Programme Specifications

N/A

There are no specific benchmarking statements for Masters Programmes in law. However, the QAA document Masters Degree Characteristics (March 2010) was consulted in the development of all schemes. Reference was also for made for comparative purposes to the UG Statement for Law and the PG statements for Business and Management. This scheme will incorporate the introduction of key issues associated with the subject. They will then research and complete a dissertation in a relevant field.

September 2023

The main aim of this programme is to enable students to understand the complexities of the subject matter of the programme at an advanced level. On completion the student will be able to demonstrate mastery of the subject and the ability to critically analyse and assess the specific areas of study undertaken. They will be equipped to undertake independent research at a higher level.

The learning outcomes of this programme are designed to meet the expectations of the QAA Masters Degree Characteristics. The structure and the delivery of the degree scheme recognise the need to achieve an appropriate balance between the acquisition of legal and related knowledge, and the development of legal and generic skills. Integrating these two components is a central feature of the learning outcomes.

Learning Outcome 1: Knowledge

a. knowledge of major concepts, values, principles and rules at an advanced level

b. an understanding of the institutions and procedures operating at sub-national, national, European and international levels at an advanced level and their impact on the development of law and policy

c. an advanced awareness and critical approach to the 'legal environment'

d. advanced knowledge of the specialist areas of law

e. an advanced awareness of the role of Law in the subject areas covered within the scheme

f. an advanced and critical understanding of the theoretical underpinning of this area of law

g. an understanding an appreciation of the historical context of the subject areas covered in the scheme

h. the interrelationship between law and related disciplines relevant to the subject areas covered in the scheme

Learning Outcome 2: Application

a. the ability to apply acquired knowledge to solving hypothetical or actual problems at and advanced level

b. the ability to distinguish relevance and irrelevance in relation to evidence from other disciplines and their application to the legal framework

c. the ability to consider innovative and creative approaches to solving problems

Learning Outcome 3: Sources and research

a. an enhanced ability to identify and research issues

b. a comprehensive knowledge of the main primary and secondary legal sources (traditional and electronic) relevant to the subject areas covered in the scheme

c. development of the skill acquired at undergraduate level of identifying and retrieving relevant and up to date legal information (traditional or electronic) to a level appropriate for postgraduate study

d. the development of advanced reading and listening skills

Learning Outcome 4: Analysis, synthesis, critical judgement and evaluation

a. further development of the skill of critical evaluation and a willingness to challenge accepted wisdom

b. the ability to assess the relative weight of competing arguments and information

c. synthesising a wide range of possibly conflicting doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic

Learning Outcome 5: Autonomy

a. the recognition and implementation of the personal responsibilities inherent in that process of self-directed learning at a level appropriate for postgraduate study

b. a commitment to personal development and the ability to act independently in planning, researching and executing legal projects

c. a highly developed ability to reflect and be constructively critical of personal development and achievement

d. the ability to identify and keep under review realistic aims, and to measure success in achieving them

Learning Outcome 6: Communication and literacy

a. the ability to use written and spoken English and/or Welsh proficiently in a legal context at an advanced level

b. the ability to present an argument or information in a clear and logical way, and to respond to counter-arguments at an advanced level

c. effective use of often complex legal material including an ability to understand and explain the content at an advanced level

d. the ability to communicate by electronic means

Learning Outcome 7: Other key skills

a. time management and personal organisation in the context of self-directed learning

b. self-awareness and self confidence

c. interpersonal skills

d. team working

e. numerical skills

f. IT skills

Professional practical skills

This scheme will build on the knowledge and transferable skills identified in the Joint Statement are consistent with those identified in the Law Benchmarking Statement and in the Department's Learning Outcomes. Although having and academic emphasis, the scheme will provide students with skills that can be transferred to the working environment. That working environment may be within the legal profession, but the scheme also recognises the aspiration of students to achieve employability in other non-legal careers.