Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
LLM International Law
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | LLM International Law | Programme code | PTL1LAWLAW13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Studying a Master of Laws in International Law offers a rewarding learning experience with opportunities to deepen your understanding of international law, and to acquire academic knowledge and inter-personal skills required for a career in the field of international law.
The Exeter LLM is a rigorous programme of postgraduate study designed for the most ambitious and capable students. Delivered by eminent scholars in international law, the Exeter LLM in International Law allows you to create a bespoke programme of learning addressing your specific academic and professional interests, readying you to fulfil your career ambitions or for doctoral study.
In order to enhance your research and learning experience, and to create a vibrant community of postgraduate students enrolled on this programme, you will be affiliated with one of the Law School’s research centres for the duration of your programme. This will provide a forum where, in particular, you can discuss your interests with fellow students and members of academic staff, and receive constructive feedback on your ideas.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To provide you with a comprehensive understanding of international law and pressing legal challenges in our globalised world.
2. To enable you to identify, locate and critically appraise legal materials and connect these to contemporary problems of international law.
3. To enable you to assimilate extensive documentary legal and non-legal materials; to extract from them the material points; and to make reasoned judgements autonomously as to their application to contemporary problems of international law.
4. To enable you to apply principles and rules of international law to solve and analyse contemporary problems of international law.
5. To enable you to reason logically, supporting your analysis with authority.
6. To provide you with the opportunity to enhance and develop your writing skills by completing a dissertation, and your oral skills by presenting seminar papers and/or your dissertation outline.
7. To prepare you for employment in the field of international law (e.g. law firms, international organisations, international courts, governmental and non-governmental organisations) by developing your transferable and problem-based learning skills.
4. Programme Structure
The LLM International Law programme is a one-year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). The programme has one ‘Stage’. For the purposes of this programme, a Stage is normally equivalent to a calendar year.
The programme is divided into units of study called modules, which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. You will take modules adding up to 180 credits. This will include taught modules totalling 120 credits and a 60-credit dissertation module. The dissertation can be written on a topic of your choice related to international law that is agreed by the Law School, under the supervision of a member of Law School staff.
The LLM programme starts in the autumn term. It is delivered over three terms and is University-based throughout this time. Taught components of the programme are delivered over the first (autumn) and second (spring) terms. The third term and most of the summer are dedicated to researching, writing and submitting your dissertation.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website: https://law.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduatemodules/.
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes — this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and the module is at the appropriate level for the Stage.
Stage 1
Stage 1: 60-credit compulsory dissertation module, 120 credits of optional modules
In addition to the compulsory module listed below, you will study 120 credits of optional modules (60 credits in the autumn term and 60 credits in the spring term) chosen from the list of optional international law modules available in your year of academic study. You may choose to take 30 credits of module(s) outside the Law School, subject to availability and approval by the programme director.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWM640 | Dissertation | 60 | Yes |
Optional Modules
Stage 1: 60-credit compulsory dissertation module, 120 credits of optional modules
In addition to the compulsory module listed below, you will study 120 credits of optional modules (60 credits in the autumn term and 60 credits in the spring term) chosen from the list of optional international law modules available in your year of academic study. You may choose to take 30 credits of module(s) outside the programme and/or the Law School, subject to availability and approval by the programme director. See https://law.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduatemodules/ for optional Law School modules.
The programme offers three specialisms, depending on your choice of modules:
International Law: minimum 90 credits International Law modules; 30 credits of modules of your own choice (from your programme, outside your programme and/or the Law School); 60 credits International Law dissertation.
International Law: Human Rights: minimum 90 credits International Law modules with minimum 60 credits Human Rights modules – see modules marked ‘a’; 30 credits of modules of your own choice (from your programme, outside your programme and/or the Law School); 60 credits International Law dissertation.
International Law: Conflict, Peace, and Justice: minimum 90 credits International Law modules with minimum 60 credits Conflict, Peace, and Justice modules – see modules marked ‘b’; 30 credits of modules of your own choice (from your programme, outside your programme and/or the Law School); 60 credits International Law dissertation.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWM145 | Dignity, Democracy and the Law [a - See notes above] Term 1 | 15 | No |
| LAWM157 | International Human Rights Law: United Nations System [a - See notes above] Term 1 | 15 | No |
| LAWM159 | International Law of Armed Conflict [b - See notes above] Term 1 | 15 | No |
| LAWM162 | The International Criminal Court: Law and Practice [b - See notes above] Term 1 | 15 | No |
| LAWM164 | The Use of Force in International Law [b - See notes above] Term 1 | 15 | No |
| LAWM155 | Human Rights and Digital Technologies [a - See notes above] Term 2 | 15 | No |
| LAWM156 | International Crimes and Human Rights Abuses [b - See notes above] Term 2 | 15 | No |
| LAWM158 | International Human Rights Law: Regional Systems [a - See notes above] Term 2 | 15 | No |
| LAWM161 | Migration, citizenship and asylum in international law [a - See notes above] Term 2 | 15 | No |
| LAWM163 | The International Law of Cyber Operations [b - See notes above] Term 2 | 15 | No |
| LAWM178 | LLM Law Clinic Term 2 | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of international law and pressing legal challenges in select areas of international law. | Specialised subject skills and knowledge (1-2) are acquired through classes (which may include lectures, seminars, workshops or other teaching activities, depending on the module), guided independent learning and reflection, library tuition and research support, formative assessment and summative assessment. | Specialised subject skills and knowledge (1-2) are assessed through essays; seen or unseen examinations; open/closed book examinations; and other formative and summative assessments of various types, depending on the modules selected for study. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
3. Demonstrate the ability and skills to identify, locate and critically appraise legal materials and connect these to contemporary problems of international law. | Academic discipline core skills and knowledge (3-4) are acquired through classes (which may include lectures, seminars, workshops or other teaching activities, depending on the module), guided independent learning and reflection, library tuition and research support, formative assessment and summative assessment. | Academic discipline core skills and knowledge (3-4) are assessed through essays; seen or unseen examinations; open/closed book examinations; and other formative and summative assessments of various types, depending on the modules selected for study. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Demonstrate the ability to reason logically and support analysis with appropriate authority. | Key skills (5-7) are an integral part of the degree programme. Particular aspects of the programme focus on personal and key skills development. For example, classes (lectures, seminars, workshops and other classes and skills activities, depending on the modules selected for study) encourage working independently and in groups, as well as presenting and critiquing ideas and materials in interesting and varied forms. Essays and other written work particularly encourage skills development. Personal tutor meetings and related activities encourage focus upon development of all key skills and the ability to reflect upon these. |
|
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic Tutoring
It is University policy that all departments should have in place a system of academic personal tutors. Their role is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of your programme, and this support extends to signposting you to sources of support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. The role of subject tutors is to support you with your studies in individual modules.
Information on the College Personal Tutoring system, library provision, ELE resources and access to College support services can be found on the College webpages for current students.
Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC)
SSLCs enable students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
LLM International Law
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/04/2014 |
Date of last revision | 05/05/2023 |
|---|
