LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Explore litigation and dispute resolution in depth, from international arbitration to judicial perspectives, while learning alongside a global cohort and experts from the UK judiciary.
Overview
The LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution provides an in-depth exploration of how we apply the law both directly through the courts, and indirectly through alternative forms of dispute resolution. The specialism gives students with an unrivalled opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of areas ranging from international commercial litigation and arbitration, to the nature and role of alternative forms of dispute resolution, to an insight in how judges think.
Students who take this specialism are generally drawn from across the world, which ensures that a diversity of views and experience inform all the seminars. Previously, leading members of the UK judiciary have taken part seminars including Lord Neuberger, the President of the UK Supreme Court and Sir Ernest Ryder, the Senior President of Tribunals.
Highlights
- 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 Graduate Law Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.
Why choose this programme?
The programme explores a range of theoretical and practical perspectives, including practical engagement with developmental areas within the specialism. Students can thus gain both a deep understanding of the issues, enhance their research skills, and broaden their understanding through practical engagement.
Whether you are interested in developing your understanding dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration to benefit your practice as a lawyer or want to engage in the deeper policy debates, you will find this specialism both engaging and rewarding.
Who should apply?
Students applying for the LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution come from a variety of backgrounds. You may have recently completed an undergraduate law degree or professional legal training, and wish to develop your understanding of key policy issues underpinning these subjects.
You may have also worked in legal practice or policy for several years, and wish to enhance your career by deepening your understanding of relevant litigation and dispute resolution topics. For example, you want to look more deeply at the rationales underpinning civil litigation or the development and use of ADR.
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.
Scholarships and funding
Details for 2026/27 scholarships, including deadlines and application forms, will be published soon. Support is available for LLM and MSc Law and Finance students.
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about studying an LLM programme with us.
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.
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 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, 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 Litigation and Dispute Resolution graduates are highly sought after worldwide. Alongside advanced legal knowledge, students develop transferable skills in critical thinking, legal analysis, research, communication, and advocacy—qualities valued across multiple sectors. They also strengthen their 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. Many go on to develop a litigation or dispute resolution practice with law firms or at the Bar, or to specialise in particular areas of legal practice. Others apply their expertise in NGOs, policy forums, international organisations, or the civil service, where understanding dispute resolution and judicial reasoning informs strategic and regulatory decision-making.
The LLM also equips graduates with skills applicable to consultancy, policy-making, regulatory bodies, and academic research. Graduates interested in qualifying as solicitors or barristers can complement their LLM with the relevant professional legal training.
According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018‑22, UCL Laws graduates progress to major law firms and global professional services organisations such as Linklaters LLP, Clifford Chance, Dentons, Clyde & Co., Zhong Lun Law Firm, and firms/auditors including KPMG LLP, PwC, Deloitte LLP, and EY, as well as public bodies such as the Ministry of Justice. 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.
