Postgraduate study in Laws:

Master of Laws (LLM), Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate

Entrance requirements

Access is a key principle for all distance study programmes offered through the University's External System, and Postgraduate Laws is no exception. The programme offers the opportunity to gain the same prestigious qualification awarded to students enroled with one of the University's Colleges but without coming to London. It is open to a wide range of students and assessed to the same high standard as a programme within one of the University's Colleges. There are no requirements for you to come to London, so no relocation or travel costs and you can continue working full time. In addition, any number of students can join this programme, so if you meet the University's entrance requirements you will be offered a place.

In order to be eligible to register for the LLM degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Laws or Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, you must satisfy the entrance requirements given below:

Master of Laws (LLM)

Applicants are required to have at least one of the following:

• Obtained the LLB degree of the University of London with at least Second Class Honours (excepting that a candidate who obtained the LLB Pass degree before 1969 may make a special application) or

• Obtained a first degree, in a subject appropriate to the LLM, of a university in a Member State of the European Union, with a result considered by the University of London to be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or

• Obtained a first degree, in a subject appropriate to the LLM, of an acceptable university outside the European Union, with a result considered by the University of London to be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or

• Obtained a Masters degree, in a subject appropriate to the LLM, of a university in a Member State of the European Union or of an acceptable university outside the European Union or

• Passed the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) of England and Wales or the Qualifying Examination of the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England or the corresponding examinations in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where in either case the student has also obtained a Second Class Honours degree of a UK university (or an educational institute of university rank) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a course of study extending over not less than three years in a university (or educational institute of university rank) or

• Obtained either the Common Professional Examination or an equivalent Diploma in Law where in either case the applicant has also obtained a Second Class Honours degree of a UK university (or an educational institute of university rank) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a course of study extending over not less than three years in a university (or an educational institute of university rank) or

• Qualified as a solicitor or barrister in England or Wales, or the equivalent outside England or Wales or

• Obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in law from a College or Institute of the University of London

Note: In these admission criteria a degree ‘in a subject appropriate to the LLM’ means a first degree with substantial law content

Postgraduate Diploma

Applicants are required to have at least one of the following:

• Obtained a degree of the University of London with at least Second Class Honours or

• Obtained a degree of a university in a Member State of the European Union, with a result considered by the University of London to be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or

• Obtained a degree of an acceptable university outside the European Union, with a result considered by the University of London to be equivalent to at least Second Class Honours or

• Obtained a Masters degree of a university in a Member State of the European Union, or of an acceptable university outside the European Union or

• Obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in law from a College or Institute of the University of London

Postgraduate Certificate

Applicants are required to have at least one of the following:

• Obtained a degree of the University of London or

• Obtained a degree of a university in a Member State of the European Union or

• Obtained a degree of an acceptable university outside the European Union or

• At least five years relevant work experience, such as accounting, banking, finance or insurance

Please note: in exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not satisfy the foregoing requirements may be permitted to enrol for the LLM degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Laws or the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws if the University is satisfied that by reason or his or her background, experience and professional qualifications (if any) the applicant is fit to follow the course of study.

English language requirement

All applicants must possess an appropriate level of ability to work in English. Therefore, an applicant whose first language is not English must provide evidence acceptable to the University that the applicant has, no more than three years prior to application, either:

• Substantial education (minimum 18 months) conducted in English or

• Substantial work experience (minimum 18 months) conducted in English or

• Passed, at an appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable to the University of London - for example, IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-test or TOEFL score of 580 (or 237 in the computerised test) plus 4 in the Test of Written English (TWE)/Essay Rating. For the TOEFL iBT (internet-based Test) a total score of 92 is required with at least 22 in both the Reading and Writing Skills sub-tests and at least 20 in both the Speaking and Listening sub-tests.

The University reserves the right to require an applicant to pass at an appropriate level a test of proficiency in English that is acceptable to the University before an offer of registration can be made.

Computer requirements

Although access to the Internet is not an entrance requirement for the Postgraduate Laws programme, you are advised to have Internet access in order that you may benefit from the support given in the eCampus.

Exemptions

Students who have obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in law or a Postgraduate Diploma in law from a College or Institute of the University of London may be considered for exemption in accordance with the rules given below.

• At the discretion of the University, students who satisfy the relevant entrance requirements to register for a programme of study and are appropriately qualified may apply for exemption from specified subjects. Applications will be considered on the basis of studies successfully completed at a level considered by the University to be appropriate.

• Students can be considered for exemption from up to one third of the programme concerned. Exemption can be granted from core and optional subjects, but cannot be granted from the dissertation, project or final examination (as appropriate) of the programme.

• No exemption will be granted unless the student has made an application in accordance with the University’s procedures and deadlines.

• Applications for exemption cannot be considered after a student has made entry to the examination for the subject concerned. Students who have failed an examination may not, at a later stage, apply for exemption from that examination.

• A fee is payable for all applications for exemption. The exemption application fee is £50 and is non-refundable.

• All exemptions are granted at the discretion of the University.

• Exemptions are valid only for a limited time and as indicated in the offer of exemption. If a student does not enter an examination within this period, then the exemption will lapse and it will be necessary to make a fresh application.

• Exemptions are valid only for the particular programme of study and subject for which they have been awarded. Exemptions will no longer be valid if the programme is withdrawn before the student registers. Students who transfer their registration to another programme may be required to submit a further application for exemption.

• Students who are exempt from a specific subject are not required or permitted to offer the same, or equivalent, subject at a later stage.