LLM Coronial Law
Course Overview
The LLM in Coronial Law is a new and innovative online LLM programme that focuses on the vital specialist area of coronial law. This part-time online postgraduate course is ideal if you are a legal professional or have a relevant professional background and seek to deepen your knowledge and expertise in this specialised area. The programme provides an in-depth understanding of the legal principles, procedures, and practices related to coronial law, as well as fundamental medico-legal knowledge. It is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the complex legal and ethical issues that arise in this field.The course begins by providing a comprehensive overview of coronial law and the role of coroners in investigating deaths, determining causes of death, and, where necessary drawing up reports to aid future prevention. It also explores the legal and ethical issues encountered in coronial investigations, including the powers of coroners, the rights of the deceased and their families, and the responsibilities of other relevant parties such as hospitals, employers, and law enforcement agencies.
In addition to legal knowledge, the programme teaches medico-legal aspects, including the relevant foundations of medicine and the work of medical examiners. This is essential in understanding not only the role of coroners, but also in providing expert evidence in court and preparing and presenting reports. Ethical considerations, such as balancing the rights of the deceased and their families with conducting thorough investigations and respecting privacy, will also be covered.
For more information and to meet the team, please visit our Centre for Contemporary Coronial Law web page.
Highlights
- Unparalleled Specialisation: Our LLM in Coronial Law is a groundbreaking online programme that focuses on the critical field of the investigation of unnatural death through a coronial law lens. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the legal principles, procedures, and practices related to coronial law, enabling you to navigate the complex legal and ethical issues that arise in this domain.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Our carefully designed curriculum encompasses the essential modules necessary to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the field of colonial law.
- Real-World Case Studies and Practical Exercises: Our programme incorporates real-world case studies and practical exercises, providing you with hands-on experience and enhancing your understanding of the challenges faced by coroners and legal professionals in this field.
- Flexibility and Accessibility: We understand the demands of your professional responsibilities. That is why our online LLM programme offers flexibility, allowing you to balance your studies alongside your work. Live lectures will be scheduled in the evenings and weekends, ensuring accessibility from any location.
- Global Network: Join a diverse community of legal professionals, coronial investigators, and specialists in the field of coronial law. Expand your network, collaborate with peers, and gain invaluable insights from professionals across the sector.
Key Features
- This online master's degree programme is focused on coronial law and aims to equip you with advanced knowledge and skills in the field, as well as strategies for personal and professional development.
- Our highly qualified and experienced programme team have professional links to a variety of sectors, including coroner services, the medical examiner system, the criminal justice system and academia, and will be delivering the programme.
- The programme also features a series of guest lectures by leading specialists in the field, providing valuable insights into contemporary practices in coronial law.
- Employability skills are at the heart of the curriculum, with a focus on the specific needs of postgraduate students in the field of coronial law, as identified by the University of Bolton in consultation with leaders from professions that interface with investigations of unnatural deaths.
- The programme provides mechanisms for online social learning, peer support, and mentoring.
- Our expert team will support eligible students in gaining an advanced understanding commensurate with postgraduate-level study in the field of coronial law.
Entry Requirements
- You should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant subject (or a comparable qualification from a UK or overseas institution). Examples of relevant subjects include law, criminal justice and medical sciences.
- We would also be happy to consider your application if you do not possess the above qualification but have substantial relevant employment experience related to the investigation of death.
- As this is an online course, you will need access to a computer with the appropriate software and accessories, including a webcam, microphone and a sufficient broadband connection. You will also need basic IT skills. In particular, you will need to be able to access and use the University of Bolton's virtual learning environment, Moodle. Please contact the programme leader for details if you are uncertain that you will be able to meet these requirements.
- We will consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English is not your first language, you will also need IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this course will enable you to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems. You will also be confident in planning and implementing your projects. In addition, a greater understanding of coronial law will not only prepare you for a career in coroner services or related fields but will also develop your strategic planning and critical thinking skills.
What can I do with this qualification?
With an LLM in Coronial Law, you not only gain in-depth knowledge but also the adaptability and versatility to navigate a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Your qualification can be your passport to a dynamic and fulfilling career where you can contribute to justice, safety, and the well-being of society.
Furthermore, although the LLM is not a qualifying law degree (QLD) for the purpose of qualifying as a practicing lawyer, this qualification can help you gain entry to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) if you wish to become a solicitor or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) if you wish to become a barrister. An LLM can also be a stepping stone to a PhD.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use this qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, with relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:
- Police services
- Medical examiner
- Health and safety
- Political research
- Journalism/media
- Probation/social work
- Teaching and education
Fees & Funding
Home students starting this course in 2023/24 will be required to pay a total fee of £10,400. As this is a 24-month course, the fees charged per year will be £5,200.
Overseas students starting this course in 2023/24 will be required to pay a total fee of £13,550. As this is a 24-month course, the fees charged per year will be £6,775 per year.
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton LLM Coronial Law - 22 September 2025
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Apply online: University of Bolton LLM Coronial Law - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
- Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below. Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this.
- Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the International pages of this website.
- Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email international@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton LLM Coronial Law - 22 September 2025
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Apply online: University of Bolton LLM Coronial Law - 22 September 2025
Teaching & Assessment
We use various teaching and learning methods to help you acquire and develop the appropriate skills, concepts, and knowledge needed to succeed in the LLM Coronial Law.
This course is taught through live tutor-led online sessions and access to online resources. You will be expected to participate in the formally timetabled classes, including lectures, seminars, one-to-one and group tutorials, discussion groups, guest lectures and master classes. You will also need to undertake a significant amount of independent study, such as background reading, online activities, assessment work and preparation for sessions.
The assessment strategy aims to help you organise and develop your learning and evaluate your achievements. Assessments fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments do not contribute to your overall module grade. However, they are integral to a module's learning strategy, so you must complete them. We will mark them and provide feedback on your level of achievement. Summative assessments, on the other hand, are activities for which the marks will contribute to your overall module grade. You will also receive feedback on these assessments to see what you have done well and where you can improve.
We employ many forms of assessment, such as written coursework, project work, oral assessments, and portfolios.
This programme uses a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate, combined with guided individual study activities.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Introduction to Coronial Law
- Medical Aspects of Death Investigation
- Social, Cultural and Historical Contexts of Coronial Law
- Human Rights Law and Coronial Law
- Current Issues and Challenges in Coronial Law
- Organisational Management in the Coroner's Services
- Medico-Legal Research Methods
- Dissertation
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 60% Practical exams 32% Written exams 8% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 82% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 18% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
