All module information is for 2026/7 entry and is subject to change.
First year
Optional
International Environmental Law
The module aims to offer an overview of the general legal framework and different regulatory regimes for the protection of the environment at the international and regional level.
International Human Rights Law
The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the protection of human rights in international law. This entails examination of the origins of modern human rights provisions and it will enable students to develop a deep understanding of the principles, rules and regulations relating to human rights and human rights law both domestically, regionally and internationally.
Data Protection and Privacy Law
The module will introduce students to the ethical and legal issues associated with data and privacy protection. Students will engage with the relevant ethical and legal debates and explore the responses of law as they emerge. This area of law is fast moving and requires students to regularly update their knowledge.
This module is an important element of the LLM Technology and Artificial Intelligence Law programme because of the significant data protection and privacy law issues emerging in the context of technology and AI; it is part of the LLM International Corporate Law and Governance programme because data protection and privacy are important elements in the relationship between the modern corporation and its suppliers, partners and clients; part of the LLM International Banking and Financial Technology Law programme due to the latter’s engagement amongst others, with fintech applications and virtual assets where data protection and privacy issues have central role; part of the LLM International Commercial Law, due to the latter’s significant emphasis on electronic commerce; part of the LLM International Human Rights Law and Development due to the fact that data protection and privacy are part of human rights law; part of LLM Natural Resources & Environmental Law and Policy due to the significance of data in areas such as climate change and renewable energy policies; and part of the LLM International Legal Studies as one of the significant modern areas of legal study that students could explore.
This module is also suitable for any other postgraduate programme where data protection and privacy issues are important parts of the programme aims.
Cyberlaw
To develop an understanding of the relationship between E-Commerce and law.
To analyse the legal environment which allows the Internet to be the primary means of communication. To
develop an understanding and appreciation of the legal aspects of the Internet as a business medium.
This module will:
a) encourage every learner to be as active as possible. This will be facilitated by learning tasks that challenge students to think more deeply about what it is they are learning.
b) provide frequent formative assessment. This will encourage the learner to test their understanding or skills frequently and ensure that they get timely, constructive and useful feedback and guidance - this should include feedback from peers, wherever possible;
c) put emphasis on collaborative learning (building a learning community). The module will create small groups which will work together to produce various types of content such as reports, a lesson, a demonstration. This approach will attempt to engender a sense of ownership and achievement in the module.
Law and Ethics of Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Technology and artificial intelligence raise significant ethical and legal issues. The aim of the module is to introduce these issues and debates as well as to discuss the current ethical and legal frameworks aimed to address them.
Business Human Rights and Environment
This module is aimed and providing students with a critical understanding of the interrelationship between global business activities and the impacts of environment and human rights. Students will be exposed to the case studies in both developed and developing contexts, and the efficacy or otherwise of the accountability frameworks that currently exist at international, regional, transnational and national frameworks.
Legal Technology
The module will introduce students to the ethical and legal issues associated with the use of legal technologies in the legal profession and justice system. Technology is increasingly used to support lawyers and judges in a wide range of areas. Students will be introduced to key legal technologies and will consider issues of practical application.
This module is an important element of the LLM Technology and Artificial Intelligence Law programme because it is an the application of technology in legal practice; it is part of the LLM International Corporate Law and Governance programme because of the practical significance of legal technologies for the resolution of corporate disputes; part of the LLM International Banking and Financial Technology Law programme because of the use of legal technologies to resolve legal issues related to financial transactions; part of the LLM International Commercial Law, due to the use of legal technologies to resolve legal disputes related to electronic commerce and trade; part of the LLM International Human Rights Law and Development due to the significant human rights dimension of the use of legal technologies; part of LLM Natural Resources & Environmental Law and Policy due to the significance using legal technologies to address legal issues related for example to climate change and environment; and part of the LLM International Legal Studies as one of the significant modern and practical areas of legal study that students could explore.
This module is also suitable for any other postgraduate programme where knowledge of legal technologies can contribute towards achieving the programme aims.
Immigration and Refugee Law
The module builds on a range of theoretical perspectives that enable students to critically interrogate the origins of, and current developments, in international refugee and migration law. Students will engage with case law and policy documents, as well as key academic texts to acquire both sound knowledge of the law and critical awareness of the biases, gaps and challenges in the current system.
Emerging Issues in Law (Summer School)
The aim of the module will be to provide a useful insight into the legal responses to significant emerging issues which concern the broader society. The module is a credit-bearing postgraduate module, part of the Law School Summer School which can be available to all graduates from or outside Bradford on a stand-alone basis or as part of postgraduate programmes of the University of Bradford (as one of the options for University electives where the programme allows it).
Perhaps more than at any other time in history, the world is experiencing rapid changes in all aspects of human interactions - social, economic, political. The pace and scope of change are driven by rapid advances in technologies with transformative potential such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and fintech; by the acceleration of natural phenomena linked to climate change and sustainability; by the socio-political transformation caused by rising inequalities, the tension between the forces supporting globalisation and those opposing it; and by health concerns driven by COVID-19 and other pandemics (e.g. SARS), which in recent years have caused economic and social disruption in various parts of the world and globally. All these developments pose a challenge for the law, which has to respond in ways that balance carefully opposing interests, while addressing the emerging challenges.
Core
Foundations of Law and Skills (DL)
This module is part of the induction to all the LLM programmes of the School of Law. The aim is to provides an introduction to the English and International Legal Systems, the institutions and sources of Law, as well as key academic skills, including research, critical thinking and analytical skills and encourage participative, independent and reflective learning and the development of personal and professional skills.
The Foundations of Law and Skills (FLS) module is compulsory to all students who are joining a LLM programme and is particularly useful to you if you have not previously studied law or you have come from a non-common law background. The module will equip you with knowledge of sources and institutions in English and international law, which is essential for the successful completion of the LLM programme.
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of both substantive and procedural aspects of English and international law instruments, examining their sources, principles, and elements. The module provides students with skills to conduct and evaluate research and advanced scholarship in all aspects of the LLM programmes. This includes the capacity to evaluate existing theories and methodologies and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses in different fields.
The module helps students to develop the ability to work with their knowledge of legal principles and apply them to new situations in order to arrive at imaginative and innovative solutions and interpretations
It aims to support students to develop excellent communication skills including writing and legal research skills commensurate with LLM level study and advanced scholarship.
The module will examine based on sets of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to encourage students to reflect on the nature, function, sources and institutions of English and International Law, as well as the application of the law in different contexts.
The FLS module is mandatory, this means that the module is compulsory for all students who wish to undertake any of the LLM postgraduate programmes. Without attempting this module an award of an LLM Postgraduate degree will not be possible.
Sustainable Development Law in Contemporary Business and Society
This module aims to provide an appreciation of the international law of sustainable development by introducing key international legal frameworks and institutions related to sustainable development and by looking into certain important areas where international sustainable development law is being implemented. The module also discusses practical issues related to sustainable development, such as those arising from the efforts to eradicate poverty and inequality and the support of the poor and disadvantaged. The areas of primary focus are business, environment, human rights and international trade/commerce. This module is an important element of the LLM Technology and Artificial Intelligence Law programme becauseof the significant role of technology and artificial intelligence in addressing development challenges; it is part ofthe LLM International Corporate Law and Governance programme because of the prominence of sustainabilityrequirements in corporate governance; part of the LLM International Banking and Financial Technology Lawprogramme because of the critical importance of sustainability in banking and financial systems; part of the LLM International Commercial Law, due to the vital role of sustainable development principles for preventing and resolving disputes from commerce and trade; part of the LLM International Human Rights Law and Developmentdue to the significant development impacts on human rights; part of LLM Natural Resources, Environmental Law,and Policy due to the significance of the sustainable development principle for addressing legal issuesrelated for example to climate change, the environment and natural resources; and part of the LLM International Legal Studies as one of the significant modern areas of legal study with policy and practical relevance. This module is also suitable for any other postgraduate programme where knowledge of sustainabledevelopment law principles can contribute towards achieving the programme aims.
Regulatory Theory and Practice
This module will provide a theoretical underpinning to enable you to deconstruct the various forms of regulatory theory within a legal context.
Three key questions will be initially discussed to enable a broad foundation to be established:
(1) Is regulation necessary at all?
(2) What approach to regulation should be adopted?
and (3) What should the regulatory architecture be comprised of.
From these deceptively simple questions a number of key themes will be explored including but not limited to the approaches based on risk, better, public choice, public interest and responsive based regulation.
This module aims to provide an understanding of the legal challenges and the key issues regarding the theory and practice of regulation. Students will develop a critical understanding of the regulatory approaches and frameworks in which disputes are resolved.
Dissertation
This module enables learners to: (a) develop the capacity to conduct independent and advanced research; (b) advance relevant theoretical and policy arguments and recommendations for reforms in their area of LLM specialisation; and (c) acquire a range of transferable skills such as independent study, effective written and oral communication and problem solving. It requires reflection on the implications for personal development and professional practice.