Master of Laws

Program Overview

Master of Laws LLM

Key information

Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time. Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course essentials

Our LLM course is a respected academic qualification recognised throughout the world and across key legal disciplines. It focuses on our particular areas of expertise and offers a choice of nine specialist pathways or a general LLM qualification. We place emphasis on innovative and problem-solving teaching methods as well as comparative and international outlook.

Key benefits

• The Dickson Poon School of Law is recognised globally as one of the best law schools in the world.
• Exceptional teaching and professional expertise with strong links to research coupled with connections with the wider London legal community.
• One general and nine specialist LLM pathways.
• Located in the heart of legal London, based in the magnificent Somerset House East Wing on the Strand and minutes from the Royal Courts of Justice, the Inns of Court and offices of major global law firms.

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study

Teaching on the LLM course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Some modules may be delivered as two hours of seminar-style teaching a week, whilst others may be lecture-based or a combination of lecture and seminars. Overall, full-time students will usually have 6 to 10 contact hours a week.

Assessment

• Exams
• Course Work
• Assignments
• Presentations

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examination. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, examinations, presentations, reaction papers or other assignments.

Structure

Required modules

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 180 credits. Part-time students are recommended to take 90 credits of taught modules in Year 1, and 30-45 credits of taught modules, plus a writing project (45 or 60 credits), in Year 2, to achieve 180 credits in total.

• All students are required to take a 45 or 60 credit writing project, which are typically taken from the following options:
  • Dissertation (45 credits)
  • Dissertation (60 credits)
  • 10,000 word practice or research module (45 credits)

Optional modules

In addition you are required to take at least 120-135 credits from a range of optional modules. Students who wish to specialise within a certain pathway must ensure that at least 120 credits are taken within that pathway. This can consist of optional modules alone or a combination of optional modules and a writing project, providing its content is relevant to the pathway. Students who select the General LLM are free to choose modules from any pathway.

Entry requirements

UK applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above
• Programme-Specific Requirements:
  • Undergraduate degree with high 2:1 honours (assessed as an overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in Law or a degree with at least 70% law content.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view the equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band B

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time: £22,750 per year (2025/26), Part time: £11,375 per year (2025/26)
• International: Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26), Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

• If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place.
• The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies and/or binding costs
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel to and around London and between campuses
• Graduation costs

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Overview:

The Master of Laws (LLM) program at King's College London is a prestigious academic qualification designed to equip graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of law. It caters to both recent law graduates and established professionals, offering a pathway for deepening and broadening their theoretical understanding of law while enhancing their problem-solving capabilities. Through innovative and problem-solving-oriented teaching methods, the program aims to maximize students' intellectual potential while grounding them in the practical realities of the legal profession through interactions with leading academics and practitioners. Additionally, students benefit from a vibrant intellectual community, diverse student societies, and valuable connections with prestigious international law schools.

Objectives:

The overarching objectives of the LLM program are to:

• Equip graduates with the essential legal knowledge and expertise necessary for achieving their individual career ambitions.
• Provide students with an internationally recognized LLM qualification, enhancing their profile in the competitive legal labor market.

Program Description:

The LLM program offers two main streams: General LLM and specialist pathways. Students can choose to specialize in one of nine distinct pathways or opt for a combination of various modules to establish a General LLM. The existing specialist pathways encompass:

• Competition Law
• European Law
• Intellectual Property and Information Law
• International Business Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• International Financial Law
• International Tax Law
• Law and Technology
• Transnational Law
All students are required to complete a 45 or 60-credit writing project, typically as a Dissertation or in the form of a practice or research module focused on areas like Advanced Patent Competition Law, EU Merger Control, Global Digital Enforcement of Intellectual Property and Information Technology, International Investment Law and Policy, Law of International Finance, or specific aspects of taxation, finance, or technology.

Outline

Content:

The LLM program delves into a wide range of legal areas, offering a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in various legal disciplines. The program's strength lies in its specialization pathways, covering intricate and contemporary legal topics that cater to specific professional interests. Furthermore, the General LLM program allows students to customize their studies by selecting an array of modules across diverse legal disciplines.

Structure:

The LLM program requires the completion of 180 credits, typically achieved through coursework modules. Part-time students are encouraged to complete 90 credits of taught modules in their first year, followed by 30-45 credits of additional modules (including a writing project) in their second year. Full-time students typically attend 6-10 hours of contact time per week, including lectures, seminars, and tutorials. These contact hours are balanced with self-study time, totaling around 1,800 hours for the entire program.

Course Schedule:

The program adheres to a 24-week academic year, with lectures and seminars spread throughout the week.

Competition Law:

• Competition Enforcement & Procedure
• Competition Intellectual Property & The Media Industry
• Competition Law in the Digital Economy
• Economics of Competition Law
• European Union Competition Law
• Subsidies Control and Policy: The EU and Global Dimension
• The Law and Politics of Economic Regulation
• UK Competition Law
• US Antitrust Law

European Law:

• Comparative EU-US Constitutional Law
• Electronic Commerce Law
• EU Tax Law
• EU and US Financial Regulation
• Europe in Crisis: Current Issues of EU Law
• Law and New Modes of Governance in the European Union
• Subsidies Control and Policy: The EU and Global Dimension
• Greening Trade and Business Regulation

Intellectual Property and Information Law:

• Commercialisation of Intellectual Property
• Competition Intellectual Property & The Media Industry
• Copyright & The Music Industry in The Digital Era
• International & Comparative Copyright Law
• Patents & Trade Secrets
• Trade Mark Law

International Business Law:

• Banking Law
• Corporate Governance
• Green Finance
• Insurance Law
• International and Comparative Trust Law
• International Commercial Arbitration
• International Investment Law
• Law of International Finance 1
• Taxation of Business Enterprises
• The Law and Politics of Economic Regulation
• World Trade Law

International Financial Law:

• Banking Law
• Law of International Finance 1
• EU and US Financial Regulation
• Law of International Finance 3 – Securitisations Derivatives & CDOS
• Legal Issues in Corporate Finance
• International Private Equity Finance
• International Tax Law: Transfer Pricing
• Law & Policy of Financial Technologies
• Regulation of the Conduct of Mergers and Acquisitions
• Corporate Governance
• Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain: Technological Advances and Legal Challenges

International Dispute Resolution:

• Authoritarianism, Populism and the Law
• Human Rights in International Dispute Settlement
• International Investment Law
• International Commercial Arbitration
• Public International Law
• Transnational Human Rights Litigation
• Transnational Remedies for Environmental Harm

International Tax Law

• EU Tax Law
• International Tax Law
• International Tax Law: Transfer Pricing
• Taxation of Business Enterprises
• Value Added Tax

Law and Technology:

• Artificial Intelligence, Law and Society
• Competition, Intellectual Property & The Media Industry
• Copyright & The Music Industry in The Digital Era
• Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain: Technological Advances and Legal Challenges
• Cyberspace Law: ‘Big Data’, Algorithmic Governance and Democracy
• Electronic Commerce Law
• Energy Transitions & Green Tech
• Law & Policy of Financial Technologies
• Legal Technology Innovation
• Technology, Democracy and Society

Transnational Law:

• Authoritarianism, Populism and the Law
• Business and Human Rights
• Human Rights: International and Transnational Perspectives
• International Refugee Law
• Law, Reform and Policy in Ukraine
• Principles of Enterprise Governance
• Transnational Human Rights Litigation
• The Law and Practice of Modern Slavery
• The Law and Practice of the United Nations: Edging towards Transnational Constitutionalism?

Assessment

Assessment Methods:

Students' academic performance is evaluated through a combination of coursework and examinations. This includes essays, problem-solving exercises, simulations, presentations, reaction papers, and other written or oral assignments. Specific assessment methods may vary depending on the chosen modules.

Assessment Criteria:

Assessment criteria focus on evaluating students' ability to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of legal principles and frameworks.
• Apply legal concepts and theories to complex legal problems.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate relevant legal information from a range of sources.
• Formulate compelling arguments, both orally and in writing.
• Exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Engage in effective oral and written communication.

Teaching

Teaching Methods:

The LLM program employs a diversified teaching approach, incorporating lectures, seminars, group discussions, workshops, presentations, independent research, and self-directed learning. Lectures provide foundational knowledge through expert guidance, while seminars encourage active participation, critical analysis, and interactive learning. The program also incorporates innovative methods like problem-solving exercises and simulations to provide students with hands-on experience in applying legal principles to real-world scenarios.

Faculty:

The program boasts a highly accomplished faculty comprised of world-renowned legal scholars and practitioners. Faculty members possess extensive expertise in their respective fields and bring valuable insights from their academic achievements and professional experiences. They are actively involved in research and actively contribute to their specialised areas of law.

Unique Approaches:

• Problem-solving-oriented approach: The program emphasizes practical application and analytical skills development through case studies, simulations, and interactive problem-solving exercises.
• Comparative and international dimension: Emphasis is placed on developing a nuanced understanding of legal systems and doctrines across various jurisdictions, fostering a globalized perspective on legal issues.
• Exposure to professional practice: Guest lectures, workshops, and site visits enhance students' understanding of the practical realities of legal practice and career opportunities.

Careers

Potential Career Paths:

The LLM program prepares graduates for diverse career paths in both the public and private sectors. Potential career options include:

• Legal Practice: Barrister, Solicitor, Legal Executive, In-house Counsel
• International Organizations: United Nations, World Bank, European Union
• Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Academia
• Research and Policy Analysis
• Compliance and Regulatory Roles
• Business and Consulting

Career Opportunities:

The LLM qualification opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities in various fields, including:

• Law firms
• Financial institutions
• International organizations
• Government agencies
• Multinational corporations
• NGOs
• Research institutions

Career Outcomes:

Graduates of the LLM program are highly sought-after by employers, with the majority securing positions in prestigious law firms, international organizations, and leading corporations.

• The program utilizes a rolling admissions process, meaning applications are reviewed continuously until the program is full.
• Students have the flexibility to customize their studies by combining modules from different pathways to meet their individual interests and career aspirations.
• The program's location in London, the heart of the legal industry, provides students with valuable networking opportunities and access to various legal resources.
• The program prioritizes diversity and inclusion, welcoming students from all backgrounds and nationalities.

UK: Full time: £21,246 per year (2024/25) Part time: £10,623 per year (2024/25) International: Full time: £33,450 per year (2024/25) Part time: £16,725 per year (2024/25) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Deposit Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment. The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000. If you receive an offer between 1 January and 31 March, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 1 April and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 16 July and 15 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer. Additional Costs Library fees and fines Personal photocopies and/or binding costs Printing course handouts Society membership fees Stationery Travel costs for travel to and around London and between campuses Graduation costs