The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is an internationally recognised postgraduate degree generally acquired after one year of full-time legal studies. Law students and professionals typically pursue a LL.M. to deepen their legal expertise and to enhance their career prospects. To be considered for an LL.M. degree, most universities require a professional degree in law, while others accept first degrees in related areas. An alternative to the Master of Laws is the Graduate Diploma in Law, offering more flexible learning objectives.
Academic institutions offer either generalist LL.M. degrees or specialised programmes in various legal fields. Specialist areas include international and European public law, environmental law, corporate and commercial law, taxation, human rights and social justice, criminal justice and criminology, among others. Most LL.M. programmes blend coursework and research, group tasks, seminars and real case studies. Some programmes are rather research-oriented requiring a written thesis
Law students will need to prove their analytical, reasoning and critical judgement skills, but they will also make use of persuasive communication abilities. Attention to detail and the capacity to manage substantial amounts of information will prove essential for their career success.
Most LL.M. graduates profess as lawyers in the business sector, for governmental institutions or for a non-profit organisation. Other work opportunities include careers as law professors, judges, diplomats, politicians, legal counsellor, mediator and many more.
Read moreCheck out our list of Master's degrees in Master of Laws (LLM). Keep in mind you can also study an online Masters in Master of Laws (LLM).