Would you like to start an LLM in England or the USA? Would you like to find out more about this Master of Laws program?
This article is for you.
What is an LLM?
The Master of Law or Legum Magister in Latin, better known by the acronym LLM, is a high-level Master of Law degree, mainly reserved for foreign students wishing to internationalize their career as a lawyer.
Depending on your career goals, you may opt for a âGeneral LLMâ or a âSpecialized LLMâ. In both cases, you will be responsible for putting together a personalized program by selecting your courses and modules, but in the case of a specialization, these will be focused on a specific area of law. There are a multitude of possible specializations: commercial law, tax law, international law, labor law, corporate law… It’s up to you to choose the one that best suits your career plans. Whatever you decide, know that an LLM is a stamp of academic excellence that will enhance your CV.
Generally speaking, the LLM takes one year to complete, at the end of which you’ll need to submit a thesis to validate your studies.
Some universities offer distance or part-time LLM courses over a two-year period, enabling you to gain professional experience at the same time.
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Prerequisites for LLM studies
A law degree
The LLM is a degree program in law that follows on from a first or second university degree. In other words, to study for an LLM in the United States or England, you must already hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in law.
Some lawyers who are already practicing in a particular area of law, such as international law, commercial law or others, may also study for an LLM to complement or refine their knowledge in this field.
Fluency in English
Studying for an LLM in the U.S. or England means being able to take a specialized course in English and master its linguistic components, both orally and in writing – the LLM year culminates in the submission of a thesis written in English.
So, if you’re planning to study for an LLM in the USA or England, you’ll need to take standardized English tests to prove your language skills. While TOEFL is preferred by American universities, IELTS is the authoritative test in many British law schools.
Each institution has the right to set a minimum score for applicants to these standardized tests, but in most cases, for LLMs in the USA or England, the minimum IELTS score is 7.0/9.0, while the TOEFL score is 100/120. This already reflects excellent language skills.
As a lawyer’s prerogative is the ability to argue and convince, fluency in English is a must for anyone wishing to start a professional career in an English-speaking country after their LLM. This is especially true if you are considering admission to the New York or California Bar after your LLM at Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley or another major American university.
Studying for an LLM: which destination to choose?
Which destination to choose depends largely on the student’s profile and expectations. Many French students choose to study for an LLM in the United States because American law schools are renowned for their academic excellence: Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley... These prestigious universities offer top-level training that is a real sesame on the job market.
England is also a popular alternative for foreign students wishing to study an LLM. Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL… British soil is home to some of the best international universities, and the cost of LLMs is lower than that of LLM programs in the USA.
Three legendary Universities occupy the podium of the QS World University Ranking 2018: Harvard (top of the ranking), Cambridge (second place), and Oxford (third place), closely followed by Yale, Stanford and NYU Universities.
Be aware, however, that these universities are highly selective. You’ll need a solid application and an infallible admissions strategy to be part of this elite universe.
To help you realize your dream of studying an LLM at one of the best American or British universities, Your Dream School offers you tailor-made support throughout the LLM admission process.
Benefit from the unique know-how of our experts and put all the chances on your side to enter the LLM of your dreams!
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Author
With a Bachelor's (LLB) from UCL and Assas, and the Grande Ecole program at HEC Paris, Adam has over 10 years of experience in education and student mentoring. Passionate about helping students achieve their academic dreams, he co-founded Your Dream School to guide students through university admissions and interview preparation for top global institutions.
