Media Law - LLM

More about this course

These courses have been designed specifically for people wanting to specialise in media law and practice. They are suitable if you have either a legal background, or if you have a media background and want to learn about the legal issues affecting the industry.

You’ll cover topics such as intellectual property, how social media works with the law, advertising law and data protection. You’ll also explore the ethical questions relating to media law, such as freedom of speech, the right to privacy and the meaning of ‘public interest’.

By merging commercial practice with theoretical understanding, we will guide you through an in-depth understanding of the legal issues that govern the media industry. The course will open your eyes to the misuse of social media, the issues relating to extra-territorial cybercrime such as WikiLeaks, as well as the regulations surrounding print and digital media.

Our courses focus on the practical application of media law so that you are able to apply relevant law to resolve issues in this area, mediate or employ alternative dispute resolution methods to help secure settlements.

We ensure that your tutors and lecturers have strong relevant backgrounds in both the academic world and in legal practice with experience as barristers or solicitors.

These are distance-learning courses, so you’re able to study from anywhere around the world.

It's also possible for you to study a PG Diploma and a PG Certificate version of this course. These qualifications do not hold the same academic weighting as a Master of Laws degree (LLM), but are still beneficial for people already working in the industry. If you would like to know more about the PG Diploma and PG Certificate versions, please scroll to the ‘Other qualifications’ section of this page.

As part of the LLM dissertation, you’ll be able to research and critically analyse an area of media law that you find interesting. The dissertation module is only available to LLM students.

Assessment

If you choose to study the LLM, you’ll be assessed through a combination of coursework essays, experiential projects and portfolio work, followed by a research dissertation or experiential work-based learning project.

If you choose to study the PG Dip or PG Cert, you’ll be assessed through a combination of coursework essays, experiential projects and portfolio work.

Entry requirements

You'll be required to have:

• a minimum of a lower second-class (2.2) honours degree in a relevant subject such as law, commercial law or a media-based degree (or equivalent international qualification)
• an IELTs score of 6.5 as a standard entry requirement for law courses

If you have a degree outside of the subject areas listed above, you may still be considered. You will need to speak to a course leader, please contact courseenquiries@londonmet.ac.uk for contact details.

For mature applicants without a degree you may be considered on merit of 2+ years appropriate work experience and other professional development or professional qualifications.

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our higher requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Modular structure

Where this course can take you

On successful completion of this course, you will have broadened your knowledge of media law. Whether you are already a media legal professional looking to move up the career ladder or a junior wanting to explore work in the wider legal profession, you’ll have an advantage over your colleagues in the media industry where legal skills are becoming more and more vital.

If you complete the LLM qualification, you’ll have a Master of Laws degree. The PG Dip and PG Cert are also postgraduate qualifications that will give you an insight into media law and can help you progress in this field professionally.

Other qualifications

In addition to the Master of Laws (LLM) version of this course, you can also choose to study this topic as one of the below qualifications. Please note, these courses are shorter and do not hold as much academic weighting as a full LLM degree, but they are good for building on your existing knowledge.

Postgraduate certificate

You can study this course as a PG Cert, which is 60 credits out of the full 180 credits for the master’s degree.

As part of the PG Cert, you will need to choose/take three of the optional modules from the master’s degree.

The costs for the PG Cert qualification are:
Home FT: £4,500 per year
Overseas FT: £4,500 per year
Home PT: £2,250 per year
Overseas PT: £2,250 per year

If studied full-time, this course takes one year and if studied part-time, this course can take two to three years.

Postgraduate diploma

It’s also possible to study this course as a PG Dip, which is 120 credits out of the full 180 credits for the master’s degree.

You’ll need to choose/take six of the optional modules from the master’s degree.

The costs for the PG Dip qualification are:
Home FT: £9,000 per year
Overseas FT: £9,000 per year
Home PT: £4,500 per year
Overseas PT: £4,500 per year

If studied full-time, this course takes one year and if studied part-time, this course can take two to three years.

Additional costs

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees. Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

When to apply

We advise applying as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.