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*The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, 2026
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Course overview
-
L27 -
Distance Learning -
Full-Time -
6 Months -
21 Sep 2026
As part of your course, you'll:
- Advance your legal research skills through a series of training sessions ranging from methodologies to literature reviewing and developing arguments
- Draw on your professional dispute resolution experience as you undertake a substantial piece of legal research and academic writing
- Enhance your critical awareness by applying practice-based methodologies to your own investigations
Independent study
You’ll produce a substantial piece of writing under the guidance of your dissertation supervisor. Your period of independent study will be supported by research methods as you develop an in-depth understanding of your subject. Your learning will be informed by current practice, scholarship and research. This will include a critical awareness and critical analysis of current issues and developments in the subject and the profession.
Expert guidance
You’ll work closely with an accomplished academic to guide you through the research and writing process. Find out more about Leeds Law School expert staff.
Choose your research area
You’ll choose your area of research to fit your career and academic interests. For example, you could explore:
- Effectiveness of Online Dispute Resolution platforms in small claims
- Use of AI in decision-making in online arbitration
- Online family mediation and the impact of moving from in person to online
- Regulatory challenges of digital justice systems
- Comparisons between different jurisdictions of digital dispute resolution and effective Online Dispute Resolution
Professional links
Leeds Law School has strong connections with local, regional and national organisations. These include commercial and corporate law firms in Leeds, as well as various governmental departments, such as the Government Legal Department, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Work and Pensions, and HM Treasury. You'll have opportunities to network with potential employers during your LLM study.
Online learning community
Our Virtual Learning Environment will connect you with the academic community in Leeds Law School. You’ll have access to course information, announcements and assessments. You’ll also be able to communicate with other students and with staff through email and discussion boards.
Join a student society
In addition to all the societies offered through the University’s Students’ Union, we have an active student Law Society who organise social, networking and career focused events for our student community as well as the annual law ball.
Why study the LLM Digital Dispute Resolution at Leeds Beckett University?
- Expert supervision – you’ll be supervised by a published academic with expertise and experience in dispute resolution
- Law Trove – you’ll have access to an online service worth over £200 per annum, giving you free access to hundreds of legal texts - meaning you spend less, if anything, on textbooks
- Flexible study – study from anywhere in the world via distance learning for six months full-time or 18 months part-time
- Develop your legal research skills as you undertake a significant piece of academic work
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally be legal professionals (solicitor or barrister) who are working/have recent experience in the field of Dispute Resolution (DR) and possess a recognised DR qualification, for example a mediation certification that meets the Civil Mediation Council’s requirements.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally be legal professionals (solicitor or barrister) who are working/have recent experience in the field of Dispute Resolution (DR) and possess a recognised DR qualification, for example a mediation certification that meets the Civil Mediation Council’s requirements.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
Distance learning
We understand that full-time study does not suit everyone. That’s why we offer courses which give you the opportunity to decide where, when and how you can get involved in learning. Studying a distance learning course offers the convenience and flexibility to make education work for you. Whether you’d like to fit your studies around childcare, develop your skills while working or, quite simply, want to learn from the comfort of your own home, we can help you gain a qualification at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle.
Like our students on campus, you’ll have the same excellent teaching and learning resources, however you’ll find these online instead of a lecture theatre. Not only are all the modules taught online, but you’ll also have access to an online community and more than 140,000 books and journals in our online library.
Technical requirements for distance learning study are detailed in the full guide. Visit our distance learning website for more information.
Overall workload
Each module on our distance learning courses is individually designed to maximise your learning so study requirements will vary. As a general guideline, you’ll need to allocate around 10 hours per week to complete each module, plus a further five hours for additional reading and assignments. However, this may vary depending on the module. Teaching and learning will be delivered using a range of interactive resources. This typically includes audio and video content, group discussions, reflective exercises, quizzes, online reading and much more. All these resources are delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment and can be accessed at a time and place that suits you.
What you'll learn
Produce an independent research project of between 15,000 and 18,000 words. This will allow you to develop your ideas on a legal topic which you've chosen to explore in-depth. You'll be supported in your dissertation research and writing process by an academic supervisor.
Fees and funding
£5,125
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £5125. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£5,125
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £5125. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees and funding
£5,125
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £5125. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£5,125
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £5125. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
Our LLM Digital Dispute Resolution will develop your critical capability as you pursue a research interest, exploring knowledge at the forefront of legal practice and the academic discipline of law. Upon graduation, you’ll hold a LLM degree and graduate status, positioning you to excel as a legal scholar and enhance career and practice prospects.
This course has been specifically designed for those currently practising in dispute resolution, such as mediation. Rather than study a whole master’s degree, you can take your experience from the field and use this as the basis for your LLM dissertation or portfolio. The flexibility of the dissertation allows you to either engage with a research-based project or a reflective practice-based project, adaptable to suit your interests and learning style.”
Dr Rachel Dunn
Head of Subject (Postgraduate)
Law in Practice events
Our guest lecture events provide opportunities for you to network and hear from speakers from a range of backgrounds and contexts, providing insight into developments and key issues of relevance to the legal sector and professional practice. Our events are open to legal professionals, students and those with an interest in the subject area.
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
Student life
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed – whether that’s completing your current studies or joining our cutting-edge research teams.
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