Whether you're travelling thousands of kilometres to London or joining us from closer to home, embarking on the LLM programme is a great commitment. We will do all we can to help you settle into life as a postgraduate student. You will, no doubt, have many questions. If you cannot find an answer to your query below, please contact us. Please read the relevant LLM programme page first.
For general enquiries about our LLM programmes taught in London, please contact the Postgraduate Taught Programmes reception on pglaw-reception@qmul.ac.uk.
Students have different motivations for studying an LLM. It could be for the pleasure of study or because you wish to go on to take a PhD. However, many of our students take an LLM because they want to pursue a career in the legal profession. View our LLM programme choice from a career perspective guide [PDF 81KB] to help you decide.
No, you can only apply for one LLM (London taught) programme. Note that all of our specialist LLM programmes and Master of Laws (General) have the same entry requirement, so if you are made an offer for one programme you would almost certainly receive an offer for another. An exception would be for those applying from a non-law background where only one specific LLM programme may be suitable. You can only enrol on one London LLM programme, so please do spend some time researching the programme most suited to your needs and interests and apply accordingly.
Students who apply for more than one programme in error will receive the following message from Admissions: “Applicants are only permitted to apply for one LLM specialism. You already have an existing LLM application for this cycle. Should you wish to change this to a different specialism please contact lawpgadm@qmul.ac.uk.
Similarly, if you already have an offer of study for one LLM and decide that you wish to change, you can do so by emailing lawpgadm@qmul.ac.uk.
Note: Students with a finance or economics background can if they wish, apply for one of the specialist LLMs above and the LLM Law and Economics or the MSC Law and Finance as these are separate programmes. It is also possible to apply for the LLM in Paris programme as well as the London LLM programme.
Admission is based solely on academic merit. The usual qualification for entry to the LLM programme is a degree in law, or a degree with a substantial law content, normally of at least upper-second class honours (or equivalent).
Non-law graduates with good honours, who have also obtained the equivalent of good honours in CPE and Bar Finals/Legal Practice examinations, or passed the solicitors’ qualifying examination, may qualify. Law graduates with high 2.2 honours and at least five years professional legal experience may also qualify. Non-law graduates may be considered on the basis of exceptional professional experience that directly relates to specialist LLM taught courses.
Please note that neither Admissions or the LLM office are able to advise on whether a student meets entry by email – Admissions will require sight of the full application papers in order to make a qualified and considered decision.
For students with International Qualifications visit www.qmul.ac.uk/international. If your country is not represented, please contact the admissions office on admissions@qmul.ac.uk for further advice.
See our Fees page for full details.
All postgraduate applications for QMUL must be made by submitting an online application from our website. To make an application please go to our postgraduate course finder section.
All applicants are automatically emailed once their details are logged onto the system, informing them that we have received their application and giving them their application number and specific contact details of our admission staff.
We usually open for applications around October of the year prior to entry (for programmes with a September start date such as our LLMs) – closing dates will be announced on each programme page when announced and are subject to change.
You will need the following documents to complete an application:
As we do not interview prospective students, these documents will form the basis of any decision made.
Incomplete applications may be rejected. If you have not yet completed your degree, then a transcript of marks achieved so far is required and is acceptable. You do not need to have finished your first degree before applying, as conditional offers can then be made pending your final marks.
You can also apply without submitting a language score, as this can follow later in the process. Conditional offers can be made pending receipt of language score. (See FAQ on deadlines for submission of language score).
Please ensure that you read the guidance notes which accompany the online application as they will guide you through each section of the process.
Note: On the application form you will be applying for entry your chosen postgraduate programme. All individual module choices will be finalised after enrolment and induction.
For a Postgraduate Law application we require one reference. If you have the reference in a colour, official headed paper format, please upload it to the application form. If you do not have the reference, or your referee is unwilling to give it to you directly (for example, for confidentiality reasons), you would need to provide details of two referees so that we can obtain the reference directly from them. Please note, we need details of two referees but for an LLM application we will need to obtain one reference.
Also note that decisions on applications with missing references can potentially take longer whilst we contact the referee.
The reference can be provided in the text of an email from a verifiable professional email address, or as a scanned colour copy written on institutional or professional letter-headed paper.
The School of Law requires all applicants to postgraduate programmes to provide one relevant reference for their course of study to verify that they are suitable for the course and a suitable student for QMUL. We would prefer to receive an academic reference from your most recent Higher Education institution. If this is difficult, due to the passage of time since your first degree for instance, you can provide a professional reference if it is law related.
We welcome any additional comments that you believe are relevant to our consideration of this applicant, such as how long the referee has known you.
If you are unable to provide an academic reference and have extensive legal experience, a professional reference can be submitted. This could include:
Yes, we do, see our postgraduate funding page for more information.
Email the college Admissions Office on lawpgadm@qmul.ac.uk.
Please note that all applications are automatically acknowledged by email soon after receipt.
If you are an international student and require a visa, you will need to allow for the length of time needed to process your visa. For further information please visit our International Student pages.
You must have any degree transcript that is not in English translated before submission.
Translations must come from one of the following:
Translations must be officially signed and stamped accordingly. The admissions office require a copy of the foreign transcript document and the English translated copy. You will still have to provide the originals of any transcripts, certificates etc. before or on the enrolment day in September.
You should still apply and provide a transcript of degree marks achieved so far. You will then be made a conditional offer showing our requirements from your country or university.
All conditions of offer should be met ideally by the end of August. However, if you are an international student and require a Tier 4 visa, then we would advise sending language results as soon as possible, because you have to have an unconditional offer before you can request a CAS, which you'll need for the visa application. Most students send their language results around May, in case there is a need to retake a test OR to take a pre-sessional course.
All students from countries where English is not the first language must supply a TOEFL or IELTS language test or equivalent result. If you took your degree overseas and were taught in the English medium but your country’s main language is not English, you still have to provide a language score. The standard of English language used varies from region to region and indeed from university to university. It is therefore vital that all such students provide English language scores.
If you have not yet taken an IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent test at the application stage, you should still apply. If your IELTS/TOEFL results are not yet available, you could be made a conditional offer, subject to our normal academic requirements.
Students who submit a language score that does not meet the full language entry requirements of 7 overall 7 writing IELTS (or equivalent) will automatically be offered the appropriate pre-sessional language course as a condition of LLM entry if and where possible. However, if required, a student may still retake and submit a higher language score before enrolment - any pre-sessional condition set can then be cancelled or amended depending on the new score achieved and the date the new scores are submitted. Read the full and minimum language requirements.
Please scan your results and email them to lawpgadm@qmul.ac.uk. There is no need to ask the test provider to send the scores directly to us, as the Admissions office can verify all scores directly with TOEFL/IELTS once they receive your emailed version. Email what you have to Admissions and they will contact you direct if they require anything further from you.
Any student who scores 6.5 or below in the IELTS Writing component (or equivalent) is required to attend the Queen Mary in-sessional Critical Thinking and Writing in Law Programme (CTWL); this programme is free to QM students and runs in semesters 1, 2, and 3.
Students with higher English language scores may join this programme if they wish. Sessions are also provided to support dissertation writing. Full information on the CTWL programme will be provided after enrolment.
The online application form list these as required documentation - although not normally essential for admissions decisions for the LLM, these documents can be useful particularly in unusual applications or where there is professional legal experience to consider. Your personal statement should reflect your interest and / or experience in your chosen programme. Please keep your personal statement brief (one sheet of A4) and send a complete and up to date CV.
If you do not meet the academic conditions, you should still provide a transcript showing your final marks. We will still consider this and in borderline cases, take into case other relevant qualifications and relevant work experience. If you do not meet the full language condition, you should submit your obtained score as soon as possible, to see if any pre-sessional English language courses will help you.
Progress onto the LLM cannot unfortunately be guaranteed in advance. However, if a student attends regularly and completes all studies required, it is likely that progression would take place. The pre-sessional courses are designed to bring students up to the required level of English. An assessment is carried out at the end of the programme for Departmental consideration.
On the application form you will be applying for entry your chosen LLM programme. All individual module choices will be finalised after enrolment and induction. You will have a two-week induction and a full week of teaching before making your selection to enable you to make an informed choice.
If you find that, for reasons beyond your control, a change of programme is necessary or required, you will need to email the Admissions office on lawpgadm@qmul.ac.uk.
After application and offer
If you find that, for reasons beyond your control, a change of programme is necessary or required, you will need to email the Admissions office on lawpgadm@qmul.ac.uk. They will normally be able to change your programme of study for you, so that you can enrol on the correct LLM programme.
After enrolmentAfter enrolment, such changes will be extremely difficult and can only be considered within the first week of teaching and prior to module selection. In exceptional circumstances and with good evidence (such as a formal request from a sponsor) a change of programme may be considered.
Should this prove necessary, students would need to discuss this with the LLM Programme Co-ordinator, Sue Sullivan.
No, but the School of Law offers a two-year LLB known as 'Senior Status'.
The two-year LLB allows the student to obtain a ‘qualifying law degree’ in two years. Then it is necessary to complete the vocational stage of qualification - the Bar Professional Training Course (to become a barrister) or the Legal Practice Course (to become a solicitor). A period of practical training is then required. For information, see the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. If you hold a recognised legal professional qualification from another jurisdiction you may be eligible to take the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLLT).
Overseas students may find our 'working as a solicitor in the uk' flow chart helpful. It summarises the different options available to overseas students seeking to become a solicitor or a barrister in England and Wales.
Teaching is based at the School of Law's postgraduate centre in Lincoln's Inn Fields (nearest Underground station: Holborn). Depending on the courses you take, you may also have classes at the Mile End Campus (nearest Underground stations: Mile End and Stepney Green) or the University of London's Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (nearest Underground stations: Russell Square, Euston and Euston Square) or Charterhouse Square.
The will give you some idea of the different locations used for teaching. This is a sample only and venues and times/days can change from year to year. The LLM teaching timetable is given to students during the induction period (after enrolment). See also Where will I live and what are the accommodation options?
No. London is a large city, but the main sites you will use are all within easy reach of each other. On the London Underground ('the tube'), the journey from Mile End to Holborn (practically next door to Lincoln's Inn Fields) takes just 12 minutes. To walk from Lincoln's Inn Fields to the IALS library in Russell Square will take you about 12 minutes.
Queen Mary University of London has student residences at the Mile End Campus, in University of London Intercollegiate Halls and in the private sector.
Every year, about half of our LLM students choose to stay at the Mile End campus, whilst the other half choose private accommodation across London and outside the city. Students are advised not to try to base their accommodation decisions on the LLM teaching timetable. Teaching is spread over a number of locations and some travel will almost always be necessary between venues. This map shows MSc teaching venues and distances [PDF 62KB]. London transport links including tubes (metro), buses and trains are good in such a large city. Find the most suitable accommodation to suit you personally and financially. Also see Q: Isn't the Mile End campus far away?
We do not require or recommend any preparation or advance reading before starting your LLM.
Each module will have its own recommendations or requirements for books and class materials. Many class materials are provided for reading or printing via our on-line teaching tool (QMPlus Virtual Learning Environment). This will be explained in class and full reading lists will be provided at that time.
As a very rough guide, we estimate that books could cost the student between £100 -£300 in total depending on modules taken. Some modules may produce an in-house compilation of statutory materials which could cost less than a core published text book.
Printing costs depend very much on students own preferences to read books/journal articles in the library, online or buy/print them. QM and the School of Law provide limited printing credits to assist with this.
Details on the individual assessment per module can be found on the module description pages and will form part of the information provided in your LLM Induction pack, given to you during the induction week.
We do not have a formal reading week on the LLM.
This depends somewhat on the particular courses you take, but as a general guide you should expect about eight hours of lectures and seminars a week. The LLM programmes involve advanced study, so much of the important work you do is self-directed (working in the library and having informal discussions with other students). Overall, you should plan on lectures, seminars and independent study taking up at least 40 hours a week.
Part time students will study half of their degree each year over a maximum of two years. See the structure tab on each LLM Programme page.
Lectures and seminars take place Monday to Friday, during the day and early evening. Your particular timetable will depend on the courses you decide to take.
At the start of the teaching year you will have to identify the area of your dissertation as part of the overall module selection process. The deadline for submitting the actual title of the dissertation is usually in December. Students must choose to write a dissertation on a legal topic within their chosen programme, provided there is no overlap with a topic that will be examined in a student's taught modules. There will be a special session held during induction to assist students with this process. During October and November students will be given the opportunity to attend sessions where research themes in particular areas of law will be discussed; this will enable students to identify challenging topics and discuss them with academics in the specific area of law.
For students who are legally entitled to work in the UK, doing some part-time paid employment is often a practical necessity to fund LLM study. Anything more than about 10 hours a week, fitted in around your teaching timetable, is unlikely to be compatible with registration as a full-time student. If you are in this position, you should consider taking the LLM on a part-time basis over two years instead.
Yes, all of our LLM programmes can be taken on a part time basis, unless otherwise stated. For more information see the structure tab on any one of our LLM programme pages.
The law section of the Queen Mary University of London Library at the Mile End campus stocks key texts for many courses. LLM students are also entitled to use the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) Library, which is one of the world's best law collections. The IALS library is about 10 minutes walk from Lincoln's Inn Fields. From time to time, you may also wish to use the British Library, the UK's national library (nearest tube station: King's Cross St Pancras).
All registered students at Queen Mary University of London have easy access to a full range of electronic resources, including LexisNexis, Westlaw and a wide range of electronic journals. These may be accessed on and off the campus. LLM courses are also supported by an online teaching tool (QMPlus Virtual Learning Environment). All the main sites you may use – the Mile End Campus, Lincoln's Inn Fields and the IALS Library – have freely available WiFi and other computing facilities.
Queen Mary provides free access for its PG law students to 84 law databases including:
For many students on the LLM, this will be the first extended piece of advanced writing and legal research they tackle. We will, of course, ensure that you are supported in the task. There will be classes and on-line assistance with advanced writing and research methods and skills. And your project will be supervised by a member of the School with expertise in the field of law you are studying. Our experience is that students find writing a dissertation hugely rewarding.
Yes. There are pre-sessional and in-sessional English courses that Queen Mary students can attend on campus. The pre-sessional programme runs over the summer in short blocks between June and September and aims to improve overall ability in English, and provide opportunities to learn study skills such as note-taking, academic writing and participating in seminars and develop the skills you need to work independently at university. The in-sessional course for law students is the 'Critical thinking and writing in law' programme which can be taken during term time and includes teaching on general English, lecture comprehension and seminar skills, grammar and vocabulary and academic writing. There is also a research writing workshop for PhD students.
It is quite normal for students to have anxieties about failing examinations. Our experience, however, is that relative few students fail a course. LLM students are highly motivated individuals and we only admit people who we believe can successfully complete the programme. If, however, you do fail to meet the required standards in the May-June examinations, you will be given a second opportunity to take the exams during the late summer resit period (early August). More details for procedures on exam problems will be given to you in your student handbook.
The School of Law attaches great importance to the provision of support, both academic and pastoral, to its students. It recognises that there is a need for students, especially those who have come from abroad, to be able to discuss their individual course choices and progress during the academic year. All programmes of study have dedicated tutors and LLM students are assigned personal tutors.
The Queen Mary Advice and Counselling Service can help with finance advice and support with personal problems. Our Advice Service offers information, advice and guidance on a range of practical issues including financial problems or postgraduate funds available to help with study costs and international student issues. All students can also register with the College Health Centre.
You will be receiving your degree from Queen Mary University of London.
As an example, if you start your LLM in September 2014 and take your exams in 2015, you will receive your results in October and your degree certificate around March 2016.