Law & Technology

How does the law govern technology, and how does technology shape the law? In this advanced master's programme, students will gain a deep appreciation of the complex relationship between law and technological innovation. From Generative Artificial Intelligence and autonomous vehicles to fintech, social media, and algorithmic decision-making, students will engage with some of the most pressing legal, societal, and cultural changes of our time. How should legal systems respond? And what does technological innovation mean for the future practice of law?



Drawing on the School of Law’s substantial profile in technology, e-governance, intellectual property and innovation, students on the programme have the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in law, governance and the ‘fourth industrial revolution.’



The programme places employability skills at its heart. Employers are very interested in law graduates who are tech-savvy and are clear and comfortable communicators, whether with clients or more generally. Guest contributors from major firms co-create our curriculum and are active in introducing LawTech applications in our teaching. We embed skills-development directly into the curriculum as such, through project-based learning work, computational skills and elsewhere.

Core Modules

Approaches to Legal Research (10 credits)

Law and the Challenges of Technology (20 credits)

Regulating Innovation (20 credits)

Innovation & Creativity Clinic: Project Based Learning (10 credits)

Data, Privacy and the Law (10 credits)

Dissertation (Law and Technology) (60 credits)



Optional Modules

Business and Human Rights (20 credits)

Dissertation in Practice (60 credits)

Advanced Issues in Medical Law and Ethics (20 credits)

Computational Methods and Skills (10 credits)

Platform Reg:IP Enforcement (10 credits)

Foundations of Cyber Security (10 credits)

Artificial Intelligence and the Law (20 credits)

(Metaverse Law) Copyright, Trademarks & Immersive Technologies (10 credits)

Regulating Reality: The Law of Misinformation (20 credits)

Law of FinTech Regulation and Digital Economy (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Applicants with a primary degree in a relevant/cognate subject: Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Law, Social Sciences, Humanities, Computer Science or a cognate discipline.



Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree in a relevant subject (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University).



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 28th August 2026. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Assessment


Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:


Assessed coursework

Dissertation

1 year (Full-time)

2 years (Part-time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

This employer focused programme places employability skills at the core of the student experience (including problem based learning and leadership modules), introducing students to the interplay of and interfaces between technology and law.