LLM Programme FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective LLM Students
1. When can I apply to the LLM?
2. Is there a deadline for applying?
3. How do I request a prospectus?
5. How can I contact the Graduate Admissions Office?
6. What is the application fee, How do I pay it?
7. Some common application questions ...
8. What are the Admission Requirements?
9. Can I apply if I do not have a law degree?
10. What is a conversion course?
11. Country Specific Information/Entry requirements?
12. What Language requirement do I need?
13. What are the fees? How do I pay these?
14. Financial help / Scholarships
15. Can I do the LLM part-time?
16. Can I do the LLM programme online (distance learning)?
17. How many courses do I need to take?
18. Is there a writing requirement?
19. Where can I find course descriptions/reading lists?
20. How many hours a week will I need to spend studying?
21. How long is the programme?
22. What do LLM Graduates go on to do?
23. When / where do I need to register?
1. When can I apply to the LLM?
Applications open in October for the following
academic year.
2. Is there a deadline for applying?
We set no deadline in advance, as we operate a
system of rolling admissions, which means that
we close to new applications when the programme
is full. We therefore strongly recommend that
you apply as soon as possible.
3. How do I request a prospectus?
Click here to request a prospectus.
4. How do I apply?
You can apply online or by post. See the following links:
All
applications materials should be sent directly
to the Graduate Admissions Office.
5. How can I contact the Graduate Admissions Office?
see
Admissions Enquiries web page
6. What is the application fee, How do I pay it?
The online application fee is £50.
The paper application fee is £75.
Click here for further information on the
application fee.
7. Some common application questions:
see
Graduate Admissions "How do I ..." page.
8. What are the Admission Requirements?
Minimum entry requirement: A undergraduate degree in law (LLB or equivalent), although in exceptional circumstances applicants with a first degree in another discipline may be eligible for consideration.
Your application should include the following:
-
Two confidential academic references
-
A transcript of your previous studies
-
An English language test (TOEFL or IELTS) – if applicable
-
Application fee
-
Personal statement
In evaluating an application, the selectors take
into consideration an applicants grades and class
rank, letters of reference, the coherence of an
applicants proposed programme of study and any
significant professional accomplishments.
9. Can I apply if I do not have a law degree?
Students without a law background may apply to the LLM programme, but they need to demonstrate a high level of professional or academic experience in areas closely related to the subjects they wish to study. Recent graduates who have neither studied law nor passed a "conversion" course are only admitted in exceptional circumstances.
Each application is considered on its own merits. In evaluating an application, the selectors take into consideration an applicants grades and class rank, letters of reference, the coherence of an applicants proposed programme of study and any significant professional accomplishments.
10. What is a conversion course?
Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL) courses, commonly known as "law conversion courses", enable non-law graduates and in some instances, non-graduates to complete the foundations of legal knowledge required by the academic stage of training. (NB. These courses are not offered at LSE).
11. Country Specific Information / Entry requirements:
see
Country and Regional Specific information.
12. What language requirement do I need?
If your first language is not English or if the language of instruction of your previous degree is not English, we ask you to provide evidence of your command of English. You should include your test scores, if available, in the relevant section of the application form. If you receive an offer of admission, it will be subject to proof of your score.
English tests must be less than two years old at the time of application. If you have not yet taken the test, your application can be considered in its absence, but any offer will be conditional on your achieving the required score.
Acceptable scores are:
-
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum overall score of 109 in the internet based test (with a minimum of 24 in listening, 25 in writing and 20 in the other sections).
Or:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum overall score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in both the listening and writing elements and 6.0 in the other elements).
see
Graduate Admissions on language requirements.
13. What are the fees? How do I pay these?
see Fees
see
How to Pay Fees
14. Financial help / Scholarships
see LLM Funding
For
further information on Scholarships, contact the
Financial Support Office.
15. Can I do the LLM part-time?
Yes. The programme can be taken over 2 or 4
years. 2 year part-time students take the
equivalent of two full courses each year.
Students who take the extended part-time basis
over 4 years take the equivalent of one full
course each year. (Part-time students attend the
same classes as the full-time students).
16. Can I do the LLM programme online (distance learning)?
No, this is not an option.
17. How many courses do I need to take?
You must undertake the equivalent of four full-unit courses (some courses are half units). All LLM students must also satisfy the LLM Writing Requirement, which requires that a minimum of 0.5 units (and a maximum of 1.5 units) be assessed by an 8,000 word essay (0.5 units) or a 15,000 word dissertation (1.0 unit). Not all courses are offered every year; you should therefore confirm the availability of courses you regard as crucial to your study plans. List of courses are available on the Prospective LLM page.
18. Is there a writing requirement?
Yes. All LLM students must satisfy the LLM Writing Requirement, which requires that a minimum of 0.5 units (and a maximum of 1.5 units) be assessed by an 8,000 word essay ( 0.5 units) or a 15,000 word dissertation (1.0 unit) in a Law course. You have to complete the green ‘LLM Writing Requirement Form’ to indicate your choices and submit to the department by Week 2 of the Lent Term.
There are 3 basic ways in which to satisfy the writing requirement. These are as follows;
1. A 15,000 word ‘Dissertation’ (students can either (a) elect to write a 15,000 word Dissertation in substitution for the examination in a full-unit course, or (b) select a full-unit course for which the nominated mode of assessment is a 15,000 word Dissertation).
2. An 8,000 word ‘Elective Essay’ (students can elect to write an 8,000 word Elective Essay in substitution for the examination in a half-unit course).
3. An 8,000 word ‘Extended Essay’ (students can select a course for which the nominated assessment (in whole (in a half-unit course) or in part (in a full-unit course) is an 8,000 word Extended Essay).
The submission date for all three of the above forms of written assessment is the last Thursday before the August Bank Holiday.
Note: you can only elect to write a dissertation or elective essay in a law course (ie a course starting LL4). Any formal essay assessment in a non-law option will not meet the LLM Writing Requirement.
Consult your LLM Handbook for further details.
19. Where can I find course descriptions / reading lists?
Brief course guides can be viewed at the following link (Note that these are the current academic year guides
see
Course Guides
20. How many hours a week will I need to spend studying?
Courses are
normally taught in seminar groups, meeting for
two hours each week. However, there are some –
usually larger – courses which are taught by a
combination of lectures and a smaller number of
smaller follow-up classes.
21. How long is the programme?
It is a 12 month
programme. Teaching starts in October. Exams take place in June, and
dissertations/essays are due in August.
22. What do LLM Graduates go on to do?
The LLM programme is sufficiently flexible to make it appropriate for many different career paths. It allows prospective law teachers to develop expertise in a wide range of subjects or in a particular specialised area; it enables practitioners to cultivate expertise in new fields; it provides a basis for a career in the city of London or other financial centres; and it offers relevant education and training for those entering the foreign service of their governments, working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), serving as police or prison officers or preparing for many other professions.
There are some Graduate Student Profiles online here.
23. When / where do I need to register?
see
Student Services - Registration
24. What are the Term Dates?
see
Term Dates
25. When is Orientation?
Orientation week usually begins the Monday before the start of the Michaelmas Term. See Student Services - Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions by Current LLM Students
5. How do I make an appointment to see a member of teaching staff in the Law department?
6. How many courses do I need to take?
9. How do I join a seminar group?
10. Can I change seminar groups?
11. Is Moodle course registration the same as Course Choice Registration.?
12. Can I request a specialism, and how do I do this?
13. Is there a writing requirement?
14. What if I exceed 1.5 units of writing with my course choices?
18. Can I write a 15,000 word Dissertation for a half-unit course?
21. Will have the opportunity to undertake a formative assessment?
>23. Can I change my registered courses in the Lent Term?
25. When / where are the exams held?
26. Where can I find the exam regulations?
33. Can my LLM count towards CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation?
1. When / where do I need to register?
see
Student Services - Registration
2. What are the Term Dates?
see
Term Dates
3. When is Orientation?
Orientation Week usually begins the Monday before the start of the Michaelmas Term. See Student Services - Orientation.
4. Who is my personal tutor?
You will be informed of your personal tutor (known as
Academic Adviser) during Orientation Week (or when you collect your
Orientation Pack). Academic Advisers are there to give you advice about your
academic programme, and to discuss personal, financial and domestic problems
on a confidential basis and refer you as necessary to the appropriate
support agencies within the School.
5. How do I make an appointment to see a member of teaching staff in the Law department?
Full time Law teaching staff set weekly term-time 'office hours' to see students. You can make an appointment via the LSE4You Office Hours application ( follow the User Guide when you log in to Office Hours). Alternatively, if you experience difficulties using the application contact the academic's administrative assistant. (see http://www.lse.ac.uk/directory/ for details of each academic's assistant).
6. How many courses do I need to take?
You must undertake the equivalent of four full-unit courses (some courses are half units). All LLM students must also satisfy the LLM Writing Requirement, which requires that a minimum of 0.5 units (and a maximum of 1.5 units) be assessed by an 8,000 word essay (0.5 units) or a 15,000 word dissertation (1.0 unit). Not all courses are offered every year; you should therefore confirm the availability of courses you regard as crucial to your study plans.
7. Is there a student limit on courses?
Yes. The majority of LLM courses are ‘capped’’ (refer to
list of courses). These capped courses are ‘controlled access’ meaning
the course convener controls the access of students on the course. You apply
to take a capped course through the usual method via the Graduation Course
Choice application on
LSE4You (refer to point 8) .
Click here for 'Controlled access courses' information.
8. When / how do I register for the courses I wish to take?
You have until the end of Week 2 of the Michaelmas Term to
formally register your course choices. To do this log on to
LSE4You and select the relevant course codes.
See also
this page
9. How do I join a seminar group?
You enrol on a seminar group through the ‘Online Graduate
Seminar Sign-up’ facility onLSE4You.
Note: you must be formally registered on the course before you will be able to
sign up to a seminar group
10. Can I change seminar groups?
No. You must attend the seminar group to which you are assigned
as these are used to monitor your performance and attendance.
Note: the department may reallocate you to a difference seminar group where
timetabling considerations make this necessary.
11. Is Moodle course registration the same as Course Choice Registration?
No! Moodle is LSE's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The
majority of LLM courses have Moodle sites which contain material and teaching
resources that are available to students following the course.
12. Can I request a specialism, and how do I do this?
Yes. If you take courses which fall predominantly within one specialist area (generally the equivalent of three full units) you can request your chosen specialism to be recorded on the degree certificate, eg. LLM Public International Law. The Specialism form is available from: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/programmes/llm/llm-current.htm
The recognised specialist areas are indicated in the link
below.
Note: it is possible for courses to satisfy more than one specialism. However
you can only have
see
LLM Specialisms
13. Is there a writing requirement?
Yes. All LLM students must satisfy the LLM Writing Requirement, which requires that a minimum of 0.5 units (and a maximum of 1.5 units) be assessed by an 8,000 word essay ( 0.5 units) or a 15,000 word dissertation (1.0 unit) in a Law course. You have to complete the green ‘LLM Writing Requirement Form’ to indicate your choices and submit to the department by Week 2 of the Lent Term.
There are 3 basic ways in which to satisfy the writing requirement. These are as follows;
1. A 15,000 word ‘Dissertation’ (students can either (a) elect to write a 15,000 word Dissertation in substitution for the examination in a full-unit course, or (b) select a full-unit course for which the nominated mode of assessment is a 15,000 word Dissertation).
2. An 8,000 word ‘Elective Essay’ (students can elect to write an 8,000 word Elective Essay in substitution for the examination in a half-unit course).
3. An 8,000 word ‘Extended Essay’ (students can select a course for which the nominated assessment (in whole (in a half-unit course) or in part (in a full-unit course) is an 8,000 word Extended Essay).
The submission date for all three of the above forms of written assessment is the last Thursday before the August Bank Holiday.
Note: you can only elect to write a dissertation or elective essay in a law course (ie a course starting LL4). Any formal essay assessment in a non-law option will not meet the LLM Writing Requirement.
Consult your LLM Handbook for further details.
14. What if I exceed 1.5 units of writing with my course choices?
If you have exceeded the maximum 1.5 unit writing limit with your course selections, you must seek approval from the LLM Deputy Programme Director. Approval will only be granted in exceptional cases.
15. When can I elect to offer a 15,000 word Dissertation or 8,000 word Elective Essay in place of the normal mode of assessment for a course?
At the start of Lent Term LLM students normally have the right to substitute the nominated form of assessment for one of their courses with a 15,000 word Dissertation (for a full-unit course) or an 8,000 word Elective Essay (for a half-unit course). This right of election is limited to a maximum of one Law course (either a a full-unit or a half-unit course).
It is also important to note that the right of election is:
· not available in relation to a non-Law course;
· not available in relation to more than one Law course;
· not available if your course choice means that you are already taking 1.5 units assessed by a Dissertation/Elective Essay/Extended Essay;
· not normally available in relation to a half-unit course which is assessed by Extended Essay; special permission will be needed from the LLM Deputy Programme Director to substitute an Elective Essay in this case;
· not normally available in relation to a full-unit course which is assessed by 50% exam and 50% Extended Essay; special permission will be needed from the LLM Deputy Programme Director to substitute a Dissertation in this case.
16. Can I write a Dissertation/Elective Essay in a non-Law course in order to satisfy the writing requirement?
No. To satisfy the writing requirement, your Dissertation/Elective Essay must be attached to a Law course, ie. a course starting LL4.
17. The topic of my research project does not fall into a particular course - can I write a self-standing Dissertation or Elective Essay?
Students may request to write a self-standing Dissertation or Elective essay (ie LL490/LL497), but the LLM Programme Director will only allow such registration where the student in question can plead special reasons why they should be allowed to do so, can present objective evidence that they are well-equipped and best advised to undertake the proposed project without following a related taught course, and can confirm that there is a Law Department academic prepared to approve the proposed plan of work and assess the end product.
18. Can I write a 15,000 word Dissertation for a half-unit course?
No. This is not an option. It is only possible to elect to write a 15,000 word dissertation for a full unit course.
19. Can I write two 15,000 word Dissertations?
There is a maximum 1.5 unit writing limit. This means that – depending on your course choice – you may be able to undertake two or three forms of extended writing: e.g. a full-unit Dissertation and an Elective/Extended Essay; or an Elective Essay and two Extended Essays. But it also means that it will only exceptionally be possible to write two full-unit Dissertations. This course of action will require the approval of the LLM Deputy Programme Director, which will only exceptionally be given.
20. Where can I find Dissertation/Essay samples?
21. Will I have the opportunity to undertake a formative assessment?
Yes, refer to the handbook.
22. Is there an LLM Reading Week?
No. The LLM is a short programme and it is not feasible to include a reading week.
23. Can I change my registered courses in the Lent Term?
You are allowed to change one Lent term half unit for another during the first week of Lent Term provided that:
(i) The switch does not affect eligibility for a specialised LLM degree, if you have opted for one;
(ii) The new course selection still meets the LLM writing requirements;
(iii) The newly chosen half unit course is not oversubscribed; and
(iv) You obtain the approval of the course convener of the half unit you wish to join.
Any Lent term course changes that do not meet all four criteria listed above require special permission by the LLM Deputy Director.
Note: (a) you may not drop a completed Michaelmas Term half unit; and (b) you may not drop a full unit which you took during Michaelmas Term.
Personal timetables can be found on LSE4You.
Timetables website:
Timetables
website
26. Where can I find the exam regulations?
see
Taught Masters Regulations
27. Where can I find past exam papers?
see
Exam
Papers
No, exams must be sat at LSE.
Provisional results will be sent to your LSE email address at the beginning of November.
The official results are released via LSE4You around 18 November. Your transcript will be available early December in the year you complete the LLM. (see Student Services - Transcripts)
(Note: Please make sure your contact details are correct on LSE4You).
See Re-sitting failed examinations.
Graduation takes place in
Mid-December. For further details see:
Presentation Ceremonies
32. When do I get my certificate?
See the Degree Certificates web page. The certificate will include your Specialism - if applicable. A sample certificate is also available on this link.
33. Can my LLM count towards CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation?
Yes. The LLM would satisfy the Bar Council accredited hours, or the Law Society accreditation points requirements.
