Postgraduate Laws programme:
Master of Laws (LLM), Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate
Entrance requirements
Addtional Information
Exemptions
Access is a key principle for all distance study programmes offered through the University's External
System, and Postgraduate Laws is no exception. The programme offers the opportunity to gain the same
prestigious qualification awarded to students enroled with one of the University's Colleges but without
coming to London. It is open to a wide range of students and assessed to the same high standard as
a programme within one of the University's Colleges. There are no requirements for you to come to London,
so no relocation or travel costs and you can continue working full time. In addition, any number of
students can join this programme, so if you meet our entrance requirements you will be offered a place.
In order to be eligible to register for the LLM degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Laws or Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, you must satisfy the entrance requirements given below:
Master of Laws (LLM)
Applicants are required to have at least one of the following:
- Obtained the LLB degree of the University of London with at least Second
Class Honours (excepting that a candidate who obtained the LLB Pass degree before 1969 may make a special
application) or
- Obtained a first degree, in a subject appropriate to the LLM, of a university
in a Member State of the European Union, with a result considered by the University of London to
be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or
- Obtained a first degree, in a subject appropriate to the LLM, of an acceptable
university outside the European Union, with a result considered by the University of London to be
equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or
- Obtained a Masters degree, in a subject appropriate to the LLM, of a
university in a Member State of the European Union or of an acceptable university outside the European
Union or
- Passed the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) of England and Wales or the Qualifying Examination of the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England or the corresponding examinations in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where in either case the student has also obtained a Second Class
Honours degree of a UK university (or an educational institute of university rank) or an overseas
qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a course of study extending over not less
than three years in a university (or educational institute of university rank) or
- Obtained either the Common Professional Examination or an
equivalent Diploma in Law where in either case the applicant has also obtained a Second Class Honours
degree of a UK university (or an educational institute of university rank) or an
overseas qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a course of study extending over
not less than three years in a university (or an educational institute of university rank) or
- Qualified as a solicitor or barrister in England or Wales, or the equivalent
outside England or Wales or
- Obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in law from a College or Institute of
the University of London
Note: In these admission criteria a degree ‘in
a subject appropriate to the LLM’ means a first degree with substantial law content
Postgraduate Diploma
Applicants are required to have at least one of the following:
- Obtained a degree of the University of London with at least Second Class
Honours or
- Obtained a degree of a university in a Member State of the European Union,
with a result considered by the University of London to be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or
- Obtained a degree of an acceptable university outside the European Union,
with a result considered by the University of London to be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or
- Obtained a Masters degree of a university in a Member State of the European
Union, or of an acceptable university outside the European Union or
- Obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in law from a College or Institute
of the University of London
Postgraduate Certificate
Applicants are required to have at least one of the following:
- Obtained a degree of the University of London or
- Obtained a degree of a university in a Member State of the European Union or
- Obtained a degree of an acceptable university outside the European Union or
- At least five years relevant work experience, such as accounting, banking,
finance or insurance
Please note: in exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not satisfy the
foregoing requirements may be permitted to enrol for the LLM degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Laws or
the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws if the University is satisfied that by reason or his or her background,
experience and professional qualifications (if any) the applicant is fit to follow the course of study.
English language requirement
All applicants must possess an appropriate level of ability to work in English. Therefore, an applicant
whose first language is not English must provide evidence acceptable to the University that the applicant
has, no more than three years prior to application, either:
- Substantial education (minimum 18 months) conducted in English or
- Substantial work experience (minimum 18 months) conducted in English or
- Passed, at an appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable
to the University of London - for example, IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 with a minimum
of 6.0 in each sub-test or TOEFL score of 580 (or 237 in the computerised test) plus 4 in the Test
of Written English (TWE)/Essay Rating. For the TOEFL iBT (internet-based Test) a total score of 92
is required with at least 22 in both the Reading and Writing Skills sub-tests and at least 20 in
both the Speaking and Listening sub-tests.
The University reserves the right to require an applicant to pass at an appropriate level a test
of proficiency in English that is acceptable to the University before an offer of
registration can be made.
Computer requirements
Although access to the Internet is not an entrance requirement for the Postgraduate Laws programme,
you are advised to have Internet access in order that you may benefit from the support given in the
eCampus.