LLM

About the LLM

Admission is highly selective. Last year approximately 1,800 applicants competed for around 250 places on the LLM programme. Most applicants are qualified for the programme, and the LLM selectors must choose from a large pool of candidates with good credentials. In evaluating applications, the selectors take into consideration the applicant's grades and class rank, letters of reference, the coherence of the applicant's proposed programme of study, and any significant professional accomplishments. LSE's LLM applicants typically originate from up to 100 countries and the grades normally required for admission are tailored to the system of legal education in the countries from which applicants have obtained, or will obtain, their qualifications. However, places are normally only offered to applicants with very good grades in their law studies (eg a First or very high 2:1 in the UK LLB), and who rank amongst the best graduates of their law schools. Applicants with a very good degree in another discipline together with very good grades in an appropriate graduate diploma in law (such as the UK's Graduate Diploma in Law) may also qualify for a place. Applicants without an educational background in law may apply, but would need to demonstrate a high level of professional or academic experience in areas closely related to the subjects they wish to study in order to be considered for a place. (see entry requirements|)

Students undertake the equivalent of four full units (some courses are half units). The courses currently offered in the Law Department are set out below. Not all courses are offered every year; students should therefore confirm the availability of courses they regard as crucial to their study plans. Formal study is supported by several series of 'specialist seminars' in which leading practitioners, judges and scholars in various legal fields discuss matters of current controversy or especial complexity with students in small group sessions. Last year, around 50 such sessions were delivered.

As part of the programme, all students must complete a substantial piece of writing (the LLM 'writing requirement'). This requirement can be satisfied in various ways, for example by completing a full unit or half unit taught course which is formally assessed by a 15,000 word dissertation or an 8,000 word extended essay or by following a full unit or half unit taught course and electing to be examined by a 15,000 word dissertation or an 8,000 word elective essay, subject in each case to Law Department requirements. The Department runs a series of seminars to assist students in their research projects.

Students can choose courses from the whole range of Law options (subject to timetable constraints and class size requirements). Alternatively, students may obtain approval to take one, or exceptionally two, complementary subjects from another master's degree at LSE in place of the equivalent number of law subjects. For example, international lawyers may choose to take a course in international relations; criminologists may take a course in sociology; constitutional lawyers may take a course in political theory; company lawyers may take a course in financial reporting.

The Law Department attaches great importance to active participation by students taking LLM courses. Accordingly, LLM courses are typically taught through seminars of 30 students meeting for two hours each week. Courses with historically large enrolments are taught through lectures but the lectures are supplemented by regular small-group classes. Students are expected to prepare by reading prior to seminars and classes.

Examinations usually take place in May or June, and dissertations, elective essays, and extended essays submitted in satisfaction of the LLM writing requirement are submitted at the end of August.

Part-time students take the equivalent of two full units each year. Students may also register on an extended part-time basis, taking the equivalent of one full unit each year. Students receive a certificate for each full course completed successfully and are eligible for the award of the LLM degree after obtaining four certificates. It is usually possible to satisfy continuing professional education requirements by pursuing the LLM part-time. Part-time students attend the same sessions as full-time students, so you need to confirm that course timetabling does not conflict with personal commitments.

If you take courses which fall predominantly within one specialist area you can request that your chosen specialism be included in the name of the degree eg LLM Public International Law, LLM Labour Law. The recognised specialist areas are indicated below by the headings under which the different law courses are set out.

Subject names are repeated where they are relevant to several different subject areas.

(* half unit)

Banking Law and Financial Regulation

Corporate/Commercial Law

Corporate and Securities Law

Criminology and Criminal Justice

European Law

Human Rights Law

Information Technology, Media and Communications Law

Intellectual Property Law

International Business Law

Labour Law

Legal Theory

Public International Law

Public Law

Taxation

lse.ac.uk/law

Application code: M3U1 (check availability|)

Start date: 4 October 2012

Duration: 12 months full-time, 24 or 48 months part-time

Intake/applications in 2010: 233/1,828

Minimum entry requirement: A first degree in law (LLB or equivalent)

English requirement: Law score(see entry requirements|)

GRE/GMAT requirement: None

Fee level: UK/EU £12,144; overseas £17,712

Financial support: Graduate Support Scheme (see Fees and financial support|). UK/EU students may apply to the Merchant Foundation Scholarship (one award of £10,000). Margaret Bennett Scholarship (one award of £5,000). Olive Stone Memorial Scholarship (£10,000 fund normally divided between beneficiaries)

Application deadline: None - rolling admissions. Early applications have a greater chance of being successful and of meeting financial support/scholarship deadlines