How to become an LLM student

LLM student Accessing the right Master of Laws course will make a big difference to your career trajectory and future plans, but there is research and work to do before you start your studies.

Let’s take a look at the steps involved in becoming an LLM student.

Choose your LLM

First, you need to be sure that an LLM is the right choice for you. Speak to colleagues or with any contacts you have in the area of the law. You'll want to be sure that the course you choose is well respected within the legal community. It's best to have some idea of what your future will hold after you've completed the LLM, so find out about future salary expectations, where the jobs are and what other skills or traits that are useful in the career you have planned.

Choose your law school

If you are going to continue working while you study, then you might want to pick an online or part-time LLM course. For students who are just beginning their legal careers, you'll want to choose a law school that is geographically located where you want to be practising. This may be because of the precise nature of the law that you want to practise and to benefit from the links to the local legal community, which will make finding that first job a little easier.

Ace your application

Most law schools now have a completely online application and many interviews are no longer held in-person, but online. Get someone you trust to read through your personal statement before you send it in and explain any gaps in your education or professional history.

Get your funding

Depending on where you are based and where you are studying there are lots of funding options. For LLM students who are already working, you should always check with your current employer as you never know what they might want to invest in – and your tuition fees might be just what they’re looking for. The UK Government offer loans in the UK for UK-based students, which may cover some or all of the tuition fees. For everyone else, there are lots of private funding options, and one great option is student loan provider Lendwise, who specialise in offering loans to postgraduate students. Lendwise has investors who wish to invest in postgraduate students with potential and the application process is quick and easy. Lendwise does not require their loan applicants to provide co-signers, however they do tend to invest in students who are concentrating on certain subjects – and this includes law – as they need to have potential to give their investors a return on their investments. Another good student-specific loan option is Prodigy Finance, a more traditional student lender, that doesn’t require the same level of guarantors or collateral as traditional banks, but does base their offers on specific recognised institutions. If you are applying for additional funding to study your LLM program make sure you know what you are signing up for and can meet all of your repayments. And don’t forget we have launched x10 LLM and postgraduate law bursaries worth £500 each for students starting their academic studies in 2021 or January 2022 – find out more here.

UK LLM Entry Requirements

This table shows the LLM entry requirements if you want to be an LLM student in some of the top UK law schools.

LLM entry requirements
Disclaimer: Prodigy Finance and Lendwise are two of many potential funding options for postgraduate students. Other student funding options are available; research all your options thoroughly before making a commitment. Please be aware that Postgrad Solutions Ltd receives a commission from both parties for any successful loan applications taken out by Postgrad.com and LLMstudy.com users. Postgrad Solutions accepts no responsibility for your choice of loan and does not endorse or support Prodigy Finance or Lendwise. Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register under firm registration number 612713. Lendwise Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm registration number 782496.