A Masters in Law, also known as LLM, is a law graduate degree providing advanced and specialised legal education beyond the undergraduate law degree. The programme is generally one year long in the UK and offers students a solid grounding in the fundamentals of law. It also offers them an opportunity to explore their interests in the field. The programme can be pursued in different specialisations, such as tax, intellectual property, human rights, and international and environmental law.
An LLM is designed to help students deepen their knowledge in a specific legal field or gain expertise in a new area of law. LLM graduates can pursue careers in various legal fields, including private law firms, government agencies, non-profit organisations, and academia.
LLM courses in the UK cover many topics, including interpretation trade, corporate law, law & finance in emerging markets, human rights law, international courts & tribunals, copyright laws, and international commercial arbitration. UK universities are known for their state-of-the-art infrastructure and detailed curricula, ensuring students are equipped with all sorts of knowledge and experience to flourish in law.
International students can expect to pay between £20,000 to £40,000 per academic year when studying for a Master of Laws in the UK. Elements that affect international tuition fees include location, UK university ranking and global reputation.
University of Cambridge’s Master of Law (LLM), the number one ranked LLM in the UK, will cost overseas students £37,500 per year. Durham University’s LLM, however, ranked 6th in the UK, is only £24,900 per year. Below are the UK's top five Master of Laws programmes and their international fees.
| University | Course | International Fees |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Cambridge |
£37,500 |
|
|
University of Oxford |
£41,480 |
|
|
London School of Economics and Political Science |
£34,128 |
|
|
University College London |
£32,100 |
|
|
University of Glasgow |
£24,960 |
Students can pursue an LLM course in different specialisations.
Completing a Master of Law from a UK university can unlock many job prospects across diverse fields, including government and public sectors. Graduates can pursue diverse career paths, such as lawyers/advocates, legal advisors, legal writers, and solicitors. A legal career can offer a substantial salary, starting from around £25,000 per year after graduating. According to Glassdoor in March 2023, the average base pay of lawyers in the UK is £64,748 per year.
The two most popular LLM jobs available for Indian students in the UK are solicitors, who take instructions from individuals and organisations and advise them on all necessary legal actions, and Barristers who are more likely to be working in chambers and self-employed.
According to the 2025 Guardian University Guide Law subject rankings, the following five universities have the highest percentage of graduates who find graduate-level jobs or are in further study at a professional or higher education level within 15 months of graduation.
Students should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. Several universities require a TOEFL score of 95 with a minimum R 23, L 23, S 22, and W 24. They also consider a Pearson's PTE score of 65, requiring a minimum of 60 in all subtests. Please note that these requirements vary for each university. You will need to check the university website for exact requirements.
To apply for a postgraduate course at a UK university, you should have the following documents:
To learn more about the best law colleges in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking Law universities in the Guardian University Guide 2025 below:
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Students should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. Several universities require a TOEFL score of 95 with a minimum of R 23, L 23, S 22, and W 24. They also consider Pearson's PTE score of 65 with a minimum of 60 in all subtests.
An LLM in the UK for Indian students will take approximately one year to complete and comprise both study and real-world experience. Studying for a master's usually comes after three years of studying for a bachelor’s in law, taking the total study time at university to 4 years.
The average tuition fee for a master's in law in the UK for Indian students varies depending on the university but typically ranges from £20,000 to £40,000. On top of this, you’ll need to consider additional costs for accommodation and general living expenses, such as food, drink and any social activities. Some universities will have scholarships available, which you can apply to, which can help to reduce the tuition fees.
You can start your LLM programme after receiving a pre-sessional condition. The university will offer you a pre-sessional English (PSE) course, ensuring you meet the language entry requirements.
Yes. You can take the LLM programme part-time. Although, the tenure of the course will increase.
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