Admission requirements
The LLM programme is open to applicants who have an undergraduate degree in law and places are normally only offered to applicants with very good grades in their law studies (for example, a first or very high upper second 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 apply also qualify for a place. The LLM selectors must choose from a large pool of well-qualified candidates. 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.
English language requirements
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. We require the following minimum scores in IELTS (International English Language Testing System):
- 7.5 overall in IELTS (at least 7.0 in listening and writing, 6.5 in reading and 6.0 in speaking)
Application Process
Applications open in October for the following academic year. 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. Early applications have a greater chance of being successful and of meeting financial support/scholarship deadlines.
Applications may be submitted online or by post. All applications should include two confidential academic references, a transcript of your previous studies, an English language test (IELTS, if applicable), a personal statement, and payment of the application fee (see below). All applications materials should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
Application Fee
An application fee will apply to each application submitted to Graduate Admissions. As a guide, the fees for 2016-17 admissions are currently set at:
£50 for applications submitted online
£75 for paper based application submitted by post
Fees and Funding Opportunities
Fees are fixed annually, normally in the spring prior to the start of the programme. Students are informed of the relevant fee level in their offer letter. Fees cover registration, teaching, first entry to examination, the use of the Library and membership of the Students' Union. The most up-to-date information about the fee level for the LLM can be found at http://www.lse.ac.uk/tableOfFees.
A number of scholarships are available to help LLM students to fund their studies, in particular, the LSE India Scholarships, the Marchant Foundation Scholarship, the Margaret Bennett Scholarship. [further information can be found here]