LLM Law and Technology
Overview
LLM Law and Technology
What is the LLM Law and Technology?
Explore how emerging technologies are transforming the legal profession, society, and global regulation in one of the fastest evolving areas of law.
Our LLM Law and Technology at Essex Law School examines the relationship between law, innovation, and digital transformation. You will critically explore how legal systems respond to developments such as artificial intelligence, digital platforms, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, and online governance.
This course combines legal theory with practical and policy-focused analysis, preparing you to engage with the legal and ethical challenges created by new technologies. You will develop the expertise to understand how technology is shaping industries, governments, and everyday life, while gaining insight into the future of legal practice and regulation.
Why this course
- Future-focused legal expertise: Study legal issues at the forefront of technological and societal change.
- Interdisciplinary learning: Explore law alongside topics such as artificial intelligence, digital innovation, ethics, and governance.
- Learn from experts: Taught by academics and researchers working on contemporary legal and technology challenges.
- Develop practical insight: Examine real-world case studies involving digital regulation, privacy, and emerging technologies.
- Career-ready skills: Gain specialist knowledge valued by law firms, technology companies, regulators, and policy organisations.
Who should apply
- The Digital Law Specialist: Students interested in how technology is reshaping legal systems and professional practice.
- The Technology Policy Professional: Applicants aiming for careers in regulation, compliance, governance, or public policy.
- The Innovation-Focused Lawyer: Individuals looking to develop expertise in areas such as AI regulation, data protection, and digital rights.
What you’ll learn
You will develop an advanced understanding of the legal and regulatory challenges posed by technological innovation.
Core areas of study may include:
- Law and Artificial Intelligence
- Data Protection and Privacy Law
- Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Regulation
- Intellectual Property and Digital Innovation
- Platform Governance and Online Regulation
You will also choose from a range of optional modules, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and career goals. Your course culminates in a dissertation, where you will undertake independent research into a specialist area of law and technology.
We understand that choosing where and what to study is an important decision. We'll make all reasonable efforts to deliver the courses, services and facilities described on our website. If changes are required, we will inform applicants and students as soon as possible.
Your learning experience
Postgraduate students in Essex Law School typically attend two-hour workshops, or a one-hour lecture and one-hour seminar for each module each week.
- Study through interactive seminars focused on discussion, analysis, and problem-solving.
- Examine real-world legal and ethical issues arising from technological change.
- Learn through case studies, independent research, and collaborative debate.
Assessment methods may include coursework, presentations, practical projects, examinations, or a combination of these approaches.
Your dissertation provides the opportunity to explore a specialist topic in depth, supported by expert academic supervision.
You will join an international postgraduate community and engage with contemporary debates shaping the future of law and technology worldwide.
- Attend guest lectures from legal professionals, policymakers, and technology specialists.
- Engage with contemporary issues such as AI governance, digital ethics, and online rights.
- Participate in mooting, negotiation, and legal skills activities.
- Connect with student societies and interdisciplinary events across the University.
- Access networking opportunities with employers across legal, technology, and policy sectors.
Careers and outcomes
Graduates of this course are well prepared for careers in legal practice, technology regulation, compliance, policy development, consultancy, and digital governance.
The specialist knowledge gained through this degree is increasingly valued by law firms, technology companies, public bodies, and international organisations responding to rapid technological change.
Throughout your studies, you will benefit from dedicated careers support, employability workshops, and opportunities to build professional networks across the legal and technology sectors.
We also work closely with the University's Employability and Careers Centre to help you explore internships, placements, and graduate opportunities relevant to your ambitions.
- Choose from optional modules to develop extensive knowledge in the areas that interest you the most.
- University of Essex is 15th for international outlook in the world (the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
- The course will develop your intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, encourage you to think independently and teach you to present rational, coherent and accurate arguments orally and in writing.
Course content
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: CORE
The dissertation is an independent and research-led piece of work under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students are to undertake an individual research programme and apply appropriate methodologies on a topic within the scope of the LLM in Law and Technology course. The topic will be approved by the academic supervisor and the PGT Director and provides an opportunity to develop and display an extensive knowledge of the law and, drawing on applicable legislation, case law and scholarly works, to engage in critical evaluation and analysis of relevant legal issues.
View Dissertation: Law and Technology on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
How do digital technologies and their regulation impact on society? We are currently living in a “digital society”. It suffices to think about our daily private communications, the electronic systems often used to book public services, the facial recognition systems used to control States’ borders or the blockchain technology employed to conclude and perform contracts. All these activities are carried out via digital systems. These new technologies have prompted a new wave of regulation concerning data management, online platforms, artificial intelligence, and algorithms. However, not all societal areas impacted by technologies are currently governed through sector-specific regulation, leaving several questions on adapting pre-existing frameworks and whether new ad-hoc rules are required.
View Digital Technologies, Law and Society on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
The Foundation Essay is a diagnostic essay intended to provide an early opportunity to engage in legal analysis and writing. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn and demonstrate independent learning, legal writing, research, methodologies and analysis, necessary for postgraduate study. The Foundation Essay is also a formative exercise for modules in the LLM courses. The mark for the essay does not count towards the final assessment of the degree, but it is a compulsory piece of work.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 Degree in Law or a joint honours Degree in another subject with Law.
Applicants who do not hold a Law Degree but who have at least six months of relevant professional experience, traineeships, or professional qualifications/certifications issued by professional bodies such as Bar Associations can apply and will be considered. Please provide your CV.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£11,025
International fee
£23,875
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Visit Colchester Campus
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Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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