Are you considering doing an LLM/ post-grad in law in the UK? Don’t know where to begin your research? Below are a few FAQs that can help you get started. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be covering a few of these questions (such as work permits in the UK, etc) in detail.
Also if you want to know the entire procedure on how to apply for an LLM program in the UK, please click here.
What are the eligibility criteria for LLM in the UK?
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Students must hold a bachelor's degree in law, like BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLB, etc.
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Good scores in English language proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. The passing scores for these tests vary in different institutions.
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Some universities require the student to qualify LSAT exam, whereas some universities require work experience. Although this criterion is not mandatory.
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Letter of Recommendation (LOR), Statement of Purpose (SOP), updated CV, are essential requirements for admission.
Which top universities offer LLM in the United Kingdom (UK)?
Which are the other universities that offer LLM in the UK?
Is LLM in the UK worth it?
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There are 75 universities offering LLM programs in the UK, with several interesting courses[1].
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The four countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) together form the UK, which makes it cover a larger base, and students can practice law abroad.
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An LLM in the UK could expose you to a practical method of teaching and give you an opportunity to network with people outside your country, in the field of law.
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An endless list of specialised courses such as Gender studies, International Law, Human Rights Law, European Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Business Law, Cybersecurity Law, etc.
How much does LLM cost in the UK?
The tuition fees for the LLM program in the UK can be from 19,500 pounds to 44,000 pounds. Convert that into INR, the cost of LLM in the UK for Indian students can be around INR 43 lakh a year.
Below is the list of LLM fees of top universities in the UK[2]:
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University
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Full-Time Course Tuition Fees for International Students
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University of Oxford
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£36 930/ INR 3681043
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University of Cambridge
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£33,738/ INR 3362478
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London School of Economics and Political Science
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£25,224/ INR 2514233
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University College London
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£28,500/ INR 2840772
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King’s College London
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£28,770/ INR 2860708
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The University of Edinburgh
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£21,900/ INR 2162974
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The Queen Mary University of London
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£24,950/ INR 2481938
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University of Durham
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£20,500/ INR 2043362
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University of Glasgow
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£20750/ INR 2068282
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University of Bristol
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£19,900/ INR 1983557
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Which is better for legal studies, Cambridge or Oxford?
According to QS World University Ranking 2022[3], the University of Oxford is marginally higher than the University of Cambridge. However this will also depend on the programme you are interested in.
Oxford offers:
- MS in Law and Finance: 10 months course; Rs 38.56 lakhs tuition fees.
While it doesn’t offer an LLM per se, it does offer a comparable Magister Juris, or MJur program plus a range of MSc programs.
Cambridge offers:
Is the University of Sheffield good for law?
According to Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022[4], the University of Sheffield is ranked 48th in the world and 14th in the UK.
Is Cambridge as good as Harvard?
Both universities are consistently in the top rankings for best law universities in the world, with respect to education, reputation, and academic experience.
Which is prettier, Cambridge or Oxford?
While Cambridge has a comparatively smaller and prettier campus with easygoing vibes, Oxford on the other hand has a bigger campus with more urban energy.
Is UK LLM valid in India?
Yes, the Bar Council of India recognises law degrees (undergraduate/postgraduate) from UK universities where a student can study law and practice later in India.
Which subject is best for LLM in the UK?
This will depend on your interest. You may also want to consider the fact that London particularly is a finance hub and home to many fintech companies.
Below is a list of a few well-known programmes offered by top universities.
Top courses for LLM in the UK are:
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Corporate Law by University of Cambridge
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Commercial Law by University of Edinburgh
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Competition Law by University College London
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Securities Law by University of Oxford
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International Tax Law by London School of Economics and Political Science
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Maritime Law by University of Nottingham
Do Indian students get jobs in the UK after LLM?
Yes, below are some career options for law graduates in the UK:
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Barrister
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Solicitor
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Paralegal
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Arbitrator
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Lawyer
This topic will be covered in greater detail in a separate article.
Which country is the best for LLM for Indian students?
This truly depends on what you are seeking from the LLM course, for example, opportunity to work/settle in a different country, opportunity to network with a certain group of professionals, academic proficiency, opportunity to travel and explore different cultures and languages, opportunity to study a particular subject/ group of subjects, duration of the programme, tuition fees and scholarships, cost of the course and stay, etc.
How can Indian lawyers practice in the UK?
Until September 2021, lawyers from India could practice in the UK after clearing the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), but now it has been replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)[5] for Indian lawyers to practice law in the UK.
This topic will be covered in greater detail in a separate article.
[1]https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2021/sep/11/the-best-uk-universities-2022-rankings
[2] https://leverageedu.com/blog/llm-in-uk/
[3] https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022
[4]https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022/subject-ranking/education#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats
[5] https://www.sra.org.uk/globalassets/documents/sra/news/sqe-briefing.pdf?version=49123a
