Master of Laws

This course involves both taught modules and a substantial dissertation component. Taught modules are delivered by a mixture of lectures and seminars. Although most lectures do encourage participation, they are used primarily to introduce chosen topics, identify relevant concepts, and introduce you to the main debates and ideas relevant to the chosen topic. They give you a framework of knowledge that you can then develop, and reflect on, through your own reading and study.

Seminars are smaller-sized, student-led classes. You are expected to carry out reading prior to classes, and are usually set questions or problems to which to apply the knowledge they have developed. Through class discussion, or the presentation of papers, you are given the opportunity to test and refine your knowledge and understanding, in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The number of contact hours in each module will reflect that module’s credit weighting. 15-credit modules will have, in total, 15 contact hours (of either lectures or seminars); 30-credit modules will have 30 contact hours. You must accumulate, in total, between 90 and 120 credits of taught modules for the course (depending upon the length of their dissertation).

In addition to your taught modules, all students must produce a dissertation of between 10,000 and 20,000 words. This is intended to be the product of your own independent research. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, and will have a series of (usually four) one-to-one meetings with your supervisor over the course of the academic year.

Finally, all taught postgraduate students on this course, are encouraged to attend the various events, including guest lectures and seminars, organised through the School’s research centres, including the Institute for Commercial and Corporate Law, the Human Rights Centre, Law and Global Justice at Durham, the Centre for Gender and Law at Durham, the Centre for Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, and the Durham European Law Institute.

A good 2:1 degree (or its equivalent) in law, or in a degree in which law is a major component.

English language requirements

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Our graduates enjoy highly successful careers across a diverse range of sectors as solicitors, barristers, consultants and more. Current graduates are on the Supreme Court, and in government, the Court of Appeal and Parliament.

We are a leading centre of legal research in the UK with an equally strong commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. We have modern, purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities. Featuring a moot court, the Harvard-style Hogan Lovells lecture theatre, spacious dedicated work suites with superb views of Durham Cathedral, attractive social areas, and modern wireless and audiovideo-enabled research spaces, this is one of the most striking and best-equipped law buildings in the UK.

For more information visit our department pages.

Ranking

• World Top 50 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022
• 5th in The Complete University Guide 2023
• 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2023
• 7th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Law School pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 5th in the UK for research environment
• 100% of our research impact and environment was rated world-leading or internationally excellent

Facilities

By choosing to read Law at Durham you will be studying in one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. Certainly, there are few places that can match its dramatic setting on a rocky horseshoe bend in the River Wear. The Law School is located in Durham University’s flagship Palatine Centre, part of a £48.4m sustainable building development and winner of the 2013 Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Northern Award for best education building. Facilities include a Moot Court, dedicated workroom, academic offices, and a Pro Bono Room, as well as a Harvard Style lecture theatre and many seminar and tutorial rooms.

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