International Law and Social Justice LLM

How this course is delivered

Students have a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that keeps everyone safe, connected and involved in university life. Lots of opportunities are provided to interact and engage with lecturers and other students. The balance between online and on-campus learning varies by module, and in response to the external environment.

Course structure

Syllabus 

Legal System, Method and Skills (for non-law degree students)
You will learn about the sources, personnel and structure of the English legal system; civil and criminal processes; access to justice; the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the English legal system.

International Human Rights and Social Justice
You will examine key documents on national, regional and international human rights with strong links to social justice such as refugee law; social and economic rights; access to justice and wrongful convictions.

Law and Policy of International Trade, Enterprise and the Environment
Providing you with an in-depth knowledge of international trade, enterprise and environmental law through the lens of social justice and corporate social justice.

Topics will focus on those with strong links to social justice and responsible enterprise, such as trade and the environment, business and human rights, ethical investing, international labour rights and sustainable development.

Human Rights and Healthcare
This module examines the national regulation of the medical practice and theoretical arguments on rights. Including the use of conceptual rights within the profession and how these rights might be qualified and defined.

Corporate Crime and Justice
Examining crimes committed by transnational corporations and how the governments of the world can hold them to account. The topic list will prioritise areas that have strong links to social justice and corporate social responsibility such as pollution; corporate manslaughter; the power of civil society; corruption and land grabbing.

Dissertation
The final project involves researching for and writing a 15,000-word dissertation on an area of law that you are particularly interested in. 

Topics may include: 

• assisted suicide
• breach of duty in medical negligence 
• commercial surrogacy 
• legal issues in biomedicine - human embryo research and gene therapy
• duty of care owed to mentally ill prisoners.

Street Law
You will work with community groups on a particular issue and present your conclusions to a charity or group working in that area in an effort to promote public legal awareness.

For example students could be tasked with presenting the law relating to homelessness; housing; wrongful convictions; climate justice or gender-based discrimination.

Practical learning

Extracurricular activities such as mooting, client interviewing and pro-bono work allow you to develop practical skills in legal research, problem-solving, critical analysis and communication.

Through our Community Legal Outreach Collaboration initiative, you can also gain real experience and training from legal firms and HM Courts by volunteering as a legal companion, providing vital help and support to disadvantaged communities.

You may be eligible to volunteer with the Brighton University Pro Bono Legal Clinic which, under the supervision of Law School staff, provides students with the chance to offer free legal advice and support to members of the local public who are neither eligible for legal aid nor have the funds to pay for advice.

Law students have the opportunity to volunteer as a legal companion, receiving training from partner organisations from legal firms to charities.

Learning support

Our supportive learning environment includes an induction programme and specialist diagnostic tools to assess your learning strengths and needs. You will also be assigned a personal academic tutor to support you through your studies.

We also provide free language and support services throughout for international students.

Online learning tools and libraries also ensure academic journals, e-books, business articles and other resources are available to you 24/7, both for use at the university and at home.

Facilities
You will have access to online legal research services, such as Westlaw, Lexis Library and HeinOnline. These online resources can be accessed both on and off campus.

We also have an outstanding library which houses the tools of the lawyers’ trade: primary sources of law such as statutes and cases, and secondary sources such as books, periodicals and journals.

Other student support services include the university’s careers centre, the welfare service and chaplaincy.

Law societies

Student Law Society
The Student Law Society is a thriving community of over 150 law students. With support from the Students’ Union, it organises an exciting schedule of social and educational events and offers excellent opportunities for personal development and for networking with other students interested in a career in law.

Members have recently enjoyed visits to Lewes Crown Court, Brighton Magistrates Court and the Houses of Parliament. Social events have included paintballing, go-karting, surfing, a Christmas Ball at the Brighton Hilton Metropole, and a trip with law students from other universities to Amsterdam.

Student Mooting Society 
The Mooting Society has a thriving membership of over 120 students. The society provides workshops, guest speakers, socials, trips and competitions to help build members' confidence and adversarial skills that are increasingly essential in any career path in the legal sector.

The objective of the mooting competitions is to develop the research and advocacy skills of future practitioners. Students argue both sides of a fictitious legal case in a court room setting in front of a panel of judges.

Staff profile 

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in Brighton Business School are listed here.

• Students who choose to take an optional placement will have travel and living expenses. The cost of this depends on where and how long your placement is.
• Some courses include optional field trips for which the school pays – you may incur minimal costs such as for food and drink and should budget up to £15.
• You will be required to buy textbooks and should budget up to £150.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships, as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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