Information Technology Law LLM (Distance Learning)
The Information Technology Law LLM allows you to study from home — whether in the UK or overseas — and keep in contact with tutors by email, telephone, fax and/or post. You can also maintain contact with one another, both during and after their studies, offering invaluable peer support and networking opportunities.
There are two start dates for the Information Technology Law LLM by distance learning in each academic year - 1 April and 1 October. Although students are allowed up to a maximum of five years to complete the course, it is possible to complete six modules per academic year. However, the flexible nature of the programmes means that you can work at your own pace through the modules. Each of the twelve modules is worth 10 credits and the dissertation is worth 60 credits. To gain the LLM qualification you will be required to complete 180 credits worth of study – 120 from taught modules and 60 from the dissertation. It will be possible to complete 60 credits (six modules) to gain a Postgraduate certificate recognising your achievement. On completion of all twleve modules but in the absence of the dissertation, you will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma in law. You can also choose to study individual modules to enhance your knowledge in a particular area. All the modules are assessed by an assignment of up to 5000 words.
The dissertation provides you with an excellent opportunity to study an aspect of the law in your chosen area of study which is of particular interest to you. Students often, but not exclusively, select project topics which have a direct bearing on their professional lives. The standard of the work produced is very high indeed and several of our students have graduated with distinction.
Attendance at the biennial residential weekends is highly recommended. The programme of lectures, seminars and workshops at the residential school both stimulates and encourages, as well as providing an invaluable opportunity for debate and discussion with staff, visiting lecturers and fellow students
Information Technology law is a relatively new discipline within law and one which provides ample opportunity for exploring issues which are at the cutting edge of legal development. In addition to providing significant academic challenges it is of practical importance to practising commercial lawyers in all jurisdictions. The main aims of the scheme are both to provide you with a comprehensive grounding in the current legal framework regulating ICT and to develop analytical and research skills which enable an informed critique of this framework.
The study of Information Technology Law has become of increasing importance in recent years. Developments in the technology have enabled the establishing of global computer networks such as the Internet and World Wide Web and emerging digital technologies have created both new products and the market for those products. These advances have had a dramatic impact on methods of communication, ways of doing business and dissemination of information of all types.
On this degree scheme you will study the practical response of the law to these developing technologies and assess the adequacy and effectiveness of measures taken at both a national and international level to deal with the novel problems which have arisen and continue to arise. In the light of the global nature of the medium, a particular consideration will be given to the consistency and relevance of the need for a uniform approach between jurisdictions.
Modules |
|---|
| Study Skills |
| EU Competition Law: Theory and Practice |
| EU Competition Law: The Global Perspective |
| EU Copyright Law |
| Intellectual Property Rights in Computer Software and related products* |
| Intellectual Property Rights |
| Strategies of Cartel Regulation |
| The Regulation of Business Cartels in Europe |
| Electronic Commerce, Law & Policy: Key Issues* |
| The Law and Electronic Commerce: Substantive Topics* |
| Negotiating International Contracts |
| Substantive Issues in Commercial Contracting |
| Regulatory Issues and Computer Networks* |
| On-line Content regulation* |
| Regulation of the Transnational Internet* |
| Substantive Issues in Commercial Contracting |
* Core Modules
Teaching Assessment
You are guided through each of the LLMs by a module handbook containing notes, reading lists and self-assessment questions. All the documents on the reading lists are provided either electronically through the University’s electronic resources, by direct links to the worldwide web, as digitised documents on Blackboard (the University’s on-line learning/teaching facility) or, exceptionally, as hard copy. Core text books are issued on loan with the module handbook and returned with the module assignment. Staff-student interchange is facilitated by coursework materials, telephone contact, email and written responses to coursework submissions.
The weekend residential schools provide the opportunity to meet with tutors, guest lecturers and fellow students and to reinforce students’ understanding of the subjects during lectures, discussion sessions and tutorials.
Entry Requirements
A good honours degree in any subject or substantial relevant experience
Non-native English speakers are required to take a University recognised test of academic English language proficiency with required minimum proficiency levels equating to an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 580 (paper based test) or 237 (computer based) with an essay rating of 5.0. Applicants who have successfully undertaken a Bachelors degree in a UK University are exempt from this requirement.