The Degree of LLM is examined either by a dissertation and prescribed assessments and examinations (Taught) or alternatively, by a major thesis (Research).

The LLM (Taught) is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. A full-time candidate may not, during the currency of the LLM (Taught), simultaneously pursue any other form of education, training or employment, without the advance permission of the School of Law.

Full-time
Students take 90 credits in total including LW6538 LLM (Taught) Dissertation (30 credits) and 60 credits from the list of elective modules.

Part-time:
Year 1: Students take 40 credits from the list of elective modules.
Year 2: Students take 50 credits including LW6538 LLM (Taught) Dissertation (30 credits) and 20 credits from the list of elective modules.

Core Module
LW6538 LLM (Taught) Dissertation (30 credits)

Elective Modules
(It may be that not all modules will be offered each year):
LW6507 Comparative Family Property Law (5 credits)
LW6536 Intellectual Property Law (10 credits)
LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)
LW6545 Penology (10 credits)
LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
LW6549 International Children's Rights (10 credits)
LW6550 International Criminal Law (10 credits)
LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)
LW6563* Children's Rights Law in Practice (10 credits)
LW6566 Contemporary Issues in International Law (5 credits)
LW6568 The Family and the Law (10 credits)
LW6574 Intellectual Property and Internet Regulation (10 credits)
LW6578 Consumer Rights: Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6579 Law of Credit & Debt (5 credits)
LW6581 Method in Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW6592 Mental Capacity Law (5 credits)
LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
LW6609 Mental Health Law (5 credits)
LW6617 International Biodiversity and Ecosystems Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)
LW6622 Sale, Insurance and Carriage of Goods at Sea (5 credits)
LW6623 Global Maritime Security (5 credits)
LW6627 International Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW6633 Public International Law (5 credits)
LW6634 Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10 credits)
LW6639 FinTech: Law and Regulation (5 credits)
LW6640 E-Commerce Law (5 credits)
LW6641 The Role of Law in the Future of Europe - Critical Perspectives (10 credits)
LW6643 Negotiation and Mediation (10 credits)
LW6644 Managing Complex Disputes (10 credits)
LW6650 Contemporary Issues in EU Competition Policy (10 credits)

It may be that not all modules listed above will be offered each year and/or other options may become available.

Undergraduate Modules:
In certain cases, with the permission of the Programme Director, students may elect to take 10 credits from the list of undergraduate modules available for the LLB Degree.

* LW6563 - there is a quota of 20 students for this module. Preference will be given to students from the LLM (Children's Rights and Family Law) and any remaining places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

In order to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload, when choosing modules for all programmes, students should take a balance of credits between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who wish to deviate from this rule must seek permission from their Programme Director.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Presentation of Dissertation/Submission Dates:
The dissertation must be submitted for examination at the Winter Board, on a date in September to be specified by the School of Law at the commencement of the programme.

Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Law (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Upon successful completion of modules to the value of 60 credits, registered LLM students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law.

Programme Learning Outcomes for LLM (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate primary and secondary legal materials including legislation, case-law and academic commentary;
• Identify and explore interconnections between legal topics;
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal problems;
• Demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking in relation to legal issues;
• Connect changing values and sentiments in society with legal developments;
• Formulate research questions and develop appropriate research methodologies and research methods;
• Undertake independent scholarly legal research on legal questions and themes;
• Conduct research on a chosen legal topic and write a masters-level dissertation;
• Prepare and deliver presentations on legal topics;
• Use information technology appropriately for high-level legal research and writing;
• Express complex legal and/or policy in an appropriate legal style, in accordance with legal writing standards.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Law (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate primary and secondary legal materials including legislation, case-law and academic commentary;
• Identify and explore interconnections between legal topics;
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal problems;
• Demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking in relation to legal issues;
• Connect changing values and sentiments in society with legal developments;
• Formulate research questions and develop appropriate research methodologies and research methods;
• Undertake independent scholarly legal research on legal questions and themes;
• Use information technology appropriately for high-level legal research and writing;
• Express complex legal and/or policy in an appropriate legal style, in accordance with legal writing standards.

The LLM (Research) is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. In either case, such studies or research must be under such direction and supervision as may be approved by the School of Law. A full-time candidate may not, during the currency of the studies or research, simultaneously pursue any other form of education, training or employment, save with the advance permission of the School.

It is possible to register for an LLM (Research) in September, January, April or July of each year, therefore applications are accepted throughout the academic year, but note candidates are advised to contact the School of Law.

A candidate must complete a major thesis (90 credits). This must be of such quality and depth as to reflect the fact that it is the product of full time research and writing of one year's duration from the date of first registration (or two years part-time research and writing from the date of first registration). The major thesis will normally comprise approximately 40,000 words, excluding reasonable footnotes. A candidate may be required to submit to an oral or written examination on the matter of such thesis. Candidates may take the 5 credit module LW6004 Research Methods in Law for audit described under the heading Modules for Postgraduate Training.

Presentation of LLM (Research) Thesis/Submission Dates
Candidate must submit his/her thesis in line with the general university requirements, information on which is available here.

Programme Learning Outcomes for LLM (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate primary and secondary legal materials including legislation, case-law and academic commentary;
• Identify and explore interconnections between legal topics;
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal problems;
• Demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking in relation to legal issues;
• Connect changing values and sentiments in society with legal developments;
• Formulate research questions and develop appropriate research methodologies and research methods;
• Undertake independent scholarly legal research on legal questions and themes;
• Conduct research on a chosen legal topic and write a masters-level dissertation;
• Prepare and deliver presentations on legal topics;
• Use information technology appropriately for high-level legal research and writing;
• Express complex legal and/or policy in an appropriate legal style, in accordance with legal writing standards.