LL.M in Professional Legal Practice - study options
Our LL.M in Professional Legal Practice can be studied at your own pace over a maximum of five years. To qualify for an LL.M award, you need to earn 180 credits at Masters level. This is achieved by studying six modules (each worth 20 credits) and completing an assignment (worth 60 credits).
Our LL.M in Professional Legal Practice can be studied via supervised online or blended learning modules.
Supervised online modules
Supervised online modules combine online study with one-to-one online supervision from a College tutor. They can be studied without any face-to-face tuition or the need to attend one of the College’s UK centres. They have an international focus, making them ideal for overseas lawyers or anyone interested in building their knowledge of international law. These modules are delivered in conjunction with the International Bar Association.
Each module consists of nine units, with approximately 10 to 15 hours of study required per unit. With the support of their tutor, students are required to submit written work via e-mail at the end of each unit (approximately once every two-and-a-half weeks). Submission of these tasks is mandatory and your supervising tutor will provide feedback for each one. You will be provided with a list of unit submission dates once you have enrolled for the course. Depending on your circumstances, we would estimate it to take six months to complete a module.
Using online technology, our aim is to give students studying these modules full access to the expertise of our tutors. You will also be given full access (if you are enrolled) to the facilities at our UK centres. This includes our library and IT resources.
Supervised online modules can be started in January or July each year. As soon as the study materials become available you can begin your study whenever and wherever it suits you.
Blended learning modules
Blended learning modules combine online study with face-to-face tuition at one of the College’s UK centres – in Birmingham, Chester, Guildford, London, Manchester (from 2010) or York. A typical blended learning module will consist of student workshops facilitated by a tutor, self-study using our ground-breaking i-Tutorials (online interactive tutorials) supplemented by regular online test and feedback exercises, reading, independent learning and online group assignments.
Students will receive nine weeks of tuition per module, with breaks for consolidation and revision. Each module equates to ten hours of study per week.
Blended learning modules currently run from March to June each year, with a choice of day, evening or weekend study. It is possible to study different LL.M modules in different centres if you wish. The availability of LL.M modules in specific locations is subject to demand. If we are unable to provide the module you want to study in the centre of your choice we will endeavour to offer you alternatives. All blended learning modules will also be available as supervised online modules within three years.
College of Law LPC and BPTC graduates
All College of Law LPC and BPTC graduates automatically earn 60 credits towards our LL.M in Professional Legal Practice. This means that they only need to complete three further modules and an assignment to achieve the full LL.M – and the prior credit doesn’t count within the five year LL.M time limit.
Route for LPC graduates
Route for BPTC graduates
It is possible to study for the College LPC or BPTC and LL.M at the same time, but students are advised to take on no more than one LL.M module in addition to their main LPC or BPTC studies. College of Law LPC students are advised to select different topics to those studied for their LPC electives.
If you don’t complete the full LL.M
To achieve the full LL.M you need to successfully complete six modules plus an assignment. If you do not go on to complete your full LL.M, you can gain the following qualifications by successfully completing three or six modules:
- Three modules = Certificate in Professional Legal Practice
- Six modules = Diploma in Professional Legal Practice
