LLM-in-UK

Studying LLM in UK: Everything You Need to Know!

LLM is the abbreviation for master of legislative laws. The degree provides you with ultimate knowledge of a particular law field. The purpose of pursuing an LLM degree is basically to become a lawyer/solicitor in a particular field. It is also pursued by the students who want to become a professor in Universities.

The degree of LLM can be pursued in any part of the world. Indian students who want to study LLM abroad can pursue it easily. If you are looking for studying LLM in UK, then this is also an excellent option for law students. LLM course in UK are well designed and provides more practical & real knowledge than a theoretical one.

There are various universities in the UK that are recognized by the bar council of India. This provides an opportunity for Indian students to study in UK and practice in India. This allows the student to practice as a lawyer or solicitor in any part of Europe too

Also Read MBA in UK

Understanding the Term ‘Law’

Everyone has heard of the word ‘LAW’ but only a few understand the meaning. In general terms, the law is also called a rule. Law is the set of guidelines that an individual needs to follow. Sometimes it is mandatory to follow and sometimes not. Law is the basic necessity of everyone’s life. You can understand this by an example. If your family has a fixed time for waking up in the morning then this becomes law in your family. You will not feel this but you will follow this every day.

Laws can be universal and human-made. Universal laws are the same for everyone. For example, the sun rising in the east is the universal law. All individuals belonging to any country or region will agree to this. Whereas human-made laws differ from country to country and person to person. For example, in India right to free education under article- 21A of the constitution is a law. Whereas this law may not exist in any other country.

Studying law is very interesting for students who have a deep interest in knowing it. Some laws are stringent and some are flexible. The Indian constitution is the perfect blend of stringent and flexible laws. But if you want to pursue law as your career option then you also need to have a knowledge of different country’s laws. However, the study of law is not only about studying the laws of one country. It’s about knowing every detail of a country which can make you a ‘super lawyer’.

What are the Benefits of Studying Law?

Every course has its own benefit, so studying law too has. The studies of law not only improve the knowledge of the person but also his personality. Some of the benefits are:

  • Enhances your prestige
    The field of Law is a highly reputed one. If you become an excellent lawyer then you will be consulted on every local, national or international issue. This not only makes you a distinctive person in society but also a prestigious one.

  • Personality grooming
    A super lawyer has an interesting personality. He is the person who stands out from the crowd. The personality is groomed because of a better understanding of the law field. The implementation of the law on the right scale also provides knowledge regarding an individual’s personality.

  • Employment
    Becoming a lawyer is a lucrative career option. This field has the 6th highest employment rate. Also, the Law field has the highest emoluments if you become an excellent lawyer or a judge.

  • Make you aware
    Studying law will enable your mind to know various laws of which a person may or may not be aware of. This not only makes you a responsible person but also makes you a knowledgeable person. By studying law you can very well know the importance of right and wrong. Also, you can make others aware of this too.

Comparison between Studying LLM in India and Studying LLM in UK

The LLM degree has some differentiation if pursued in the home country or the foreign country. Different countries have different laws and rules. So studying LLM in a different country will provide you with extensive knowledge of that country. Some of the differences between the Indian LLM and UK LLM degrees are:

  • To pursue a law degree in India, students need to appear for the CLAT exam. Whereas in the UK, there is no such exam present.

  • Pursuing LLM from India allows you to practice in India only. Whereas pursuing LLM in UK, allows you to practice in entire Europe and as well as in India too.

  • The Universities in the UK provide real case exposure to the students. Whereas in India this exposure is absent.

  • Indian LLM colleges focus on the Indian constitution and other laws. Whereas the UK LLM courses do not focus on any constitution.

  • In the UK, the LLM courses have various specializations whereas only some are present in India.

  • The time period of Indian LLM is 2 years whereas the UK LLM takes a year only to complete.

Top Universities for LLM Course in UK

As the students are highly obsessed with their career goals, choosing a top university is their utmost priority. Unlike in India, the UK has various Universities which provide placements to the students. The Best Universities for LLM in UK also focus on providing practical and real knowledge to the students. These Universities try to deliver the maximum benefit to the students so that they can excel in their respective fields.Best Universities for LLM in UK

Bar council of India recognized UK universities

There are 46 Universities in the UK recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Pursuing LLM from these universities helps the students to get a license from the BCI. They can also practice in Europe as well. Check out the list of these universities below:

Other Universities for LLM in UK

There are other Universities also which offer LLM course in UK. Pursuing LLM from these Universities allows you to practice in the whole of Europe. The University’s names are given below:

To make your application to any of the above Universities, you can contact our counselors on our website. You can also send your academic details for evaluation to application02@meridean.org.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for a master’s degree are the same for all courses mostly to take admission in the UK. Students must also check with the university if any other requirements are to be submitted. The list of documents to be submitted is given below:

  • Passport

  • Mark sheet of secondary school (10th)

  • Mark sheet of senior secondary school (12th)

  • Transcripts of bachelor’s degree

  • Individual mark sheets of bachelor’s

  • Score of English proficiency test if applicable (IELTS, TOEFL)

  • Medium of Instruction (English) - if applicable

  • LSAT scores, if applicable

  • Updated CV

  • Statement of purpose (SOP)

  • Recommendation letter (LOR)

  • Work experience if any

It is recommended that students must visit the University’s website for more information.

Eligibility Criteria for LLM in UK Universities

The eligibility criteria vary according to the University you are applying for. As you know, there are 2 groups of universities in the UK. The eligibility criteria differ for both of them. The criteria are mentioned below:

Public-funded Universities

  • Students who have completed 3+2 years LLB program or 4 years of integrated LLB programs can apply.

  • They must have secured 55% - 60% in their Bachelor’s degree.

  • If you have more than 60% in English in class 12th (CBSE/IELTS) then an IELTS waiver is provided.

  • If you have more than 70% in English in class 12th (state boards) then an IELTS waiver is provided.

  • IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each element. It may vary according to the university.

  • TOEFL, PTE, and Language CERT scores must be equivalent to IELTS. Hence, may vary according to the University applied in.

Russell Group of Universities

  • Students who have completed 3+2 years LLB program or 4 years of integrated LLB programs can apply.

  • They must have secured above 65% in their Bachelor’s degree.

  • If you have more than 70% in English in class 12th (CBSE/IELTS) then an IELTS waiver is provided.

  • If you have more than 80% in English in class 12th (state boards) then an IELTS waiver is provided.

  • IELTS score of 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each element. It may vary according to the university.

  • TOEFL, PTE, and Language CERT scores must be equivalent to IELTS. Hence, may vary according to the University applied in.

Intakes for LLM in UK

As we know, there is a certain time period to apply to any University. Students should note the University’s application submission deadline to ensure early application. In the UK Universities majorly have 2 intakes namely September and January.

For the LLM courses, the major intake is in September. Most universities offer this intake. The names of the 5 universities offering September intake in LLM are:

There are only some Universities that are open in January for LLM. The names of 5 of them are:

Specializations in LLM- Study in UK

The UK is famous for providing various specializations in one course. If the student wants to pursue LLM in UK then he can choose any specialization based on his interest. The various specialization are:

  • International Corporate Law
    Generally, corporate law deals with the corporate world. Corporate law focuses on the trade and business activities of any organization. However, this law is different for different corporations. Usually, the lawyers are hired in the corporations to look after the organization’s chores. Also, their work is to come up with a legal solution for the problem if it arises.

  • Public Law
    The law which focuses on the public as a beneficiary is called public law. Public law focuses on maintaining the relationship between the government and the public. This is the most prominent field for lawyers to pursue a specialization. There are many cases pending in the courts and hence, they require public lawyers to handle them.

  • Religious Law
    Every religion is sacrosanct and thus, its laws. The student who loves to explore different religions can opt for this. The religious laws are different for different religions. Hence, if the student wants to follow this specialization, he needs to have an in-depth knowledge of every religion. For studying the religious laws, one should know the religious customs, traditions, rituals, etc.

  • Human Rights Law
    The major issue nowadays is a violation of human rights. Human rights are of utmost importance for every individual in the world. The lawyers in this field work for protecting human rights which are infringed by government or private laws. The Students who are interested in knowing human rights and protecting them for others must go for it.

  • International Technology Law
    As technology is reaching certain heights, the world is also upgrading. The use of Information technology has increased and will keep increasing in the coming future. As it is increasing, the government of every country is working to make stringent IT laws. This will protect their agencies and also the public from the misuse of IT. This is a new field and hence, will have larger demand in the coming future.

  • Transportation Law
    Transportation is the basic need of the individual and of the business. The study of transportation law provides you an insight of the rules which are linked with transportation or vehicles. These laws are made for individuals and organizations, to prevent them from misusing their vehicles.

  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
    Intellectual property rights deal with the rights a person has on his intellect. It is important to protect them to make an individual work on his ideas with zenith. These rights have 4 types namely trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. The study of these rights prevents you from corrupting them. Also, the IPR studies will tell you how to safeguard an individual’s intellectual property.

  • Gender Studies
    As the world is opening up for the LGBTQ+ community, the studies of gender have become prominent. There are various NGOs and organizations working to protect gender laws. If you are one, who also wants to do something to protect gender laws then this is the right choice for you.

  • Resources and Environment Law
    There are various domestic and international issues based on resource distribution in every country. The government requires a lawyer who can come up with a proper solution to these problems. As far as the environment’s degradation is concerned, it does require a lawyer to protect it. These two issues are very major for every country in the world. The students who want to pursue LLM in this branch can go for it without hesitation. As this field is the need of the hour.

  • International banking and finance laws
    The banking and finance departments are emerging due to their increasing demands. As the population is increasing the demand for loans is also rising. There are many beneficiaries who did not receive their interest or lost their savings due to bank failure. To prevent the people from this, banking and finance laws came into action. They help the bankers and the individual simultaneously so that none of them can misuse it.

Fee Structure for LLM in UK Universities

The UK LLM degree is quite affordable to students from other countries. The fees for LLM in UK range from 13,000 pounds to 50,000 pounds (approx.). The fees for some of the cheaper universities in UK for LLM are mentioned in the table:

The fees for some of the cheaper universities in UK for LLM
Name of University Fee Structure (2022-2023)
University Of East London (UEL) £14,340
University of West London (UWL) £13,750
Birmingham City University (BCU) £16,300
University of Birmingham £21,240
Oxford Brookes University £16,300
University of Bedfordshire £13,750
London Metropolitan University £13,500
Queen’s University Belfast £18,200
University of Worcester £14,400
University of Northampton £15,000
King’s College London £29,460
Keele University £16,800
University of York £19,950
Sussex universityn £18,975

To know more details, you can visit the university’s website.

Scholarships for LLM in UK for Indian Students

The benefit of studying abroad is to receive a scholarship. The Universities in the UK offer various scholarships to international students. The motive for providing the scholarship is to encourage students to study overseas. There are some scholarships that are provided to needy students, some to meritorious students, and some to all.

The UK is the country that provides scholarships to students who have secured 55% also. This brings joy to the heart of the Indian students. Some scholarships for Indian students are:

University-Based

Different Universities provide different scholarships to students. They have set the eligibility criteria. So, if the student meets the criteria he gets eligible for the scholarship. The amount of scholarship provided by them is £1000 to £5000.

Merit-Based

This is for the meritorious students who have excelled in academics. The students who have great achievements in any field are also eligible for this. For example, the Chevening scholarship scheme is for students who have high standards in their respective fields. This scholarship is provided by the UK government to international students. The amount varies according to the student profile.

Jobs and Salary

Every course offers multiple job opportunities to the students. Thus, Law students have lucrative career options. It is also counted as the most reputed and prestigious job in the world. A career in this field is never going to be blemish. Students can find jobs after LLM in the UK and also in India. Only some foreign universities are allowed by the Indian bar council, which allows students to practice in India too.

Some jobs and their respective salary are:

  • Legal Executive
    A legal executive is a lawyer who has a specific specialization. He is a qualified lawyer in his field of specialization. He basically works by advising the organization, and evaluating the threat if any. The salary of a legal executive ranges from £20,000 to £55,000.

  • Arbitrator
    An arbitrator is a person who settles a dispute between two and a group of people. The students who find resolving disputes an interesting task hence, can become an arbitrator. The demand for an arbitrator is higher in the UK and also is rising in India too. The average salary of an arbitrator in the UK is £65,000.

  • Legal Consultant
    A legal consultant is an experienced lawyer who has practiced law for many years. He provides legal guidance to his clients and also prepares documents and memoranda. So, the salary ranges from £25,000 to £60,000.

  • Barrister
    A barrister is a person who is highly trained to do advocacy. He is generally the person who defends his clients. His main work is to protect the interest of the clients and also to present him clean in the eyes of law. As a barrister, you can work independently or as part of any government or private agency. So, the salary of the barrister ranges from £50,000 to £200,000

  • Lawyer
    A lawyer is a person who has knowledge of the law. His main work is to file cases in the courts for his clients. He also provides legal advice when required. The other names of a lawyer are solicitor or attorney. Therefore, the average salary of a lawyer in the UK is £38,000.

  • Legal Writer
    Legal writers are the person who writes legal content. They write their content in the newspaper, brochures, and wherever required. Legal writers also make people aware of the legal terms and laws. However, they play an important part in the legal team. Legal writers also work as a support system for lawyers. Therefore, the average monthly salary of the legal writer is £23,923

  • Paralegal
    A paralegal advisor is a person who provides legal advice. He is not a full-fledged lawyer, however, is a member of the legal team. A paralegal advisor has a lot of work to do in a legal team. He prepares the legal documents and sometimes handles clients in court. So, the average salary of a paralegal is £ 29,042.

Living Costs in UK

It becomes a challenge for the student to find a good place to live. The University is selected by the student on the basis of his budget. Also, his budget includes the cost of living too. Choosing a University in a location that suits one’s budget is a challenging task.

When we talk about the UK’s living cost, it varies inside London city and outside London city. However, inside London is costlier than outside London. The living cost for both of them are:

Inside London: 10,000 – 15,000 pounds

Outside London – 8,000 – 10,000 pounds

If the student wants to take any dependent with him then the living cost increases. The dependent who may go with him can either be the spouse or the kids only. Parents of the students cannot go as a dependent. The living cost for the dependent also varies inside and outside London. The cost for them is:

Inside London: 8,000 – 10,000 pounds

Outside London – 7,000 –9,000 pounds

FAQ's

None of the countries is a bad option until and unless it does not provide you with a quality education. Studying LLM in UK is an excellent option for international students. It always feels great when you study in a country that provides you with research-based and practical education.

Yes, it is mandatory to have a student visa to study in UK. The international students need to have a Tier 4 student visa. However, the fee for the student visa is approximately 350 pounds.

The eligibility requirements are not very much higher in the UK for LLM courses. The international students need to have 55-60% in their bachelor’s degree. They also need to submit English test scores, LSAT scores (if required) , other academic transcripts (10th and 12th), updated CV, and LOR.

No, it is not mandatory until and unless the University doesn’t demand so.

No, it is not a mandated thing. If the university you are applying for has asked you to submit the score then you can. However, not all universities ask you to submit the score. Some Universities also provide you with an IELTS waiver. If you have scored more than 60% marks in your English subject in class 12th (CBSE/ICSE) then you are eligible for the waiver.

The top 5 Universities for LLM courses in UK are:

  • University of Oxford

  • Birmingham City University

  • University of Worcester

  • UEL (University of East London)

  • University of Cambridge

The international student can opt for various specializations in LLM in the UK. Some of them are:

  • International Corporate Law

  • Public Law

  • Religious Law

  • Human Rights Law

  • International Technology Law

  • Transportation Law

  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

  • Gender Studies

  • Telecommunications Law

  • International Regional Law

  • Resources and Environment

  • International banking and finance laws

There are many Universities in the UK which provide scholarships to international students. Therefore, the maximum scholarship which can be provided is up to 1000- 5000 pounds.

If the international student wants to pursue a full-time LLM in UK then 12 months are required. If he wants to pursue a part-time LLM then more than 24 months can be consumed.

After completing LLM from the UK, an international student can become Advisor, Advocate or Solicitor, Attorney, Legal writer, Paralegal Consultant, and many more.

Yes, the international student is permitted for 2 years to stay in the UK after completing LLM. Meanwhile, in these 2 years, he needs to find a job. Otherwise, he must leave the country after his study permit ends.

If any student chooses to study LLM in UK, then he can avail of various benefits. Firstly, he will get to study at world-class Universities. Secondly, he can choose any of the specializations depending on his interest. Thirdly, he can practice as an advocate or solicitor there. Fourthly, some UK Universities are allowed by the Bar Council of India, which makes a student eligible to practise in India also.

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