Newcastle LLM course | Law Careers

Newcastle University is one of the oldest universities in the North East. Founded as a School of Medicine back in 1834, it was originally a college of Durham University. Gradually, it grew to its present size and the two institutions were formally separated in 1964.

The university is a prominent member of the Russell Group (a group of the top 20 research-intensive universities in the UK). Academics and students have been involved in numerous cutting-edge projects including stem cell research, for which the university is one of the only two licensed institutions in the country.

As far as teaching Law is concerned, it is certainly one of the best places to go to. In the latest Research Assessment Exercise the law school was awarded a top grade of 5 for its research activities.

The excellent staff-student relations are demonstrated by the fact that 97% of graduates gave the school top ratings in the 2007 National Student Survey. The achievements of Newcastle Law School have also been recognized by the Times Good University Guide, which has ranked the school as the 14th best law school in the UK.

The Law School is situated in a nice Victorian house in the city centre. The three-floor building also houses the Law library. The school boasts a large lecture theatre with presentation facilities and wireless internet access. Most of the seminar rooms also have projectors for presentations and group exercises.

The Law library is where you'll probably be spending most of your time (or at least you should!). You can find almost anything on the shelves, from essential textbooks to law reports, Halsbury's Laws, recommended reading and journals.

Journal articles may seem like they've been written by people with too much time to spare but these people possess cunning legal minds, therefore consulting their words of wisdom before embarking on the daunting task of writing law essays is highly recommended. The librarians are also first rate, being really supportive when you need it.

Also in the library you'll find the mooting room where you can practise your legal manners in the hope of impressing a judge ( more about mooting later), and two small but useful computer clusters. If there are no computers available, the main library (with its five computer clusters) is literally a stone's throw away.

After long hours of study or revision you might be tempted to go relax in the common room. There is also a cafeteria in the main library or the student union is nearby.

Newcastle University offer four different LL.M Programmes. These are International Commercial Law,International Trade Law, International Legal Studies and an LL.M in Environmental Law and Policy

The widest range of options is available on our LLM in International Legal Studies; students who wish to specialise in International Environmental Law, International Commercial Law or International Trade can enrol for LLMs in those subject areas.

Depending on which LLM degree you are doing you may take a combination of the following courses which are available for the academic year 2008-09: Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance, International Financial Regulation, Human Rights in a Global Context, Foundations of Public International Law, Intellectual Property and Competition Law, International Intellectual Property Law, Law of International Commerce, Law of WTO and GATT, International Environmental Law, European Environmental Law, Environmental Law and Environmental Rights, and Planning law and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Newcastle Law School has a very strong tradition in research. That goes to say lecturers do go the extra mile to ensure their teaching reflects the latest developments in the law.

The school has good links with the other departments at the university and is usually involved in interdisciplinary projects and research. The latest example is co-operation with the university's new Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability.

There are 29 teaching members of staff – professors, lecturers, part-time lecturers and research assistants. They are all very supportive and easy to contact. The university's computer system allows you to get in touch with any member of staff at the press of a button. Every student has regular meetings with his/her personal tutor to offer guidance, discuss progress and address any other issues of concern.

Every member of staff has his/her spheres of interest. The school is particularly strong in Public Law, International Law, Environmental Law and Human Rights. This of course doesn't mean that any other subject is neglected.

You will be taught by leading subject experts in their fields of law. Many of them have practiced law in different jurisdictions around the world and have conducted consultancy and training for a range of governmental, international and private organisations. All the staff are active in conducting relevant and cutting edge research in their areas of expertise and have written and published a range of books, papers and reports.

For each of the LLM programmes, you complete taught courses (referred to by the University as modules) and a research dissertation to a total value of 180 credits. An important feature of the teaching is the research training, which will help you to plan, research and write your dissertation. Successful completion of taught courses (without the dissertation) may lead to a University Diploma in Law.

Newcastle Law School is situated in the heart of the city centre. On campus you can find anything you'd expect from a red-brick university. Although it occupies most of the city centre, the campus is compact and it doesn't take long to get from one place to the other.

For those of us with a bad sense of direction, there are maps everywhere and all routes are clearly signposted. The university is currently busy splashing £200 million on an ambitious programme to construct new buildings and renovate existing parts of the campus.

Being right in the city centre has many advantages. Northumberland Street, with its many shops and food outlets is a two-minute walk from the school. There are also a few pubs around Haymarket. So whether you're after a quick pint, a large bacon stottie or a shopping spree in Eldon Square – all tastes are catered for.

Law books are expensive. Really expensive. The average cost of an LLM textbook is around £25. It's worth having a look at Amazon before rushing to the university bookshop. Also bear in mind that you don't have to buy every single book on the reading list – you can borrow them from the library.

The union tries to maintain reasonable prices (average drink price: £2.30). Accommodation-wise, the average rent for a catered room in a university hall of residence is about £80 per week; rents vary across the different sites. Water bills, heating, electricity and internet are included in the rent.

Transport in Newcastle is not expensive either. Bus tickets are around £1-1.20, with metro tickets slightly more expensive. There is a range of student travelcards available at any Travelshop. If you're planning to bring a car you should know that parking on campus is limited, especially around the law school.

There's always something happening on campus. The focal point for most activities is the student union. Every Friday night the bars at the union have massive promotions and slash prices almost in half – the best way to start the weekend!

Newcastle is well known for its nightlife. Famous areas for clubbing include Bigg Market and the area around Central Station. The Quayside with its bars is somewhat more sophisticated.

There is a ubiquitous passions for sports. There are strong intramural leagues in almost every sport – football, rugby, lacrosse, etc. Different halls and departments also compete with each other. In short, there are plenty of opportunities to go outside and chase a ball in the rain.

A wide variety of careers are open to you after further study of commercial trade, environmental or international legal studies… for example you may enter the following industries and sectors:

Legal practice and consultancy, banking, finance or corporate management, government or public service or law reform body, work for a non-governmental organisation such as a trade association or lobby group, work for an international organisation such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the United Nations (UN) or a UN agency, the World Bank, the European Commission or one of the other European Institutions, one of the world’s central banks or a regional investment bank, management consultancy, public affairs consultancy or legal and regulatory policy research and advocacy, accountancy firms.