University of Reading
School of Law

Top ranking by international students A recent survey by the independent education research company i-graduate asked international students at 84 institutions about their learning experience. The University of Reading ranked number 1, ahead of Oxford, Cambridge and Yale. Individual learning elements rated in 1st place included: academic course content; lecturers who are good teachers; and advice on long term careers and job opportunities from academic staff.

The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK’s 10 most research-intensive  universities and as one of the top 200 universities in the world. A succession of recent government and student surveys have confirmed the Law School’s high standing in teaching and research. The latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) saw the School receive a rating of 5 (out of a maximum 5*), recognising the national and international excellence of its research. It was rated in the top 10 law schools in terms of student satisfaction in the 2005 National Student Survey. 

The University’s history stretches back over a hundred years and the Law School was founded in 1973. With more than 30 members of academic staff, an annual intake of 175 students, and a community of around of 30 postgraduates undertaking LLM and PhD programmes, we have a wealth of expertise and facilities to offer our LLM students. The Law School is located on the main Whiteknights campus in the beautiful Foxhill House, a nineteenth century heritage-listed building that has been adapted to twenty-first century use. The library has extensive holdings and students are provided with on-campus and off-campus access to a vast array of electronic resources.

Postgraduate Study at Reading
Postgraduates in the Law School at Reading enjoy rich, interdisciplinary programmes with an extensive range of module choices taught by highly-regarded academics who research and publish nationally and internationally in their fields; a welcoming study environment; first-rate facilities on a beautiful campus; career-development strategies that are organised by the Law School specifically for its postgraduates; and the wealth of opportunities that a major university has to offer. 

The School offers three main taught LLM programmes:

• LLM International Law and World Order
• LLM European Law
• LLM Advanced Legal Studies 

The International Law and European Union Law programmes are associated with major research clusters in the School. The Advanced Legal Studies degree allows students to draw on the breadth of research strengths in the School to tailor a programme that meets their needs and interests.

In each programme students undertake taught modules totalling 120 credits during the Autumn and Spring terms (October – May/June), and then write a dissertation (60 credits) from May/June until September. Teaching in the LLM is usually conducted in weekly, discussion-based seminar classes with groups of between 5 and 12 students. LLM students may select from a range of around 30-40 modules each year that are offered by the Law School and other departments, encompassing subject areas within International, EU and UK law that include: 

• Theory and Practice of International Law
• Human Rights
• Terrorism, War and Law
• Environmental Law
• Intellectual Property
• Commerce and Trade
• Labour Law
• International Dispute Settlement
• Regulation of Financial Markets.

The Law School’s web pages contain detailed information about programmes and modules

Career development and opportunities
One of the School’s most distinctive features is its very direct involvement with the development of career paths for its students. It provides a wide range of opportunities and training in pro bono activities; works with partners to provide internship opportunities (including a paid internship at the International Bar Association exclusively for a Reading LLM student); hosts a careers forum which brings government, industry and NGO representatives to the School to talk specifically with LLM and Politics students about how to build a career in organisations with international profiles; and works with the University Careers Service to provide ongoing support – even after you leave the University. 

LLM programmes are especially suited to candidates who are wanting to build careers in areas of legal and government policy; non-government organisations; legal, research or policy positions in international or European institutions; legal practice; and any number of fields which require high-level legal knowledge, a sophisticated appreciation of the relationship between law and its political and social context; advanced skills of critical analysis, and superior research and writing skills.

Being a postgraduate at Reading
The Law School provides a study environment that is welcoming and inclusive. We aim to make postgraduate study a collegial experience. All Law students will be enrolled in the Research Methods module which ensures that the cohort meets weekly in class, but the opportunity to meet less formally is also important. Each week in term time the School hosts Informal Thursday Lunches for its postgraduates. This is an opportunity to chat with your peers, and with academic and administrative staff, with later year PhD students, graduate teaching assistants, and often visitors from other parts of the university such as the International Office, the Student Union, or Student Services. These lunches have been a great way for students to meet, and for staff and students to get together in an informal environment.

International applicants
LLM candidates at Reading come from a wide range of countries. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to meet the English language requirements. The University provides academic language support free of charge for non-EU students, including:

• Academic Writing Skills classes
• Speaking Skills classes
• Listening Skills classes
• Sessions in Language Laboratories
• Writing Advisory Service
• Tutorials 

International students can find a wide range of information about language and other matters on the University’s web site.

Scholarships and funding
Among the opportunities for funding for Taught LLM candidates is the Felix Scholarship. This competition is open to candidates who are either Indian nationals, or are from sub-Saharan Africa, and who are under 30 years of age, have at least a First class in their first degree, and (for Indian nationals) have never studied outside of India. It covers fees at the international rate and an annual stipend of £12,000. The deadline for applications is in February each year. For full details see the Law School’s web site.

The University’s Halls of Residence often advertise for postgraduate students to be mentors and, in return, the students receive accommodation discount of up to 50%. Students undertaking a PhD or a research preparation Master’s (eg, MA Research) may be eligible for a wider range of funding.

Contact us
Enquiries about LLM programmes and admissions should be directed to:

Mrs Carolyn Davidson
Postgraduate Admissions Officer
School of Law, University of Reading
Foxhill House
Whiteknights Rd, Earley
Reading RG6 7BA
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)118 378 8018
Fax: +44 (0)118 378 4543
Email: law-pg-admissions@lists.reading.ac.uk
Web: www.reading.ac.uk/law