The aim of the LLM ( Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies ) is to provide a critical appreciation of a broad range of issues relating to a distinctive socio-cultural, political and religious context in a comparative perspective. It is aimed to promote open discussion and debate, critical analysis, research and development of newer frameworks as demanded by contemporary events. It aims to engender excellent research and writing skills based on stronger foundations and better understanding of the origins, evolution and contemporary developments of an under researched area. The objective of the program is to promote better understanding of the dynamics of the Islamic & Middle Eastern world through law related frameworks which include human rights, religion, colonialism, eurocentrism, racism, sexism and dialogue.
The Aims and Objectives of the LLM Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Programme are

• Develop a critical awareness of, and an ability to employ, competing analytical frameworks relating to the area of Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies.
• Critically analyse classical, modernist and contemporary doctrines and commentaries.
• Apply the context of the Middle Eastern and Islamic World to Western and "Universal" discourses.
• Deal with different approaches to jurisprudence, religion, politics and human rights within the Middle Eastern & Islamic World
• Develop the ability to analyse, articulate and write on the subject, by linking previous or current experience with an academic inquiry, particularly via the dissertation.

The LLM Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies offers a range of existing modules. In addition to the core modules, International Law as an Area Study: Middle East, a range of options including Islam and Human Rights, Islamic Legal Cultures, Islamic Legal Theories, Feminist Legal Theories, International Human Rights, Law and Development and Law of Armed conflict are offered.

The LLM (Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies) at UEL will be a distinctive programme for the following reasons

•  The School has experts in the field whose research was rated as international recognized in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008;
• LLM programs adjudged the highest grade "commendable" by the Quality Assurance Agency in 2003;
• The LLM Islamic and Middle East Studies is taught by a group of researchers with record of innovative work and publications with strong links to the Middle East;
• The LLM in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies offers innovative programmes such as Islam and Human Rights and Islamic Legal Cultures not available elsewhere;
• The LLM in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies is attractive because of the programme structure making it entirely research based while offering students the flexibility of choosing research areas within the modules and for their dissertation;
• The LLM in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies will be taught, as with the existing programme, through interactive lectures and seminars and day schools;
• The LLM in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies is supported by a strong library collection and the critical studies academic culture at the School of Law and UEL.

Qualifications for admission are a good degree in law, the social sciences,  the humanities, Middle East, Islamic Studies, theology or another appropriate degree. Professional qualifications will also be taken in account. Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not studied for the first degree in English medium require IELTS at 6.5 or its equivalent.
Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

There will be two core modules, Law and Policy in the Middle East and Current Issues and Research in International Law. Candidates then take at least one module from the following: Islam and Human Rights, Islamic Legal Cultures, Islamic Legal Theories, Feminist Legal Theories, International Human Rights, law, International Environmental Law, International Trade Law, Law of Armed conflict and International Criminal Law. Candidates may choose their second option from any one of the above or from any other LLM module.
The Dissertation must be deemed by the Dissertation committee to be substantially related to the areas of Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies.

Module Lectures/Seminars, workshops and human rights seminars, day school, optional placements, external visits by experts and proposed overseas study.

All modules are research based involving coursework. Students take four modules of 30 credits each for which they submit their coursework of approximately 7,000 words at the end of the semester. The LLM dissertation accounting for 60 credits involves a 15,000 word essay. The full time students normally complete the 180 credits requirements in one academic year while part time students complete the same in two years.

Students are welcome to negotiate projects/assignments as work-based initiatives but the supervision offered is the same as for other coursework.

Day School and dissertation seminars provide the opportunity for students to develop their own ideas, research specific topics. However, the nature of postgraduate dissertation does not provide scope for formal collaborative research projects.

Students graduating with a specialisation in LLM (Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies) can look to the expanding market and professional choices available in this field. The scarcity of specialists in this area was particularly noticed after the September 11 2001 events and have gained importance given the wide gulf between the Islamic/Middle Eastern and the West as well as the increasing multiculturalism in Western societies. Possible career paths include policy making within the public sector and government, community relations, human rights work in development agencies/organisations, grassroots advocacy and academia.

Every student is allocated a personal tutor who provides support and advice, research methods training is available, special sessions on access to relevant learning materials are organised. Lecturers teaching on the LLM in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies are available for module specific discussions as well as general issues related to the field.

The LLM in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies programme will include placement opportunities, career advice, Day Schools and special seminar series led by experts in the field and the likelihood of an international study trip.

LLM (Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies) is modelled on the LLM (InternationalLaw ) and approximates the LLM (Modular). It is based on existing modules but provides students who have chosen Islamic & Middle Eastern studies options the title of LLM (Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies) instead of the LLM (Modular).