Competition Law and the Digital Economy LLM

Overview

Competition Law and the Digital Economy LLM is an innovative pathway on the Master of Laws (LLM). The course will help you develop your knowledge and understanding of competition law with a focus on the digital economy. You’ll also learn about the new regulatory framework of emerging digital competition law and policy.

As digital markets rapidly expand, they are shaped by several major players. Some of these Big Tech firms have become the most influential organisations in the world. They have also been able to influence online behaviour. Until recently, regulators haven’t always been equipped to meet this rapidly growing area.

This programme will enable you to gain substantial knowledge about the latest developments in the regulation of competition in digital markets.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

You’ll gain an understanding of the economic rationale of the pioneering reforms in competition in the digital economy. The course will be facilitated by world-leading experts who are participating in the design of these new rules.

You’ll have the opportunity to scrutinise leading competition law cases. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of new regulatory tools such as:

• EU Digital Markets Act
• EU Digital Services Act
• UK Digital Markets Unit
• New Pro-Competition Regime for Digital Markets
• Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

You’ll have a range of optional modules to choose from and will study compulsory modules in:

• Competition Law and the Digital Economy
• Legal Research Methods
• Law, Digital Markets and Competition

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Competition Law and the Digital Economy LLM modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Legal Research: Theory and Method	20
Dissertation	60
Law and Digital Society	20
Digital Markets and Competition Law	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Law of Armed Conflict	20
Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance	20
Foundations of Public International Law	20
Money Laundering and Corporate Misconduct	20
International Human Rights and Development: Global Challenges	20
Foundations of Business and Commercial Law	20
Law and Emerging Technologies	20
Artificial Intelligence: Law, Theory and Practice	20
Social Media Regulation: Law, Policy and Society	20
Energy Justice: Theories, Systems, and Re-designing Policies	20
Law, Digital Labour Platforms and Workers’ Rights	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our expert academic staff will teach modules over the first and second semesters. We'll use a blend of interactive in-person and online teaching sessions, including:

• seminars
• Q&A sessions
• assessment feed forward and feedback sessions

You'll also have access to comprehensive lecture materials via CANVAS.

Your induction will include introductions to each module by the respective module leader. You'll be fully informed about the content before teaching starts.

Full details about module selection will be included in your Induction Programme.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Support

We're committed to pursuing academic excellence. We foster an intellectually challenging and supportive environment in which our students can excel.

We regularly host conferences and seminars with internationally renowned guest speakers. We encourage you to attend these events. They cover a wide range of important legal, political, economic and social issues.

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

Degree Programme Director: Professor Oles Andriychuk.

Research expertise:

• UK and EU competition law and policy
• digital competition
• telecommunications
• regulation of digital markets
• law and technology
• algorithms & network economy
• jurisprudence

Your development

You’ll develop specialised skills in traditional areas of competition law as well as new complex pro-competition mechanisms for shaping digital markets.

You’ll learn how the new wave of digital competition policy fundamentally differs from the existing mechanisms. You’ll also learn to use these new skills and competencies to develop digital markets effectively.

You’ll gain key skills that will help you in careers outside of law, such as:

• making persuasive arguments (verbally and written)
• organisation and time-management

Your future

What can you do with a Competition Law and Digital Economy degree?

The programme has been designed for people seeking a career in public enforcement of competition law and sector-specific regulation. The skills you gain are in demand by authorities responsible for regulating digital markets, such as:

• European Commission DG Comp
• European Commission DG Connect
• European Commission Digital Markets Task Force
• UK Competition and Markets Authority
• UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
• UK Office of Communications OFCOM

The programme will also prepare you for a private sector career as an in-house lawyer or compliance officer in a large digital organisation.

Further study

You will receive excellent research training throughout the Competition Law and the Digital Economy programme. This will allow you to develop a methodologically rigorous PhD proposal if you wish to continue to doctoral study.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Course-specific facilities

The Law School has an extensive library situated within the School. You will also have access to an extensive range of online sources via Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis.

We can offer you:

• dedicated study spaces for Law Master's students
• a student common room

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events