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Posted March 5, 2026

An expert’s guide to applying for an LLM degree

Applying for an LLM degree

Competition for places on LLM degree programs can be intense which means that applying for a Master of Laws can feel a little daunting.

Approaching your application for the course as you would applying for a job – with careful planning and research – will enable you to submit the strongest possible application that highlights all your strengths and demonstrates why you’re a great fit for the course.

Do your research

Before you start applying for an LLM degree, it’s important to do your research. This will allow you to take a strategic approach to your application(s). Finding the right LLM and law school can take time, so start researching early.

A good place to start is a specialist LLM course listing site like LLMstudy.com, this enables you to collate a list of law schools that offer Master of Laws degrees in your area(s) of interest.

Once you’ve done that, visit the law schools’ individual websites, dig deep into course descriptions, academic research profiles, student and alumni profiles, and take advantage of virtual open days and online webinars.

Another valuable source of information is your network – your current lecturers or colleagues for example. Ask for their thoughts and views on different programs.

And if law school rankings are important to you, use more than one ranking site.

All of this will help you build a picture of what it could be like to study at specific law schools and create your own rankings based on what is important to you. It will also help you later in the process, when it comes to submitting your application.

The application process

These days, law schools use a variety of different processes. These usually fall into two categories:

1. Rolling – decisions are made on a rolling basis until courses are full.

2. Staggered – schools have several individual application and associated selection deadlines throughout the application cycle.

Make a note of application deadlines as well as any relevant scholarship and funding deadlines. This will enable you to take a coordinated approach to the application process, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any LLM funding opportunities.

Other factors to take a note of are whether an application fee is required and/or if you will be required to pay a deposit if you are made an offer, so you can ensure you have sufficient funds in place.

Make sure you’ve looked, in detail, at what each law school requires for an application. Generally, most institutions will require you to submit:

  • Academic transcripts and degree certificate(s)
  • One or two references (generally academic, although professional references may be acceptable)
  • Personal statement (sometimes referred to as a Statement of Purpose)
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
  • CV – this is usually optional, but may be requested if you have some years of relevant professional experience

Be organised in your approach

You know the application deadlines and now you need to ensure that you don’t rush your application. Your aim should be to submit as complete an application as possible to make it as easy as possible for admissions teams to make a decision and hopefully issue an offer. Incomplete applications cause unnecessary delays and could mean you miss out on a place.

Ensure you have all your transcripts and degree certificates ready in advance. If you are in the process of completing your degree, you can submit interim transcripts.

Check with your referees early and be strategic – if you can tailor your choice of referees to different programs. This way your referee is attesting to your ability and the relevant area of law.

Ideally, you will already have taken an English language test (if required) however, you should be able to submit this after submitting your application and institutions can issue conditional offers based on meeting English language conditions. However, the sooner you can meet conditions, the earlier you can apply for your student visa and meet any accommodation guarantee criteria.

Your personal statement

Your personal statement or Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to shine and show why you’re an ideal fit for the program. It should be tailored to each LLM degree and law school. Make it personal to you and your experiences, but keep it concise and professional, there’s no room for waffle or childhood stories.

Everything about your personal statement should demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in the subject area, clear and relevant motivations, have done your research and have the relevant knowledge and skills to not only succeed on the LLM course but become a valuable member of the academic community.

This is when your earlier research pays off, whether you’re applying to study commercial law, intellectual property law or human rights law, demonstrate that you have a genuine interest and passion for your chosen area(s). Reference specific subjects that you are interested in, academics’ research interests that overlap with your own, strengths of the law school, and anything else relevant that has attracted you to the program.

Include your relevant experiences from outside of the classroom. Being part of a student society, taking part in mooting competitions, internships or voluntary experiences can demonstrate your interest and passion for an area of law and your real-world experience. If you have worked professionally, ensure you upload a CV and include the knowledge and skills you have gained and how these may have influenced your decision to apply for an LLM.

Finally, demonstrate that you understand the program and the career opportunities it might open for you by talking about your plans and how the LLM can support these. This will show that you have thought carefully about the course before applying.

Once you’re ready to submit your application, ask a friend or colleague to review it to ensure there are no unfortunate typos and that it showcases all your strengths.

Key takeaways

  • Plan and organise – start early!
  • Do your research and show you’ve done it.
  • Tailor all aspects of your application.
  • Make it personal but keep it professional.


Toby Beveridge University of EdinburghAuthor’s bio: Toby Beveridge is the Student Recruitment Manager at the University of Edinburgh Law School. He has an extensive background, with over 15 years of experience in student recruitment and admissions.

As a trusted advisor, Toby is committed to providing valuable insights and support to help prospective students make informed decisions about their academic paths navigate the university application process.

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