LLM Law and Technology
Study a rapidly developing area of law — the evolving relationship between legal rules and technological change — through the LLM Law and Technology specialism.
Overview
Introduced for the 2026–27 academic year, the LLM Law and Technology specialism is a new post-enrolment pathway within the UCL Master of Laws (LLM), enabling students to study the fast-changing intersection between legal rules and practice, technological change and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Through this specialism, students engage with key legal and regulatory challenges arising from technological developments, exploring areas central to some of the most pressing issues shaping contemporary legal systems. These include technology law, media and platform regulation, privacy law, data governance and digital rights, algorithmic decision-making and artificial intelligence (AI), competition in digital markets, financial technology, copyright, and patent law.
UCL Laws is home to a vibrant community of scholars working at the forefront of law and digital technologies. Its research shapes the understanding and application of law by courts, regulators, legislators, governments and private parties. Students will be exposed to developments at the leading edge of this field and provided with the foundational analytical skills to navigate a changing technological world throughout their careers.
Module availability may vary from year to year depending on specialist teaching expertise. To be awarded the LLM in Law and Technology, students must complete 60 credits of taught modules in this area and write a Research Essay on a related topic.
By the end of the course, students will have developed a critical understanding of the legal and regulatory challenges in emerging technologies and of effective approaches to addressing them across commercial, government, and public-sector contexts.
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
- Study the legal implications of emerging technologies across multiple areas of law, including data protection, AI regulation, media, and intellectual property
- Develop an understanding of how legal systems and regulatory approaches are responding to, and being shaped by, emerging technologies and digital innovation across commercial and regulatory contexts
- Benefit from UCL Laws’ interdisciplinary perspectives, drawing connections between law, the digital economy, and innovation
- Tailor your studies through a range of specialist modules (subject to availability each year)
- Access specialist careers support from our in-house Careers Consultant
- Complete your LLM in as little as 10 months (full-time)
- Study in London, a global centre for technology, finance, and legal practice
- Join a global student community and take part in the Graduate Law Society’s programme of activities and events each term
Why choose this programme?
The pace of technological innovation is transforming legal principles, regulatory frameworks, and professional practice at an unprecedented rate. Legal expertise in this area is increasingly in demand, spanning fields such as artificial intelligence, algorithmic governance, digital markets, and financial technologies.
The Law and Technology specialism enables students to engage critically with these changes across a range of legal domains. It offers the opportunity to examine both established areas of law, such as intellectual property and competition law, and emerging regulatory challenges shaped by new technologies.
Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives and global developments in law and regulation, the specialism supports a greater understanding of how law responds to technological innovation and how legal frameworks shape technological development. It also develops an understanding of effective and appropriate regulatory approaches to emerging technologies.
Who should apply?
This specialism is suitable for students aiming to develop expertise in the intersection of law and technology, or professionals already working in law, policy, technology, or compliance.
It may be of particular interest to:
- Law graduates wishing to specialise in technology-related fields
- Professionals working in or alongside technology-driven sectors
- Individuals interested in regulation, policy, or the legal implications of emerging technologies
Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements page for full details on eligibility.
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 LLM programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to participate in teaching sessions, particularly in seminar-based learning, actively.
Assessment methods vary by module and may include examinations, coursework, or a combination of both. Some modules may also include alternative forms of assessment, such as presentations or project work.
All students complete a 9,000-word Research Essay, which forms a core part of the LLM. Students undertaking the Law and Technology specialism must write their Research Essay on a topic within this field.
Terms one and two
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 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 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 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).
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.
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
Law and technology is a growing, highly sought-after area of legal practice, with increasing demand for expertise across industry, government, and regulatory contexts. Graduates will develop a strong understanding of how legal and regulatory frameworks respond to technological change and contribute to the development of legal and policy frameworks relating to emerging technologies. This will support progression in roles across legal, regulatory, policy, and technology-driven sectors.
Graduates may pursue careers in:
- Law firms specialising in technology, intellectual property, or regulatory law
- In-house legal teams within the technology sector and other technology-focused organisations
- Regulatory bodies and public sector organisations addressing emerging technologies
- Policy and advisory roles relating to law, technology, and innovation
The combination of legal knowledge and understanding of technological developments also supports broader career pathways across consultancy, finance, and international organisations.
LLM Student Spotlights
Meet some of our 2024/25 LLM students as they share reflections on a transformative and rewarding year at UCL Laws.
