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Plymouth University has around 30,000 students and has developed considerably over the past few years. The university library has been extended and the Roland Levinsky building houses a growing art department. As a successful university, Plymouth is eager to develop the law department.

The Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) transferred to Plymouth from Exeter University in 2006/7 bringing with it a good reputation and strong lecturing team.

Having these courses available at Plymouth make the university even more appealing as for many wishing to study the LPC or GDL would have needed to find an alternative provider and possibly have to move away.

Plymouth University has around 30,000 students and has developed considerably over the past few years. The university library has been extended and there are many new buildings, including the very modern Roland Levinsky building, which was opened in 2007. Consequently teaching rooms and facilities are very up to date, with proper AV and projection facilities in nearly all teaching rooms in the university. Much of the teaching material for the LLM is also provided on the university's Intranet, and the university subscribes to all the main legal databases, making study possible from anywhere in the world; students from overseas can easily access this material even from home, in vacations.

The university library contains a law section on the 2nd floor close to a computer suite. There are several computer suites across campus and various private and group study rooms.

The LLM in Maritime and Marine Law was set up in the Law School, in the University of Plymouth, in 2007. Its structure is 120 credits of taught modules, followed by a 60-credit dissertation. The main maritime law modules, Admiralty Law, Carriage of Goods by Sea, International Trade Law and Marine Insurance Law, are all 30-credit modules, so all can be taken on the LLM, if desired. There are a number of other elective modules, drawing on the expertise in Plymouth in Maritime and Marine Law, and it is possible to take up to 40 credits of shipping-related modules in Plymouth Business School. The LLM can be taken full time in one year, but also part time over two years, if so desired.

The bulk of the teaching, and all teaching for the four main maritime law modules, is timetabled into two days, so that it is possible to study part time, with just one day a week of contact (albeit that that is quite an intensive day!).

There is also an LLM in Maritime and Marine Law and Practice. This is more research-based than the LLM in Maritime and Marine Law, with 60 credits of taught modules, followed by a (longer) 120-credit dissertation. This degree is aimed primarily at students who are already in practice, or employed in a legal context, who want to expand on a research idea already conceived, in their place of work. Taught modules are the same as those for the LLM in Maritime and Marine Law, and like the LLM in Maritime and Marine Law, the LLM in Maritime and Marine Law and Practice can be taken full time over one year, or part time over two years.

Teachers are experienced within their fields, and a variety of methods of teaching and assessment are used.

Plymouth has a rich maritime heritage going back over many centuries, and continued today through its naval and commercial ports, and large and small businesses in the marine sector. Via the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership, Plymouth has one of Europe’s largest regional clusters of marine science and technology expertise. The city is also the home of the Marine Biological Association.

The university is a few minutes' walk from the city centre and new shopping mall, Drake Circus. It is also fairly central to clubs and pubs, cinemas, theatres, swimming pools and the ice skating rink. The university has its own gym and squash courts which are both inexpensive to join.

There are also a chaplaincy and crèche on campus. Plymouth pavilions plays host to Plymouth Raiders basketball team, a variety of bands and gigs, and also acts as one of the university’s examination halls.

The university is opposite the various booksellers, Plymouth Library and the Museum. The university is about 5 or 10 minutes' walk from the Barbican, one of the oldest, historical parts of Plymouth. The Barbican is also home to Plymouth Gin (the oldest working distillery in the UK).

Apart from the historical points of interest there are jazz and blues bars, dance classes, many restaurants and places to eat, and the National Marine Aquarium on the Barbican. It must not go without mention, Plymouth Hoe and the iconic lighthouse - a wonderful place to be on a sunny day.

The university is near the train station which can be as close as a 3 minute walk away depending on where you are on campus. The bus station is also close.

The University of Plymouth currently offers a 10% discount to students who have successfully completed a degree at Plymouth, and wish to study a post graduate course. There are also bursaries available for the LLM.

As for somewhere to live, North Hill is “student central” and houses many students who attend the university. Private accommodation is a matter of minutes away from the university and various bars and restaurants always provide competitive prices.

There are lots of societies to join and things to get involved in there are numerous law and non-law groups offering a wide range of social activities.

The Student law society is great to get involved with. It facilitates the opportunity to meet various legal professionals and form stronger bonds with peers. There is an annual cheese and wine evening and various trips and events. There is also a mooting competition which takes place every year. This is great fun and many get involved. It also awards a prize! The society membership is reasonably priced as they are not a profit based organisation.

Over the past year, the university has formed strong links with the Junior Lawyers Division which focus on networking between those qualification and employment. Events include a quiz night, annual ball and pay day drinks. Membership was free to students last year.

Every year a Law Fair is organised by the careers department. This is attended by a variety of local lawyers and provides the opportunity for students to make contacts and network. It is also a perfect chance to ask questions regarding future careers and a chance to secure work experience, should you wish to work in the UK.