LLM Maritime Law Online

Program Overview

The University of Law's online LLM in Maritime Law enhances legal knowledge for law and non-law graduates. It covers essential maritime law concepts, research methods, and prepares students for careers in the maritime industry. Graduates gain in-depth expertise, improved employability, and the ability to navigate legal challenges in the shipping and trade sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

An online Master of Laws (LLM) in Maritime 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 course will give you the skills to enhance or pursue a career within the maritime industry and can open up pathways to careers such as business owner, shipping industry specialist, legal specialist, maritime governance, and more.

Objectives:

• Gain essential in-depth knowledge and insight in your chosen area of law and understand the importance of legal rules as they are applied in the real world.
• Learn about the context within which maritime law operates and interplays with other areas such as economics and politics.
• Research and critically evaluate the key theories, concepts and principles of maritime law as applied in the UK.
• Increase your earning potential - the 2022 Graduate Labour Market Statistics found that postgraduates on average earn £6,500 more than their graduate counterparts.
• Get ahead of the competition - gain in-depth knowledge of your topic of interest and become a subject expert, which will provide you with a competitive edge in the job market.
• Enjoy flexibility - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different.

Outline:

Course Structure:

• Terms 1 & 2 (full-time) or 1-4 (part-time):
• General induction to the programme.
• Two-week induction covering the Key Principles of the English Legal System (compulsory for non-law students, optional for law students).
• Compulsory modules:
• Maritime Law
• Research Methods Training
• Elective modules (choose three):
• Construction Law
• International Commercial Law
• International Trade Law
• (Other elective modules may be available)
• Term 3 (full-time) or 5 & 6 (part-time):
• Dissertation in Maritime Law.

Course Start Dates:

• September 2024:
• LLM Maritime Law (Full-time: Online, Part-time: Online)
• February 2025:
• LLM Maritime Law (Full-time: Online, Part-time: Online)

Module Descriptions:

• Maritime Law: This module explores issues such as Conflict of laws; Shipbuilding, sale, finance and registration; International trade and shipping documents; Charterparties; Cargo claims and bills of lading; Carriage of passengers; The liabilities of the vessel; Public international law in relation to shipping regulation; Safety and compliance; Marine pollution from shipping activities; and Marine insurance.
• Research Methods Training: This module helps you prepare for your dissertation.

Assessment:

• Modules are assessed by a three-hour unseen written examination or 4,500-word coursework assignment.
• All assessments are conducted online.
• The dissertation module will be assessed by submission of a thesis (15,000 words), and provides an opportunity for sustained, in-depth and intensive investigation into, and reflection upon, a specialist area of Maritime Law.

Teaching:

• Taught by a combination of former and current practitioners, as well as research and teaching academics who are focussed on legal practice, not just theory.
• The approach to learning and teaching on the Master of Laws programmes is predominantly learner-centred.
Each taught module is divided into a number of Units which are presented using the Prepare, Engage, Consolidate approach.
• Prepare: Traditional lecture content will be presented in short bite-sized segments of approximately 10 minutes to better engage the modern student.
Guided independent research and reading will be expected as part of a student’s preparation.
• Engage: This represents the interactive element of the Unit.
This could be a face-to-face workshop, a synchronous online workshop or an asynchronous online activity.
• Consolidate: This represents the final part of the Unit and can be used by students to check their understanding of the Unit immediately after their Engage activity or as part of their revision for the module or both.

Careers:

• 95% of postgraduate students in employment were in highly skilled employment 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes data).
Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2022.
• We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.
• Potential career paths:
• Business owner
• Shipping industry specialist
• Legal specialist
• Maritime governance