Overview

Built for success

Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex, creating greater demands on professionals responsible for managing contracts, commercial risk and project outcomes. Organisations need people who can confidently navigate legal and contractual frameworks, make informed commercial decisions and contribute to successful project delivery.

Our fully online, part-time LLM Construction Law is designed for construction professionals and legal practitioners looking to develop advanced legal, commercial and contractual expertise. Combining legal knowledge with industry practice, the programme helps you become a more effective construction professional, capable of managing risk, resolving challenges and supporting better decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

This programme is subject to validation conditions and may be subject to change.

Reasons why degree is for you

Why study this degree?

Develop advanced legal, commercial and contractual expertise

Improve your ability to identify, manage and resolve complex project risks

Strengthen your professional credibility and prepare for senior commercial leadership roles

Apply your learning through a realistic construction hearing simulation

About this degree

Programme details

Our LLM Construction Law is a flexible, part-time online master’s programme that explores the legal frameworks, commercial principles and contractual relationships that shape construction projects, helping you understand how legal knowledge can support better project outcomes and more effective risk management.

You’ll build a strong foundation in construction law before exploring specialist areas including adjudication and mediation. Throughout the programme, emphasis is placed on practical application, enabling you to relate your learning directly to real-world construction environments.

The programme culminates in a Professional Practice Capstone module centred on a simulated construction dispute hearing, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and apply your learning in a realistic professional setting.

Course accreditations

The University is researching accreditation with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as part of the programme development.

 

Point 3

Choose from two specialist dispute resolution pathways

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

Structure

Modules you will study

You will study 8 modules across 2 years. Additional specialist modules are planned as part of the future development of the programme. Applicants should review the current module structure carefully and contact the University if they would like further information about planned enhancements before making an application.

Autumn

Year 1

Obligations and Commercial Relationships

Explore the law of contract by examining principles governing contractual relationships within commercial contexts. You’ll examine contract formation, contractual terms, and common issues arising during negotiations.

Commercial Construction Practice

Discover how legal, contractual and commercial frameworks shape the construction industry. You’ll explore procurement routes, project administration, commercial processes and dispute resolution mechanisms, while developing the ability to identify legal risks and evaluate practical solutions. Gain an understanding of construction practice from project inception through to completion.

Negligence and Damages

Examine the principles of tort law as they apply to construction, engineering and property development. You’ll explore duty of care, breach, causation and damages, alongside key defences to liability. Develop the skills to assess claims involving injury, property damage and economic loss arising outside contract law (civil wrongs).

Contract Administration

Explore the practical administration of construction contracts through the study of Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT), New Engineering Contract (NEC) and International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) standard forms. Analyse the key provisions for effective contract management as well as impartiality, fairness and professional judgement.

Year 2

Electives (choose 1):

Adjudication Practice and Procedure

Explore adjudication as a key dispute resolution process in the construction industry. You’ll examine the statutory framework governing adjudication and develop the skills to analyse construction adjudication procedures – including in relation to employers’ payment obligations. Precedent and legislation in other jurisdictions will also be considered.

OR

Mediation Practice and Procedure

Engage in an in-depth analysis of mediation practice and procedure, focusing on the tactical, procedural, and legal aspects of mediating complex construction and engineering disputes. Gain the ability to move beyond adversarial litigation and act as a mediator or advocate in negotiated settlement.

AND

Delay and Disruption Assessment

Examine the legal, contractual and practical issues related to delay and disruption on construction projects. You’ll explore risk allocation as well as delay and disruption mechanisms. Develop the skills to analyse how to assess the impact of delay and disruption.

Professional Practice Capstone: Construction Dispute Hearing

Instead of a dissertation, apply your learning in an intensive mock hearing simulation involving collaborative group work, role-based participation and evidential challenge. Following the hearing, you’ll complete a period of structured online activity culminating in individual assessment submissions comprising a formal award and reflective analysis.

Programme leader
Academic profile >

Programme leader

Associate Professor

James Beckwith

MA MSc LLM PgCAP FRICS FCIArb FAIQS CQS FHEA

James Beckwith is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager and has had a career in industry spanning over 20 years. James works as a Professional Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager and Employer’s Agent, in addition to taking appointments as an Adjudicator, Party Representative in Adjudications and Expert Witness. James has skills in recovering projects that are in distress and a specialism in contract practice and relational contracting.

James' profile >
Book an appointment >

Online learning

The future of study

Flexible study

Balance your study, work and home commitments, all while working towards your career goals

e-Library access

Full access to a comprehensive and valuable e-library with a wealth of resources to support your studies

Interactive

Study using a diverse range of interactive, modern and dynamic learning resources

Expert-led

Learning activities that have been designed by University of the Built Environment lecturers and subject matter experts

Stay connected

Learn alongside a diverse community of students from all over the world

Explore online learning >

Time commitment and study breakdown

Studying two modules per semester requires an expected time commitment of 15-20 hours per week. If you study only one module per semester, the weekly time commitment will be less, depending on the module’s credit size. Most modules are typically 20 credits.

30

Directed study time (%)

35

Self-directed study time (%)

35

Assessment study time (%)

Support

For your studies

Entry

Qualifications required

SDGs

Sustainability

Fees

Financial information

Support

For your studies

Student advice team

Your first point of contact as a student

They will support you in your studies and queries, ensuring you are put in touch with the right teams and services within the University.

Support tutors

Your online learning guides

This team will help you navigate the world of online learning and the VLE. Whether you need help with online learning or managing your workload, this team is here to support you all the way through your journey.

Academic support

Your academic support through your studies

Our academic staff are experts in their fields and are here to make your studies with the University stimulating and inspiring whilst offering vital support and guidance along the way.

Module team

Your support via forums and webinars

Your module leader is assisted by a team of module tutors to provide support via discussion forums and webinars.

Disability and welfare team

Your support for disability and welfare

This knowledgeable team is here to listen and provide expert guidance, support and assistance at any time throughout your studies.

Entry

Qualifications required

Students are required to be 18 years or over at the start of their programme.

Academic requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree with honours in a Construction related subject

AND/OR

  • A Law degree at lower second standard (2:2), or equivalent;

OR

  • A Bachelor’s Degree with honours, or equivalent, in any discipline, plus 5 years’ experience in a relevant field

OR

  • A level 5 qualification as defined by the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) plus five years’ relevant experience

OR

  • A professional qualification plus five years’ relevant experience
English requirements

All University of the Built Environment programmes are taught and assessed in English. In addition to the programme entry requirements listed above, all applicants will therefore be required to demonstrate adequate proficiency in the language before being admitted to a programme.

You should have:

  • GCSE Grade 4 (or C) or above in English Language or English Literature or an equivalent qualification

OR

  • Grade 6.0 or above, with at least 6.0 in the reading and writing modules, in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test administered by the British Council
  • 88 or above in the internet option, 230 or above in the computer-based option or 570 or above in the paper-based option of the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test
  • Grade 4 (or C) or above in English (Language or Literature) at A/S Level
  • HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) Grade 3, or HKALE (Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination – Advanced Level & Advanced Supplementary Level) Grade E, or HKCEE (Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination) Grade 3-5* or Grade A-D (Syllabus B only).

Degrees and MScs taught and awarded in English can also be used as supporting evidence.

Further admissions information

Applications are assessed in accordance with the University’s policy on Admissions and Recognition of Prior Learning for Taught Programmes.

If an applicant does not meet the standard entry requirements we will consider the application on an individual basis. In these cases, the application will be assessed by the Programme Leader, who will give careful consideration to any professional and life experiences as well as any academic or vocational qualifications the applicant may hold.

International students

The academic level of international qualifications will be assessed using UK ENIC.

Hong Kong students

For Hong Kong students, the application may be assessed by the Dean of School (International) if standard entry requirements are not met. The applicant may be asked to provide a detailed personal statement and/or a reference or letter of support from an employer or mentor to support the application.

Contextualised admissions policy

We are committed to widening participation in higher education and enabling students to achieve their full academic potential. We recognise that some students are more likely to face barriers to fulfilling their academic potential at school/college than others, through no fault of their own. Our contextual offer scheme exists to provide fairness and equality of opportunity, by ensuring that adequate steps are taken to address differences between applicants, including differences in their experience of educational opportunities. It compliments and supports our existing Access and Participation Plan.

Read more about the University of the Built Environment Contextualised Admissions Policy.

Providing evidence

Evidence is required in the form of certificate or statements. You should send photocopies that have been verified by someone in a professional occupation.

Personal Learning records can be used as evidence of academic qualifications and these will be automatically checked in lieu of certificates or statements.

SDGs

Sustainability

Sustainability

How does this course align?

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the United Nation’s economic, social and environmental plan to achieve sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are central to this ambition, and must therefore be a critical part of built environment curriculums.

We are currently undergoing an evaluation of how SDGs relate to modules. This will be updated shortly.

Fees

Financial information

Course fees

Total programme fee (2026/27): £11,400
£1,425 per module x 8 modules
(usually students undertake two modules per semester)

Sponsorship

Many employers will sponsor their employees on their degree as it will benefit them to have your knowledge within their business.

To find out more information, head to our employer sponsorship page.

Bursary support

We have a number of bursaries and scholarships available for a range of students.

You can find out more and apply on our financial support page.

Apprenticeship Route

This programme is also available as part of an apprenticeship, for those in relevant employment.

To find more information, head to our become an apprentice page.

Applications

Ready to apply?

Applications

Application dates

Autumn deadline: 9 Aug 2027

Apply now >

Questions?

Get in touch

Admissions Team

admissions@ube.ac.uk

UK (Free): 0800 019 9697 (Option 1)

International: +44 (0)118 921 4696 (Option 1)

Enquiries Team

enquiries@ube.ac.uk

UK (Free): 0800 019 9697

International: +44 (0)118 921 4696

Bridget Wells

Careers and Employability Adviser

careers@ube.ac.uk