This is a major piece of work to be carried out on an individual basis. The aim of the Dissertation is to allow you to extend and unify your understanding of your chosen subject as developed in the underlying modules. The production of the Dissertation is supported by an academic supervisor, who will help you develop your ideas.

It is envisaged that the Dissertation will focus on a particular legal topic in International Trade Law, considered relevant and approved by the Law School Dissertation Director in consultation with the student and subject supervisor.

In particular, students will define the research problem and objectives, formulate a research design, organise their research activity, review the literature relevant to the chosen topic, analyse materials and produce the written dissertation.

The focus of the dissertation module is on independent directed study

This dissertation will be a piece of independent research, amounting to 15,000 words, carried out by the student under the supervision of a suitable qualified member of the Law School. Students will be expected to make regular contact with their supervisors as appropriate.

Up to 30 hours of contact time, individual meetings with dissertation supervisor, undertaken via SKYPE, or other online means. 570 hours of independent work by the student.

M McConville and W H Chui, RESEARCH METHODS FOR LAW (Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2007)
S Holland and J Web, LEARNING LEGAL RULES (OUP, Oxford 7th edn, 2010)
I Mcleod, LEGAL METHOD (Palgrave Macmillan Law Masters, Basingstoke, 7th edn 2009)
M Salter and J Mason, WRITING LAW DISSERTATIONS (Pearson, Harlow, 2007)

Well stocked library, and electronic resources associated with that.
Access to interlibrary loans.
Computer facilities with internet access.

(Assessing Learning Outcomes 1 - 5)