Postgraduate Prospectus

www.essex.ac.uk/law | Law
Why study law at Essex?
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Specialised courses taught by our
internationally renowned experts
who offer a combination of
academic excellence and practical
application
Part of the University’s accredited
Doctoral Training Centre of the
Economic and Social Research
Council (ESRC), with a number
of ESRC studentships available
for new postgraduates
Acknowledged reputation in
international, governmental and
commercial spheres
Large postgraduate community
from all over the world
Staff who work for, and advise,
international organisations and
governments across the globe
Career prospects
Our graduates have gone on
to a wide variety of careers in
international and intergovernmental
organisations or employment
with governments across the
world, in commerce and banking,
in non-governmental organisations
and, as might be expected, in the
legal profession and the judiciary.
Our specialised LLMs make our
graduates attractive to employers
in all these fields.
Our large community of
graduates regularly inform
our current postgraduates of
opportunities in their organisations
and businesses.
About our School
We have an international reputation for
research and a commitment to providing
legal education of the highest quality, with
our students coming from many different
backgrounds. One of the striking features
of law at Essex is our international flavour,
evidenced in our student intake, the
experience of our staff, and our strengths
in areas such as international human rights
law, international trade law and the law
of the EU.
A message from Geoff Gilbert,
Head of School
“We welcome postgraduates from all
over the world and from a variety of
backgrounds. As well as being intellectually
demanding, we provide a supportive
environment in which you can pursue
your academic and personal goals.
Our postgraduates form a strong cohesive
community and contribute to our intellectual
and social life in many ways. Some organise
conferences, some undertake part-time
teaching, and some simply show by
their efforts that they are developing
intellectually. Many go on to become
leaders in their fields; our website contains
a range of examples, along with news
from our extensive community of alumni.
Our students have the opportunity to learn
from many of the most significant and
well-rounded lawyers in the world and to
take part in a selection of extra-curricular
activities, ranging from mooting to human
rights field exercises. Our postgraduates
are also invited to join us at many social
events throughout the academic year.”
Taught courses
Our taught Masters offer scope if you
are interested in a career either in law
or one of many related spheres, such
as industry, commerce, financial services,
the media, or governmental and
non-governmental agencies.
The Human Rights Clinic of our Human
Rights Centre offers you an opportunity to
become involved in human rights work. In
particular, our Litigation Unit allows you to
improve your litigation skills while taking
part in the design of litigation strategies
in a variety of cases, their litigation and the
presentation of amicus curiae briefs before
national and international courts. You can
also participate in the work of our Essex
Business and Human Rights Project
through advocacy and consultancy work,
including the preparation of policy
documents and contributions to amicus
curiae briefs. This is recommended if you
are taking our pathway in economic
relations and human rights.
Our Essex Transitional Justice Network also
provides you with an opportunity to take an
active part in any of the interdisciplinary
projects carried out by academic staff in
this area, some of which are predominantly
of a legal nature, such as the litigation of
cases or the writing of amicus curiae briefs.
Besides the modules that count towards
the assessment of your course, we offer
those on LLM International Human Rights
Law or LLM International Human Rights
and Humanitarian Law the opportunity
to participate in a broad range of activities
that enhance your knowledge, as well as
your legal skills, and make your Essex
experience unique. We have links with
Colchester Garrison, home to the UK’s
Rapid Reaction Force, 16th Air Assault
Brigade. Since the mid 1990s, our
postgraduates have taken part in the
SimulEx with officers from the Brigade,
exploring the humanitarian and military
aspects of hypothetical scenarios set in
conflict or post-conflict situations. You are
also eligible to take part in the Concours
Pictet, an international competition in the
field of the law of armed conflict.
LLM EU Law and Comparative
Legal Studies
This LLM provides you with an advanced
conceptual understanding of the legal
principles of European Community law,
the EU, and the legal cultures and main
legal system present in Europe and, when
relevant to the subject, elsewhere. You will
understand comparative law as a modern
discipline in its own right, with its history,
development and new challenges
Postgraduate Prospectus 2012 | 143