Master of Laws LLM
Delivery & Mode of Study
Language of Instruction
Credits
Factsheet
Introduction
The LLM at UCLan Cyprus will enable students to focus on a range of very different subjects of use in their professional careers but also specialise in a range of exciting fields of law for those preferring a narrower focus. By introducing new, special option modules, five areas of concentration have been developed in the fields of:
> International Energy Law
>European Union Law
>Law and International Security
>International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution
> Financial and Corporate Law
The LLM Master of Laws is available to students with a legal and non-legal background. Seminars are delivered during the late afternoon and evening to facilitate both working professionals and recent graduates. Emphasis is placed on private study and research, assisted by the University’s outstanding law resources and databases as directed by tutors. Therefore, class contact time is limited reflective of a desire to offer a world-class course of interest to the talented, serious and dedicated student, whilst providing the necessary flexibility for anyone juggling other professional and personal commitments.
The School benefits from collaborations for certification and/or professional recognition for short courses or specialised modules, leading to academic or professional credits:
- The LLM module in International Commercial Mediation leads to the professional qualification of mediator recognised by the UK Civil Mediation Council and the International Mediation Institute (through the course provider) and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus, subject to applicable requirement.
- The LLM module International Commercial Arbitration is yet another specialised module recognised professionally by the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at Associate level, allowing successful participants to use the post-nominal letters ACIArb.
- UCLan Cyprus is a CISI University Partner. Specific LLM modules lay the ground for certification by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI)
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Career Opportunities
The different areas of concentration and module offering could not be more relevant to the increasingly globalised and transnational marketplace. Past UCLan graduates have gained or developed careers in diverse legal, professional, commercial and regulatory fields.
The School of Law organises various extra-curricular activities for all students including postgraduate students such as the Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vienna), the Model United Nations events, as well as multiple networking activities, which have proved to be of great benefit to the students in gaining significant knowledge and understanding of the practical implications of the law. Professional activities are also available to postgraduate students who are active professionals, such as short courses in Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing as well as in Dispute Resolution Methods (arbitration, mediation) for purposes of continuous professional development (CPD).
Moreover, all students also have access to the social enterprise vehicle called ICLAIM (Interdisciplinary Centre for Law, Alternative and Innovative Methods) created by academics of the School of Law so that they can develop their practical and entrepreneurship skills and projects in collaboration with the industry. Visit https://www.iclaimcentre.org/
Corporate Lawyer
Specializing in business law, handling mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and legal compliance for corporations.
International Lawyer
Focusing on international law, working with cross-border legal issues, treaties, or international organizations.
Legal Educator/Professor
Teaching law at universities or institutions and conducting legal research in specialized areas.
Legal Consultant
Advising businesses, organizations, or individuals on complex legal matters, often with a focus on niche areas like tax law, human rights, or intellectual property.
Course Benefits
Specialised Expertise with a Global Perspective
UCLan Cyprus focuses on providing a global view of law, enhancing students' expertise in specific legal fields, just like a general LLM emphasizes deep legal knowledge.
Professional qualification of Mediator
The International Commercial Mediation module leads to the professional qualification of mediator recognised by the UK Civil Mediation Council and the International Mediation Institute (through the course provider) and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus, subject to applicable requirement.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
The UCLan Cyprus program is tailored to industry needs, which translates to higher earning potential for graduates due to their practical and up-to-date skills.
Career Advancement
At UCLan Cyprus, the program helps students advance their careers with a focus on global legal trends, much like a general LLM equips graduates with a worldwide view of law.
Exposure to Multicultural Legal Environments | Career Flexibility
UCLan Cyprus offers exposure to a diverse range of legal environments, preparing graduates for flexible careers in various jurisdictions and sectors.
Opportunities for Internships and Real-World Applications
The internship and real-world experiences provided by UCLan Cyprus enhance practical learning and expand professional networks, which is a key benefit of a general LLM program.
Course Visual Content
Programme Modules
Compulsory
Module Code:
LA4605 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module aims to explore the role and regulation of arbitration as a method of dispute resolution, adopting a comparative approach and highlighting contrasting approaches to regulation. Students will obtain a thorough understanding of the role and significance of private institutions, national laws and international instruments in providing a framework for arbitration. A particular focus is examination of the ways in which arbitration remains embedded in national legal systems, and a critical assessment of its potential as a ‘supra-national’ system of dispute resolution. Students will be encouraged to undertake a critical comparison of contrasting national and institutional rules and to consider whether the 1958 New York Convention is still fit for purpose. In the national law context, the principal comparisons will be between English law and the UNCITRAL Model Law. At the institutional level, comparison will be made of contrasting provisions selected from the rules of the principal arbitral institutions (e.g. ICC, LCIA).Successful completion of this module can also provide a stepping stone for students to become involved in international alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This module is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, therefore students who successfully complete this module will be eligible to apply to become Associates of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, allowing them to use the post-nominal letters ACIArb.This module cannot be taken by students who have studied, or are studying, LA4926 Private International Law in Business.
Module Code:
LA4607 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- This module will focus on contracts for the international sale of goods governed by the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and explore the different issues concerning and/or arising under such contracts under the CISG and English sales law using a comparative perspective. This module primarily aims to familiarize students with the CISG, in order to enable them to competently apply the relevant legal rules to a number of possible disputes arising under an international sale contract governed by this Convention.
Module Code:
LA4608 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module is designed to offer comparative analysis of both the law and practice of mediation at national (e.g. United Kingdom, Mauritius, USA), regional (e.g. European Union, African Union), transnational and international levels. It aims to explore the theoretical, practical and ethical problems relating to international commercial mediation. Sessions concentrate on practical mediation exercises in an international commercial context covering the entire procedure, from advising the client on the use of mediation, through the actual procedure itself, through to drafting settlement agreements. Students will develop a systematic understanding of the role of the mediator in national, regional and international commercial disputes and will focus on the necessary skills and techniques of a successful mediation through role play exercises. Successful completion of this module can also provide a stepping stone for students to become involved in international alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Students who successfully complete this module will gain accredited mediator status as this module is approved by the Civil Mediation Council, the recognised authority in the United Kingdom for civil and commercial mediation.
Module Code:
LA4929 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module aims to give students a thorough understanding of the transnational issues that arise in court based dispute settlement – with a particular emphasis on litigation in Europe. Different approaches to civil procedure and the allocation of jurisdiction within Europe have historically inhibited judicial co-operation in cross-border disputes. EU legislation has been introduced with a view to resolving these differences and ensuring the “free movement of judgments”. After introducing the fundamental concepts and relevant international and European instruments, the seminars will encourage students to analyse the strategies adopted by litigants, and to critique the process of harmonisation in Europe. Students will obtain a thorough understanding of both national and EU rules, and will at the same time gain an appreciation of the differences in legal culture that continue to frustrate harmonisation.This module cannot be taken by students who have studied, or are studying, LA4926 Private International Law in Business.
Module Code:
LA4095 (L7)
Credit Value:
60 UK CREDITS / 30 ECTS
Module Aims:
- to provide postgraduate students with advanced skills required to undertake an extended programme of research.
- to cover practical skills (such as project planning and management) and theoretical skills (such as applying conceptual models).
- It will inform students of a range of different research methodologies and students will be able to assess the appropriateness of particular methodologies for their proposed dissertation topic.
- to enable the students to put into practical effect the research skills acquired during the course and to work in a self-defined field with the objective of producing a substantial piece of work based on critical evaluation and independent thought.
- to give students the opportunity to carry out extended research on a subject of interest to them.
- to give students the opportunity to show their ability to work independently and at a high quality level, on a substantial project.
Module Code:
LA4101 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To give students a thorough understanding of the laws governing the international regulation of Banking and Financial Services.
- To engender a critical approach to understanding the control of regulation, the processes that exist and the division of responsibilities.
- To highlight the economic, business environment and context of the legal provisions and current developments in economic and political policy.
Module Code:
LA4505 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To provide the essential skills of research, interpretation and application of legal sources required for postgraduate study of international, EU and domestic law.
- To ensure that students understand the relative roles of the various actors in the domestic, European Union and international law policy-making processes.
- To appreciate the distribution of power within the United Kingdom and the European Union.
- To indicate the significance of international law as an influence upon EU and domestic law (and vice versa)
- To ensure that students understand the basic concepts, which underlie the creation of, the operation of and adjudication on international, domestic and EU law.
Module Code:
LA4938 (74)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- This module aims to give students an understanding of corporate governance issues, focusing initially upon the system in place within the United Kingdom and then exploring various governance systems across the world. The module will address the following: distribution of power with companies, methods of regulating governance, auditors and internal control, the meaning and importance of good governance, the interaction of corporate social responsibility and of human rights issues to a corporation and its governance. It aims to develop students understanding of corporate governance across various jurisdictions and also provide an analysis of the wider moral and policy considerations underpinning today’s corporate governance laws.
Module Code:
LA4948 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module aims to enable students to gain an in-depth understanding of the law governing international transactions in global financial markets and develop an analytical approach towards the causes of the recent global credit crisis and its impact on international financial transactions. The module will examine the changing nature of the participants to international financial transactions and practices. It will address the essential functions and nature of capital markets and financial instruments as well as the rationale and historical evolution of such instruments and transactions, including in the context of the recent global credit crisis. It will analyse legal issues arising from debt financing, securitisation transactions and the transnational regulatory framework of financial market transactions, with comparative focus on the post-crisis EU and US law. It will conclude with a review of legal issues/challenges arising from the financing of international projects and from cross-border transactions via the use of electronic currencies.
Optional
Module Code:
LA4925 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To introduce students to the development of international, regional and national laws regulating intellectual property with application to specific issues such as the protection of copyright works, brands, personalities, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.
- To enable students to critically assess the differential effect of this type of regulation upon industrialised and less industrialised nations.
- To consider intellectual property law in the context of international trade
- To examine whether international protection should be extended to cover areas such as indigenous folkloric artefacts and ecological knowledge.
Module Code:
LA4934 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To offer an overview of the history, justifications, institutions and content of international human rights law.
- To examine the diverse legal, constitutional, philosophical, moral and political foundations of human rights, including their relationship with ‘natural rights’, liberal and social-democratic paradigms.
- To analyse and discuss the evolution of international law within the field of human rights protection in the post-World War 2 and post-Cold War eras.
- To develop an appreciation of some of the challenges posed by globalisation and environmental concerns for human rights, and to analyse possible future developments within this area of international law. Different categories and successive "generations" of human rights will be analysed, including the new and still contested category of "environmental rights".
- The emphasis will fall upon a discursive analysis of the above topics, which encourages students to further develop their critical and creative approaches to this subject, and ideally encourage further research interests within the area of international human rights law.
Module Code:
LA4946 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module aims to enable students to apply skills of information gathering, evaluation and written research presentation. Students will have these skills to some extent as part of their graduateness, but this module aims to give them an opportunity to apply those skills at a postgraduate level. There is emphasis on evaluation of the chosen subject area and the project tutor will assist the student in choosing an appropriate question and appropriate methods of answering that question. The module aims to give students the opportunity to explore a particular subject or question in depth.
Module Code:
LA4931 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The aim of this module is to provide the students with a solid grounding in the most relevant aspects of constitutional and institutional law of the EU and the internal and external governance of the EU. This module will consider the theoretical and legal background to the formation and development of the European Union up to today in a global context, including through a review of the amending Treaties up to the Treaty of Lisbon and of the enlargement process to date. Union institutions, legislation and governance, the relationship between EU law and the national law of the member states will also be examined. The module will conclude with emphasis on the judicial process, grounds for review and remedies.
Module Code:
LA4932 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The central aim of this module is to critically analyse the purpose, process and principles of the substantive law of the EU as it affects business within the EU. The main areas covered will be the free movement of goods, free movement of persons (especially workers and job-seekers and their families), freedom of establishment, dispute resolution mechanisms and an overview of EU worker’s rights. Students will also be expected to develop a good understanding of: the legal position of non-EU nationals / businesses within the EU Single Market and the impact of EU Single Market developments on (people and businesses in) non-EU countries.
Module Code:
LA4985 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- This module examines the theoretical and practical legal issues relating to the conduct of maritime affairs in a commercial context.The module intends to set the topics within a multidisciplinary background underlying the international law relating to the carriage of goods by sea, with emphasis on the distinct types of contractual regimes employed and the associated liabilities. In addition, the module attempts to make clear an understanding of the distinct liabilities under the law relating to marine insurance.
Module Code:
LA4603 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module aims to combine several separate but nevertheless increasingly integrated areas of EU governance and EU policies: EU economic and fiscal governance on the one hand and the regulation of banking and financial services in the EU on the other. This module will give to students a thorough understanding of the political and legal framework governing economic policy in the EU, the Economic and Monetary Union, fiscal policy as well as the regulation of banking and financial services within the EU and their increasing intermingling. It aims to engender a critical and multidimensional approach to understanding the various modes of governance relevant to these EU policies, including the control of regulation within the EU, the various processes put in place for these purposes and the division of responsibility between member states and EU bodies. This critical understanding of the political and legal framework of EU economic and financial governance will take account of the economic and business environment, and European integration context, as well as the current political and economic developments with respect in particular to the on-going economic and financial crisis and the creation of a European Banking Union.
Module Code:
LA4503 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- Terrorism presents one of the most significant challenges to international peace and security. The advent of Islamist terror groups such as Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the late 1990s - culminating in the “9/11” atrocities of 2001 - brought to the forefront the need to establish a legal framework for the regulation of terrorism and counterterrorism. The aim of this module is to explain and evaluate the transnational nature of terrorism and the transnational laws and strategies adopted and developed in combatting terrorism, and more recent manifestations of the phenomenon, such as the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh).
Module Code:
LA4501 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- This module aims to introduce students to the substantive doctrine, values and policies of international criminal law at a postgraduate level of analysis requiring sustained critical analysis and independent research.
Module Code:
LA4502 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To develop an understanding and awareness of the dynamic nature of the development of international law in this particular area.
- To enable students to understand the basic concepts of international law for maritime law and maritime security
- To enable students to develop an understanding of how international law functions in the maintenance of maritime security and peaceful uses of the oceans
- To enable students to critically analyse the existing and emerging security problems relating to the oceans through the learning process of this course and to possess the ability to find relevant legal principles and rules applicable to the solution of these problems
- To enhance the capability of the students to conduct independent research with the building-up of their knowledge level through the process of the course
Module Code:
LA4504 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To consider the International, European and UK legal framework relating to human trafficking
- To identify the legal overlaps with other crimes (e.g. smuggling, slavery)
- To assess the European Court of Human Rights approach to human trafficking
- To provide students with an understanding of the numerous methods of recruitment, transfer and exploitation involved in human trafficking
- To consider the human rights of victims
Module Code:
LA4509 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To consider the international regulatory framework and some specific national and regional regulatory frameworks, relating to the oil and gas industry and
- To identify the regulatory overlaps
- To assess the regulatory framework and its practical application on the oil and gas industry
- To provide students with an understanding of the various methods of regulation involved at all levels of the industry
Module Code:
LA4510 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- This module examines the roles and relationships of principal organisations within the oil and gas industry.
- Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the main contracting and licensing agreements and the principal standard form contracts.
- The module intends to set the topics within a multidisciplinary background concentrating on risk allocation and dispute resolution, with emphasis on the legal dimension of these aspects. In addition, the course attempts to make clear an understanding of the key principles of public international law underlying the legal relationships.
Module Code:
LA4606 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- The module aims to explain the ways in which the law can promote, or fail to promote, peacebuilding in post-conflict societies. It does this by familiarising students with the theoretical debates on the liberal peacebuilding agenda and by giving examples of how legal provisions have contributed to it in different case studies. It focuses on a number of issues that are generally important in post-conflict societies and attract the attention of peacebuilders: the punishment of perpetrators that acted during the conflict, equality provisions in the post-conflict state, the remedying of displaced people and the resolution of potential conflicts between minority and individual rights. Additionally, it examines whether the law can contribute in areas that it has traditionally ignored, but are nevertheless important, in post-conflict societies, such as social justice. By the end of the module, students should be able to critically assess the effectiveness of legal methods in building peace and the use of non-legal tools as an alternative.
Module Code:
LA4921 (L7)
Credit Value:
20 UK CREDITS / 10 ECTS
Module Aims:
- To introduce students to the fundamental legal concepts and principles of international trade law and the theories underpinning its relevance to the global market.
- To emphasise the importance of rules, norms and institutions to the multilateral trading system. To examine past and recent developments in international trade and the role and impact of the WTO, including trade liberalisation, the position of developing countries in the WTO, the effectiveness of the WTO dispute settlement system and regional integration.
- To critically assess how international trade law impacts on national economic and non-economic policies of sovereign states.
- To consider future trends in international and regional trade regulation and learn how the WTO reacts to these via its regulatory framework.
Learning Outcomes
A1. To critically reflect on and effectively apply legal research methods.
A2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of legal, economic and political issues, principles and rules and be able to apply this knowledge to a wide range of complex real-life situations.
A3. Show a critical awareness of the main legal, economic and political policy objectives in the areas of law selected by the student for study and appreciate the practical impact of these laws.
B1. Carry out analytical evaluation of a range of primary and secondary sources.
B2. Critically evaluate the complex dynamics between legal, economic and political regulation.
B3. Develop a critical understanding and ability to evaluate the role of the legal system at a domestic, European and International level (as appropriate).
B4. Plan and carry out a comprehensive programme of research, using appropriate legal methodologies.
C1. Identify and interpret information relevant to particular issues and apply to complex situations being aware of the context and relationship to other areas of law, economics and politics.
C2. Use the tools of economic analysis and legal reasoning to problem solve and construct well-reasoned arguments, scenarios and solutions.
C3. Demonstrate research skills of project planning, time management, construction of an appropriate research question and reasoned adoption of an appropriate methodology.
C4. Demonstrate conceptual understanding and creativity in the application of knowledge of legal concepts, rules and principles relative to the chosen pathway.
D1. Evaluate the rigour, credibility and validity of information from printed and electronic sources.
D2. Write intelligible and persuasive prose.
D3. Develop or substantially enhance skills of independent learning, including the ability to plan, time-manage and execute a multi-stage project through the dissertation.
D4. Critically reflect upon effectiveness and efficiency of own independent learning.
D5. Enhance ability to recognise sound and unsound arguments.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for this programme are:
Requirement 1
Bachelor's degree, with at least Lower Second Class grade or equivalent.
Requirement 2
Proof of English Language knowledge to a score of at least IELTS 6.5, or other equivalent according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
How To Apply?
Step by Step Application Process.
Complete the UCLan Cyprus application FORM.
Provide copies of:
– School Leaving Certificate & Marksheet
– Bachelor’s Degree & Transcript
– English Language Qualification (see Entry Requirements)
– CV & Personal Statement
– 2 Reference Letters
– ID/Passport
Payment of €50 application fee (non-refundable) for the Admissions Department to officially evaluate your application and if successful to receive your Offer for a Place to Study at UCLan Cyprus.
APPLY NOW * International Applicants: once you receive your Offer Letter, you will proceed to the Visa Application Steps. Find more information here.