Legislation as a profession has experienced significant growth in recent years, especially in the financial and corporate sectors. Pursuing an LLB degree from a developed country like the UK, which has an expanding legal structure, is widely regarded as a prestigious and esteemed accomplishment in the legal profession. With a variety of courses and programs available, as well as funding and scholarship opportunities, the UK is an ideal location for Indian students seeking to obtain a Masters degree in Law.A Master's in Law (LLM) is a postgraduate degree that provides students with advanced learning on the legal system. It is typically designed for lawyers and other legal professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of legal principles and their applications. Additionally, LLM degrees offer students the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of law, such as international law, corporate law, or tax law.
Studying Masters in Law in the UK is a dream of many Indian and international students. With a developed economy and legal infrastructure, practicing law in the UK is an aspiration for many law graduates. There are several reasons why the UK is considered one of the best countries for studying an LLM degree
Some of the world’s top universities offering LLM program are located in the UK
After completing LLM in the UK, graduates may be able to secure high-paying jobs that offer salaries approximately 20% higher than those of other professions in the country.
You can complete a full-time LLM degree in the UK in just one year.
It is not mandatory to clear the CLAT examination to get admission in UK universities.
The course allows you to practice Law in the UK and other European countries where the constitution has many similarities.
Also Read- Type of Law degrees in the UK
LLM courses in the UK comes with a total of 180 credits. Of these 180 credits, 120 are for courses taught, and 60 are for dissertations. The dissertation is based on your specialisation, and the word limit is at most 15,000 words. Some of the specialisations that you will come across while pursuing an LLM from the UK are as follows:
European Law
Corporate Law
Human Rights Law
Commercial Law
Public Law
Medical Law
Gender Studies
International Law
Media Law and Ethics
Dispute Resolution
Law and Finance
Environmental Law
Intellectual Property Law
Law and Finance
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Innovation, Technology, and the Law
It's crucial to check the eligibility criteria for LLM programs in the UK as this will help you understand the specific requirements you need to meet to enroll in a UK law college. The admission requirements for an LLM in the UK may vary from one college or university to another; however, here are some basic requirements for a Master's in Law in the UK that most universities follow-
Bachelor’s degree in Law with a 65-75% score.
English language proficiency test score, such as IELTS
Some universities may ask for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
The universities that you apply for LLM will ask you to submit certain documents, which include:
Completed application form
Scorecards of examinations
Transcripts
Work experience certificates (if any).
Pursuing an LLM in the UK entails not just the course fee but also other expenses like the cost of living in the country and pre-arrival expenses including - student visa cost and university application fees, entrance exam fees etc. On the other hand, living expenses in the UK which typically range from 1,215 GBP to 1,715 GBP per month, cover accommodation costs, taxes, insurance, travelling costs, and other utilities. The average tuition fee for an LLM degree in the UK ranges from 19,500 GBP to 44,000 GBP per year, depending on the institution you choose.
You can use our cost of living calculator tool to get an estimate of your expenses in the UK.
LLM is among the most popular courses international students choose to study in the UK. Graduates from various parts of the world seek admission to the top law schools in the UK for LLM. Here’re some of the top UK universities offering LLM degrees-
Name of College/University | QS World University Rankings | THE World University Rankings | Student intake for 2023 |
University of Cambridge | 2 | 3 | Oct |
University of Manchester | 28 | 54 | Sep |
King's College London | 37 | 35 | Sep |
London School of Economics and Political Science | 56 | 37 | Sep |
Durham University | 92 | 198 | Sep |
University of Nottingham | 114 | 130 | Sep |
University of Edinburgh | 15 | 29 | Sep |
Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/locations/GBR/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats
Studying and living in the UK can be costly, but scholarships are available to alleviate the financial burden. You can apply for these scholarships to receive financial support while pursuing your LLM program. Here are some LLM scholarships in the UK -
Scholarships | Name of the college/university |
Prathiba M Singh Cambridge Scholarship | The University of Cambridge |
Bosco Tso & Emily Ng Scholarship | King's College London |
UCL Laws Academic Excellence Scholarships | University College London |
Tercentenary Awards for Excellence | University of Edinburgh |
School of Law International Postgraduate Scholarships | Queen Mary University of London |
Gates Cambridge Scholarship | University of Cambridge |
Oxford-Finnis Graduate Scholarship in Law | University of Oxford |
Upon completing a Master's degree in Law in the UK, students can pursue a career as a Barrister or Solicitor. Besides, there are many options you can consider as well. The average salary for LLM graduates starts from 20,000 GBP and 25,000 GBP, with potential for growth as one gains more experience. Indian students who have obtained an LLM in the UK can explore various employment opportunities, including:
Arbitrator
Paralegal
Lawyer
Legal Executive
Barrister
Solicitor
It is feasible for Indian students in India to secure employment opportunities after completing their LLM in the UK. Students who complete their LLM in the UK receive comparable salaries to those who obtain their degrees from law institutions in India. Notably, the Bar Council of India (BCOI) acknowledges approximately 35 UK universities that provide Law programs.
If you need any more information regarding Masters of Law in the UK, feel free to reach out to our expert IDP counsellors.
Big News for Indian Students: The UK Is Ready to Welcome You!
1. What is the course duration of Masters in Law in the UK?
Masters of Law in the UK is a one-year program.
2. Can I get a job after pursuing LLM in the UK?
You can undoubtedly secure a job after pursuing LLM in the UK. Jobs in the field of Law are in high demand in the UK, and you can expect a good package. Some job profiles you can apply for are Arbitrator, Paralegal, Lawyer, Legal Executive, Barrister, and Solicitor.
3. How much CGPA is required to study Masters in Law in the UK?
Indian students need to have an 8.3 CGPA out of 10, or 67% of marks in their graduate degree.
4. Is IELTS required to study LLM in the UK?
Clearing IELTS is one of the requirements to study LLM in the UK. The overall score has to be 7, with a minimum of 6.5 in each component. There are other English language proficiency tests that you may need to clear.
5. Is LLM from the UK valid in India?
Yes, you can return to India after completing your LLM in the UK and practice law. The Bar Council of India (BCOI) recognises around 35 universities in the UK that offer Masters in Law.
6. What is the average salary for an LLM graduate in the UK?
The average salary is between 25,000 GBP and 45,000 GBP for an LLM graduate in the UK