Content Strategy Manager | Updated On - Aug 3, 2024
A Masters in Law in the UK is a 10-12 months full-time program offered in 60+ colleges leading to careers in private firms, academia, or government agencies. The course is offered as MSc, MA or LLM. Indian students mostly specialize in corporate/commercial law, intellectual property, international business or insolvency law. Russell Group universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, are popular and expensive while non-Russell universities are affordable.
UK's legal education system appeals to Indian students due to shared common laws, enabling you to also practice in other European countries. Applying for a Masters in Law in the UK does not require clearing CLAT though some universities might require LSAT. The coursework is intensive with seminar-like classes, encouraging open discussions and one-on-one interactions with professors.
- Indian students opt for September intake due to a wider range of LLM courses, as January options are limited.
- Although internships are not mandatory, many universities offer opportunities within their law schools.
- IELTS is mandatory for law students, with a score of 6.5-7.5 overall and no bands less than 6 or an equivalent TOEFL score of 110+.
- University admissions require a minimum of 50-55%, or students can opt for pre-master conversion courses.
Tuition fees range from £25,000 to £50,000 (24-49 lakh INR). Living costs vary with the cities, with London being more expensive than cities in the outskirts like Nottingham, Birmingham, and Cardiff. The average monthly expenses, including food and conveyance, are around £1,000. Graduates can work with prestigious firms like Clifford Chance, Linklaters, and Allen & Overy, earning an average annual salary of £30,000 to £55,000 (29-54 lakh INR).
Top Universities in UK for Masters in Law
The UK has renowned universities like Oxford and Cambridge that rank on top for Law studies. Some top law colleges in UK are:
| QS Rankings | University | Programs | Specializations | Deadlines | Total Tuition Fees (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | University of Oxford | MSc | MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice, MSc Law and Finance, Magister Juris | 29 January 2025 | 30,180 - 49,990 |
| 2 | University of Cambridge | LLM, Masters Degree in Corporate Law (MCL) | Corporate Law | 4 January 2025 | 39,378 - 42,000 |
| 22 | University of Edinburgh | Master of Law (LLM) | Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Information Technology Law, International Banking and Finance | 4 January 2025 | 13,650 - 27,300 |
| 32 | University of Manchester | LLM, MA | Corporate Governance, Healthcare Ethics and Law, International Business & Commercial Law, Security and International Law | 8 December 2024 | 28,500 |
| 40 | King's College London | LLM, MSc | Competition Law, IP and Information Law, International Business Law, Transnational Law, Medical Ethics & Law, Construction Law | 10 January 2025 | 33,450 |
| 78 | Durham University | LLM Master of Laws | International Trade and Commercial Law, European Trade and Commercial Law, Corporate Law and International Law and Governance | 14 August 2024 | 26,900 |
| 45 | London School of Economics and Political Science | LLM Master of Laws, MSc Law and Finance | Arbitration, Human Rights, International law, Corporate, Commercial and Financial law | Rolling Basis | 36,168 |
| 100 | University of Nottingham | LLM, Criminology and Criminal Justice MA | Human rights law, international law, Technology and Intellectual Property law | 5 August 2024 | 22,600 |
| 9 | UCL - University College London | LLM | Corporate Law, Environmental Law and Policy, Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Public Law | 30 August 2024 | 34,400 |
| 145 | Queen Mary University of London | LLM, MSc | Commercial, Corporate Law, Competition Law, Criminal Justice, IP law and Finance MSc, Management of Intellectual Property MSc, Regulation and Compliance MSc | 2 September 2024 | 29,950 |
| 55 | University of Bristol | LLM, MSc, MA | Banking and Finance, Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Human Rights Law, International Commercial Law, MA Law, MSc Socio-Legal Studies | 9 August 2024 | 26,700 |
When choosing a university based on budget, consider all public universities as they generally follow the same fee structure.
- University rankings are not particularly significant.
- For law studies, universities like Bedfordshire, East London, and West London are not highly recommended, whereas QMUL, QUB, UCL, and Coventry are good choices.
How to Apply for a Masters in Law in the UK?
The most common intake is in September with applications due in July, while some universities offer a January intake with December application deadlines.
Eligibility Criteria
The general admission requirements include:
- Academic Degree: LLB from India with 65% to 75% for top universities or 50-55% for moderate universities.
- If you do not meet the academic requirements, you can opt for conversion courses to bridge the gap.
- ELP Score (Mandatory): 6.5-7.5 in IELTS or 110+ in TOEFL
- LSAT Score (Optional)
Additionally, you need to submit SOP and LOR during your admission process.
Check: UK Student Visa
Masters of Law in UK Cost of study
Tuition Fees
The estimated tuition fees range from £22,600-£49,990.
- Fees can be paid in full after CAS or in two instalments (October and February).
- The University of Oxford offers the most expensive program at £49,990, while the University of Nottingham offers the most affordable at £22,600.
Cost of Living in UK
Cities in the outskirts like Birmingham, and Cardiff offer a lower cost of living, averaging around £1000 per month (approximately 1 lakh INR) than central London.
Accommodation
- University accommodations range from £200 to £600 per month.
- Off-campus housing options, ranging from £100 to £500 more, with shared or suite arrangements.
Transportation
- The UK is well-connected by public transport, with walking being a primary money-saving option.
- Buses offer student discounts, while trams, tubes, and railways are slightly more expensive but convenient.
The overall annual cost of living in the UK is around £12,000-£14,000 (12-14 lakh INR). However, staying in London is generally more expensive compared to other cities.
| City | Average Monthly Rent For One-Bedroom Apartment |
|---|---|
| London | £1,626.88 |
| Edinburgh | £891.18 |
| Manchester | £888.46 |
| Glasgow | £760.62 |
| Swansea | £733.33 |
| Newcastle | £625.00 |
| Aberdeen | £553.57 |
| Durham | £362.50 |
Masters of Law in UK Scholarships
If you are planning to study LLM in the UK, you should know that it is an expensive affair. However, UK universities do offer scholarships to help ease the financial burden.
- Once you receive CAS, you can apply for scholarships by submitting an additional statement of purpose (SOP).
- Many scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with awards varying up to 50% of tuition fees.
- It is important to act quickly to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid.
Job Opportunities after Masters of Law in UK
A Master of Law in UK can open doors to various legal careers:
- Solicitors provide legal advice and handle diverse legal matters, while barristers represent clients in court, specializing in advocacy and litigation.
- Indian students can become solicitors in England and Wales by passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which includes assessments and work experience.
- To become a barrister, they must complete the Bar Course (BPC/BTC) and a one-year pupillage (training) under a practising barrister.
After completing a Masters of Law in the UK, Indians mostly opt for a PhD or paralegal career. They can also work in other admin jobs or opt for councils.
| Profession | Average Salary (GBP) | Salary for Indian Student (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney/Lawyer | 53,956 | 57.6 Lakhs |
| Corporate Lawyer | 71,240 | 76.1 Lakhs |
| Paralegal | 24,979 | 26.7 Lakhs |
The UK student visa system includes the Graduate Route, allowing graduates to stay and work in the UK for two years after completing their studies without a separate work permit. This visa allows students to find or switch jobs. London is the highest-paying city for Lawyers near the UK with paralegals earning £30,106 annually. The top recruiters for the graduates of the program are paralegal firms such as Peterson and Clarion.
FAQs
Ques. What career opportunities can an LLM degree from a UK university provide?
Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in law firms, corporations, government agencies, non-profits, or academia. They can earn an average annual salary of 30,000 GBP- 55,000 GBP (29-54 Lakh INR).
Ques. What visa do I need to pursue a Masters of Law in UK?
Ans. Indian students need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa.
Ques. What are the popular specializations for Masters in Law in UK?
Ans. UK universities offer specializations such as -
- Business-Oriented Law: Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Law and Finance, and Intellectual Property Law.
- Public Interest Law: Human Rights Law, Public Law, and Environmental Law
- Specialized Areas: Medical Law, Media Law and Ethics, Dispute Resolution, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Innovation, Technology.
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