Program Overview

Overview of the LLM Corporate Responsibility and Business Law Program

The LLM Corporate Responsibility and Business Law program at the University of Essex is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, theories, and models of corporate responsibility and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their implications and challenges for business law and practice.

Program Structure

The program consists of several components, including:

• A dissertation of 12,000 words in length
• A core module on Corporate Responsibility and Business Law
• A compulsory module on Business and Human Rights
• A compulsory module on Corporate Governance: Principles and Models
• Optional modules on Business Law, Human Rights Law, or Corporate Responsibility Law
• A foundation essay

Teaching and Assessment

The program is taught through small-group interactive seminars that foster critical debate and analysis, supplemented by lectures where appropriate. Modules are assessed via coursework, examination, or a combination of the two.

Fees and Funding

The home/UK fee for the program is Ł11,025, while the international fee is Ł23,875. There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the program.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a 2:2 degree in Law or a joint honors degree in another subject with Law. Applicants who do not hold a Law degree but have at least six months of relevant professional experience, traineeships, or professional qualifications/certifications can also apply.

English Language Requirements

If English is not the applicant's first language, they must have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.

Research Areas

The program covers a range of research areas, including:

• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Business and Human Rights
• Corporate Governance
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Law and Policy
• Human Rights within Business

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be suited to a broad range of corporate, legal, business, and environmental protection roles across national and transnational non-profit and public organizations.

Faculty Expertise

The program is taught by international experts in the field, including:

• Prof. Onyeka Osuji, Professor in Law and Head of Essex Law School
• Professor Christopher Willett, expert in UK, EU, and global consumer and contract law
• Dr. Stephen Turner, Senior Lecturer in Essex Law School with research interests in international environmental law and climate change
• Dr. Anil Yilmaz Vastardis, Senior Lecturer in Essex Law School with research interests in international investment law and business and human rights
• Dr. Tara Van Ho, Senior Lecturer in Essex Law School with research interests in business and human rights, investment law, and human rights

Specialist Facilities

The program offers access to specialist facilities, including:

• The Essex Law Clinic, where students can work alongside practicing solicitors to offer legal advice to clients
• Mooting competitions to develop skills, particularly important for those hoping to become barristers
• The Client Interviewing Competition, sponsored by Birkett Long Solicitors, to test mediation and negotiation skills
• The Model United Nations Society, which can improve skills of argumentation, oral presentation, and research
• The student-run Law Society and Bar Society, which provides legal advice to the Commonwealth Students' Association (CSA) and offers networking opportunities with visiting law firms.