Information Rights Law and Practice

The Information Rights programme was developed by Northumbria University in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice. It is the first postgraduate qualification designed to unravel the complexities of information rights. The programme recognises the increasing importance of effective records management and information handling. It aims to respond to the specific needs of information rights practitioners, providing a structured framework within which they can acquire and update knowledge whilst gaining a qualification that recognises their specialist expertise. This programme will therefore be attractive both to practitioners specifically charged with processing information and to other professionals working in environments where information is held, including central and local government, health, education and commerce.

Realistic practical scenarios will be used throughout the programme. As well as the core elements of the programme, a wide range of specialist options is available. These focus on information rights issues in relation to particular areas: children and young people, confidentiality and consent in medical issues, information issues in employment, intellectual property, media law and privacy and effective records management. All of the optional modules have been developed in consultation with professionals, including records management specialists from the School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences, to meet the specific needs of practitioners.

This programme is taught on a distance learning basis and takes 2.5 - 3 years to complete, depending on the route chosen and the availability of advanced standing. Each module is taught from a practical viewpoint, enabling students to both understand and apply the relevant law. Students are guided through each module by comprehensive study materials written by expert practitioners in each field.

Optional Saturday study days are available which allow participants to deepen their understanding of the critical issues in each module and to share their own experiences with each other.  The study days comprise of lectures, seminars and workshops, allowing for plenty of interaction with module tutors.

Compulsory Modules

There are five modules which are compulsory for LLM and Diploma students. Students taking the Certificate study any three of these modules.

By studying these core modules students will also acquire the necessary skills for successful postgraduate study: the ability to use advanced research techniques and the ability to present coherent and accurate arguments. They will be able to critically analyse the law, reflect upon the application of their knowledge within the practical context and reflect on their experience in practice.

• Legal Research and Study Skills
• Foundations of Information Rights
• Data Protection
• Freedom of Information
• Access to Environmental Information

Optional Modules

Students on the LLM and Diploma take one optional module. A range of options is offered, to enable students to adapt the course to best suit their working needs and career paths.

• Managing Records for Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• Confidentiality and Medical Issues
• Children and Young Persons – Sharing Information
• Information as Intellectual Property
• Information in Employment Law
• Media Law and Privacy

The Project

Students wishing to gain the LLM must complete a researched project of 16,000–20,000 words on a related area of law. Completion of the project enables students to explore a particular topic, of their own choosing, to a much greater degree.

Assessment

The compulsory and optional modules are assessed through the completion of written assignments of no more than 4,000 words for each module.  There are no examinations for this programme.  Students have the opportunity to attend further specially organised lectures including study skills, research and guest lectures.  Throughout the programme, students will receive detailed feedback on their assignments and are supported during their Project by a designated Project Supervisor.