The LLM by Research (LLMR) enables you to develop your research and writing skills in law or criminology. This is achieved through planning and undertaking your own research project in a specialist area of law or criminology and writing this up in the form of a 30,000 word dissertation.
The programme provides a grounding in the methods and techniques of sustained research. You will learn how to engage with both legal sources and academic literature on your chosen topic, present critical and engaged arguments, and maintain the coherence of those arguments over a substantial piece of written work.
The prescribed period of study for a part-time LLM by Research is 24 months.
Students are required to complete the following across years one and two:
- Attend the School postgraduate research induction and research skills workshops.
- Complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) by the end of month 4.
- Work with an academic supervisor to establish the research project which will be the basis for the dissertation.
- Prepare and submit an ethics application for the proposed research project.
- Attend training courses offered by the Institute of Academic Development (IAD) and the relevant graduate schools (e.g. the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences).
- Carry out the research for the project under the guidance of a supervisor(s).
- Write a 30,000 word dissertation.
- Complete a Notice of Intention to Submit (at least two months prior to expected submission).
- Submit the dissertation for examination. It is very important to complete and submit the dissertation within the prescribed period of study. Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances (illness, parental leave etc.).
The dissertation is examined by an internal examiner and external examiner who will agree a final mark. The mark is then submitted to the College Postgraduate Committee for ratification.
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