| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-02-01 | - |
| 2024-08-01 | - |
| 2024-07-01 | - |
Program Overview
The University of Law's online Master of Laws in Mental Health Law equips both law and non-law graduates with advanced knowledge in this specialized field. Students explore topics such as mental health law, healthcare regulation, and research methods. The program offers elective modules and a dissertation to foster in-depth study. Graduates can pursue careers as expert witnesses, clinical governance professionals, and in other medico-legal and healthcare management roles.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
An online Master of Laws (LLM) in Mental Health Law, offered by The University of Law, is a postgraduate degree designed for law and non-law graduates to enhance your academic legal knowledge. This internationally recognised Master’s focused specifically on developing an in-depth knowledge of Mental Health Law and can open up pathways to careers in medico-legal areas such as expert witnesses or clinical governance; legal specialist in clinical negligence, personal injury, mental health law and Court of Protection; bioethics governance; enhanced health and care professional careers; healthcare management; policy advisor; regulation and more.
Outline:
Course Structure:
- Terms 1-2 (full-time) or 1-4 (part-time):
- General Induction: Introduction to the program.
- Two-week Induction: Covering the Key Principles of the English Legal System. This is compulsory for non-law students, but also open to students wanting a refresher in the fundamentals of the law of England and Wales.
- Compulsory Modules:
- Mental Health Law: Covers various aspects of mental health and the law associated with it, including: housing and society; overlaps with criminal and civil law; specifics as to employment and the application of the Mental Health Act; and the Mental Capacity Act in practice.
- Research Methods Training: Prepares students for their dissertation.
- Elective Modules (Choose three):
- Healthcare Regulation
- Legal Ethics
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Other elective modules subject to availability.
- Terms 3 (full-time) or 5-6 (part-time):
- Dissertation in Mental Health Law: A 15,000-word thesis allowing for in-depth investigation into a chosen specialist area.
Course Start Dates:
- September 2024: Full-time and Part-time Online
- February 2025: Full-time and Part-time Online
Assessment:
- Modules: Assessed by a three-hour unseen written examination or a 4,500-word coursework assignment. All assessments are conducted online.
- Dissertation: Assessed by submission of a thesis (15,000 words).
Teaching:
- Expert Lecturers: A combination of former and current practitioners, as well as research and teaching academics who are focussed on legal practice, not just theory.
- Strategic Partnerships: The program benefits from partnerships with firms, regulators, and accreditation bodies, which inform program development.
- Prepare, Engage, Consolidate Approach: Each taught module is divided into Units presented using this approach:
- Prepare: Students complete work before attending workshops.
- Engage: Interactive element, including workshops or online activities.
- Consolidate: Students check their understanding of the Unit.
Careers:
- Potential Career Paths:
- Expert witnesses
- Clinical governance
- Legal specialist in clinical negligence, personal injury, mental health law, and Court of Protection
- Bioethics governance
- Enhanced health and care professional careers
- Healthcare management
- Policy advisor
- Regulation
- Employability Support:
- Job application support
- Work experience opportunities
- Career mapping with the careers team
Other:
- Flexible Study: The online format allows students to work at their own pace and around other commitments.
- Earning Potential: Postgraduates on average earn £6,500 more than their graduate counterparts.
- Legal Technology: Modules in legal technology provide insight into this emerging area of law.
