LLM in Legal History
Engage with the rich history of legal systems through primary source research and historical analysis across common law and civilian traditions with our Master of Laws (LLM) in Legal History.
Overview
The LLM in Legal History takes a historical approach to understanding and analysing law. Engagement with primary sources is a core aspect of the specialism, allowing you to develop strong research and historical skills, as well as your own understanding of the legal past.
The modules typically cover a range of jurisdictions, including both common law and civilian traditions. Teaching is often delivered in small, focused groups, with some modules offering flexibility to reflect the interests of those taking them in a given year.
Please note that this programme is confirmed for 2025/26 entry.
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
- Complete your LLM degree in just 10 months when studying 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 Graduate Law Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.
Why choose this programme?
If you have a strong interest in legal history, this specialism offers research-led teaching across a range of periods.
It provides a solid foundation both for those considering doctoral study and for those wishing to deepen their understanding of law from a historical perspective.
The programme also offers alternative perspectives on law that can be applied across other areas of legal study.
Who should apply?
This programme is suitable if you are interested in history, including legal history. You may have a background in law or in another discipline, or a broader interest in the subject.
It may be particularly relevant if you are considering a career in academia, as the programme provides a strong foundation for doctoral study.
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: 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
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.
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 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 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each 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).
- 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.
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.
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
UCL LLM in Legal History graduates are well prepared for roles requiring advanced research, critical thinking, and historical analysis. Alongside deep legal knowledge, students develop transferable skills in research, writing, communication, and analytical reasoning, which are valued across academia, cultural institutions, and policy-focused organisations. They can also strengthen their professional profile through extracurricular activities such as mooting, debating, and pro bono work.
Graduates are particularly well placed for careers in academia, including PhD research in legal history or related disciplines, as well as teaching, legal scholarship, and publishing. The skills developed in historical analysis and legal interpretation also support careers in policy, consultancy, and think tanks, where understanding the historical context of law informs decision-making.
According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018–22, across our LLM programmes, graduates who undertake relevant professional training progress to roles in major law firms and professional services organisations, including Linklaters LLP, Clifford Chance, Dentons, Clyde & Co., Zhong Lun Law Firm, and organisations such as KPMG LLP, PwC, Deloitte LLP, and EY, as well as public bodies like the Ministry of Justice. Others pursue further legal training, academic study, or PhD programmes.
LLM Student Spotlights
Meet some of our 2024/25 LLM students as they share reflections on a transformative and rewarding year at UCL Laws.
