Is it worth doing an LLM?

Nov 07, 2022

Written By Nandini Jadeja

Though there are a number of steps before you can qualify as a solicitor or barrister, the LLM is not a necessary one. With this in mind, you might be wondering whether or not it is worthwhile to pursue one. Here we break down the LLM and its pros and cons.

What is an LLM?

An LLM is a Master’s Level qualification which can be taken in a year (full-time) or two years (part time). It allows you to delve into a specific area of law more deeply and specialise in it. You can read more about the basics of the LLM in our article here.

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Do I need an LLM to become a lawyer?

You do not need an LLM to become a lawyer. The LLM does not automatically qualify you as a lawyer, and you will still need to complete a legal training course of some kind before you can qualify. Firms will not require graduates to have an LLM when hiring for a training contract.

Which areas of law can I take an LLM in?

The courses will vary depending on the university/provider you choose to undertake an LLM with, but can include areas such as environmental law, employment law, maritime law, international business law and criminal litigation.

How might doing an LLM benefit me?

As with any master’s qualifications, a deeper level of knowledge in a particular area can be attractive on a CV and may help distinguish you from other highly performing candidates. If your LLM aligns with a practice area in a firm you are applying for, then this will be further beneficial and may aid your application by showing the firm you have a strong interest in that particular area of law.

It may also assist you if you want to work as an in-house lawyer for a corporation. An LLM in medical law would be an asset for someone interested in an in-house legal career at a medical corporation.

Are there drawbacks to doing an LLM?

An LLM is not the only means of showing an interest in a firm, and practice area interest can also be demonstrated in other ways. The LLM is therefore not a sure-fire way of getting a training contract, and it will set you back a year or two in studies. Most graduates who secure a training contract will not have completed an LLM and demonstrate their interest in the firm using other experiences.

The LLM is also costly, with home students paying between £8,650-£18,000. You can read more about the cost in our article here.

Do I need to have done a law degree (LLB) to do an LLM?

You do not need an LLB to apply for an LLM. However, it is academically rigorous and so an in-depth knowledge of the law is necessary. For this reason, many providers will require you to have completed a PGDL (Postgraduate Diploma in Law) before advancing to an LLM if you have not done an LLB at undergraduate level.

How can an LLM fit into the SQE?

With recent changes made to the solicitor qualifying route, there are new opportunities to combine study of the SQE with an LLM.

Here we take a look at the options offered by the University of Law, one provider of an integrated SQE and master’s in law.

- The University of Law offers a course called the ‘LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)’ It is ‘designed for graduates who want to qualify as a solicitor using the new SQE route to practise and also gain a master’s award.’

- It is offered in numerous locations across England, and there is also a flexible online course

Who might an LLM be suitable for?

An LLM can suit anyone who wants to understand and research an area of the law in greater depth. It may aid you in making longer term decisions about your career by giving you the time and space to think more deeply about a specific area of the law. The LLM can also give you the opportunity to decide on an area of the law to pursue in a professional sense.

So, is it worth doing an LLM?

Only do an LLM if you are really interested in further pursuing an area of the law. The LLM is not a necessary qualification for a career in law, but it is an opportunity to further explore an area of law that you are interested in.

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