University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2018/19 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > University of Bristol Law School > Law (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 9LAWD019T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Chris Willmore
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
The qualifying law degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the purposes of satisfying the academic stage of training. (http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/) Accredited by the Bar Standards Board for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree. |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
2 years (full time)
4 years (part time) |
The programme provides an intellectual training through the study of the fundamental features of the legal systems of England and Wales and of the European Union, their underlying principles and values and the contexts in which the law operates, and through the provision of opportunities for the acquisition of a broad range of intellectual and critical skills in preparation for:
- a career in the legal professions
- employment in a wide range of other legal and non-legal contexts
- further education
It is particularly designed for non-law graduates wishing to enter the legal professions and desiring a more thorough grounding in the academic stage of legal training than is offered in one-year Common Professional Examination programmes.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge through seminars and directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials. Students are free to attend relevant undergraduate lectures as a starting-point. Independent learning is achieved through class preparation and written coursework. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The knowledge base is tested through traditional unseen written examinations (which include both essay questions and hypothetical problems). All units are also assessed partly through coursework which requires research and more detailed and expansive treatment of certain topics. Some units are assessed wholly by coursework. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, oral presentations and written assignments (both essays/problems and research essays). All units are structured in such a way that the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation (points 1-3) are developed. In addition, units focus on other intellectual skills (problem-solving and research) depending on their subject-matter and opportunities for practising these skills are offered in other units. |
Methods of Assessment | |
All assessment tasks (written examinations, coursework and research essays) test powers of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. (points 1-3). Problem-solving (point 4) is assessed both by written examinations (which contain hypothetical problems) and coursework. Research and autonomy is assessed through research essays, which requires postgraduate level research on specific legal topics |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions, to make oral presentations and to participate in specific exercises (such as debates and moots). Teamworking and CIT exercises are integrated into specific units. Witten communication is developed through written assignments, assessed coursework and research essays. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is primarily through written assignments (examinations, coursework and research essays) which provide evidence of communication skills. Coursework is also used to assess key skills (such as searching the WWW or word-processing). Oral communication is assessed through formal presentations and debating/mooting exercises. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
In year one (of full-time study), students are expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of some of the core areas of law and a level of competence in the relevant skills. They will be able to research secondary literature on legal materials, solve single-issue problems, produce written summaries and discursive accounts of the law, engage in informal moots and debates, retrieve web-based information from identified sites and engage in joint preparation for, and participation in, class discussion. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning in law. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
In year two (of full-time study), students should have developed a higher level of competence in the relevant skills. This will include the ability to research relevant primary and secondary materials in a given area of law, solve multi-issue legal problems and consider legal reform, engage in regular good-quality written preparation for class, make structured presentations and engage in subsequent discussion, use a variety of on-line resources and engage in the joint production of written work. Students are expected to expand the breadth of their knowledge through their study of an optional subject and to develop further their ability to evaluate law. They will be able to locate law in its social and political contexts and engage with theoretical treatments of their subject-matter. At this level students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired and developed at level one. This will include finding relevant materials on a set topic, solving complex legal problems and engaging in regular and spontaneous location of on-line legal materials. They will also be expected to collaborate where appropriate in their research tasks and to give seminar papers if required. Regular research essays will require the candidate to display an appropriate level of knowledge, analytical and synthetic skills, critical engagement, research ability and the ability to communicate effectively in writing. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
This course of study is recognised by the General Council of the Bar and the Law Society as a qualifying law degree.
Ms Chris Willmore, chris.willmore@bristol.ac.uk
+44 (0)117 954 5345
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Law of Contract | LAWDM0061 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Public Law | LAWDM0059 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Law of Tort | LAWDM0062 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Land Law | LAWDM0075 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Postgraduate Certificate on successful completion of 60cp, Postgraduate Diploma on successful completion of 120cp | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Law of Contract | LAWDM0061 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Law of Tort | LAWDM0062 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Postgraduate Certificate | 60 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Public Law | LAWDM0059 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Land Law | LAWDM0075 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Postgraduate Diploma | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Criminal Law and Criminal Justice | LAWDM0086 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Constitutional and Substantive EU Law | LAWDM0088 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000