Standard Admission Requirements To Study An LLM In The UK

LLM Application Requirements Most LLM courses in the UK have fairly similar requirements for entrance, but the more well-regarded and high ranking the course is, the more entry requirements the applicants will have to meet.

Highly ranked and oversubscribed courses will need excellent grades with impeccable work experience to gain entry, but what are the standard admissions requirements for LLM courses in the UK?

Standard law degree (LLB)

Most LLM courses require a first undergraduate degree in law at a 2:1 level. However, just because you have the minimum entry requirement of a 2:1 does not guarantee you entry to the course. A relevant work experience history with a proven track record of academic excellence along with a well written personal statement could also be necessary to gain a place on many LLM courses.

Non-law degree or work experience alone

There are plenty of LLM courses, for example, at the University of Edinburgh and the London School of Economics, that accept students who do not have a first degree in law. A relevant non-law degree, such as an undergraduate degree in Business, along with work experience in a legal field will be enough to gain entry to the course. If you have substantial relevant experience, then you may find that is enough to gain a place.

PG law conversion courses

There are plenty of law schools that offer postgraduate law conversion courses. Usually, these are called either a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Common Professional Examination (CPE). Both of these courses take a year to complete and you'll usually need at least a 2:2 or significant relevant work experience to gain entry to the course. Ensure that your course is endorsed by the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, like the course offered by Bournemouth University. These courses combined with work experience will give you the necessary knowledge to fully benefit from an LLM course.

Law degrees from outside the UK and Ireland

Most LLM courses will accept law degrees gained from outside the UK to study an LLM within the UK. However, this does not mean that the LLM course will qualify you to work in the law within the UK, so you will need to check this before you make plans. Most universities, such as the University of Manchester, will give you specific information about what grades you will need to guide you during your initial research, but before you apply you should speak to someone at the law school about your specific set of qualifications.

English language skills

If you have completed an undergraduate degree from an English speaking country in English, then you may find you do not need to complete further English language tests. If you have not, then you will have to prove your English language skills with a test. This test – for example IELTs or TOEFL – usually needs to have been taken within the last two years and most institutions will provide you with the requirements they need online.

Here are some examples of the English language requirements from top UK law schools:

LLM English Test Scores