Emerging Technologies and the Law LLM

Overview

The Emerging Technologies and the Law LLM focuses on the interactions between economics, politics and society in regulating complex new technological problems.

It combines the study of existing rules and regulations with case studies and human experiences of the impacts of innovation.

It raises questions such as:

• Is your meme copyright protected?
• Where, how, and why should Meta be taxed?
• Will AI decision-making change legal processes?
• What happens when Twitter and the European Commission discuss social media content?
• Can science fiction teach us about regulation?

This Law programme is open to graduates from any discipline. We welcome students with an interest in the regulation of complex real-world problems that are the result of technological innovations. This course is for you if you not only care what the law is, but what it could be.

Our subject experts will provide you with extensive knowledge. You will gain critical and transferrable skills required by employers in both the public and private sector.

This LLM is also suitable for applicants with an interest in further study. You will develop the skills necessary for the development of a PhD proposal on law and technology-related subjects.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

The Emerging Technologies and the Law LLM is highly topical and innovative. It combines expert knowledge of regulation with contemporary case studies in the fields of Law covered.

We strongly encourage student co-creation in several of the modules. You will take part in the selection of case studies in discussion with module leads.

Subjects covered as part of the LLM include:

• Law and Emerging Technologies
• Artificial Intelligence: Law, Theory and Practice
• Social Media Regulation: Law, Policy and Society
• Digital Taxation
• Digital Markets and Competition Law

You will also be able to choose from a range of diverse modules in the Law School. These include the Challenges in International Trade Law, Commercial Law and International Human Rights. You will gain a broader international, commercial or rights-based understanding of your chosen field of study.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Emerging Technologies and the Law LLM modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Legal Research: Theory and Method	20
Dissertation	60
Law and Emerging Technologies	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Law of Armed Conflict	20
Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance	20
Foundations of Public International Law	20
Money Laundering and Corporate Misconduct	20
Intellectual Property Rights and Emerging Technologies	20
International Human Rights and Development: Global Challenges	20
Foundations of Business and Commercial Law	20
Artificial Intelligence: Law, Theory and Practice	20
Social Media Regulation: Law, Policy and Society	20
Energy Justice: Theories, Systems, and Re-designing Policies	20
International Environmental Law	20
Law, Digital Labour Platforms and Workers’ Rights	20
Security: Politics, Space and Society	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Teaching will primarily be through small group seminars and workshops. These are led by expert academic staff but driven by students.

Your preparation, questions and insights will form the core of your learning experience with us.

Sessions may be based around simulations of regulatory activity, such as stakeholder processes, legislative deliberations or mock parliamentary or judicial hearings.

We complement our in-person seminars with a variety of other teaching methods, such as:

• introductory lectures (where necessary)
• Q&A sessions with staff
• quizzes and other online self-study tools

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

Dr Benjamin Farrand

Reader in Law & Emerging Technologies and Director of Education

Research expertise: Technology Governance; Digital Copyright; Cybersecurity; Social Media Regulation; Law and Politics; Lobbying; Interdisciplinary Research Methods

Dr Tanya Krupiy

Lecturer in Digital Law, Policy & Society

Research expertise: Governance of Artificial Intelligence; Robotics; International Humanitarian Law; International Criminal Law 

Professor Lilian Edwards

Professor of Law, Innovation & Society

Research expertise: New Technologies, Privacy and data protection, algorithmic transparency and justice, regulation of platforms

Dr Ilke Turkmendag

Senior Lecturer in Law, Innovation and Society

Research expertise: Socio-Legal and Ethical Approaches to Biomedicine; Regulation of Emerging Medical Technologies; Interdisciplinary Research Methods

Dr Tim Dodsworth

Senior Lecturer in Law

Research expertise: Smart Contracts; Comparative Contract Law; Contracts and Vulnerability

Your development

You will develop a range of professional, research and practical skills over the course of your LLM in Emerging Technologies and the Law.

You will enhance your ability to discuss the law both orally and in writing. You will gain experience in working closely with others in a highly diverse, intellectually stimulating environment.

Practical and professional skills you will develop include but are not limited to:

• deliberation and negotiation
• policy drafting and report writing
• engaging in stakeholder processes
• legal argumentation

Your future

What can you do with the Emerging Technologies and the Law LLM degree?

Further study

Students on this programme will receive excellent research training. This will allow you to develop a methodologically rigorous PhD proposal, if you wish to continue to doctoral study.

Careers and graduate destinations

Students with a Law & Technology LLM work in diverse roles in a wide range of sectors.

Some of the roles include:

• legal representatives
• policy advisers at a range of local, national and international organisations and institutions
• regulators with a technological or media focus, in government and civil service roles, as well as think tanks and universities.

Our graduates work as legal advisors in international organisations and government bodies. Others work in-house with businesses in areas such as the law on e-commerce.

Some of our graduates go on to PhD studies in areas of international law such as copyright law.

For the experiences of our former students in their own words, see our website:

Check out the success stories of some of our former Law Master's students. 

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The Law School has an extensive library situated within the School. You will also have access to an extensive range of online sources via Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis.

We can offer you:

• dedicated study spaces for LLM students
• a student common room

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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Visit our events calendar for the latest events