Doing an LLM in the USA or England: what you need to know

Thinking about starting an LLM in England or the United States? Want to know more about this Master of Laws programme?

This article is for you.

What is an LLM?

The Master of Laws, or Legum Magister in Latin, better known by its abbreviation LLM, is an advanced law degree mainly aimed at international students who want to give their legal career an international dimension.

Depending on your career goals, you can choose a general LLM or a specialised LLM. In both cases you build your own programme by choosing your courses and modules, but a specialised LLM focuses them on one area of law. There is a wide range of specialisations to choose from: commercial law, tax law, international law, employment law, company law… Pick the one that fits your career plans best. Whatever you decide, an LLM is a mark of academic excellence that strengthens your CV.

An LLM is also a unique opportunity for holders of a master’s degree in law, a bachelor’s degree in law or a doctorate to specialise in fields such as business law, public law or intellectual property, building in-depth expertise that meets the growing expectations of law firms and employers.

An LLM usually lasts one year, at the end of which you submit a dissertation to complete the degree.

Some universities offer the LLM online or part-time over two years, so that you can gain work experience at the same time.

The benefits of an LLM

Besides being an internationally recognised, high-level degree, an LLM brings law students and legal professionals several benefits:

• International networking: studying for an LLM at universities such as Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge lets you build relationships with in-house lawyers, academics and legal professionals from all over the world. These exchanges broaden your legal culture and open doors in fields such as mergers and acquisitions, tax and international trade.
• Career prospects: an LLM, often earned at a renowned law school, strengthens a CV and opens access to sought-after legal careers such as corporate lawyer, legal adviser or judge. Employers that value it most include international law firms and large companies.
• Preparing for the bar: for those who want to practise in jurisdictions such as the United States, an LLM can be a stepping stone to exams such as the New York or California bar, particularly after studying at institutions such as Columbia, Stanford or Berkeley. These programmes combine lectures and seminars that target the skills needed to pass these exams.

Requirements for an LLM

• A law degree

The LLM is a postgraduate law degree that follows a first, or even a second, university degree. In other words, to study for an LLM in the United States or in England, you already need a law degree at bachelor’s or master’s level.

Some lawyers already practising in a specific area, such as international or commercial law, also take an LLM to broaden or deepen their knowledge of that field.

• A strong command of English

Studying for an LLM in the United States or England means following a demanding course in English and mastering the language, both spoken and written: the LLM year ends with a dissertation written in English.

So if you plan to study for an LLM in the United States or England, you will have to sit standardised English tests to prove your level. American universities tend to prefer the TOEFL, while the IELTS is the standard for many British law schools.

Each university sets its own minimum score, but for most LLMs in the United States or England the minimum IELTS score is 7.0/9.0 and the minimum TOEFL score is 100/120, which already reflects strong language skills.

Because a lawyer’s core skill is to argue and persuade, fluent English is also essential for anyone who wants to start a career in an English-speaking country after their LLM. This is even more true if you plan to be admitted to the New York or California bar after an LLM at Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley or another leading American university.

LLM: which destination should you choose?

The best destination depends largely on the student’s profile and expectations. Many international students choose to study for an LLM in the United States because American law schools are known for their academic excellence: Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley… These prestigious universities offer high-level programmes that carry real weight on the job market.

England is also a very popular choice for international students who want to study for an LLM. Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL… The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world, and LLMs there cost less than LLM programmes in the United States.

Three legendary universities topped the QS World University Rankings 2018: Harvard (first), Cambridge (second) and Oxford (third), closely followed by Yale, Stanford and NYU.

Keep in mind, however, that these universities are highly selective. You will need a strong application and a sound admissions strategy to join them.

Our advice for choosing your destination

To choose the best destination for your LLM, weigh the following criteria:

• Career goals: if you want to work in the United States, favour universities such as Harvard or Columbia, which prepare you for the American bar. If you aim for a career in Europe, British universities such as Oxford or the LSE are a better fit.
• Cost: LLMs in England generally cost less than those in the United States, but visa and housing costs vary.
• Academic reputation: check global rankings such as the QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education to gauge how programmes are recognised internationally.
• Programme length: British LLMs are often shorter (9 to 12 months) than their American counterparts.
• Alumni network: some universities offer very strong networking opportunities through their alumni.
• Also look at the scholarships and financial aid offered by some law schools, and at whether your professional experience can count towards your path to a legal adviser qualification or a master’s in public law.

To help you study for an LLM at one of the best American or British universities, Your Dream School offers tailored support throughout your LLM application process.

Benefit from our experts’ know-how and give yourself every chance of getting into the LLM of your dreams!

Your Dream School, your partner for success.

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