LLM Discussion Board

[Edited by Banking on 02 Aug 2009]

[Edited by Banking on 02 Aug 2009]

[Edited by Banking on 02 Aug 2009]

Hey nishant!

Choosing a law school is a very difficult matter for every LL.M student. I think I don't have to tell you that Durham and Aberdeen are higher ranked than Cardiff. (But as I know, rankings are based on the LLB Undergraduates concerns.). From an UK point of view this would be one key factor while deciding where to go.

For you, one question should be how important these rankings are in your country. I, for example, asked a former professor and an employer, how important UK law school rankings are for the German employment market. They, both, told me that if I won't go to Cambridge or Oxford, there would be no difference which law school I will choose (okay it shouldn't be totally unknown, but that's not the matter with Cardiff). They advised me to choose the program which will allow me to take the modules I am really interested in. So I made my decision by having a closer look to the modules, the facilities and the other opportunities the law schools offer (for example libraries, extra services for international students, accommodation).

To sum it up, you should ask yourself (and others) which law school / LL.M would improve your chances to get a job in my home country afterwards. Maybe rankings are less important than you believe.

Good luck for your decision.

meant to say talking about, mistype;)

[Edited by Interalia on 01 Aug 2009]

[Edited by Banking on 02 Aug 2009]

TO Equity ,

So , you prefer the rankings. Okay. So lets tallk rankings.

Cardiff University is ranked top 99 worldwide(QS SYMONDS World Uni Rankings) - In 2007 . Again , Its Ranked 101 ( Year 2008, 2009 Rankings are not out as yet .- Shangai Jiao Tong University- Centre for World Class Universities-2008 Rankings.

Versus, Durham University, Ranked Top 10 In Uk ( As per Undergraduate Concerns , Such as Guardian, And Times.
But Ranked quite low Internationally, ranked 152 Globally.

Versus , Bristol And MAnchester, Good International Rankings.Manchester is to 40 , globally.And , Bristol is Top 61, Worldwide rankings of all world universities.

I personally think , that Universities such as Cardiff and Manchester has a mix. They have good modules , Strong world rankings as well the Employers know them In asia .

Yeah, if i would have been in London , which i am avoiding because of the high cost of living. I would have preferred LSE, which has Post-grad Students out-numbering Under-Grad students. Plus, its a leading social sciences University, its International.

[Edited by Interalia on 01 Aug 2009]

[Edited by Banking on 02 Aug 2009]

Guys, I often wonder as to WHY you ask your questions. What do you actually want-to find out the truth or to confirm what YOU have decided already?
If it is the first one, please go ahead and aks, if it is the second-why bother and waste other people's time (people who were kind enough to reply).
Moreover, many of you quote your teachers saying that they said that your modules were important and because of them you should apply to a lower r
anking school. Of course, the teachers will say that because they are passionate about their subjects and they are not planning to leave academia.
The real world is different and the MBA rule applies to LLM as well-
"go for the best ranking programme you can be admitted to and your
money can buy, unless you want to specialise in a very narrow
area not
taught by
top ranking
schools". Employers value ranking more than your thought process
regarding modules. Period. Hash but true.
I learned my lesson the hard way, if you want to do the samw,
you are wellcome. You will only be the first ones to say to your
current teachers, and so called advisors and friends why did not you tell
me this.
By the way, the second thing after rankings it is your grades, not modules. Hence, you are more likely to get a job in a law firm if you aced history of law than did less well in subjects you were actually planning to practice. However, here the case is less clear cut-depends on exactly how poorly have you done.

[Edited by catseye on 01 Aug 2009]

Guys, I often wonder as to WHY you ask your questions. What do you actually want-to find out the truth or to confirm what YOU have decided already?
If it is the first one, please go ahead and aks, if it is the second-why bother and waste other people's time (people who were kind enough to reply).
Moreover, many of you quote your teachers saying that they said that your modules were important and because of them you should apply to a lower r
anking school. Of course, the teachers will say that because they are passionate about their subjects and they are not planning to leave academia.
The real world is different and the MBA rule applies to LLM as well-
"go for the best ranking programme you can be admitted to and your
money can buy, unless you want to specialise in a very narrow
area not
taught by
top ranking
schools". Employers value ranking more than your thought process
regarding modules. Period. Hash but true.
I learned my lesson the hard way, if you want to do the samw,
you are wellcome. You will only be the first ones to say to your
current teachers, and so called advisors and friends why did not you tell
me this.
By the way, the second thing after rankings it is your grades, not modules. Hence, you are more likely to get a job in a law firm if you aced history of law than did less well in subjects you were actually planning to practice. However, here the case is less clear cut-depends on exactly how poorly have you done.

I completely second Private Equity's opinion here...I dont understand why people really seek an honest advice when they cant accept some facts.

Mostly I have seen that people on this forum first want the others to know where they have got in and if you tell them that they have got in perhaphs one of the best law schools (eventhough the rankings for LLM says otherwise)they are very happy but the moment one tells them the real facts they very irked and take things personally. They get into endless debates to convince others, what I dont understand is that, if one is so convinced about a particular law school then why are they so bothered about the opinion of the others in general.

The world knows the repuation of the colleges. I am from India and have worked with reputed law firms and financial institutions. This may sound really harsh but Cardiff is not perceived as one best schools in UK for LLM atleast in India.

Trust me nobody cares about the world ranking that you have been so bothered about. The legal fratenity knows the ranking and reputation of any college in the UK and the US.

Crux of the matter, if you are so convinced about Cardiff, go ahead and join it, no point trying to convince others on the forum that its better than the other law school viz. Durham or Aberdeen

[Edited by Banking on 02 Aug 2009]

To Equity,
With no offence, I appreciate you feed back though. It been a discussion. SO , it seems that you wanna say that Durham, at any chance will be a better uni. Okay.
But, check the modules. Leaving a few , most of the modules don't fit in with me , or the area i want to specialise.
Ultimately, i need to move to Asia , India or HK or Singapore.So what's the point in Studying Eu Competition law solely, or Eu law.
Please if feasible do check the modules of both the schools.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Edited by Interalia on 02 Aug 2009]

[Edited by nishant on 02 Aug 2009]

Also , i think Lawyers in Common law jurisdiction having a two years legal expertise. are called to join the bar, whithout much emphasis on Schedule law schools.

[Edited by Interalia on 03 Aug 2009]