Program Overview

LLM Journalism and the Law Online

The LLM in Journalism and the Law is an innovative and flexible programme that examines how law and legal issues are represented in the media, as well as the legal and regulatory principles that govern their reporting. You will explore topics such as the reporting of court proceedings, including reporting restrictions, the concept and practice of open justice, and the coverage of law-making processes and constitutional issues. The programme will provide you with in-depth knowledge of key issues affecting the reporting of law and legal matters, along with the skills to apply complex legal rules to real-world challenges.

Key Facts

Entry requirements

• Minimum second-class honours degree

Duration options

• 12 months (full-time)
• 24 months (part-time)

Study mode options

• Full-time
• Full-time Online
• Part-time
• Part-time Online

Next start date

• September 2025

Course Structure

Terms 1 & 2 (full-time) or 1-4 (part-time)

• In addition to a general induction to the programme, there is a two-week induction covering the Key Principles of the English Legal System. This is compulsory for non-law students, but also open to students wanting a refresher in the fundamentals of the law of England and Wales.
• Compulsory modules include:
  • Journalism and the Law
  • Media Law, Defamation & Privacy
  • Research Methods Training to help you prepare for your dissertation
• You may then choose two* modules from our elective module guide running at your location of study.

Term 3 (full-time) or 5-6 (part-time)

• Dissertation in Journalism and the Law

Course Start Dates

• September 2025
  • LLM Journalism and the Law
    • Full-time: Online
    • Part-time: Online
• February 2026
  • LLM Journalism and the Law
    • Full-time: Online
    • Part-time: Online
• September 2026
  • LLM Journalism and the Law
    • Full-time Online: Online
    • Part-time Online: Online
• February 2027
  • LLM Journalism and the Law
    • Full-time Online: Online
    • Part-time Online: Online

Fees and Applying

• How to Apply
• Fees and Funding
• International

Fees

• 2025/26 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2025)
  • Online: £12,400 (or £11,900 including a £500 International Bursary*)

Assessment

• Modules are assessed by a three hour unseen written examination or 4,500 word coursework assignment.
• All assessments are conducted online.
• The dissertation module will be assessed by submission of a thesis (15,000 words), and provides an opportunity for sustained, in-depth and intensive investigation into, and reflection upon, a specialist area of Journalism and the Law.