University of Bristol
School of Law
The Law School
Created in 1933, although prior to this law classes had been held in the University for many years, the School of Law has over 40 members of academic staff, many of which are recognised leading authorities in this field. Their research and teaching interests range over all the main areas of Public Law, Common Law, Equity and Commercial Law as well as in Public International Law, Private International Law, Criminology, Jurisprudence, European Law and Civil Law Systems.
About to undergo a massive extension and refurbishment, the Law Library occupies two floors within the Wills Memorial Building, ensuring students are always close to the books that they need in a quiet place in which to study. The Library holds over 40,000 volumes of legal materials covering UK and foreign jurisdictions and a comprehensive European Documentation Centre. The Law School subscribes to a number of on-line legal databases, including WestLaw, LEXIS and Lawtel.
The city
With the School of Law set on a hill overlooking the city centre, but close to its heart, there is always something to do with your spare time within a few minutes’ walk. Bristol is a major arts centre – the Museum is immediately adjacent to the Wills Memorial Building, and other arts venues cluster around the old harbour at the bottom of Park Street. Communications with other parts of the country are excellent, and London can be reached in two hours by car and train. Bristol International Airport, which is less than 20 minutes away, links to a wide range of national and international destinations.
Some quotes about the city:
• ‘A city of radical energy & laidback confidence.’ The Times
• ‘Bristol is Britain’s finest waterfront city.’ Maine Sunday Telegraph, USA
• ‘One of Europe’s most dynamic cultural centres.’ South London Press
• ‘Bristol is by far south-west England’s largest and coolest city.’ Lonely Planet
Programmes
Master of Laws (LLM) degrees
The School of Law offers eight taught LLM degrees:
• Commercial Law
• European Law
• General Legal Studies
• Human Rights Law
• International Law
• Labour Law
• Maritime Law
• Public Law.
Each may be studied either full-time over one year or part-time. In each programme, you must satisfactorily complete four units and submit a dissertation.
For the LLM in General Legal Studies, you may take any four units offered and submit a dissertation on an approved topic. For the specialised LLM programmes you must choose at least three units from a list of core units and submit a dissertation on a topic in the relevant area of law.
Advanced Awards in Legal Studies
Combining directed distance learning with six intensive one-day (Saturday) workshops held in Bristol, this programme offers the ideal opportunity for busy practitioners to study whilst in a career post, at the same time exchanging professional experience with peers and considering new topics under the guidance of senior academic staff. Popular with busy professionals from various disciplines it enables you to satisfy CE requirements while studying for a higher degree. All units are taught in small seminar groups (maximum 15) to give maximum opportunity for discussion.
Students on this programme can take a maximum of two units per year. Those wishing to take just one LLM unit may do so and earn an Advanced Award in that subject. To pursue an LLM four units and a dissertation must be completed within eight years of first registering on the programme.
MA in Legal Studies
This programme is an accelerated, fast-track, full-time postgraduate degree in law. The specially devised curriculum builds on the fact that you will have already benefited from a university level education by enabling you to acquire a qualifying law degree in only 21 months, rather than the 3 years it would normally take to obtain an LLB. The programme is carefully structured to cover the foundation areas of legal knowledge and to develop your core legal skills, while providing an opportunity for further specialist study.
The MA in Legal Studies is recognised by the Law Society and the Bar Council as a qualifying law degree for practice in England and Wales.
MSc in Socio-Legal Studies
This programme develops your knowledge and understanding of, and interest in, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of law and legal phenomena. It provides a sound research training for students wishing to proceed to a PhD or a career in socio-legal research through the study of different research methodologies across the social sciences and law. The MSc programme is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council as the basis for 1 + 3 awards. You will pursue independent, in-depth study in socio-legal studies, engaging in lively debates in a thriving research culture across social sciences and law.
A range of units is offered, suitable for graduates from any discipline who have an interest in the way law works (or fails to work) in society. Methods of assessment may include essays, presentations and/or written examinations, depending on the optional subject(s) chosen, together with the dissertation. A description of what is encompassed by socio-legal studies is available at the School of Law website.
Research degrees
The PhD and LLM by research are substantially different from other types of postgraduate work. It is the responsibility of each student to devise an independent research project to be undertaken under the supervision of a member of staff. Appropriate research training will be given by the School. If you are undertaking socio-legal research, this will take the form of the MSc Socio-Legal Studies Programme, which is recognised by the ESRC.
All research students are registered for the LLM by Research or the MSc in Socio-Legal Studies, and are upgraded to the PhD programme around the end of their first year on demonstration of satisfactory level of performance.
A wide variety of subject areas is covered in the School and reflects a range of different approaches to legal research – doctrinal, socio-legal/interdisciplinary and theoretical. The School has a strong portfolio of expertise in human rights, housing, governance and regulation, criminal justice, the legal profession, and family law and practice.
The School usually has as many as 35 research postgraduates at any one time, working in a wide variety of subject areas and adopting a range of different approaches to legal research.
Assessments and rankings
The THES–QS World University Rankings 2007 placed Bristol in the top ten universities in Europe and 37th in the global rankings.
Bristol also scored highly in the most recent research quality assessment carried out by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) for England 84% of the University’s departments are rated 5 or 5*. The University’s teaching is also subject to external assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
The Subject Review process looks at teaching and learning provision. The assessment is now made by grading a core set of aspects of teaching and learning. The core aspects are curriculum design, content and organisation, teaching, learning and assessment, student progression and achievement, learning resources, quality management and enhancement. The School of Law was classified as `Excellent’ (the highest category).
Scholarships
ESRC 1+3 Scholarships for the MSc in Socio-Legal Studies (2008–09 entry)
The School is pleased to be able to offer ESRC 1+3 (Masters linked into a PhD) scholarships for the MSc in Socio-Legal Studies. The aim of the ESRC studentships is to provide high quality training at ESRC recognised outlets. Full information about the ESRC 1+3 scholarships, including how to apply, can be found on the University’s website.
School of Law Research Student Awards (2008–09 entry)
Students will be required to undertake a programme of research at PhD/LLM level, (PhD subject to satisfactory upgrade). Two three-year awards are available starting in October 2008:
• An award open to candidates in any area (although the School reserves the right to give preference to candidates wishing to research in an area of academic need).
• An award open to a student, in the area of information technology law, based in the Centre for IT & Law.
The awards are not restricted by research method. Applicants should normally have, or be expected to obtain, a 2:1 degree or above in law or a related discipline. There will be an annual stipend attached to these posts and research degree registration fees up to home/EU will be waived. Successful candidates may have the opportunity to teach a core subject within the law curriculum for up to 80 hours per annum and will be remunerated in accordance with standard university scales.
`Bristol has become a world-class university with excellent teaching and research. Added to which, it’s a city with a great social scene. You can understand why students are clamouring to get in.’
The Guardian.
Contact
Stephanie Dimberline
School of Law
University of Bristol
Wills Memorial Building
Queens Road, Clifton
Bristol BS8 1RJ
Tel: + 44 (0)117 954 5357
Fax: + 44 (0)117 925 1870
Enquiries: law-pg-admissions@bris.ac.uk
