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Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?

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JacktheRipper

Joined: 19 Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?
Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:53 AM
Hi everyone,

I'm a international student who wants to apply the LLM programme, but I don't have a prior law degree or work experience, am I eligible?

I've read some websites, and found that some universities have a programme named "Graduate Diploma in Law", does anybody know this diploma?.

Graduate Diploma in Law+LLM will cost me 2 years, is it possible if I want to get the LLM degree in 1 year?

Some universities say that normally they accept applicant holding a prior law degree or having a law background(like work experience etc.), but they also accept applicant in a relevant discipline. Is the latter exception?

And could you please give me some names of those kinds of universities which you can ensure the possibility of accepting a non-law background applicant?.
If you know some precedents, please tell me!!

Thanks in advance~!!!~ : )

[Edited by JacktheRipper on 20 Aug 2009]
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tnuchpiam

Joined: 31 May 2009
Posts: 34
Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?
Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:34 PM
As far as I know, a Graduate Diploma in Law is normally a taught course minus a dissertation (requiring about nine months to complete). At some universities, it allows those who have satisfactorily completed the coursework to transfer to the LLM, which can then be completed by just meeting the rest of the Master's degree requirement: the dissertation.

A Graduate Diploma in Law may also be a conversion course for those without a law degree. As such it prepares a candidate for legal practice -- that is, providing him or her with the academic-stage qualification for Bar Vocational Course or Legal Practice Course).

Again, as far as I know, the Universities that do not require a law degree for a pursuit of an LLM course are Lancaster and Aberystwyth, among others. Just take a look at their websites. I hope I was not mistaken!
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JacktheRipper

Joined: 19 Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?
Thu Aug 20, 2009 06:17 PM
Hi tnuchpiam,

I've read the websites of Lancaster and Aberystwyth, but all the LLM courses in Aberystwyth are distance learning. Anyway, thanks for your help. I'm planning apply the Lancaster.

And one more question, : )
How long does the first kind of Graduate Diploma that you mentioned take? Coursework+LLM dissertation=1 year or 2 years?
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Alain

Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Posts: 14
Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?
Thu Aug 20, 2009 09:12 PM
This article is quite useful: www.llm-guide.com/article/213/llm-programs-for-non…
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AlritePedro

Joined: 19 Aug 2009
Posts: 7
Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?
Thu Aug 20, 2009 09:25 PM
a graduate diploma in law is the professional qualification needed to be taken after an LLB in order to be a solicitor.
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tnuchpiam

Joined: 31 May 2009
Posts: 34
Is it possible to apply the LLM without a law background in UK?
Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:19 PM
Well, Jacktheripper, a diploma coursework + dissertation (= LLM) would take one year: nine-month coursework + three-month dissertation. All LLM programmes at Kent, for example, offer this kind of arrangement (I found this in its 2009 Postgraduate Brochure, page 20), but I am not sure if an applicant needs a law degree. The best thing to do is to ask the people there directly.

Exeter's Law Postgraduate Prospectus also indicates (on page 12) that the School also accepts, for an LLM course, "a UK Honours degree of at least an Upper Second Class Honours standard (or an overseas equivalent standard) in a non-Law subject, where the applicant can demonstrate substantial relevant legal experience".

Moreover, the Prospectus also has this to say: "Applicants with a first degree in another discipline and no experience of law may want to consider the Graduate Diploma in Law, delivered by INTO University of Exeter in conjuction with the School (see www.ex.ac.uk.into). Successful completion of the nine-month Graduate Diploma guarantees progression onto one of our LLM programme". However, it does not how long it will take to obtain an LLM. I hope it takes only one year (9 + 3 months)? Again, the best thing to do is write to ask the School.
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