laws Degree

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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 modules. The first module runs from late September until late December and is followed by a revision period in early January and examination in late January. The second module 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. Computer literacy is essential.

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. To achieve this objective, good students are selected, classes are kept deliberately small, and independent reading and group discussion are strongly emphasised. This allows very close contact with members of the Law School. Personal skills are developed through group project work, presentations, and participation in group discussion.

It is possible to specialise in one of 15 areas of study:

• LLM in Commercial Law
• LLM in European Law
• LLM in European and International Law
• LLM in Criminal Justice
• LLM in Intellectual Property Law
• LLM in International Commercial Law
• LLM by Distance Learning in International Business Law
• LLM in Sustainable Development and Law
• 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

In each area of study you are required to complete a course on research methods (20 credits) and a dissertation of about 10,000 words (40 credits). In addition you must take courses to the value of 120 credits within the specialism. In some cases, up to 30 of the 120 credits may be accumulated from approved courses outwith the specialism.

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 a course on research methods (20 credits) and a dissertation of about 10,000 words. (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.