The LLM, or Master of Laws (from the Latin Legum Magister) is the equivalent of an MA to a BA, or an MSc to a BSc. It’s the postgraduate qualification for a law degree and is a more academically focused course, relying on theory more than practice, in regards to the legal sector.
Some people question the value of LLMs, but what they allow for is a specialisation of your legal knowledge, setting you up with the academic background to be fully immersed in the theoretics of a particular area of law.
There’s a variety of opportunities available within the LLM, and it appeals to those whose passion for a particular nuance of the legal world was ignited by their undergraduate degree or GDL and they want to consolidate that knowledge. It can also be seen as a way of ‘improving’ an undergraduate degree that perhaps was not as high a mark as was desired, or done simply because some people love to have a full theoretical knowledge of their subject before putting into practice.
To qualify, you’ll usually need an undergraduate LLB, although some institutions do allow candidates who have completed a non-law degree followed by the GDL, to join their LLM program. When looking around for what kind of LLM you would like, you’ll need to take into account that not all Universities or providers will offer LLMs in every specialism, so it might be an idea to determine exactly what it is you want to study at a higher level before having a look around where you want to be doing it, to avoid disappointment.
Whilst an LLM is pretty much never a requisite qualification for a career in the legal sector, there’s never any harm in learning more about your subject and being able to pull out theoretical knowledge in a real life situation. Whether the LLM is right or not is an extremely personal decision, and only one that you can make. Check out the options below to see if any of them are up your street, and who knows where your LLM might take you!
Our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) course is designed for graduates who want to qualify as a solicitor using the new SQE route to practice and also gain a Master’s award.
At a critical time for workers’ rights around the world, our LLM in Employment, Work and Equality Law offers you an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of relationships between law, regulation, policy and practice – and graduate to meet a growing demand for specialist lawyers with the knowledge and skills in this important field.
Our LLM in Public Law represents an area of law in demand. At a critical time in history, it presents an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the role of law in ensuring public bodies act compatibly with the rights of those affected by their actions - and graduate to meet a growing demand for expert lawyers with the skills and knowledge to embrace the associated challenges.
Our LLM in Human Rights Law reflects an area of law that is critical in providing the frameworks necessary to protect the dignity of human beings around the world. It offers you an opportunity to graduate and meet a growing demand for specialist lawyers that have human rights experience and knowledge – and a determination to tackle human rights violations.
Our academic Master of Laws (LLMs) are aimed at law and non-law graduates who want to explore the practical application of a particular, specialist area of law.
As technology rapidly evolves it can be a challenge for our legal systems to keep up. Professionals in this fast-paced sector require detailed and up-to-date knowledge from a source of reputable academic authority, as well as the critical skills to analyse future developments and respond decisively.
Space law is evolving at the frontiers of legal research, and at staff at Northumbria are among the UK’s foremost authorities on the subject. As nations grapple with the enormity of the task of regulating infinite space, legal professionals in the sector require vision, advanced skills in policy negotiations and applied scientific understanding.
Our International Law and Social Justice LLM has been specifically designed for those working in the justice, international trade, charity and not-for profit/non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This course, like our others has an emphasis on social justice, but our International Law and Social Justice LLM will also give you a deeper understanding of international human rights and the law of international trade.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in Company Law and Corporate Governance presents an exciting opportunity for you to develop a deep understanding of the relationships between law and the regulation of corporations – and graduate to meet a growing demand for specialist lawyers that can embrace the challenges and opportunities of conducting business in a globalised society.
An increasingly globalised economy requires international commercial law professionals to have a wide range of knowledge on issues relevant to international commerce, such as the World Trade Organisation and the law of international trade, and in areas such as international finance, intellectual property or international energy law.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in Law and Globalisation provides you with an opportunity to engage in an exciting area of law that is complex and constantly evolving – and graduate to meet a growing demand for expert lawyers that can embrace the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interdependent and turbulent world.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in General Legal Studies presents an exciting opportunity to explore a highly sought-after field of study - and graduate to meet a growing demand from organisations worldwide for expert lawyers that can embrace challenges and innovation.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in International Law and International Relations provides you with an opportunity to engage in an exciting area of law that is complex and constantly evolving – and graduate to meet an increasing demand for expert lawyers that can embrace the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interdependent and turbulent world.
Choosing to study a Master of Laws (LLM) could give you an advantage in an increasingly competitive market, by providing you with practical and relevant knowledge of the key issues in a specialised area of law.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in Health, Law, and Society presents an exciting opportunity for you to develop a deep understanding of the relationships between law, governance, and health across society and governmental sectors – and graduate with the knowledge and skills to approach some of the greatest challenges for law and policy as mechanisms to address health and wellbeing.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in International Law provides you with an exciting opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the role of public international law - and graduate to meet a growing demand for expert lawyers with the skills and knowledge to embrace the challenges of the increasingly complex relations between states.
At a critical time in history, our LLM in Labour Law and Corporate Governance is distinctive. It presents you with an exciting opportunity to develop a deep understanding of employment and company law (and their interaction) from an economic and socio-political perspective – and graduate to meet the growing demand for specialist lawyers in these fields.
Our LLM in Banking and Finance provides you with an opportunity to access a highly sought-after, technically complex and constantly evolving area of law - and graduate to meet a growing demand for expert lawyers that can embrace challenges and innovation whilst ensuring businesses are financially and legally robust.
Designed for those working in the justice, social and consumer sectors, this course also supports a career change to a solicitor or barrister, supporting your development of transferable skills in critical thinking, analysis and communication that you can use throughout your career.
Our LLM in Commercial Law will give you access to one of the most important legal fields for global business. It is an area of law that is constantly evolving and innovating – and you will graduate with knowledge and skills that will enable you to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by law in a global environment.
In a demanding and rapidly changing legal landscape, the highest quality training is required to succeed as a barrister. Northumbria University’s Bar Course LLM will support you in acquiring the necessary knowledge and practical skills crucial to practice at the modern Bar.
Our LLM in International Commercial Law will give you access to one of the most important legal fields for global business. It is an area of law that is constantly evolving and innovating – and you will graduate with the knowledge and skills to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by law in a global environment.
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