Master of Laws (LLM)
Our Master of Laws (LLM) degree offers a broad and flexible legal education, taught in the heart of London by world-leading academics and practitioners.
Overview
Join a global community of ambitious graduate students at one of the world’s leading law schools. Located in the heart of legal London, our 10-month LLM provides you with a strong foundation to develop your legal expertise in specialist subject areas. The shorter study period enables you to fast-track your career and gain a competitive edge in the job market.
If you are already in practice or have other commitments, you can choose to study part-time over two years (10 months each), or take a modular/flexible route, with up to five years to complete your degree.
Taught by leading experts, our research-led teaching ensures that what you learn is relevant in any jurisdiction. You can choose from a wide range of modules, including commercial and corporate law, human rights law, global health governance, environmental law, intellectual property, and legal history. Whether you want to explore your interests broadly or specialise in a particular area, the programme gives you the flexibility to shape your degree.
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 just 10 months when studying full-time, giving you a head start in the industry
- Our location in the heart of legal London provides you with a unique opportunity to draw on the resources of the centre of 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.
- The option to study part-time over two years (10 months each), or undertake modular/flexible study and complete the course over five years (10 months each).
- Join a global student community and benefit from an active Graduate Law Society, which delivers a wide range of activities and events each term.
Why choose this course?
You will develop a deep understanding of specialised areas of law through a rigorous, research-led curriculum. You will learn to think critically, analyse complex legal arguments, and address challenging legal issues. You will also gain a global perspective on legal systems and practices, with insight into different jurisdictions and international contexts.
Who should apply?
The course is designed for law graduates looking to practice in specialist areas of law, as well as for practitioners aiming to develop their legal expertise. 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 degree.
In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes. You will be asked to indicate your Research Essay topic in October, and you will be allocated an RE advisor who provides guidance on choosing the topic and researching and writing the essay.
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 UCL Laws 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.
You will work on your research essay (re) from September to June throughout the entire year, 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 therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.
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 9 am-8 pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each 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).
- We will prompt you to select modules each year. You may wish to have a year or more without taking 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.
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9 am and 8 pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
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 degree. 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 graduates are highly regarded worldwide. Alongside advanced legal knowledge, you will develop transferable skills in critical thinking, communication, and advocacy – qualities valued across many sectors. You can also strengthen your professional profile through extracurricular activities such as mooting, debating, and pro bono work, gaining practical experience in advocacy, providing legal advice, and contributing to local and global communities.
Most graduates enter the legal profession, working as solicitors, lawyers, or legal associates. Others pursue careers in accountancy and financial services, academia, charities, NGOs, international organisations, government, and public policy.
According to recent Graduate Outcomes data (2022–2023), 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 graduates also 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.
