A master’s in law, also known as an LLM, is a law graduate degree providing advanced and specialised legal education beyond an undergraduate law degree. An LLM in UK is usually a year long and allows students to specialise in their chosen field of law, including in tax law, intellectual property law, human rights law, and environmental law. Studying law in the UK gives you the chance to pursue a world-class education instructed by industry veterans as you work towards your professional and academic goals. Let’s begin by understanding the advantages to studying a master’s in law in the UK.
Why study master’s in law in the UK?
The UK’s legal system dates back nearly 1,000 years and it’s also the place where common law, which is now recognised world wide, originated from. Today, the UK is home to many leading law firms and the English common law forms the basis of 27% of legal systems around the world and this is why many international students choose the UK to study a master’s in law.
While broadening your knowledge of the law, pursuing an LLM in the UK will also develop your research and transferable skills. Here are the key benefits of studying an LLM in a UK university:
- Specialise in an area of law – UK universities give you the option of either doing a general LLM or specialising in an area of law. These specialisations span across a wide variety of subject areas, and developing a specialisation means that you’ll be able to improve your expertise and become an authority in that subject.
- Study at a leading university in the world – Three UK universities are among the world’s top 10 universities for law and legal studies in 2024, according to the QS World University Rankings. Since the UK is home to many of the world’s top universities for legal studies, you’ll be able to benefit from some of the most rigorous academic standards and experienced faculty when completing your LLM in a UK university.
- Increase your employability level – An LLM will be a huge benefit to your CV as it shows potential employers that your level of understanding of the law, your research skills, and your transferable skills are greater than students with only an undergraduate level qualification.
- Gain access to global opportunities – An LLM from a UK university is recognised across the world. It’ll also allow you to practise law in the UK and in other European countries to varying degrees.
Now that we’ve looked at the main benefits of studying an LLM in the UK, let’s understand some key factors about legal education in the UK.
| Studying an LLM in the UK – Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Number of universities in the UK for a master’s in law | Approximately 200 universities offer an LLM degree in the UK |
| Average LLM in UK tuition fees per year: | £20,000 to £45,000 (average) |
| Duration: | One year |
| Most popular LLM specialisations: |
|
Course overview for a master’s of law in the UK
An LLM degree in the UK will train you for the fast-paced and occasionally demanding world of the law. That’s why UK universities employ a combination of lectures, seminars, and self-study to deliver an LLM degree and create a well-rounded learning experience. You’ll usually be required to complete 180 credits, of which approximately 60 credits will go towards a research module, writing project, or dissertation, depending on your university.
You can also choose to specialise in an area of law if you want to enhance your knowledge in a particular subject area.
Popular specialisations
Choosing a specialisation will help shape and define your legal career as you’ll be able to work toward becoming the go-to expert in your chosen specialisation. While general legal practitioners provide an important service to the public, specialised legal practitioners are able to build exclusive circles of clients and get recognised in an industry beyond law. LLM specialisations in the UK include:
- LLM International Law – Masters of Law in International Law covers various subjects, such as international humanitarian law, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the law of the United Nations.
- LLM Commercial Law – The UK is among the most lucrative countries to study commercial law, thanks to its reputation as a business-friendly nation. LLM in Commercial Law is well-suited for those applicants who intend to enter legal practice in the commercial sector.
- LLM Corporate Law – An LLM in Corporate Law covers various topics such as corporate governance, economic analysis of corporate law and finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and corporate social responsibility. It also explores the interplay between national and international corporate law and the role of corporations in the global economy.
- LLM in Human Rights – Human rights is a vast field covering law, politics, theology, and history which means that those studying humanitarian law must be highly knowledgeable and well-informed about global issues. When pursuing an LLM in Human Rights, you’ll explore the role of human rights organisations in promoting global peace and harmony.
While curricula may vary depending on the university you choose, the above is generally what your LLM course in the UK will involve. Similar to curricula, eligibility requirements for an LLM will also vary slightly depending on your university, but there are some general considerations to keep in mind.
Eligibility criteria for a LLM in UK
UK universities typically require a bachelor’s in law from potential LLM students. Exceptions to this rule are made only in very specific circumstances, where a student may demonstrate extremely high academic qualifications or professional expertise. The admission requirements may vary depending on where you apply, but in general UK universities look for:
- A minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree in law with a 65 to 75% final score
- IELTS score of at least 6.5
- Some universities may ask for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) but this is generally not a requirement. On the other hand, the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is a common requirement for undergraduate law students who wish to study at a UK university, but if you have a first degree in law, you won’t have to worry about this for your master’s in law.
Documents needed when applying for an LLM
In addition to meeting the entry requirements, you’ll need to submit the following documents when applying for an LLM in UK:
- Statement of purpose
- Professional and academic references
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Evidence of your English language proficiency scores
Top universities to study an LLM in UK
The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world for law and legal studies. Three UK universities are among the top 10 in the QS World University Rankings for law while eight are in the top 50. Here are the top 10 universities to study an LLM in UK:
| QS World University Ranking by Subject 2024: Law & Legal Studies | University | Suggested course | Annual tuition fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | University of Oxford | MSc in Law and Finance | £53,340 / INR 57 lakhs |
| 3 | University of Cambridge | Master of Law (LLM) | £55,586 / INR 60 lakhs |
| 7 | The London School of Economics and Political Science | LLM Master of Laws | £38,000 / INR 41 lakhs |
| 14 | University College London | Master of Laws (LLM) | £36,500 / INR 39 lakhs |
| 15 | King’s College London | Master of Laws LLM | £35,800 / INR 38 lakhs |
| 20 | The University of Edinburgh | LLM in Law | £30,500 / INR 33 lakhs |
| 38 | Queen Mary, University of London | Laws LLM | £31,500 / INR 34 lakhs |
| 48 | Durham University | Master of Laws | £29,600 / INR 32 lakhs |
| 57 | The University of Manchester | LLM Law | £29,500 / INR 31 lakhs |
| 61 | University of Bristol | LLM Law | £26,000 / INR 28 lakhs |
The university you choose will be the deciding factor in your LLM’s tuition fees. While universities at the top of ranking tables tend to have higher fees, there are also more affordable LLM courses that do not compromise on quality.
UK LLM tuition fees for Indian students
International students can expect to pay between £20,000 to £40,000 per academic year when studying an LLM in the UK. This international tuition fee can be affected by several factors such as location, the ranking of your UK university, and course duration.
Master’s in law programmes at the University of Oxford, the university ranked number one in the UK for law and legal studies, will cost overseas students around £53,000 per year. However, an LLM at the University of Bristol, ranked 10th in the UK, is only about £26,000 per year. Below are 10 universities categorised by their cost for an LLM in UK.
| Most Expensive LLMs in UK for International Students | Cheapest LLMs in UK for International Students |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford, MSc in Law and Finance – £53,340 | University of Lancaster, Law LLM – £24,230 |
| University of Cambridge, Master of Law (LLM) – £55,586 | University of Exeter, Master of Laws LLM – £25,300 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science, LLM Master of Laws – £38,000 | University of Nottingham, Law (Master of Laws) LLM – £24,300 |
| University College London (UCL), Master of Laws (LLM) – £36,500 | Durham University, Master of Laws – £29,600 |
| King’s College London, Master of Laws LLM- £35,800 | University of Manchester, LLM Law – £29,500 |
Scholarships for Master’s in Law in UK for international students
While the funds required for a LLM in UK may seem daunting at first, UK universities and the UK government provide international students with a variety of funding opportunities for their postgraduate studies.
Here are some scholarships specific for LLM degrees in the UK:
- Energy and Climate Change Law Institute Scholarship at the Queen Mary University of London
Value: £7,500 towards tuition fees
- GREAT scholarships for justice and law
Value: A minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees
- Prathiba M. Singh Cambridge Scholarship at the University of Cambridge
Value: Variable
- Tercentenary Awards for Excellence at the University of Edinburgh
Value: £5,000 towards tuition fees
- Ewen Cameron Scholarship in Comparative Private Law
Value: £5,000 towards tuition fees
Additionally, the UK has a range of scholarships for master’s students regardless of the subject they’re studying, including the fully-funded Chevening Scholarship. Once you’ve gained admission into your chosen LLM, you’ll have to navigate the UK Student visa process which we’ve outlined below.
Student visa for LLM international students
The UK Student visa will give you the right to study and live in the UK for the duration of your LLM. Before you start your visa application, you need to determine whether you’re eligible for a UK Student visa. To be eligible for one, you must have:
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a valid UK institution
- English proficiency scores
- Documents which prove you have enough finances for your study and stay in the UK
To start the process of applying to your student visa, you’ll need to fill in your Student visa application form online which can be found through the GOV.UK site. It will cost you £490 and you’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application – usually £1,552 for a two-year visa, though the exact amount depends on the length of your visa.
The documents that you need to provide with your application will depend on a variety of factors, including your circumstances, your programme, and the university you want to join. In summary, the documents you need are:
- A current passport
- Your CAS
- Documents of financial evidence
- ATAS certificate (if required)
- Proof of guardian consent (if applicable)
- Proof of your relationship to your guardian (if applicable)
- Your TB certificate
- Written consent from your financial sponsor (if applicable)
- Documents about your dependants (if applicable)
If you’re curious about what your life will look like after you obtain your LLM from a UK university, read below where we’ve delved into career opportunities and salaries in the UK.
Graduate employability rate for an LLM degree
The International Graduate Outcomes Report 2024 shows that 78% of students who remained in the UK after graduating found work straight away in mostly the private sector. In particular, law is among the top 10 industries for international students who start work in the UK. This means that there are many lucrative career opportunities for LLM graduates in the UK.
Career opportunities after you get an LLM in UK
While an LLM develops your theoretical skills, it also hones valuable transferable skills in you that can be used across multiple career fields. These transferable skills include analysis, legal research, writing, critical evaluation, and verbal communication skills. As such, following your LLM in the UK, you’ll be eligible for a range of job opportunities.
Top job opportunities
When considering working in the field of law, you have many options to choose from as its a gateway to many industries. Here are some of the most popular career paths for LLM graduates in UK:
- Legislative Assistant
- Paralegal
- Mediator
- Policy Analyst
- Corporate Lawyer
Salaries
According to the Indeed Career Guide, a lawyer is the highest-paying job in the UK with a national average salary of £50,840 per year. Lawyers can work in a number of different roles in the UK, including as chartered legal executives, barristers, and solicitors.
Work permit after LLM in UK
In the UK, you don’t have to be admitted to the bar to practise law – different training is only required if you want to be a barrister or solicitor. Any other type of legal career can be pursued with a Graduate visa. A Graduate visa allows you to work and live in the UK for up to two years after your LLM. Once it expires, you have the option of applying for a Skilled Worker visa through a sponsor.
Apply for an LLM in UK
Getting an LLM in UK will easily help you to significantly progress in your legal career. UK universities are especially suited for LLM students as they’ll build your legal skills in practical environments. We at SI-UK are able to assist you with submitting a successful application for an LLM programme. We’ll also help you budget and plan for life in the UK, along with providing you valuable advice on visas. Reach out to us today.
FAQs
How many years is an LLM in the UK?
An LLM course in the UK generally lasts one year if you’re studying full-time. Students can select the module or area they wish to study and complete a dissertation over the learning period.
How can I apply for an LLM in the UK?
You can apply for an LLM in the UK directly through the university. You will need to produce some or all of the following documents when applying:
- Completed application form
- Statement of Purpose
- Recommendation letters
- Updated CV
- Academic transcripts
- Written work sample
- Work experience certificates
- Proof of funds
How can I do an LLM in the UK?
If you have a bachelor’s degree in law with a 65 to 75% score and appropriate English proficiency test results (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), you can apply for an LLM in the UK. Some universities may also require you to take the LSAT exam.
How can I get a scholarship for an LLM in the UK?
There are several international scholarships available from government organisations, UK universities, and private donors for Indian students looking to pursue an LLM in the UK. Applicants need to meet all the eligibility criteria to be considered and applying early can increase their chances of receiving the chosen scholarship.
Is an LLM in the UK worth it?
Yes, an LLM graduate can earn up to £35,000 for the first job out of the master’s programme in the UK—building up to £45,000 as they build experience in the field. An LLM in the UK gives students valuable transferable skills including analysis, legal research, writing, critical evaluation, and verbal communication skills in addition to theoretical knowledge.