LLM Competition Law
Master the dynamics of global markets and technological advancements with our LLM Competition Law.
Overview
Competition Law is a fascinating and constantly evolving field which, at its core, focuses on regulating market power to prevent consumer harm and societal detriment. Taught by leading experts in the field, as well as policy lawyers, practicing lawyers and economists. LLM Competition Law offers a rich, cross-disciplinary education in law, economics, and technology. The programme covers a broad range of corporate practices, including actions against cartels, market dominance, and harmful mergers and acquisitions. The interplay between legal and economic analysis is central to this discipline, which has gained global prominence with over 130 jurisdictions enacting competition laws.
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 nowLLM Scholarships at UCL Laws
UCL Laws offers a range of scholarships for LLM students, including UCL200 awards and the Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship. Apply by 16 April.
Find out moreHighlights
- UCL pioneered involving economists in competition law courses, a tradition started by the late Emeritus Professor Valentine Korah, who held the first Chair in Competition Law at UCL and was among the first women appointed to a Chair in Law in the UK.
- The programme is part of the UCL Centre for Law, Economics and Society (CLES), fostering a vibrant, globally engaged academic community.
- Complete your LLM degree in just 10 months when studying full-time, giving you a head start in 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.
- Be a part of our global student community and take advantage of our unrivalled UCL Laws Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.
Why choose this programme?
Competition law and policy has proliferated around the world and deep knowledge of the subject has become increasingly important to our understanding of the dynamic forces at play in the modern digital economy. The extensive curriculum provides ample opportunities to grapple with the legal, regulatory, economic, political, institutional facets of competition law. Theoretical discussions are balanced with real-world examples of the evolving implementation of competition law and policy, with a particular focus on how technology changes the way competition in markets work and how competition laws around the world evolve to take into account these new realities.
Who should apply?
This specialism attracts a diverse group of students, from recent graduates seeking specialised knowledge to professionals aiming to shift their career focus or deepen their expertise. Ideal candidates include those from competition authorities, law firms, consultancy firms, or the judiciary, as well as individuals with a strong interest in the subject matter. Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements page to find out the exact requirements for this programme.
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 programmes, 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
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
Programme structure
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. Students are 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 assessments such as oral presentations, output for audience or group projects.
During the programme, you will research and write a 9000 word Research Essay which counts towards your final grade.
Master of Laws (LLM) – Modules
Explore the full list of modules for the UCL Master of Laws (LLM) programme for the 2026/27 academic year, including core and specialist pathway modules across all LLM specialisms.
During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction Programme, 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 programme.
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 UCL Laws Graduate Law Society.
Term threeYour 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 programme 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 programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.
You will follow the same programme 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.
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 Competition Law graduates are highly sought after worldwide. Alongside advanced legal knowledge, students develop transferable skills in critical thinking, legal and economic analysis, communication, and advocacy—qualities valued across many sectors. They also strengthen their professional profile through extracurriculars such as mooting, debating, and pro bono work, gaining practical experience in advocacy, providing legal advice, and contributing to local and international communities.
Students with expertise in competition law are particularly well-placed for advanced roles in policy and regulation within government, competition authorities, regulatory bodies, multinational corporations, and international institutions, where a deep understanding of law, markets, and technology is essential.
Many graduates enter the legal profession, working as solicitors, lawyers, or legal associates. Others move into consultancy, financial services, academic research and higher education, charities, NGOs, government, or policy-making roles. Some undertake professional legal training, PhD programmes, or other further academic studies.
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.
LLM Student Spotlights
Meet some of our 2024/25 LLM students as they share reflections on a transformative and rewarding year at UCL Laws.
