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Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

LLM Law and Business (Finance and Accounting)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameLLM Law and Business (Finance and Accounting) Programme codePTL1LAWLAW15
Study mode(s)Full Time
Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

Studying a Master of Laws in Law and Business: Finance and Accounting offers a rewarding learning experience with opportunities to gain a firm grounding in a range of law and business topics, and to acquire academic knowledge and inter-personal skills required for a career – in legal practice or in academia – in the field of commercial law (e.g. private practice, international trading companies, law firms, corporate or public employment) and in finance and accounting (e.g. banking, accounting, finance, strategy, process improvement and business analysis).

The Exeter LLM is a rigorous programme of postgraduate study designed for the most ambitious and capable students. Delivered by eminent scholars in commercial law and in business studies, the Exeter LLM in Law and Business: Finance and Accounting 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 in the course of in-class discussions (oral feedback), as well as following the completion of formative and summative assessments (written individualised feedback with oral feedback upon request).

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

1) To provide you with a comprehensive understanding of key issues arising in commercial law and finance and accounting studies across national and jurisdictional borders.

2) To enable you to identify, locate and critically appraise legal and non-legal materials from a multi-jurisdictional perspective and connect these to contemporary problems of commercial law and of finance and accounting studies.

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 commercial law and to challenges facing finance and accounting in the business world.

4) To enable you to apply principles and rules of commercial law and finance and accounting studies to solve and analyse practical problems in a cross-jurisdictional context.

5) To enable you to reason logically and support your analysis with authority from law and finance and accounting studies.

6) To provide you with the opportunity to enhance and develop your writing skills by completing a dissertation, and your oral skills by engaging in in-class discussions.

7) To prepare you for employment in a range of diverse sectors, including in the field of commercial law (e.g. private practice, international trading companies, law firms, corporate or public employment) and in finance and accounting (e.g. banking, accounting, finance, strategy, process improvement and business analysis) by developing your transferable and problem-based learning skills.

4. Programme Structure

The LLM Law and Business: Finance and Accounting 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 independent study dissertation module. The dissertation can be written on a topic of your choice related to law and business 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 independent study, which will include researching, writing and submitting your dissertation under the supervision of an academic supervisor.

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.

Details of the law modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website: https://law.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduatemodules/.

Details of the business modules currently offered may be obtained from the Business School website: http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/study/masters/modules/

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. 

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, 60 credits of core Business modules, 30-60 credits of optional Law modules

In addition to the compulsory modules listed below, you will study 60 credits of Law optional modules chosen from the list of optional Law modules available in your year of academic study. Students with no prior background in law will study 30 credits of compulsory Law modules in the autumn term and 30 credits of optional Law modules in the spring term.

To compose your 60 credits of taught Law modules, you may choose to take one 15-credit taught Law module outside of the programme. Students without a legal background would only be able to take a module open to non-Law students. This is subject to availability and approval by the programme director. See https://law.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduatemodules/ for optional Law School modules.

Please note that for this specialism, prior background in finance and/or accounting is required.

A These modules are ONLY CORE if you have no prior background in Law

B LAWM180 and LAWM169 are OPTIONAL ONLY if you have prior background in Law

C These modules requires prior knowledge of finance and/or accounting.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
LAWM640 Dissertation 60Yes
LAWM169 Data Protection and Privacy [See note A above]15No
LAWM180 Principles of Company Law [See note A above]15No
BEAM045 Accounting for International Managers [See note C above]15No
BEAM047 Fundamentals of Financial Management [See note C above]15No
BEAM033 Banking and Financial Services 15No
BEAM052 Corporate Governance and Finance [See note C above]15No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
LAW Term 1 2023-4 optional - LLM Law and Business
LAWM168 Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, and Sustainability 15 No
LAWM172 EU Competition Law 15 No
LAWM173 Financial Markets Law and Regulation 15 No
LAWM175 International Commercial Law 15 No
LAWM176 International Commercial Litigation 15 No
LAWM180 Principles of Company Law 15 No
LAWM169 Data Protection and Privacy 15 No
LAW Term 2 2023-4 optional - LLM Law and Business
LAWM166 Business and Human Rights Law & Policy 15 No
LAWM167 Blockchain, Policy, Property 15 No
LAWM174 International Arbitration 15 No
LAWM177 International Trade and Society 15 No
LAWM182 Tax Law 15 No
LAWM183 International Banking and Fintech Law and Regulation 15 No
LAWM181 Regulating AI: Law, Policy, and Ethics 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 key elements of commercial law and finance and accounting studies.
2. Demonstrate the ability and skills to apply principles and rules of commercial law and business studies to solve and analyse contemporary problems of commercial law and of finance and accounting studies.

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 and non-legal materials and connect these to contemporary problems of commercial law and of finance and accounting studies.
4. Demonstrate the ability and skills 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 commercial law and of finance and accounting studies.

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.
6. Apply intellectual and practical skills, such as problem-solving and legal reasoning, in developing a reasoned approach to contemporary problems of commercial law and of finance and accounting studies.
7. Apply advanced writing skills by completing a dissertation, and oral skills by engaging in in-class discussions and, where relevant, presenting seminar papers and/or your dissertation outline.

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.

  • Examination skills (5-6): this applies to all modules assessed by examination – see individual module details.
  • Dissertation, assessed essay and other coursework skills (5-7): this applies to all modules assessed by dissertation, essay or other forms of coursework – see individual module details.
  • Oral presentation skills (5-7): this applies to all modules involving oral contributions, whether assessed or unassessed – see individual module details.

7. Programme Regulations

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculty 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 Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

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 Faculty Personal Tutoring system, library provision, ELE resources and access to Faculty support services can be found on the Faculty 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.

(Quality Review Framework.

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

University of Exeter Business School

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

Not applicable to this programme.

18. Final Award

LLM Law and Business (Finance and Accounting)

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

Level 1

23. Dates

Origin Date

23/03/2023

Date of last revision

21/06/2023