Master of Laws (International Business
Law)
2015/16 Postgraduate Students
Award title
Master of Laws (International Business Law)
Programme code
LLMIL
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
Leeds Law School
Leeds Beckett University Student Charter
Working together for success
Leeds Beckett University and our Students’ Union are committed to working in partnership
with our students to ensure that our University is an inclusive, safe and engaging learning
environment which is conducive to study for its students and work life for its staff.
Our Student Charter sets out how we aim to achieve this by working together to understand
and fulfil our commitments to one another. Our Student Charter has been produced jointly
with the Students’ Union and we will review it, together, every year. Our University’s Vision
seeks to put students at the centre of all our activities and this Student Charter is a
contribution towards that goal. The Leeds Beckett Student Charter is not a contractual
document, but provides a guide to what members of the Leeds Beckett Community can
expect of each other in terms of engagement and behaviour.
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We work to shape and sustain a supportive, safe, inclusive community for active learning
and the building of skills for life.
We will
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Work together within a progressive, independent, and active environment which
promotes lifelong learning.
Support a culture of personal and academic resilience.
Collaborate to build partnerships for learning.
Work together to sustain our bold, industrious spirit.
We forge an environment which builds trust, accountability and transparency.
We will
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Maintain mutually respectful codes of behaviour.
Promote the availability of information and support for all.
Ask each other for help when we need it.
Be honest, clear and assertive with each other.
Use the means available to give a compliment, raise a concern or make a complaint.
Take advantage of opportunities for formal and informal learning.
2015/16 Course Handbook
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We foster inclusive academic, cultural, social, emotional and creative development for all.
We will
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Share an exciting and challenging curriculum which is contemporary and relevant.
Promote a culture of critical enquiry and rigorous scholarship.
Support participation in extracurricular opportunities which enhance career and
personal development
Enable one another to plan, develop, and drive forward our individual educational
and career goals.
Acknowledge and celebrate our joint and separate successes.
We are responsible, diligent, reliable and considerate in our academic and professional
actions and behaviours.
We will
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Act with academic integrity.
Listen to, and respect, differing perspectives, including those from different cultures
and backgrounds.
Work together within a positive collaborative learning and working environment,
wherever, and however, we engage.
Take care with our personal and professional digital identity and recognise the
impact it may have on us and others.
We seek active engagement, feedback and participation in the issues that affect us.
We will
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Work together to enhance our experience of our University.
Collaborate to promote learning and support enhancement, through mutual
reflection and feedback.
Build partnerships to enable our University communities to engage with our external
stakeholders.
Support the development of courses which prepare our graduates to be ready for
work, ready for life and ready to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
Use our knowledge of local and world issues to strengthen our global outlook and
build a sustainable environment for a thriving future for all.
2015/16 Course Handbook
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Our Student Entitlements
As a full-time or part-time campus-based student you are entitled to:
1. Access online learning materials and resources for every module through a virtual
learning environment and have access to the resources and information of an up to
date library.
2. Opportunities for on-going feedback on your work and progress towards your
assessments in every year of your course.
3. Participate in a course induction, which will be provided at the beginning of each year of
your course.
4. A meeting with your personal tutor once per semester. [All new and first year students
will be invited to a meeting with their personal tutor within four weeks of the start of
their studies].
5. A course that has been informed in its development by external stakeholders (e.g.
employers, professional bodies).
6. Participate in Personal Development Planning within the context of your course.
7. Have the opportunity to engage in embedded activities within your course which
develop and enhance your graduate employability and lifelong learning.
8. Receive clear dates at the beginning of each module about your assessment, submission
dates, when and how you receive formative feedback on assessment during every
module, and how you will receive feedback on marked assessments within the 4 week
feedback period.
9. Receive clear and easy to understand information about your course and the services
available to you.
10. Be engaged, via your course student representative, in your course review, evaluation
and development processes.
11. Have your questions to our University’s services responded to within the advertised
timescales in our corporate service standards.
12. Normally be given your course timetable no later than four weeks before the beginning
of each semester.
2015/16 Course Handbook
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Contents
1
Welcome to the Course .................................................................................................. 6
2
Studying on this Course ............................................................................................... 13
3
Assessment and Feedback .......................................................................................... 16
4
Where to Get Help ......................................................................................................... 23
5
What to do if you… ........................................................................................................ 27
6
Relevant Policies ........................................................................................................... 29
2015/16 Course Handbook
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1 Welcome to the Course
1.1 Message from the Dean
Hello, and welcome to new and returning students to Leeds Beckett University’s Faculty of
Business and Law. On behalf of all the Faculty staff I’d like to say how proud we are to have
you studying with us, and how excited we are to engage with you throughout every stage of
your learning.
We’re an internationally focussed faculty with a strong business and professional remit that
has an impressive history of producing exceptional graduates. Many of our previous
students have found great success in their field, from journalism and law, to business,
finance and PR. They represent just how our values of commitment, professionalism,
enterprise and – let’s not pretend – hard work really does pay off.
During your time with us, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to extend your learning beyond
that of your course. We host a programme of external lectures and events, offer
placements to boost both your professional and personal development, and have wellestablished links with various industry organisations and accrediting bodies to help you
expand your network.
Enjoy your time with us and all the best with your studies. I look forward to meeting you and
hearing about your successes.
Professor Chris Prince
Dean, Faculty of Business and Law
2015/16 Course Handbook
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1.2 Message from your Course Leader
This handbook provides you with information that you will need to succeed on your course.
You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at
any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also
receive a module handbook for each module you study on your course.
The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your
time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful.
On behalf of our University and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your
studies. As your Course Leader, I am here to help, so if you have any questions or issues,
please, do not hesitate to contact me!
Dr Pavel Repyeuski
LLM International Business Law Course Leader
Email: P.Repyeuski@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
2015/16 Course Handbook
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1.3 Message from your Head of School
Welcome to the 2015/16 academic year at Leeds Law School.
Leeds Law School has a heritage of over 70 years with legal education and has trained many
thousands of lawyers to degree and masters level and provided their professional legal
training too.
Many of our alumni have reached the highest levels of legal practise,
professionally and in academia and I am committed to help all Leeds Law School students
achieve similar success. As such, we have a large number of activities that will assist. These
include:
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careers talks;
mooting competitions;
opportunities to study, work and volunteer abroad;
guest lectures;
tours of the courts and Inns of Court; and
guest lectures
This year, Leeds Law School has a new home in the heart of Beckett’s City Campus. Here, we
are close to the library, have the benefit of brand new teaching space and also a brand new
courtroom. I am sure that we will be very happy here.
The legal services market is changing and it is important to appreciate that the position
today may well be different in 3 or 4 years’ time. As such, I would strongly recommend that
all of our students seize every opportunity to make contacts with people in the legal
profession, attend the guest lectures we organise and undertake useful extra-curricular
activities to enhance a CV.
As the Head of Leeds Law School I am committed to ensure that you all have the greatest
opportunities when it comes to studying law. If there is something that we aren’t doing, but
ought to be doing, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I wish you well with your studies.
Deveral Capps LLB LLM Cert Ed. Barrister-at-Law
Head of Leeds Law School
2015/16 Course Handbook
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1.4 Academic Calendar and Timetable
Our standard student academic calendar is summarised below:
Week Commencing Monday
24.08.15
31.08.15
07.09.15
14.09.15
21.09.15
28.09.15
05.10.15
12.10.15
19.10.15
26.10.15
02.11.15
09.11.15
16.11.15
23.11.15
30.11.15
07.12.15
14.12.15
21.12.15 - 08.01.16
11.01.16 - 22.01.16
25.01.16
01.02.16
08.02.16
15.02.16
22.02.16
29.02.16
07.03.16
14.03.16
21.03.16
28.03.16
04.04.16
11.04.16
18.04.16
25.04.16
02.05.16
09.05.16 - 20.05.16
23.05.16
30.05.16
06.06.16
13.06.16
20.06.16
27.06.16
04.07.16
11.07.16
28.07.16
25.07.16
01.08.16
08.08.16
15.08.16
Student Calendar
Bank Holiday 31.08.15
Student Welcome and Induction Week
Semester 1 Teaching Starts
UG Christmas Break
Formal Examinations Period
Student Welcome and Induction Week
Semester 2 Teaching Starts
UG Easter Break
S1 Resit Period
Bank Holiday
Bank Holiday 02.05.16
Formal Examinations Period
Spring Bank Holiday 30.05.16
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Full details of this and future standard student academic calendars are available at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/about-our-university/term-dates.
Once you have enrolled, you will have a student login. You can then find confirmation of
your personal timetable by selecting the appropriate link after logging on the Student Hub
from www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
1.5 Key Contacts
Course Leader
Dr Pavel Repyeuski
Leeds Law School
0113 8126412
p.repyeuski@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Personal Tutor
You will be allocated a personal tutor at the start of the course.
Student Liaison Officer
Student Liaison Officers (SLOs) are all recent graduates of our University, who are here to
support you throughout your time here and to make sure you have access to and are aware
of the support, opportunities and services our University provides. Each faculty has at least
one SLO to offer confidential advice and help with:
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Personal problems & academic issues
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Advice on mitigation, appeals & complaints procedure
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Links to services that can assist with a variety of issues (Financial Advice, Disability
Support, Course Administration, Accommodation, Counselling, Careers Advice, Students'
Union, Skills for Learning, Volunteering and much more)
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Recruitment and co-ordination of faculty and course Student Academic Representatives
(STARS) who they can put you in contact with
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Finding out what's going on at our University and how you can get involved
If you're not sure who can help you, asking your SLO is a great place to start!
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You can contact them on: SLOBUSLAW@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Course Representative
Course Representatives are student volunteers who represent your views at course-level, at
Faculty Forums and in meetings with academic and administrative staff. Details about being
a Course Representative are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/courserepresentatives.htm and on the Students’ Union website www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk.
Student Administrator
Annie Johnstone
Leeds Law School
0113 8126082
a.johnstone@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Academic Librarian
Each course has a specific Academic Librarian who has detailed knowledge about your
chosen subject. He or she will buy all the resources for your subject in the library and will
teach you how to make the most of the information available to you during your course.
You will meet your Academic Librarian at your induction. Further help is available at the
Help and Information Point in each Library.
They can be contacted on: 0113 812 1107
1.6 Keeping in Touch
Academic and administrative staff at our University use your student email address to
contact you. It is important that you check this account regularly. You can forward emails
from your student email address to a preferred personal email address, however,
quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that emails sent from external
email addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your
student email address is the only email address that you use to contact University staff. You
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can find how to forward your student email address to a preferred personal email address or
mobile device from: https://support.google.com/mail.
We will inform you of cancelled classes/activities/course notices as soon as possible either
via text message, your student email address or MyBeckett.
For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of
communicating general information about that module to you.
Please make sure that you inform your Student Administration team whenever you change
your address and contact details. It is important that you also update your records yourself.
You can do this via the My Account/Update my Data tab on MyBeckett. This will ensure we
can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University
communications that we may need to send you.
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2 Studying on this Course
This course allows you to examine complementary law and business issues which affect
international business practice and to gain a critical understanding of international law as it
relates to commercial activities in a global economy. We will provide you with legal
expertise informed by commercial awareness which is essential in the current global
business environment. Many companies recognise the LLM as advanced training, so
completing the LLM in International Business Law will allow you to raise your employability
prospects in a competitive legal world.
Programme Specification
The programme specification is a concise description of your course's aims and objectives
and how you will be taught and assessed to achieve the required learning outcomes. It
includes information on course structure and the maintenance of academic standards. The
full programme specification for this course can be found in appendix A of this handbook.
Course Structure
The course structure outlines the modules that will be delivered on this course. Full details
of the structure for this course can be found in the programme specification.
Course Learning Outcomes
All courses are benchmarked against the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of
UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ-DAB). The FHEQ-DAB can be viewed on the Quality
Assurance Agency website: www.qaa.ac.uk.
For more details on the Course Learning
Outcomes specific to this course please view the programme specification.
2.1 Course Resources
The programme specification specifies the physical and online resources available to
students on this course.
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2.2 Skills you will Gain during the Course
Skills Developed
Completing this programme allows students to develop a range of transferable skills,
including, but not limited to, research capability, critical thinking, problem solving,
reasoning, knowledge management, organisation and planning, written and oral
communication.
Additional Activities/Recognition
You will have opportunities to gain recognition during your time at Leeds Beckett University
for the extra activities you do in addition to your studies, including volunteering, student
societies, playing in our University sports teams and being a Course Representative.
2.3 Graduate Attributes
All graduates from our University will be enterprising, digitally literate and have a global
outlook. These three graduate attributes are developed with specific, appropriate emphasis
in each course and you will be assessed about each of them at every academic level. They
will provide you with capabilities which are essential for your employability and wider life as
you move on from your studies here. A summary of how graduate attributes are developed
and assessed on this course is provided in the programme specification.
2.4 Work-Related Activities and Employability
The programme specification outlines what work-related activities are associated with this
course.
Students will have a possibility to attend guest lectures given by law and business
practitioners. Through their studies students will have access to Law Careers Tutor, who can
give further career advice.
The Student Employability and Progression Centre
(http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/enhancing-employability/employability-and-progression/)
also provides a range of resources to support student employability. These include Career
Planning, CVs and Applications, Interviews and Assessment Centres, Graduate Employment
and Volunteering Opportunities.
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2.5 Opportunities for Graduates
The programme specification includes details of any accreditations, career paths, further
study options and other opportunities for graduates.
2.6 External Examiner
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on
the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar
courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the United Kingdom.
The details of the External Examiners for this course are as follows:
Owain Blackwell
Senior Lecturer in Law
University of Bolton
Michael Bromby
Reader in Law
Glasgow Caledonian University
Richard Lee
Senior Lecturer
Manchester Metropolitan University
Your Student Administrator can provide details of the External Examiner’s report on request.
Further
details
on
all
External
Examiners’
reports
can
be
located
here:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/external-examiners-reports.htm.
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3 Assessment and Feedback
3.1 Assessment
Assessment Strategy
Information on the various methods of assessment can be found in the programme
specification (appendix A).
University Assessment Regulations
Our University’s assessment regulations are contained within the Academic Principles and
Regulations (sections C3 and C4 in particular). The regulations are available at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations.
Assessment Schedule
Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar (see Section 1) and
make sure that you are available during those periods.
Examination
The examination schedule will be published on the student portal. Please keep checking for
updates.
Coursework
Where a module is wholly or partly assessed by coursework, the submission date will be
clearly stated on the assessment brief when it is circulated to students.
Submitting Assignments
An important part of your assessment whilst studying will be in the form of assignments
which need to be handed in for grading. Your tutor will confirm the method of submission –
which could be on-line via the X-Stream System, or a physical hand-in of a disk or hard copy
assignment.
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A room will be designated as a hand-in area for students to submit their work in a timely
way. This service is promoted nearer the time of submission. Outside office hours a post box
system is utilised in the Rose Bowl and in Portland Building.
You should obtain a front sheet for your assignment (either from reception or adjacent to
the post boxes), complete it and attach it to the assignment before submitting. Details of
where to submit assignments will be provided through the student portal/notice boards
nearer the date.
When you submit an assignment it is important that you ensure the following information is
on the assignment front sheet:
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Your name
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Course
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Year and semester of the course you are studying
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Name of the tutor for whom the assignment has been done
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Name of the module for which the work has been done
IMPORTANT – If you are granted an extension for your assignment, you must attach a copy
of the signed Mitigating Circumstances Form to it when submitting.
IMPORTANT – Students should obtain a receipt for the hand-in of coursework assignments
and keep these receipts in case of any query.
If you have to post an assignment to the University it must be:
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Sent to the appropriate site office – i.e. Rose Bowl or Portland Building addressed to
the relevant Administration Team sent recorded delivery and the receipt kept.
Your responsibilities:
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Keep a record of your work
Ensure your work is handed in within the published deadlines
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Each piece of assessed work will receive a mark and some feedback. The method and form
of feedback for each module will depend on the assessment method. Once the module
leaders complete marking and moderation, ‘most’ assignments (depending on format) will
be returned to the Administration Team.
It is important for your progression and achievement that you submit all work for all
assignments in a timely manner. It is also important that you keep copies of all work
submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the
submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be
required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so,
your work will not be marked.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course.
Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on
time please make yourself aware of section 3.6 of this handbook. Without any form of
extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work.
These range from 5% to 100% of the possible total mark, depending on the number of days
late. Full details (section C1.5) of the penalties for late submission of course work are
available at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/academic-regulations/.
3.2 Giving your Feedback about this Course
We are keen to work with you to enhance your course. Opportunities for you to feedback to
us formally include: course meetings, end of module evaluation, mid module review,
internal student experience surveys, Course Rep forums (through MyVoice in MyBeckett),
the National Student Survey and other student surveys. Informal feedback is also welcome
at any time either via your personal or module tutor or via your Couse Representative.
3.3 What Happens with your Feedback about this Course?
Your feedback helps us to continually enhance this course. You can find out what actions
have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the
Students’ Union, your tutors or through the Library. Your Faculty also provides updates on
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action taken through the “Better Beckett” posters prominently displayed around our
University.
3.4 Getting Feedback on your Assessed Work
Our University has committed to a four week turnaround for feedback. Each Module
Handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive this.
The programme specification explains how feedback will be provided on both formative and
summative assessments (see appendix A).
Formative feedback is given weekly in workshops by the tutors. Tutors will feedback on
student performance, preparation and approach to problem solving. Each module provides
at least one opportunity of tutor-commented mock exam style formative assessment (based
on the last year’s assessment) which is done before the formal assignment question is
released. Summative feedback is always given after the final assessment: first, generic
feedback is uploaded on MyBeckett by the tutor then individual feedback on the assessment
can be obtained in person.
3.5 How do I Get my Results?
Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (eg
from level 4 to level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level)
are available on the Results Online system from:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/results-online.htm.
Results will only appear within Results Online five working days after the date of the Board
of Examiners’ meeting (the meeting where your end of year outcome will be decided) or the
Examination Committee meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).
If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your
results, you should contact your Student Administrator.
3.6 Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation
If you are experiencing problems which are adversely affecting your ability to study (called
'extenuating circumstances'), then you can apply for mitigation. The University operates a
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fit to sit / fit to submit approach to extenuating circumstances which means students who
take their assessment are declaring themselves fit to do so.
Examples of acceptable evidence to support a claim for extenuating circumstances:

Medical Appointment Letter
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Doctors Note
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E-mail from tutor
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Death Certificate
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Funeral Order of Service
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Crime report and number (this should also be accompanied by evidence of the work
you had been preparing such as notes, work plan, draft assignment)
The following will not be accepted as evidence:
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Note from a friend
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Wedding invitation
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Corrupt USB stick
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Bank Statements
If you have consulted the University Student Wellbeing Service in relation to your
circumstances you may submit a statement of attendance as supporting evidence. It is
expected that you would also have some other form of evidence of your circumstances to
verify your request.
Examples of acceptable extenuating circumstances include:

Bereavement
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Illness
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Hospitalisation
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Victim of crime
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Transport cancellation, where this may be evidenced
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Court attendance
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Traumatic incident
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Serious family illness where the impact on the students’ ability to undertake
assessment may be demonstrated
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
Accident
The following are not acceptable extenuating circumstances:

Holidays

Weddings

Family celebrations

Printing problems

Computer failure, corrupt USB sticks

Financial problems

Work related problems

Pressure or anxiety associated with assessment preparation or exams

Accommodation issues

Mild illness less than 7 days would not normally warrant mitigation. The Faculty
Mitigation Co-ordinator will determine whether a mild illness warrants an extension
to the assessment deadline should an extension be requested

Mis-reading assessment arrangements
Further guidance on extenuating circumstances and mitigation can be found at:
http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation.htm.
Late Submission
Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late
submission of assessed work. These range from 5% to 100% of the possible total mark,
depending on the number of days late. Full details (section C1.5) of the penalties for late
submission of course work are available at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/about/academicregulations.htm.
3.7 Re-assessment
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment.
See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g. whether
it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will
take place/what the deadline is).
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You will be advised via Results Online of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to
contact your Course Leader, Student Administrator or personal tutor for any necessary
clarification.
3.8 Student Appeals
If you feel that you have in some way been disadvantaged during your studies and this is
reflected in your results, then you may have grounds for an academic appeal.
After your results are available on Results Online you have 15 working days to submit a
request for an appeal hearing. You will find the information you need, including grounds for
appeal,
when
and
how
to
appeal
and
frequently
asked
questions
at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/appeals.htm.
You are strongly advised to seek guidance from the Students’ Union Advice Service on
whether you have grounds for an appeal and the completion of the paperwork – see Section
4 for Students’ Union Advice Service contact details.
3.9
Academic Integrity
Our University wants to give you credit for your learning and for work which you have done
yourself. Unfair practice occurs when you have not done the work yourself.
Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage, whether intentional or unintentional, is a matter
of academic judgement and may be considered to be unfair practice. Examples of unfair
practice include, but are not limited to cheating, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion,
ghostwriting and falsification of data.
Definitions of these offences and the serious
consequences of unfair practice can be found in our Academic Principles and Regulations,
Section C9: Academic Integrity: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/academicregulations.
There are a range of resources available to help you understand what is and what is not
permitted and how to use other people’s ideas in your assessed work. These include the
Skills for Learning website which can be found at http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
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If you are unsure on how to reference your work correctly please seek advice from your
tutors or access the Skills for Learning resources online (see section 4).
4 Where to Get Help
4.1 Personal Tutors
Your personal tutor (see Key contacts in Section 1) will usually be an academic member of
staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Leader will make sure that you are given
the name and contact details of your personal tutor at the beginning of each year, usually in
your course induction. Normally, your tutor will aim to follow you right through the
duration of your course.
Your personal tutor has an important role to play in supporting you in academic and
personal matters while you are studying on this course. The meetings will include discussion
about career aspirations, your course, your progress, and your academic results. You may
want to set objectives for academic and life goals which you can store on your e-portfolio.
Personal tutors are not trained counsellors and will signpost you to other University services
if they can’t help you. These services may, for example, be the Students’ Union, the
counselling service or the Student Hub.
In the first year your tutor will probably initiate communication to request a meeting at a
mutually convenient time, but later in your course it should be your responsibility to set up
the meeting. If you ask information to be kept confidential it will be and a note will be kept
securely in your University notes with an indication of who can access the information.
You are entitled to have one meeting per semester with your personal tutor in each year of
your course. But your personal tutor may ask you to come to see them more frequently and
you should feel free to contact them if you need to see them urgently.
Please see Section 6 for details of our personal tutor policy.
4.2 Student Hub
If you have any questions about or problems with life at our University, the first place to call,
email or pop into is the Student Hub. The team can help with a broad range of enquiries
23
including: funding and money advice, being an international student, disability, counselling
and wellbeing support, student cards, accommodation, fee payments, support from the
Students’ Union, how to access on-line services, getting help with your CV, preparing for an
interview, careers guidance and getting a part-time job. Details of these and other services
are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub.
There is a Student Hub on the ground floor of the Rose Bowl at City Campus and one also in
Campus Central at Headingley. Their telephone number is 0113 812 3000 and their e-mail
address is StudentHub@leedsbeckett.ac.uk. They work closely with Faculties, the Students’
Union, all University Services and external organisations to make sure that if they don’t
know the answer to your question they will know who will.
You can also use 'my Hub' https://myhub.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2f
which is an online resource available 24/7 where you can access information and guidance
about a range of services, register and make appointments with Services, register for
workshops and employability tutorials, search for job vacancies and use a range of careers
resources.
4.3 Disability Support
Disability Support is available from our Disability Advice Team. The Disability Advisers will
work with students to ensure support is provided to meet their individual needs:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/disability-services.htm.
Disabled students can also access the Disability Resource Areas in each library and the
support provided by the Library Learning Support Officer, more information is available at
http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/using_the_library/disabled_and_dyslexic_users.
4.4 Library Help
The Library
There are two Libraries at Leeds Beckett, Sheila Silver at City Campus and Headingley
Library, both open 24/7, 365 days a year. You can use either Library, although the book
stock reflects the courses taught at each campus. The website (library.leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
also provides access to thousands of resources and information about Library services.
24
Academic Librarian
Your academic librarian (see contacts in Section 1) liaises with your lecturers to ensure
physical and electronic information resources for your subject are available in the Library
and they work with you throughout your time here to help you develop information and
digital literacy skills.
Help and Information Points
If you have any questions about using the library or need IT support you can get help:
•
from the Help and Information Point on the ground floor of each library
•
online: library.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/contact-us
•
by phone - 0113 812 1000 (including 24/7 IT support).
Distance Learners
If you are registered on a distance-learning course, you may be eligible for the Library’s
Offsite service. This offers help with accessing electronic resources, access to other libraries,
postal book loans and journal article supply. See the Library website for details of eligibility
and more information.
Skills for Learning
Skills for Learning provides a wide range of web resources and publications on topics
including plagiarism, group skills, research, maths, Harvard referencing, essay writing and
time management. Information about workshops and one-to-one tutorials can be found at
http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/.
MyBeckett
MyBeckett, the portal and virtual learning environment, is the gateway to all the
information you will need to support your studies during your time at University. It provides
access to your modules and timetables; your email account; your personal storage area on
our University IT servers and a wide range of other information.
25
4.5 Students’ Union Advice Service
The Students’ Union advice service offers free, independent and confidential advice and
representation to students. Professional advisers are employed directly by the Students’
Union to represent your interests – even if you are in dispute with our University. Advice is
available on a large number of issues, for example:

Academic Problems including: mitigation, complaints, appeals, disciplinary
procedures & academic misconduct.

Housing Problems including: disrepair, problems with your landlord, checking your
tenancy agreement before you sign.

Money Issues including: problems with your student loan & Debt

Health and Wellbeing.
Tel: (0113) 812 8400
E-mail: suadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
There are full details of all services available at: www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice
26
5 What to do if you…
5.1 …are absent for more than one day
You must notify your Student Administrator if you are absent for more than one day (for
example for an interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate
leave). If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of
the reason for your absence (see section 3).
International Students
Please be aware that our University fully complies with United Kingdom Visas & Immigration
(UKVI) policy at all times. There are legal reporting requirements for all students in the UK
on a Tier 4 student visa, and full attendance is mandatory for all Tier 4 students. Failure to
meet UKVI attendance requirements could lead to your academic sponsorship being
withdrawn and your visa being revoked.
Tier 4 students need to be aware of their
responsibilities whilst in the UK, please see www.ukcisa.org.uk for full information.
For up to date information about visas, immigration issues and other matters relating to
international students, please contact the International Student Advice Centre at
internationalstudentadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
5.2 …are ill
If you are absent because of illness for more than seven consecutive days (including
weekends), you must provide us with a Fit Note. You can hand in or send a Fit Note to your
Course Leader or Student Administrator.
If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and
you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details and any available
evidence as soon as possible. Contact your Student Administrator to get a copy of the
appropriate extenuating circumstances form.
Further
information
is
available
in
the
General
Regulations
(section
6)
at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations.
27
If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and
you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details and any available
evidence as soon as possible. Contact your Student Administrator to get a copy of the
appropriate extenuating circumstances form. For more details on mitigation please visit
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation.htm.
5.3 …have a comment, compliment or complaint
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome
comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going
improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be
raised with your course representative or directly with your personal tutor.
If you have a specific complaint about an act or omission of our University, you may be able
to make a complaint under the Student Complaints Procedure. In the first instance, you
should raise the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff most directly
concerned, or with the person who can best resolve it. If this does not resolve the matter, or
if the complaint is too serious to be addressed in this way, then you should make a formal
complaint in writing. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student
complaints
procedure
and
a
complaints
form,
is
available
online
at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/complaints.htm.
5.4 …are considering suspending studies or withdrawing from the course
If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor,
a member of staff at our Student Hub or the Students’ Union to discuss your reasons. If
there is a problem, University or Students’ Union staff may be able to help. It may be
possible to arrange suspension of studies from your course.
If you are considering withdrawing, permanently or temporarily, you must complete a
withdrawal form. This form must be submitted as soon as possible to your faculty office as
withdrawals cannot normally be backdated.
For further details see General Student
Regulations at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations/.
28
6 Relevant Policies
6.1 Student Charter
Our University and Students’ Union recently agreed upon the Student Charter which
outlines what is expected of students of Leeds Beckett University and what students can
expect from our University.
The most recent version of our Student Charter is at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/student-charter.htm.
6.2 Student Entitlements
Our student entitlements, listed at the front of this handbook, will help to ensure the
student charter is embedded as part of our approach to providing a good quality, consistent
learning experience for all our full-time and part-time undergraduate students.
6.3 Personal Tutors
You are entitled to have one meeting per semester with your personal tutor in each year of
your course. See Key Contacts in Section 1 for details of how to contact your personal tutor.
See Section 4 for an overview of the support you can expect from your personal tutor.
You can find full details of our personal tutor policy from the Student Hub webpages:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/.
6.4 Safety, Health and Wellbeing
Policy Statement
Our University is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable working
environment that values wellbeing and diversity. This commitment exists alongside our
wider legal and moral obligations to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our
staff, students and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. There are
further details at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/partners/safety-health-and-wellbeing-a-z.htm
(see H - Health and Safety Policy – Policy Statement).
29
Smoking
No smoking is permitted in any of our University buildings, this includes the use of vapour
cigarettes (or other similar devices); if you do smoke outside our buildings please make sure
that you stand at least five metres way from building entrances and boundaries.
Use of Laptops within our University
If you need to charge your laptop battery, please make sure that the battery charger/lead
are undamaged, and only plug it into a designated power socket – if you are unsure of
where these are, please ask a member of staff. Please make sure your battery charger cables
do not create a trip hazard.
Fire Safety Procedures
Fire information is present on Fire Action Notices displayed in all our University buildings.
These are normally present in corridors. Please read and follow the instructions.
All fire exit routes are clearly identified. You should familiarise yourself with the location of
fire exit routes and fire assembly points for the buildings that you may use in the course of
your studies.
If you discover a fire, you should sound the alarm by operating the Fire Alarm Call Point. You
should report the circumstances and site of fire using the emergency number 4444 indicated on the Fire Action Notice.
Do not tackle the fire unless you have been trained to do so. Evacuate the building to the
fire assembly point indicated on the Fire Action Notice.
Do not re-enter the building until officially authorised to do so.
On hearing the Fire Alarm, everyone should proceed calmly to the nearest available safe fire
exit, as indicated by the green and white fire exit signage. Take appropriate action to assist
visitors and mobility-impaired persons or wheelchair users to a safe refuge.
Upon exiting the building, continue on to the fire assembly point so as not to impede the
remaining evacuees exiting the building. Evacuation is practised through fire drills. However,
30
you should regard any continuous sounding of the alarm as a fire incident and act
accordingly.
Disabled Students
You are expected to declare any disability that would affect your safety in the event of a fire,
e.g. hearing impairment or the use of a wheelchair. If you are referred to the Disability
Adviser, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be developed for you as
appropriate.
Disabled students must declare their disability, to the University, for it to be taken into
consideration. You can find further information about the support available to disabled
students
studying
at
our
University
and
contact
details
on
our
website:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/disability-services.htm.
First Aid
First Aid Notices (green and white) are displayed in all University buildings alongside the Fire
Action Notices (predominantly blue and white) and alongside, or adjacent to, each First Aid
box. First Aid Notices provide all the information you may require to seek and summon
assistance.
First Aider contact details can also be obtained from the Student Hub or from Security: City
Campus, internal ext. 23154 or Headingley Campus, internal ext. 23165.
Accident and Incident Reporting
All accidents and incidents and dangerous occurrences, must be reported to, and recorded
by University staff. Accident report forms (HS1) are available at faculty reception offices,
Security and Student Hubs.
Infectious Disease
Campus-based students who have been diagnosed with a serious infectious disease such as
TB, measles, meningitis or chicken pox should notify their Course Leader or Student
Administrator as soon as possible giving information regarding which groups of students
(and/or colleagues and clients on placements) you have been in contact with and when. For
31
diseases such as TB or meningitis, the West Yorkshire Health Protection Team may also wish
to speak to you (or your family) to determine if others require screening or medication. You
should follow advice given by the hospital or your GP about when it is safe to return to
University.
6.5 University Regulations
There are two sets of regulations you need to be aware of, the University Academic
Principles and Regulations and the General Regulations: Leeds Beckett University Students.
The Academic Principles and Regulations relate specifically to your studies and your course.
They cover issues such as assessment, progression and award requirements amongst a
range of other issues.
The General Student Regulations deal with a range of issues which apply to all students of
our University.
6.6 Academic Principles and Regulations
Our
University
Academic
Principles
and
Regulations
can
be
found
at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/academic-regulations.
You should familiarise yourself with the Academic Principles and Regulations. The following
sections are of particular relevance to your course:
•
Assurance of Academic Standards: Assessment (C1)
•
Achievement of Credit (C2)
•
Student Progression (C3)
•
Conferment of Awards (C4)
•
Management of Assessment (C5)
•
Conduct of Assessment: Coursework and Other Assessed Work (C6)
•
Administration and Conduct of Examinations (C7)
•
Written Examinations: Regulations for Candidates (C8)
•
Academic Integrity (C9)
•
Disabled Students (C10)
•
Boards of Examiners and Examination Committees (C12)
32
•
Disclosure of Assessment Results (C14)
•
Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation (C15)
•
Request for an Appeal Hearing (C16)
The Students’ Union Advice service (www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk) is able to offer advice and
guidance on how to understand and use the Academic Principles and Regulations.
Where students are undertaking any form of research project, reference should be made to
the Research Ethics Policy and Research Ethics Procedures which can be found at:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/research-ethics.htm.
6.7 General Regulations
The
General
Student
Regulations
are
available
at
the
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations/.
following
web
link:
You should familiarise
yourself with the student regulations relevant to you.
33
Appendix A – Programme Specification
Course Overview and Aims
The LLM International Business Law aims to equip students with specialist
knowledge of, and critical perspectives on, international law as it relates to
commercial activities in a global economy. To do this, the course, allows
students to examine complementary law and business subjects affecting
international business practice. The course aims to offer a platform for
professional careers where legal expertise in cross-border business, informed
by commercial awareness, is essential.
Graduates of the LLM International Business Law will typically have the
following attributes:




Deep knowledge of international business law;
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of their subject or
profession, informed by current practice, scholarship and research,
including a critical awareness of current issues and developments in
the subject and the profession;
The ability to apply research to professional situations, both practical
and theoretical; and
A range of generic abilities and skills that include the ability to use
initiative and take responsibility; solve problems in creative and
innovative ways; make decisions in challenging situations; and continue
to learn independently and to develop professionally.
The attributes gained by students on this course will make those students
attractive to a range of employers across Europe and beyond, both in legal and
other business environments.
The course will not only be attractive to lawyers wishing to enhance their legal
knowledge but to other business and financial professionals who are working
in environments where a deeper knowledge of international business law
would be advantageous.
34
Postgraduate Employability and Professional Context
The provision has two primary target markets:
Overseas Students – The Faculty has a long established history of recruiting
overseas students onto its postgraduate business portfolio and there is a
definite market for an International LLM that will appeal to both law and nonlaw graduates for whom the postgraduate study of law in a business context
offers career enhancement or career progression opportunities.
For non-law graduates, the award offers a more specialised context for
postgraduate study than a more generic masters award e.g. International
Business or International Trade and Finance, and would serve, for example,
management professionals responsible for serving overseas customers and
clients in exporting and other commercial activities.
For overseas law graduates, the award offers the chance to obtain a master’s
qualification in an area that could support a professional legal career in the
international business field.
UK Students – It is increasingly the case that fewer law graduates are choosing
to qualify and practise as professional lawyers. For those that do wish to
qualify professionally, undertaking postgraduate study in International
Business Law before undertaking professional qualification adds to their skills
and expertise portfolio and could enhance their abilities to attract
employment with a particular type of firm.
For those law graduates who do not wish to qualify professionally, a masters
award in International Business Law would be valuable for those considering a
career in business, and in particular those seeking employment with
companies and businesses already engaging in or contemplating development
of their international activities. The same reasoning would apply to a non-law
graduate, for whom the course would also be attractive.
It is not a course that is designed to be restricted to students whose first
35
degree or relevant professional experience is in law. During the admission
process those applicants who do not have a first degree in law will be
interrogated to ensure that their professional experience will serve them well
on the course. Academic and personal tutors will identify and support any
students who require additional support as a result of their not having a first
degree in law.
Modules offered on the LLM International Business Law may attract CPD
points for practitioners who could study one or more modules in conjunction
with students enrolled on the full master’s programme.
In summary graduates of the LLM International Business Law will have gained
a deeper understanding of international business law and will have enhanced
their research and application skills. Graduates will be equipped to work in a
large range of professional environments (both legal and non legal) within the
United Kingdom, Europe and beyond.
Students studying this course have come from a number of European
countries (as well as the United Kingdom). Some of those European students
have been qualified lawyers in their countries but they have wanted to gain a
deeper understanding of international business law. On completion of the
course those students generally wish to return to their countries to pursue
their careers.
Home students are often undertaking the course before decided whether to
embark on the qualification process for qualification as a solicitor.
Course Learning Outcomes
1
On completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate a
critical, ethical and reflective approach to legal rules and principles
affecting cross-border business activity, reflecting an appreciation of
the broader commercial context of the business environment in
which such rules function
36
2
On completion of the course, students will be able to undertake
complex analysis of legal problems involving issues relevant to the
legal regulation of international business
3
On completion of the course, students will be able to make informed
judgements in the absence of complete data
4
On completion of the course, students will be able to undertake
advanced scholarly activity by evaluating various research sources
and methodologies
5
On completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate
originality and creativity in the use of knowledge and the application
of theory and techniques, drawn from earlier studies, through the
production of a significant piece of high-level independent
scholarship addressing a question in the field of international
business law
6
On completion of the course, students will be able to learn
interdependently and independently and accept responsibility for
subsequent career and continuing professional development
Course Learning Outcomes Mapping
Title and Level
Core CLO 1
CLO 2
CLO 3
CLO 4
CLO 5
CLO6
(Y)
Public International
Y






Y






Trade Law
Private International
Trade and Law
37
Y






EU Antitrust Law
Y






Dissertation
Y






Intellectual Property






International Anti-










Law of the EU’s
Internal Market
Money Laundering
and Corruption
Internet Law

Corporations &
























International Business
Law
Management, People
and Organisations
Contemporary
Marketing
Strategic
Management of
International
Enterprises
Course Structure
Level 7
The LLM International Business Law adheres to the QAA’s descriptor for a
higher education qualification at level 7: master’s degree (England, Wales, and
Northern Ireland)
38
Semester 1
Core
Semester 2
(Y)
Public International Trade
Core
(Y)
Y
EU Antitrust Law
Y
Option 1
Y
Option 2
Y
Law
Private International Law and
Trade
Law of the EU’s Internal
Market
Semester 3
Dissertation (60 credit)
Y
Options include:
Intellectual Property
International Anti-Money Laundering and Corruption
Internet Law
Corporations & International Business Law
Management, People and Organisations
Contemporary Marketing
Strategic Management of International Enterprises
39
The course may also be delivered as below
Semester 1
Core
Semester 2
(Y)
EU Anti-Trust Law
Core
(Y)
Y
Private International Trade
Y
& Law
Public International Law and
Y
Option 1
Y
Option 2
Trade
Law of the EU’s Internal
Market
Semester 3
Dissertation (60 credit) Y
Learning & Teaching Approaches
The learning and teaching strategy for the LLM International Business Law is
compliant with the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2011-2015. The
course team is committed to the values articulated in the Strategy
(inspiring/creative/enterprising/purposeful/respectful and professional).
The course team puts students at the centre of the Law School’s activities by
40
providing a flexible and relevant curriculum with excellent teaching and
learning. Team members are committed to the development of their own areas
of professional practice and specialisms and this contributes hugely to the
quality of learning and teaching experienced by students.
The course is concerned with the practical application of theory to a working
environment and the opportunity for students to think about, discuss and
where possible relate theory to practice. The teaching style will be student
centred.
The course commences with a non-credit bearing induction programme on
legal skills and method to orientate students to the study of law at
postgraduate level and to underpin the taught modules. The induction will
identify a base-line set of skills and knowledge that students will need to
develop to fully benefit from the taught modules. The induction, pitched at Mlevel, will cover: identifying and locating relevant legal sources; using the library
and online materials; reading and understanding legal and other relevant
materials; critical approaches to legal study; the principles of problem analysis;
and commercial awareness.
With the exception of the dissertation, the student experience of the modules
will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face and online learning. Students
will undertake a range of activities within workshops.
Students take an active role in the strengthening of student satisfaction,
achievement and employment by being involved with the quality assurance
processes both formally and informally.
Learning and Teaching Activities
Student cohorts on the LLM International Business Law are typically diverse as
students come from a range of backgrounds and countries. The learning
environment is inclusive as it is non-discriminatory, respectful, and values the
perspectives and experiences that each student can offer. The course and the
41
teaching team promote values and practices associated with inclusive attitudes
and behaviours in others.
For each module the face-to-face delivery will comprise 12 x 2 one hour
lectures and 12 x two hour workshops.
The learning and teaching strategy to be used by each module is articulated in
the MATs.
In workshops, which will stress student-led identification, evaluation and
critique of issues, students will respond to materials, problems and questions
which the tutor has either prepared or identified. Generally workshop
preparation (for which the directed study will provide a framework) will steer
students to both the knowledge and critical components of the programme.
Students will be given the opportunity to relate the material covered to the
workplace and the relevance of international business law. The integration of
students is seen as an important opportunity for students to learn by sharing
their and their peers’ experience through discussion.
Lectures provide an exposition of a topic, explaining knowledge, method and
critical considerations relevant to the subject matter.
The dissertation is an exercise in autonomous student learning involving
sustained research and a substantial piece of writing which is supported by the
dissertation supervisor. The supervisor will guide a student on the planning and
execution of the dissertation, the development of ideas and the organisation
and structure of the work. The preparation of the dissertation will engage
students with knowledge at the forefront of the disciplines concerned with
international business law.
Use of VLE
The VLE is an integral part of the course. Each
module has its own site containing copies of
learning and teaching materials and online
learning activities where appropriate. Students
can access course information, receive
announcements, assessments and communicate
42
with each other and staff via email and discussion
boards.
At induction students are introduced to the VLE
through the university portal. In addition a zero
credit module provides course related
information to students, such as the PowerPoint
presentations used in induction sessions, and
documentation and links to relevant sites in
support of student broader learning.
The VLE is used in a number of ways, including
the provision of discussion boards and formative
assessment activities.
Use of Blended Learning
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy for the LLM International
Business Law is appropriate for a course that
promotes in-depth knowledge and understanding,
informed by scholarship and research.
With the exception of the dissertation, the law
modules will be summatively assessed by the
submission of an assignment of 3,000 words. The
assignments, whether essays or problems, provide
a coherent assessment approach and will have a
core purpose of encouraging students to pursue a
topic in some detail, allowing the development of
analysis and argument, drawing upon, as
appropriate, critical knowledge at the forefront of
the legal scholarship.
43
The assessment methods used by the elective
business modules include reports and poster
presentations, assignments and examinations.
The dissertation is summatively assessed by the
submission of an extended piece of critical writing
between 15,000 and 18,000 words.
Feedback on Student
Students will receive feedback on formative
Assessments
assessments from both their peers and seminar
tutor.
In terms of the dissertation, students will receive
ongoing feedback and guidance from their
supervisors as they progress through the various
stages of producing a dissertation. There is also a
review of progress conducted by the dissertation
module team. This considers a progress report
prepared by both the student and supervisor
which is an opportunity to both see that the
research is on track and to offer advice and
encouragement to the student.
Written feedback is provided to students on
summative assessments.
How is feedback from
The course will undergo annual review in
students gathered and
accordance with University regulations and
used in course design/
associated procedures. The following specific
enhancement?
issues will be considered within the annual review
process: course statistics (age, ethnicity, gender),
curriculum content, assessment, progression and
achievement, operational issues, module
44
evaluation, external examiners reports.
All modules are subject to student evaluation in
the semester in which they are delivered.
Student representation is facilitated during the
annual review process by student representatives
who attend the course focus groups, annual
review and course enhancement and
development meetings. Those representatives
also attend Faculty level meetings where views of
the student representatives from across the
Faculty are canvassed.
How are students
Students are kept informed of the actions taken
informed of actions
(as appropriate) following the provision of student
taken/ how is the
feedback by the student representatives; course
feedback loop closed?
leader and module leaders using the VLE, email,
group folders, notice boards; minutes of meetings
in the annual review process.
Indicators of Quality and Standards
Rationale for Change
The outgoing programme was approved in spring
2011 and produced its first graduates in autumn
2012. As such, it is a relatively new programme
and is, after its first year of teaching, still at the
stage of developing and refining its initial delivery.
Accordingly, this CAT will not be proposing
substantial changes to the programme.
The course has been positively received by its
students and judged by the external examiner as
achieving standards appropriate to a master’s
45
degree.
The course team is of the view that there is an
overseas market for the course (as well as a home
market). Students have enrolled on the course
from European counties with little active
marketing but numbers could be enhanced by
more active and targeted marketing.
The principal innovation in the new programme
will be the integration of research methods into
the dissertation module, whereas, as originally
approved, research methods constituted a
separate module. Some students struggled with
the distinct configuration of the modules and
were not always clear about the nature of a
literature review and how to integrate it into their
own research projects. Bringing the previously
discrete research methods and dissertation
modules together is intended to address this.
Outcomes of PG Related
There have been no responses received to formal
Student Surveys
university PG surveys. However, students have
contributed to focus groups and module reviews.
Aside from the literature review issue referred to
above and operational matters, the main delivery
issue that has arisen is the students’ wish to for
more formative assessment opportunities. At the
most recent annual review, module leaders
agreed to offer formative assessments and
feedback to students and subsequently confirmed
that these have been made available to students.
Another change that has been made following
students’ feedback relates to the electives.
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Students expressed a view that they wished to be
able to choose two electives of their choice from
the range of both Law and Business electives
(rather than being limited to choosing just one
Business elective as was the case when the course
was initially approved). This unlimited choice of
electives has been actioned.
Analysis of Course Trend
For the first year of the programme, applications
Data
were as follows:
62 applications were received
16 offers were made
5 students were enrolled
For the first year of the programme, the student
profile was as follows:
3 female students
2 male student
Over 25 years of age: 2
21 – 25 years of age: 3
Asian or Asian British: 2
White or White British: 2
Unknown: 1
For the first year of the programme, completions
were as follows:
4 students completed (2 with Merit)
1 student yet to complete
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There were no non-completions.
Marketing for the course is facilitated by the
University postgraduate open evenings and by
Law School specific open events. However, more
active and targeted marketing would increase
numbers to the course.
Admission to the course is undertaken centrally.
Module Evaluation
All taught modules delivered in the first year of
the programme have completed module
evaluations according to the University’s
procedures. The students report consistently high
levels of satisfaction. From the module leaders’
point of view, the important action has been to
continue to develop and refine module content
and delivery.
What Methods Are Used
The course will be annually reviewed by the
to Monitor and Assess
following process:
Quality?
In-year Enhancement & Development
There are two Course Enhancement and
Development Meetings defined within the
process. These should be scheduled to take place
at the end of both semester 1 and semester 2 of
each year of the Course provision. The emphasis
of these meetings is in-year monitoring and
maintenance rather than review.
Annual Review
A single Course Annual Review Meeting is
established in the November following the year
being reviewed. This meeting considers a defined
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set of data to a fixed agenda.
The core themes of the revised process are
engagement and responsibility:

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

Engagement with students’ concerns at
course level - course leaders taking
responsibility for remedial actions or
enhancements which are highlighted
by student feedback or management
information.
Engagement at faculty level, to provide
support and to intervene where
necessary at course or scheme level.
Responsibility at faculty level, for
taking action on provision which is
failing.
Engagement at institutional level, to
align priorities and lead on relevant
enhancement and development
themes.
Responsibility at institutional level, to
embed those priorities which improve
the student experience and to link
these to our strategic plan.
Four Components of Review
There are four components of annual review as
defined in the Academic Regulations which can be
summarised under the heading of annual
monitoring and review activity. Each has an
important role in the continuum of monitoring
and review and marks a specific point of
engagement and reflection in what is conceived as
ongoing activity. The four components are:
Student Focus Groups
In line with growing sector expectations, the
university supports the ongoing consideration of
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student views relating to the operation and
development of schemes and courses.
To facilitate that consideration, student meetings,
defined as focus groups in the Academic
Regulations, are established at defined points of
the year. There is no limit on the number of such
engagements which course/ scheme management
teams, subject groups or faculties choose to
convene since a comprehensive and regular range
of feedback from students is seen as critical in
effective monitoring and review activity.
In-Year Course Enhancement and Development
Meetings
The role of these meetings is to monitor the
contemporaneous delivery of the course and to
address issues which have presented themselves
in-year. A standardised agenda is provided for the
meeting and whilst it is recommended that this
forms the basis of the order of the meeting,
course teams are at liberty to pursue discussions
which are of relevance to the maintenance of
quality and standards relating to that particular
curriculum area. Indeed, they are encouraged to
do so.
Course Annual Review Meetings
A single Course Annual Review Meeting is
established in the November following the review
year to consider a more defined set of data
relating specifically to the year in question.
The Annual Review Meeting will be focussed on
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the performance of courses in the context of:







Assessment, learning and teaching
matters;
year trend data from prescribed
management information;
external feedback;
student feedback;
resources and sustainability;
external drivers and market research;
university and faculty priorities.
Annual Reports
Monitoring and review activity is captured for the
course/ scheme, the faculty and the university
through a hierarchical reporting structure.
The purpose of the reports is to provide assurance
that monitoring and review activity is taking place
appropriately and to highlight issues and
enhancement opportunities to those with the
responsibilities for intervention and promulgation.
The reports may also inform faculty and university
priorities.
External Examiner
The programme external examiner has confirmed
Reports
the appropriateness of assessments and standards
of marking.
Research and Scholarly
The introduction, less than two years ago, of an
Activity
LLM in International Business Law, was an
innovation in the taught portfolio of the Law
School. The relatively small core teaching team
took the opportunity to develop a programme and
its content to draw upon their research interests.
The teaching team includes two PhDs and one
person who is due to complete a PhD shortly. The
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team’s research interests, through PhDs,
publication and conference activity include:







International trade law
Subsidiarity doctrine and the Court of
Justice of the EU’s jurisprudence on the EU
Internal Market and citizenship
EU antitrust and merger policy
Regulation of free markets within the
former USSR
Implications for the work of the Court of
Justice of the EU of the EU’s accession to
the ECHR
Jurisprudential aspects of the interface
between national and international law
Comparative research methodology.
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