LLM in Maritime Law
Explore key cases, contracts, and new technologies in maritime law, and build the skills to handle complex legal challenges with confidence.
Overview
The LLM in Maritime Law is designed to keep you at the forefront of this evolving field. You will study major recent developments, from significant maritime cases to revised forms of maritime contracts, as well as emerging maritime technologies and their legal implications.
English maritime law has a long history and is one of the oldest and most developed branches of commercial law. Much of contract and tort law in England has developed from judicial decisions on maritime disputes. This complex and fascinating area also cuts across the boundaries of public and private law, allowing you to engage with cross-disciplinary legal challenges with confidence and skill.
Apply for the Master of Laws (LLM)
Applications are now open via the UCL Prospective Students page. The page also includes details about tuition fees and any extra costs.
Apply nowHighlights
- Complete your LLM in 10 months full-time, giving you a head start in your career.
- Study in the heart of legal London, with access to the UK’s government, legal, and financial communities.
- Gain practical skills with pro-bono opportunities offered at the Centre for Access to Justice, allowing you to provide legal advice and give back to the local community.
- Develop your skills and legal knowledge by taking part in mooting and debating competitions.
- Access specialist careers support from our in-house Careers Consultant.
- Be a part of our global student community and benefit from UCL Law Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.
Why choose this course?
Maritime law has a long history, yet remains highly relevant today. It is a truly dynamic field, making it an exciting topic of study which reflects the ebb and flow of the global economy. When economic activity is high, vessels carry more cargo across oceans, creating a range of legal considerations. When the market slows, maritime disputes tend to rise, sparking legal debates with real-world impact.
You will also explore maritime policy-making, a complex and evolving field that shapes the industry’s future at both national and international levels. The specialism equips you for careers in regulatory bodies and governance.
Despite its global application, many maritime disputes are governed by English law, and London remains a leading centre for dispute resolution, making UCL Laws a strong place to study this field.
Who should apply?
Maritime law appeals to students from diverse backgrounds and interests.
You may be aiming to practise maritime law within the legal profession or the shipping industry, either in the City or internationally. This specialism is particularly relevant if you want to develop expertise in this area.
It also appeals if you are looking to strengthen your legal reasoning and analytical skills through a complex and cross-disciplinary subject.
Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements page to find out the exact requirements
Essential information for applicants
LLM applying and entry requirements
Our entry requirements and guidance to help you successfully complete your LLM application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible.
Postgraduate scholarships and funding
UCL Laws offers a range of scholarships to support students on both our Master's courses, including awards based on academic excellence, financial need, and widening access
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the UCL Master of Laws (LLM), including entry requirements, the application process, and how to apply.
Offer holders: Master of Laws (LLM)
From meeting your conditions, to accepting your offer and choosing your modules, you can find lots of information to help you prepare for life at UCL Laws in this section for LLM offer-holders
Course structure
The course is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. You will be expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly for seminars and tutorials.
Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or through a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessment, such as oral presentations, outputs for the audience, or group projects.
During the course you will research and write a 9000-word Research Essay, which counts towards your final grade.
Terms one and two
During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM.
In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes.
There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the Faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the Graduate Law Society.
Term three
Your assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two.
During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.
You will follow the same course as full-time students above, except for the following:
Your degree will be completed over two academic years In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay. You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and flexi LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your course and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.
You will follow the same course as full-time students above, except for the following:
You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree. You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5 year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years).
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
We will prompt you to select modules each year. You may wish to have a year or more where you do not take any modules; this is possible. It is recommended that you only complete your Research Essay at the end of your degree, in the same year that you are due to complete all of your taught module credits. You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
Master of Laws (LLM) – Modules
Explore the full list of modules for the UCL Master of Laws (LLM) for the 2026/27 academic year, including core and specialist pathway modules across all LLM specialisms.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees and support
You can find full details about tuition fees for both UK and international students on the UCL Prospectus for this programme. This includes information on any additional study-related costs you may need to budget for.
For guidance on paying your fees, budgeting tips, and support with financial planning while you study, head over to managing your money on the UCL website.
Scholarships and external funding
UCL Laws offers various scholarships for LLM students based on academic merit, financial need, and widening access, including new awards as part of the UCL200 Scholarships initiative ahead of UCL’s 2026 Bicentennial.
In addition to the scholarships, students may be eligible for a range of other external funding options.
Please visit the Scholarships and Funding page for more information.
Career prospects and employability
UCL LLM in Maritime Law graduates are highly sought after worldwide. Alongside advanced legal knowledge, you will develop transferable skills in critical thinking, legal analysis, research, communication, and advocacy—valued across multiple sectors. You can also strengthen your professional profile through extracurricular activities such as mooting, debating, and pro bono work.
Graduates of this specialism are well placed for a wide range of careers, nationally and internationally. Many go on to practise as maritime or commercial lawyers in law firms or in-house legal teams. Others pursue careers in the shipping industry, including roles in Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, ship management companies, or maritime consultancy.
The programme also prepares you for roles in maritime governance, policy-making, and regulatory bodies, where expertise in maritime law and its commercial, historical, and technological context is essential.
According to recent Graduate Outcomes data (2022–23), UCL Laws graduates have gone on to work at leading international law firms, professional services organisations, and public bodies. Recent employers include Allen & Overy, Slaughter and May, White & Case, Milbank, Bird & Bird, KPMG, PwC, and UK and international government departments. Many go on to undertake professional legal training, PhD programmes, or further academic study.
LLM Student Spotlights
Meet some of our 2024/25 LLM students as they share reflections on a transformative and rewarding year at UCL Laws.
