Masters in Law (LLM) in UK: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility, Jobs & Salary

Masters in Law in UK, also known as the LLM in UK is one of the greatest postgraduate degrees by law graduates and legal practitioners all over the world. The program is recognized due to its international curriculum, academic rigours, and one year duration, which attract many international students annually, particularly students that are in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, and the USA.

This is the ultimate guide that explains everything you need to know about undertaking an LLM in UK such as admission requirements, tuition fee, scholarship opportunities, career prospects, and others. This guide will offer both factual and strategic piece of advice about one of the most demanded postgraduate degrees in the world, when it comes to law and the legal industry in general.

Masters in Law (LLM) in UK Course Overview and Highlights

A typically 12 to 18 months contingent or two years part time academia Masters in Law in UK is actually a course that is taught in more than 100 universities. The system of Legal education in UK is well known around the world and the LLM in UK students develop theoretical as well as practical aspects of law. They are concentrated in such fields as International Business Law and Human Rights, Maritime Law, and Environmental Law.

The program organization takes the form of core courses, dissertation or law research paper and numerous options. This is flexible since students can design their LLM program according to the professional needs or needs relating to their personal interest. Most of the universities in the UK belong to Common Law tradition, and therefore the Masters in Law in UK is particularly appealing to students who hail out of the Commonwealth.

Masters in Law (LLM) in UK: Important Dates and Events

Entry into LLM in UK reputedly has two big intakes Sept and January. Nevertheless, most law programs are undertaken at the September intake. Applications usually take place 9-12 months prior to the commencement of the course. To increase the probability of getting scholarships and obtain visas in time, it is recommended that the students apply early.

The deadline in leading institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, LSE and King College London is between January and April when applying to start in September. The SOPs, academic transcripts and recommendation letters are supporting documents that should be submitted before the deadline. Any form of delay in these can lead to either delayed applications or even rejection.

In order to give good clarity to the major activities of academics, the following is a timeline characteristic of both the major intakes the LLM in UK:

Why Choose LLM in UK?

• There are also five UK universities ranked in the QS World Top 15 in Law, three of which (Oxford, 2; and Cambridge, 3) are ranked in the top three.
• There are more than 100 1-year LLMs in the UK Universities, more affordable and frequently quicker than 2-year courses abroad.
• There exist over 15 areas of concentration in LLM and these courses fulfil a variety of legal career aspirations.
• Over 70 percent of UK LLM graduates find employment in occupation six months after graduation.
• Students studying in the UK may be granted with a 2 years post- LLM graduate route visa to work outside the country.
• The tuition fee spans £9,000 to 55,000 but there are scholarships such as Chevening which are huge sources of financial aid.

Read More: Masters in Law in Australia

Best Universities/Colleges for Masters in Law (LLM) in UK

Masters in Law (LLM) in UK Eligibility Criteria

In order to apply to law degree in UK, the following requirements must be achieved:

1. Bachelors degree in law (minimum 2:1 (UK equivalent) or 60-65 (Indian students))
2. English level: IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE (minimum 7.0, 95, and 67).
3. Letters of Recommendation (LORs) and Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Application Process

1. UCAS Postgraduate or use university website
2. Create a profile in the application
3. Pay the application fee (20 to 60 Eth).
4. Submit the documents and await conditional/unconditional offer of letter.

Documents Required

1. Academic transcripts
2. Proof of mastery of English (IELTS/TOEFL)
3. A SOP (5001000 words)
4. 2–3 LORs
5. Resume/CV
6. Passport scan
7. Letter of work experience (in case of one)

Visa Application Timeline

Top Entrance Exams for Masters in Law (LLM) in UK

Masters in Law (LLM) in UK Cutoff

Here is the cutoff for the Masters in Law (LLM) in UK in the table mentioned below: 

Masters in Law (LLM) in UK Syllabus

UK syllabus LLM is designed such that it makes the student come out with profound knowledge at the theoretic level as well as practical knowledge at the level of practicing law. The curriculum can be categorized into three parts namely, core modules, elective/ specialization subjects and a final research dissertation. These units enable a student to develop a solid basis in law whilst at the same time advancing an academic trajectory in preparation of a professional career path.

Core Modules

Most of the time, at the beginning of the program, students are required to attend core courses that provide a standard academic basis in the necessary legal notions. Such modules can include Legal Theory and Jurisprudence, International Public law, Comparative Constitutional law, and the European Union law. These core subjects guarantee that all those enrolled in an LLM are grounded on the same vocabulary and method of inquiry of analysis needed to compare and contrast legal propositions at a higher level of analysis and discussion.

In other programs, particularly those that have international orientation in their name, a course titled Global Governance, Law and Development, or Transnational Legal Studies may be provided to initiate the global theme in studying law. These topics make up the intellectual backbone of the Masters in Law in UK and equip students to learn about law as a system that is part of the economy, social and political environment.

Electives and Specializations

1. Corporate and Commercial Law
2. Human Rights and Public Law
3. Intellectual Property and Technology Law
4. International Dispute Resolution
5. Environmental and Energy Law

Cost of Living While Studying LLM in UK

Students have to consider, in addition to tuition, living costs as one of the biggest considerations that international students bring along. It is followed by London where the cost varies between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds per month. The other cities such as Manchester, Glasgow and Durham are cheaper, costing between 700 and 1000 pounds monthly.

These expenses are rent, food, travel, insurance, books and leisure. Sometimes it is also less expensive to live on-campus due to universities often having special provisions of on-campus housing especially on the first-year international students.

Career Scope After Masters in Law (LLM) in UK

Masters in Law (LLM) in UK Salary Package

The salaries of LLM in the UK are between 35000 -70, 000 units per year according to the position, specialisation and the firm of the employer. Graduates of leading universities with corporate law experience may earn even more especially when they are still placed in big four firms.

The pay grades normally begin at 40,000 of a legal advisor or in-house counsel, whereas 2 years and 3 to post LLM experience of a barrister or a corporate lawyer make a minimum of 3;70,000 and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. How long does an LLM in UK take when studying as an international student?

Ans. An LLM in UK can be a one year of full time or two years part time program. It is short in length and as such, suits learners who need to have a strong and validly acknowledged law degree. The majority of Masters in Law in UK start in September or January according to the university.

Ques. What are the eligibility requirements of LLM in UK?

Ans. Eligibility to pursue LLM in UK requires a graduate degree in law of 6065 minimum and the knowledge of English as specified by IELTS or TOEFL. There are universities where a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation are required. Work experience is not a requirement but strengthens the applications to Masters in Law in UK.

Ques. What are the best LLM universities in UK?

Ans. The best LLM universities in UK are the university of Oxford, University of Cambridge, LSE, UCL and King Collage London. These colleges are always on the list of the top law colleges in UK with respect to LLM due to their international reputation, established staffs and advance legal research.

Ques. What are the fees of LLM in UK to international students?

Ans. Expendable fees are 22,000 to 35,000 pound yearly to study LLM in the UK of intercontinental students in accordance with the foundation and the specialty. Although doing your LLM in some of the best universities offering the same in UK may be expensive, it may result in better LLM placements in UK and increased remunerations.