EU funding puts institute course on the Internet

THE SOUTHAMPTON Institute has won funding from the European Union to start an Internet-based distance learning course on European law, making its law faculty one of the first in the country to offer an online course to law practitioners.

The higher education institute, which has 1,500 students and is accredited to teach the Nottingham Trent University law degree course, has received £8,000 from EU fund, the Robert Schumann project, to pay for the scheme.

Course convener Raymond Youngs said the course would be taught solely on the Internet and would provide access to a database of European Court of Justice decisions.

The course, which begins in September next year and caters for 20 students, is based on the faculty's existing postgraduate diploma in European Union law and practice, accredited by the Law Society.

Law faculty dean Professor Jeremy Cooper said: "It is of paramount importance that this sort of training is available outside the classroom.

"For most people whom this course targets, attending law school is impractical. An online course means they can fit it into their schedules and take it at their own pace."