Module Directory

The dissertation is an independent and research-led piece of work under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students are to undertake an individual research programme and apply appropriate methodologies on a topic within the scope of the Human Rights LLMs. The topic will be approved by the academic supervisor and the postgraduate taught director and provides an opportunity to develop and display an extensive knowledge of the law and, drawing on applicable legislations, case law and scholarly works, to engage in critical evaluation and analysis of relevant legal issues. The module includes a compulsory viva voce examination, which requires students to explain their research process, reflect, and clarify their written work.

The aims of this module are:

• To encourage the development of independent research, presentation and communication skills, the ability to set own goals and keep to working schedules and to facilitate in-depth and critical engagement of the legal issues in an extended formal piece of legal writing within the Human Rights LLMs.


• To develop the ability to present legal arguments and opinions in relation to the chosen topic through library research, fieldwork or other relevant study.


• To develop students’ oral communication skills and their ability to articulate, explain and critically reflect on their research choices and findings.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the legal rules, concepts, models, principles and institutions in a chosen topic and be able to systematically discuss the legal, practical and business context in which they operate, including their benefits, limitations and challenges.


2. Demonstrate capacity to undertake independent legal research and selecting appropriate methodologies for investigating and critical evaluating relevant legal rules, principles, models and issues using research skills and theoretical perspectives.


3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate critically large and complex amounts of legal data from more than one source or jurisdiction and to apply legal data to specific facts and deduce likely outcomes where the law is indeterminate.


4. Demonstrate the ability to identify, select and organise materials and produce coherent and convincing arguments and to engage in critical thinking and academic debates using persuasive, effective and appropriate written communication skills.


5. Demonstrate independent legal research and study skills, including multi-disciplinary research and use of library-based resources.


6. Demonstrate the ability to articulate, explain and critically reflect upon the dissertation’s research question, methodology, arguments and sources through an oral viva voce examination.

Syllabus information

The syllabus will be determined on an individual basis for each student. The dissertation topic will be subject to approval by both the academic supervisor and the PGT Director.

This module will be delivered via:

• Four seminars during the teaching term, providing detailed guidance on how to choose a dissertation topic, prepare a research proposal, carry out research, and prepare for the viva voce examination.
• In addition, there will be a 2-hour essay dissertation workshop in which students will be allowed to get feedback on their ideas for a research proposal.
• Each student will be assigned to an Academic Supervisor. Students will have supervision meetings with their Academic Supervisors and note them in the Supervision Record Form. Information on learning and teaching methods and materials will be available on the module Moodle page.