Optional LLM Top-Up
The LLM Legal Practice Top-up provides an opportunity for graduates of Queen Mary University of London's solicitor apprenticeship pathway to continue their academic and professional development beyond completion of the apprenticeship.
Designed for qualified and aspiring legal professionals seeking to deepen their expertise, the programme enables learners to build on the knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained through the solicitor apprenticeship while achieving a postgraduate master's qualification.
Successful completion leads to the award of a Master of Laws (LLM).
Why Choose the LLM Top-up?
The LLM Legal Practice Top-up allows graduates to:
- Gain a prestigious postgraduate law qualification.
- Develop specialist knowledge in contemporary legal and professional issues.
- Enhance their research, analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Strengthen their professional profile and career progression opportunities.
- Continue their academic journey following completion of the solicitor apprenticeship pathway.
The programme combines academic rigour with practical relevance, enabling learners to reflect on and apply their professional experience within a postgraduate learning environment.
Who Is This Programme For?
The programme is designed for individuals who have completed Queen Mary's solicitor apprenticeship pathway and wish to achieve a full master's qualification.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Solicitor apprenticeship graduates.
- Newly qualified solicitors.
- Legal professionals seeking career advancement.
- Individuals wishing to enhance their academic and professional credentials through postgraduate study.
Duration and start dates
- Duration: 12 months.
- Study mode: Part-time.
- Start dates: September, with some programmes available to start in January.
The programme is designed to accommodate working professionals and can be studied alongside employment.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally be required to have successfully completed:
- Queen Mary's solicitor apprenticeship pathway, including the award of the LLB (Hons) and SQE 1 and 2.
What you will study
The LLM Top-up enables learners to engage with advanced legal and professional topics while developing postgraduate-level research and analytical skills.
Programme routes may include:
- AI and the Law.
- Art, Business and Law LLM.
- Banking and Finance Law LLM.
- Commercial and Corporate Law LLM.
- Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM.
- Competition Law LLM.
- Criminal Justice LLM.
- Energy and Climate Change Law LLM.
- Environmental Law LLM.
- Fashion Law LLM.
- Human Rights Law LLM.
- Intellectual Property Law LLM.
- International Business Law LLM.
- International Maritime Law LLM.
- International Trade and Economic Law LLM.
- International Tax Law LLM.
- Law and Economics LLM.
- Public International Law LLM.
- Regulation and Compliance LLM.
- Tax Law LLM.
- Technology, Media and Communications Law LLM.
The programme culminates in a substantial piece of independent work, allowing learners to explore an area relevant to their professional interests and career aspirations.
Career benefits
The LLM Legal Practice Top-up can support:
- Continued professional development.
- Career progression within legal practice.
- Leadership and specialist roles.
- Further academic study and research opportunities.
- Enhanced professional credibility through attainment of a master's qualification.
Fees and funding
As the LLM Legal Practice Top-up is a postgraduate qualification and not an apprenticeship, it is not funded through the apprenticeship levy. Applicants may wish to explore employer sponsorship, postgraduate funding opportunities or alternative sources of financial support.
Tuition fees: Will be confirmed closer to the date of the potential start to the potential LLM top-up (at the end of the Solicitor Apprenticeship pathway).
How to apply
Applications are submitted directly to Queen Mary University of London.
Graduates of Queen Mary's solicitor apprenticeship pathway who are interested in progressing to the LLM Legal Practice Top-up should contact the programme team for guidance on entry requirements, application deadlines and upcoming intakes.
Intake dates: September, with January entry on select LLM programmes.
Contact: pglaw-enquiries@qmul.ac.uk.
Information on this page is subject to approval and change.
