Course Overview
Course summary
Entertainment, in forms such as music, film, media, sports and the arts, is a large part of life globally. It's a combination of society, popular culture and commerce, and the interaction of these with law produces an exciting, contemporary subject. It's an area deeply affected by technological progress as well as business adaptation.
Our Entertainment Law LLM combines academic analysis and commercial practice elements of entertainment law in an international perspective. The diverse nature of entertainment law will enable you to follow a number of relevant specialisms, all of which are underpinned by issues of contract and intellectual property.
The course is for you if you're a graduate from a law background, or if you're from a non-law background but have significant relevant experience. There have been many successful international graduates on the course from all over the world. Studying this course will give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, thoughts and academic experiences within a supportive environment.
The course aims to develop your understanding of how key fields within the entertainment industries operate, to assess the impact of the law upon them, and give you the practical skills necessary to succeed in a career in entertainment and media law.
Top reasons to study with us
- Learn in the heart of London – Studying at our campus in central London, you'll be perfectly placed to access London's legal, cultural and entertainment resources
- Prepare for your career in entertainment law – Our course will give you a systematic and structured knowledge of the entertainment business and the impact of the law on it, and specific areas of entertainment law
- Study on a vibrant multicultural course – The Entertainment Law LLM attracts students from many countries and backgrounds, which creates a uniquely vibrant and stimulating learning environment
- Learn from experts – Our teaching staff includes renowned researchers who have widely published in entertainment law, and we arrange expert-led, industry-focused seminars
- Flexible start time – You can begin the course in September or January
- An established course – We have over twenty-two years of experience in delivering Entertainment Law courses
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.
Core modules
You will study the protection provided to creative works by intellectual property law. You will also examine essential legal issues in the context of the entertainment business, such as copyright (creation, infringement, ownership and control), privacy for entertainment personalities, protection of ideas, the role and relevance of trade marks and performers rights together with issues of enforcement.
The Dissertation module allows you to extend your research skills and develop an analytical understanding of a specialist topic of your choice within the broad field of entertainment law, with supervision for your independent research. You will need to agree the topic with the module leader, and it must not replicate materials covered in other areas of your coursework.
You will cover the formation and content of a number of relationships within the entertainment business. Focusing on contract and contractual theory as well as the broader context of relationships within entertainment, you will examine the negotiation process involved in music business, sports contracts and other media contracts. You will also study the role of professional organisations in the development of contractual terms, and analyse deficiencies in contractual bargaining and term formation that have led to legal intervention by the courts.
Option modules
This module considers the creation, protection and merchandising of entertainment brands and products. It examines legal issues of brand development in the entertainment business in particular in relation to the use of trademarks, passing off (unfair competition) and design law, including the relationship of copyright law, and associated contract law use.
Areas include personality rights, character merchandising, sports merchandising, sponsorship, online and off-line brand creation and protection, ambush marketing, as well as fashion and design protection.
This module will analyse the legal regulation of content and control of the media. You will examine contemporary policy and regulatory frameworks for public and commercial media set in the light of technological advancement. You will develop awareness of legal and regulatory issues in operating the media such as censorship and advertising.
Considers how law and technology has created and influences law in relation to the digital entertainment business including the creation and distribution of products, examines how technological advances have affected relationships and rights within the digital entertainment business. It analyses ways that law has responded to the digital environment and technological change and examines legal issues arising from the development and use of social media for business and personal purposes.
This module explores issues relating to the management, regulation and licensing of entertainment business events and venues such as the licensing of public houses and music clubs, sporting events and arenas, cinemas, sex shops, festivals and other exhibitions or events. Other areas for consideration can include control of ticketing of events, touts and secondary markets, regulation of differing sectors of the entertainment business in relation to protection of children, the night-time economy and regulation of access to the entertainment business via centralised licensing functions exercised by such bodies as the British Boxing Board of Control.
Reference will be made to the procedures of State and Local Authorities and their exercise of the relevant civil, criminal and administrative legislative provisions and the extra-legal controls created and operated by and within entertainment business sectors and legal challenges to such bodies. Additionally, the module will explore relevant wider issues relating to safety, public order, alcohol and drugs and doping within the context of entertainment business regulatory issues.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
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Open evenings
Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
As an entertainment law graduate, you'll be able to develop a career in a range of professions within the entertainment industry, including in sports, music, and media and communications law. The subject gives a modern edge to traditional law subjects and is well respected by employers.
Supporting your career
We offer 1-2-1 appointments with careers advisors, advice on your CV and job applications, and mock assessment centres and interviews. We also run a Law vacancy jobs bulletin.
Industry links
You'll have access to events and workshops with law firms, alumni, and career professionals to help you to get started in your law career through our Legal Skills Academy.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Guest speakers
Recent guest speakers for students on this course have included:
- Daniel Geey and Chris Paget, sports/music law partners, Sheridans Solicitors
- Ed Weideman, entertainment law partner solicitor, Simkins Solicitors
- Philip Kolvin QC, licensing law expert
- Sir Richard Arnold, Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, visiting professor at the University of Westminster
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:
- Lawyer (attorney) in countries around the world (subject to fulfilling relevant national requirements)
- Business, commercial or legal advisor roles in media, music, sports or publishing corporations and organisations
Our graduates also include music managers, event organisers and film directors.
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- BBC
- Kobalt
- Music Managers Forum
- Netflix
- Sky
- Sony
- Spotify
Course Leader
Dr Danilo Mandic
Senior Lecturer
Course Team
Meet the Head of Westminster Law School
Why study this course?
Fantastic central London location
You'll be studying in the centre of one of the world’s greatest cities, within easy reach of London's unrivalled cultural, legal and entertainment resources.
Vibrant research community
Our well-established Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture organises activities including the Theory Meets Practice and Film Matters seminar series and coordinates the Entertainment and Sports Law Journal.
Enhance your career prospects
Our course is designed to give you the analytical and practical skills and knowledge of the entertainment industry to succeed in your career in entertainment and media law.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in Law, or a degree with a skills profile which shows an aptitude for legal study. This course has been very successfully completed by a wide variety of non-law graduates. If Law is not the subject of your first degree, evidence of Law-based modules or relevant experience should be supplied. Applicants without standard qualifications, who have two years of professional experience in the relevant field will be considered.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference or one professional reference, if employed.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in Law, or a degree with a skills profile which shows an aptitude for legal study. This course has been very successfully completed by a wide variety of non-law graduates. If Law is not the subject of your first degree, evidence of Law-based modules or relevant experience should be supplied. Applicants without standard qualifications, who have two years of professional experience in the relevant field will be considered.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference or one professional reference, if employed.
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
More information
Graduate success
Victor Buhler is an Oscar and Emmy-nominated film director and producer who studied on the LLM. We held an exclusive preview of his film The Beautiful Game while he was student, and it was introduced by the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.
Learn new skills
Volunteer and gain new skills
We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.
Get extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £12,500 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
Find out more about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you’ll be taught
Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you’ll be assessed
Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
- Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2022/23
Research groups
Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.
Find out more about our research groups related to this course:
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Little Titchfield Street is the home of Westminster Law School and, as part of our Regent Campus, benefits from a central London location. The facilities include a full-size mock courtroom, high-tech learning spaces, a pro-bono clinic and a 382-seat lecture theatre.
Our Regent Campus is made up of three locations – 309 Regent Street, Little Titchfield Street and Wells Street, all of which are just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street.
For more details, visit our Little Titchfield Street page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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