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MLaw|Postgraduate Taught

Masters in Law

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.1
Duration
4 years (Part-time)
2 years (Full-time)
Places available
Full Time (Open) (Part Time)
Part Time (Open) (Full Time)

The Masters in Law (MLaw) is an accelerated two-year, full-time (or four-year part-time) postgraduate degree in law.

The programme provides students from diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to study the foundational law modules which are required for the academic stage of legal qualification. This means that the degree covers those subjects that are generally regarded as pre-requisites for professional legal studies.

Students planning to practice law in a particular jurisdiction should contact the appropriate regulator in that jurisdiction to confirm that the programme meets its requirements.

Masters in Law highlights

Career Development

We are dedicated to student employability and have strong industry links. Law was ranked Top 10 in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024).

Internationally Renowned Experts

Law at Queen's is taught by world-leading experts in the area of Law. Our staff have close research links with the professions, government and Civil Society. Law at Queen's is in the top 150 Law Schools worldwide and we are ranked 18th in the world for international outlook. Research in Law was ranked 8th in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2021).

World Class Facilities

Our facilities at Queen's include a state-of-the-art Law building with superb teaching facilities, a moot court and study spaces. Queen's has one of the most modern campuses in the UK, including the award winning McClay Library, one of the finest libraries in the world and home to 1.2 million volumes and over 2,000 reader
places.
Our Physical Education Centre was used as a training camp for the 2012 Olympics. Our Queen's Elms Student Village and city centre student accommodation (built in 2018) are located within easy walking distance of the University.

Student Experience

At Queen's you will be part of a thriving postgraduate culture built on teaching excellence, leading-edge research, innovation, collaboration and engagement. These components are woven together in our Graduate School. It is here you will develop new skills and increased personal effectiveness that will enable you to stand out in the crowded and increasingly competitive global job market. Life at Queen's is not just about the degree. We offer our students the opportunity to really enrich their studies. Whether you're into student societies, sports, music, dance, or just a coffee with your friends, Queen's has exceptional facilities to cater for all interests.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Students may enrol on a full-time (2 years) or part-time (4 years) basis.

The Masters is awarded to students who successfully complete all taught modules (240 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).

Compulsory Modules

The MLaw is offered on a modular basis. To complete the degree, a total of 300 CATS points must be obtained. Twelve modules (20 CATS each) must be taken and a dissertation (60 CATS) must be completed. The structure is as follows:

Year 1 Modules
Constitutional Law in Context
Administrative Law
Criminal Law
European Constitutional Law
European Internal Market Law
Legal Methods and Skills

Year 2 Modules
Company Law and Corporate Governance
Contract Law
Equity
Evidence
Land Law
Torts

Dissertation (Maximum 15,000 words)
(Students who secure a summer work placement of at least 8 weeks can complete a Dissertation in Practice Module including 12,000 word dissertation and 3,000 word reflective journal of the learning experience)

People teaching you

MLaw Programme Co-ordinator


Email : c.dwyer@qub.ac.uk

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

6 (hours maximum)
In addition to teaching contact time, each student needs to be able to set aside 30-36 hours per week (around 10-12 hours for each of the three modules studied every semester) to do the essential reading, seminar preparation etc

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below :

Learning Opportunities:

The degree offers high quality of teaching, primarily delivered through group seminars and the
specially devised curriculum builds on the fact that students have already benefited from a
university level education by enabling them to acquire a Qualifying Law Degree in two years.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Primarily assessed by coursework
  • 15,000 word Dissertation

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Criminal Law (MLaw) (20 credits)
  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Evidence (MLaw) (20 credits)
    Land Law (MLaw) (20 credits)
    Torts (MLaw) (20 credits)
    Equity (MLaw) (20 credits)
    Contract Law (MLaw) (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a discipline other than Law.

Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) OR hold a 2.2 Honours degree in a discipline other than Law (or equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University) together with 2 years’ relevant professional experience.

Admission under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) may be considered for this course. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

This Masters programme is designed for UK non-law graduates, and for law and non-law graduates from other countries who wish to acquire a thorough grounding in law. It is particularly attractive for those who wish to enter the legal profession, for whom it is an alternative to a graduate level CPE/GDL programme. By spreading study over two years of intensive postgraduate-level work, students gain a greater depth of understanding than is possible in one-year CPE programmes. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Graduate Plus, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £10,750
EU Other 3 £22,850
International £22,850

Masters in Law 

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus