LLM Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Laws
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
)
Chat to us on Unibuddy
Any questions? Chat online with current students, staff and experts. This is your chance to ask anything about UEA, university life, Norwich and more.
Top 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Unlock your future with our cutting-edge LLM Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law with a Placement Year course. On this dynamic programme, you will dive into two of the most pivotal legal questions of our time: the fate of law in the information age and the management and exploitation of creativity, reputation, and innovation in the digital era. You will explore vital debates and develop a profound understanding of these critical issues.
You will study alongside our team of world-class scholars exploring everything from Intellectual Property enforcement to the rights and risks in the Information Age.
We believe small-group teaching at postgraduate level is important, and we aim to keep class sizes as low as possible, offering you an unparalleled personal teaching environment. As a student, you will become part of a vibrant, dynamic community of students from diverse backgrounds based in the historic Earlham Hall.
You will also have opportunities to take part in extracurricular activities and gain practical experience through an additional placement year as part of your Master's degree. During your first year, you will focus on your academic studies and dissertation, while an employability programme helps you develop the skills and confidence needed to enter the UK workplace. In your second year, you can gain industry experience through a placement relevant to your subject area, supported by specialist guidance and coaching, or work on three employer-led projects with UK organisations. Both routes will help you strengthen your CV, develop practical workplace skills and prepare for career opportunities in the UK and internationally.
On graduation, you will have the specialist legal knowledge and skills to pursue a range of career opportunities, including academic research, roles within law reform organisations and legal advocacy groups. You could also continue your academic studies through an MPhil or PhD.
)
Placement Year
Gain practical experience in the UK as part of your Master's degree through an additional year focused on professional development and industry experience.
During your first year, you'll focus on your academic studies and complete your dissertation. Alongside this, an employability programme will help you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to enter the UK workplace.
Your second year will provide an opportunity to put your learning into practice. You'll take the lead in finding a placement that matches your subject area, with support from employability workshops, one-to-one coaching and our specialist placement partner. Alternatively, you can gain experience through three employer-led projects with different UK organisations, tackling real-world business challenges across a range of sectors.
Whichever route you take, you'll develop practical workplace experience, strengthen your CV and build skills that can support your career internationally.
If you don't secure a placement, the three employer-led projects will give you the opportunity to work directly with UK organisations and apply your knowledge to real business needs. This means you'll still graduate with practical experience to draw on when pursuing your career.
For more information, check out Postgraduate Placement Year.
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Private practice in local and international law firms
- Academia
- Patents and IP registration positions
- Government legal departments
- International organisations in industry and commerce
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
You will graduate ready for a variety of exciting legal careers, including legal practice, practice before the bars of various jurisdictions, posts in government and international organisations, and public service. Past LLM graduates have gone into specialist areas of law, finance, the civil service, local government, administration or even teaching.
Alternatively, you might continue your studies with a PhD.
Study and Modules
Structure
You will be introduced to the key principles of internet law, including competing views on its status and its relationship with other legal principles. You will also consider the question of the relationship between law and technology.
Intellectual Property Rights are increasingly pervasive and important in the information age. You will explore different forms of intellectual property within their international legal framework. You will discover their rationales and investigate how these influence current debates and topical issues within intellectual property. Your focus will be global, with particularly detailed consideration of UK, US and European law, where appropriate.
You will then have the chance to choose optional modules designed to explore a wide range of issues across information technology or intellectual property law in more detail, drawing upon the latest research (including that of the teaching team), and to consider the commercial, cultural and technological context of legal problems such those related to online privacy, Artificial Intelligence and electronic transactions. You can also choose optional modules from across the Law School.
You will also take the compulsory non-credit-bearing Postgraduate Legal Skills module at the start of your course and will write a dissertation on an area of specific interest to you during the summer.
With the consent of the course director, you can also choose modules from other postgraduate courses offered by UEA, allowing you to personalise your course to your specific interests.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you will complete a 60-credit placement module that gives you the opportunity to put your academic learning into practice in a professional environment. You will gain valuable industry experience, strengthen your employability skills and develop a better understanding of the sector you hope to work in.
The first semester is dedicated to finding and securing a suitable placement. You will receive guidance throughout the process and attend six in-person workshops at UEA. These sessions will help you identify relevant opportunities, develop effective job-search techniques and prepare to approach potential employers with confidence.
If you are unable to secure a placement during the search period, you can follow an alternative route involving three structured industry projects. These will involve working with organisations on practical challenges, allowing you to apply your academic knowledge and gain experience of working on industry-related tasks.
Your assessment will comprise a portfolio documenting your placement search, alongside a reflective report on your professional experience. This will allow you to showcase the skills you have developed, consider what you have learned about your chosen industry and identify opportunities for further professional growth. The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Both routes offer valuable opportunities to apply your knowledge, develop transferable skills and establish professional connections. You will also gain practical experience to strengthen your CV and help you prepare for future career opportunities in the UK and overseas.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
This course combines independent study with interactive teaching to help you become a confident, self-motivated learner, skilled researcher and analytical thinker.
You will be taught by specialist academics, including those with experience in legal practice, through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars. These sessions will encourage you to evaluate different perspectives, challenge ideas and develop the confidence to present and defend your own arguments. Depending on your module choices, you can expect around eight hours of scheduled teaching each week.
You will receive recommended reading lists before each class, helping you prepare for discussions and explore topics in greater depth. We recommend allowing an additional 10 to 15 hours per week for independent study for each module. Throughout the course, you will strengthen your research, written communication and time-management skills.
You will also have an Academic Adviser to support your academic development throughout the year. Our Learning Enhancement team, based within the Student Support Service, can provide further guidance on study and writing skills, academic referencing and research methods. If you have additional learning or accessibility requirements, our Student Support Service can discuss the support available to help you make the most of your studies.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and timed, examination-style assessments, giving you different opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the subject. Throughout your studies, you will receive guidance and constructive feedback on both formative and summative assessments to help you develop your academic skills and improve your performance. You can also discuss feedback with your Academic Adviser and module organisers.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Law
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Law
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (6 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
-
UK Students: £11,750
-
International Students: £25,000
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.