New intensive Law courses judged a success at Birkbeck
Law students and lecturers have welcomed and praised a novel and intensive way of teaching postgraduate courses at Birkbeck
Law students and lecturers have welcomed and praised a novel and intensive way of teaching postgraduate courses at Birkbeck.
A group of 17 students has recently completed the taught modules of the new courses designed by Birkbeck’s School of Law to provide face-to-face teaching with minimal disruption to work and family life.
The courses, which were introduced this year and were taught over four weeks (two weeks in April and two weeks in June/July), build on the School of Law’s unique interdisciplinary approach to legal studies. Reading and learning materials are provided months in advance to enable students to both prepare for the classes and also complete a dissertation once the teaching is finished. The courses available are:
- LLM/MA Human Rights
- LLM International Economic Law, Justice and Development
- LLM Law, Democracy and Human Welfare: Global Perspectives
In the coming year an LLM in Economic Law with a specialisation in International Finance will also be offered.
Student perspectives
Candice Mtwazi (pictured, right), 26, decided to enrol on the intensive LLM in International Economic Law, Justice and Development for many reasons, including Birkbeck’s reputation, its prestigious and internationally-recognised qualifications, and the two concentrated blocks of teaching.
She said: “The intensive course is a really good idea as otherwise I would not have been able to study at this level. I have been able to see my seven-month-old daughter and four-year-old son and still complete my university work. The intensive course has suited my plans perfectly.”
Candice was so impressed by the teaching and subject matter that she is now applying for a PhD in Law at Birkbeck.
Laura Barre, from France, opted for the intensive LLM in Human Rights to help her achieve her ambition to become a Human Rights lecturer or work for an NGO.
She said: “The online services are of a very good quality and make a huge difference when working on an essay when you are living in another country. The lecturers have been very supportive and have provided help throughout the course and even afterwards.”
Laura’s previous qualifications includes a PhD in Financial Law from Toulouse 1 Capitole University in France.
Sharing expertise
Dr Stewart Motha, Director of the Intensive Master’s Programmes from Birkbeck’s School of Law, said he was delighted with the discussions generated by the first cohort of intensive students, especially as they brought their varied experiences from across the globe to the classroom.
Dr Motha said: “In addition to busy Londoners, we were delighted to welcome a diverse range of students from South Korea, the U.S, Latin America, and several European countries. They brought a combination of expertise and experience in law, banking, social welfare, and business to share with fellow students. Our location in the intellectual hub of Bloomsbury enabled easy access to libraries, as well as various NGOs and other experts who were able to provide guest lectures or host our students. Birkbeck’s School of Law is pleased to be pioneering this dynamic mode of intensive learning and teaching in the UK.”
Dr Motha also highlighted the benefits of combining face-to-face teaching with private study in the months leading up to the classroom teaching . He said: “This preparation time enabled the students to make the most of being taught by leading scholars as well as practitioners with invaluable experience in the field.”
Applying for an intensive Master’s
Applications are open for the intensive LLM/MA programmes for 2013/14.
You can apply for the following programmes online:
- LLM/MA Human Rights
- LLM International Economic Law, Justice and Development
- LLM Law, Democracy and Human Welfare: Global Perspectives
In order to have the best possible amount of reading and preparation before the intensive sessions, applications for these courses should be submitted before December 2013.
For further information visit the LLM/MA Intensive Programmes webpage, or contact the School of Law via law@bbk.ac.uk, or phone 020 7631 6504.
Listen to the Birkbeck Voices podcast featuring Dr Motha speaking about the new intensive courses.