Hello, Did anybody on here take or is currently taking the DL LLM from Northumbria University or De Montfort University? Which is a better school Northumbria U or De Montfort U? Bo
In terms of league table rank - Northumbria (UNN), but in terms of the utility of their wares in the U.S., I think it likely you would do equally well with either. UNN LLM is cheaper. DISTANCE LEARNING LLM UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE (UNN) – The course work leading to the dissertation (master’s level in Brit-speak, U.S. thesis) is examined in a series of essays. These are anything but trivial. The required standard of scholarship is high. Between these and a choice of traditional examinations, I'd take the exams thank you very much. It is certain that those not fully versed in the concepts and detail of the subjects under scrutiny risk summary failure. You could not, in my view, earn a pass in any course in the program, without thorough research backed by comprehensive study. The course learning materials are quite adequate, though it is not of the standard of (say) the HW MBA print courseware (which I thought was second to none), nor is it of the standard seen in some of the better fully online mediated programs (USQ courseware, for instance, which I consider a benchmark). You do have access to program academic staff. Curiously, no course-related collaboration of any kind, between LLM students, is allowed (they may have eased this prohibition relatively recently). There is an online communications area, but it was not being used by students last I looked. I’ll really have to update this. On the customer service front, the staff performance is nothing short of outstanding. It seems to me they bend over backwards to be accommodating. It is interesting to observe how an organization performs under stress. By that I mean, rather than the normal expected student/institution transaction, what happens when you throw them a curve? How does the system deal with the exception? In the course of a two year program, it may well be that you will hit unforeseen obstacles. In the three departmental areas "tested" (some I think I tested to distraction), Administration, Academic, Finance, I found no significant systems or operational flaw. All staff I encountered were customer oriented, not institution oriented. All were focused on fixing a problem rather than blindly quoting a set of obstructive rules. All seemed to be interested in exploring how things could be done, rather than on why they could not be done. When I say "all", I mean it. Every member of staff I encountered, was courteous, knowledgeable, helpful. The CYA index was lowest at this institution of all “tested”. COMMUNICATION - via phone, email, snail mail, and face to face. UNN offer a week long start of program seminar at their campus. The cost is already included in the basic tuition – you have to pay your own personal expenses, of course. Attendance is optional. They are also considering a week's field trip to Brussels for those in the EU Law version of the LLM. Again, this is optional. I am writing a (never ending) series of reviews detailing my first-hand experience of various master’s programs. None fair so well as the UNN LLM. Bang for the buck, I know of no better bargain. Again, a lot of the added value in this program derives from the outstanding professionalism of UNN personnel and in particular the UNN Law School staff. They have sought to make a sound program a great one. Alas, reviews of some other UK institutions will not be so glowing.
Both ex-polytechnics. If you're in the US, I can't see much difference between the two, but I would certainly bear Lawrie's observations in mind.
It's the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (UNN). Re De Montfort tuition, the LLM cost bands are listed in the master's degree page on my web site. I am hurt that this was not your first port of call in your research. See http://www.bain4weeks.com/mastermenu.html
UK institution naming convention allows for, say, Oxford University, in place of University of Oxford. Similarly, The University of Northumbria enrollment form sent to continuing students sports the "Northumbria University" logo on the front, and "University of Northumbria at Newcastle", on the back. The University's web site, with the ubiquitous "Northumbria University" logo, has the domain name UNN.ac.uk. The UNN is the abbreviated "University of Northumbria at Newcastle. However, there is another domain, northumbria.ac.uk, which redirects to the same site. The official campus map sports the "University of Northumbria at Newcastle", logo. Coursework materials pack for the current term, sent DHL, has an invoice on the front of the package wherein, under "Company Name", it is printed, the title, "University of Northumbria". The current fees list, sent to students, instructs that checks (cheques) be made payable to, "University of Northumbria". However, the direct debit form, contains a declaration that students sign saying, "please pay Northumbria University Direct Debits . . . ". I expect the University's charter is in the name of the University of Northumbria and not Northumbria University, but that the names are deemed synonymous and interchangeable. You say Northumbria University and I say po-tah-to.
...ok, in that case I just say: never mind what´s on the web page and on the sports team sweaters, just find out what´s on the actual DIPLOMA being issued at the end - everything else does not really matter... T.
Thanks for the input guy's. By the way is the proper name of the school University of Northumbria or Northumbria University? Some people refer to it as U of N, and some call it NU, so it's kind of confusing. What is the exact price of the LLM from De Montfort? I had no luck finding that info on their site. Bo
The University of London LL.M. appears to be significantly cheaper even if one pays for on line tuition from a private provider.
