Choosing the Right Postgraduate Qualification

There are a variety of postgraduate qualifications all of which provide very different experiences. Before deciding what sort of postgraduate study to embark on you need to be clear in your own mind what you want out of it and how much time you have got to devote to it.

PhD

A PhD is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a thesis of about 80-100,000 words followed by viva voce examination. The normal period of registration is three years and it is expected that the thesis will be submitted within four years of initial registration. As explained above, much of the first year is spent undertaking research training, leaving the second and third years for full-time research into the chosen topic. A PhD enables you to become expert in your chosen subject and to explore the intricacies of the law in context. In order to satisfy the examiners, you must demonstrate originality of thought as well as detailed analysis.

A PhD is regarded as a major stepping stone in academic and academic-related careers. It signifies that you are capable of undertaking detailed research and of presenting the results of that research in an understandable way. 

Many people embark on a PhD in order to make progress in their employment and a large number are actually sponsored by their employers to do the degree. Others see it as the logical next step after their undergraduate or Masters studies.  In any case, it is a rare opportunity for you to spend two to three years working on a subject that excites and fascinates you.  Most people who complete a PhD find it to have been a challenging, but extremely rewarding, experience.

Masters by Research

At Aberystwyth you can register for an MPhil or an LLM (Research). There is no difference between these qualifications. Most students register for the Mphil, which is recognised in this country as a research qualification, whereas the LLM is usually reserved for Taught Masters.  Some overseas students, however, prefer to be awarded an LLM because the title signifies that it is a law degree. In either case, you can register for one year to produce a thesis of about 50,000 - 60,000 words. You work under the direction of one or more supervisors but are not required to attend any classes.  After the year at Aberystwyth you have up to two years to write up your research.

Studying for a Research Masters offers many of the attractions of studying for a PhD. It would be wrong, however, to think of a Masters dissertation as a short PhD. A Masters thesis should provide a detailed overview and critique of any area of law but it is not intended to provide an in-depth analysis in the same way as a PhD.  The main advantage of the Research Masters, therefore, is that it enables you to complete a piece of research and obtain a qualification for it in a relatively short period of time.

Taught Masters

A Taught Masters degree provides the opportunity to learn more about a particular topic which enables you to become a specialist in your chosen area.  At Aberystwyth we offer a taught masters degree in International Business Law and Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (subject to validation).  If you are unable to study on campus, we also offer successful taught masters degrees by Distance Learning in Environmental Law and Management, International Business Law, Information Technology Law and Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.   

The Department also offers a taught Masters degree in Research Training. This course is designed for students either contemplating doctoral research through a PhD programme, or gaining a free standing qualification for purposes of becoming a research professional, for instance in the business, professional, public service or non-governmental organisation sectors.  Whether serving as a preliminary stage of training for postgraduate and academic research or as a professional qualification in its own right, the course leads to valuable and marketable qualification.

Legal Practice Course

For those who do not wish to pursue the academic study of law but want to apply their law in a practical way, the Legal Practice Course is the first stage on the road to qualifying as a solicitor.  Here at Aberystwyth, we teach the course in a professional environment using interactive large and small group sessions. Students learn how to respond to clients' legal requirements within the context of the professional and ethical structure of being a solicitor.