London External System (University of London)

About the University

As a family of 19 world-class Colleges and acclaimed Institutes, the University of London has an international reputation for academic distinction in teaching and research.

Through its External System, the world’s oldest provider of degrees through distance and flexible learning, the University of London offers degree programmes to students all over the world. Established in 1858, today the External System has 45,000 students in every corner of the globe studying on more than 100 different programmes.

Former students and alumni include seven Nobel Prize winners, leaders of Commonwealth countries, government ministers, renowned authors, academics, judges and business leaders. The External System’s international reputation continues to ensure our graduates are to be found in leading positions around the world.

The University maintains a robust quality assurance process for all its courses. Drawing on the expertise of University of London academics, External students benefit from specially designed courses to suit their needs and achieve exactly the same standard of internationally recognised qualification as those who attend the University itself.

Many of our courses are supported by independent teaching institutions around the world. There is a network of institutions which have been recognised as offering teaching and learning support within our quality assurance framework.

About the Law School

The study programme allows you to study when you choose. It offers a flexible study period - from 1 to 5 years to achieve the Master of Laws (LLM) and the Postgraduate Diploma; from 6 months to 5 years for the Postgraduate Certificate.

Each Section represents 112.5 study hours which equals 450 study hours per Course. The estimated total student learning time for the Master of Laws (LLM) is 1800 hours.

The new programme is self-taught with extensive new study materials providing greater support (print and web-based) to improve and aid your study experience, these include:

* Textbook(s) provided for each Course and Readers for most Sections to direct your reading.
* Extensive new study guides available in print, on CD and on the web especially written and edited for distance learning purposes, usually by the author of the textbook which will be provided, with clear learning outcomes and key skills, and self-assessment questions throughout. Sample chapters from Study Guides are available here.
* Postgraduate Laws Handbook containing information about libraries and bookshops, useful World Wide Web sites and a photocopying service available to students.
* Regulations containing important information, such as details of the Courses and Specialisations available, syllabuses, and assessment matters.

Students also have access to an online eCampus containing:

* Extensive online library resources.
* Five legal databases including Lexis/Nexis® and Westlaw®.
* Dedicated discussion forums for each Section - you'll encounter all kinds of people with perspectives from many different areas of the globe, including the legal professions, discover new ways of studying and no doubt make new friends.

Computer access
Although materials will be provided to you in print, you will find it useful to be able to access the Internet to find some assigned reading online. You will also need to check on the eCampus annually to ensure you have any new or updated study materials for the Sections you are studying. Plus you may want to be in touch with other students, to share experiences and support.

The study materials are designed for independent study. However, you may find it useful to meet with other Postgraduate Laws students, have access to a specialist library or high-speed Internet connection, or take revision classes. If you want to receive further educational support locally, it may be available in your country. We urge you to consider the following check list before enroling with any institution.

Certain institutions have informed us they provide support for some or all courses of the Postgraduate Laws programme for External students. Institutions which are listed at the link below have agreed in writing to abide by the University's Code for Advertising and Promotional Materials for Supporting Institutions [pdf: 3pgs, 31KB].

Please note: The University does not have a scheme of recognition for institutions offering support and does not inspect or endorse any supporting institution. The University does not comment on or guarantee the teaching, services or financial stability of any supporting institution. There is no collaboration, franchising, twinning, validation, accreditation, recommendation, endorsement or any similar relationship between any supporting institution and the University. Inclusion in the list below does not indicate the University's approval of the insitutions listed.

Advisers

Certain organisations have been appointed as Advisers to the University of London External System with respect to the Postgraduate Laws programme for External students. These are listed at the link below. Institutions which are listed as Advisers have agreed in writing to abide by the University's Code of Practice for Advisers [pdf: 2pgs, 28KB] and the University's Code for Advertising and Promotional Materials for Advisers

About the Program

Our postgraduate programmes are available via distance learning. In some countries support is also available via local institutions.

There are dozens of courses in a wide range of subjects; you choose your course options and plan your studies to fit in with your work and home commitments. Each course has an accompanying Study Guide and we've posted some sample chapters for you to look at.

There are also 30 specialisations available for those who wish to become specialists in a particular field of law. You can either choose to study independently or seek additional educational support. You can pay fees as you go, or pay the total amount upfront.

LLM 4 courses (totaling 16 sections) 1-5 years

Renowned for excellence in legal education, the University of London is one of the largest and most respected institutions in the world. We've been offering the opportunity for students around the world to obtain the Master of Laws (LLM) of the University of London since 1925.

The Postgraduate Laws programme has been developed by academics within Queen Mary and UCL Law departments, both of which have outstanding reputations (both 5-star faculties). You're assessed to the same standard as students studying at the College.

Access is a key principle - you do not need an LLB to apply; applicants with no degree can start on the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws and progress up. Whether you're a practising lawyer, LLB graduate or non-legal professional, if you're keen to develop your career, this programme has an option to suit you.

* extensive new study materials (print and web-based), written and edited especially for distance learning students.
* library resources, legal databases and dedicated discussion forums for each course.
* progression routes enable you to accumulate credits towards the Master of Laws (LLM), e.g. if you register for the LLM you'll receive the Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate en route, as you satisfy the requirements for those awards.

The Programs

About the Entry Requirements

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

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.

About the Tuition & fees

€8170