Keith Mack
A Masters in Law (LLM) is a postgraduate degree that can be useful for advancing a career in law or in fields that require a high level of legal knowledge. It is a recognised qualification worldwide, but it does not qualify students to practise law. Instead, it is commonly undertaken by qualified lawyers to boost their knowledge and credentials. The degree can also be useful for graduates who want to deepen their knowledge of a particular topic, or for those who want to pursue a PhD or academic career. The job roles available to LLM graduates largely depend on their chosen specialism during the Masters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Median earnings 5 years after graduation | £38,700 |
| Median earnings 5 years after a first degree in law | £28,800 |
| Percentage increase in earnings compared to first degree graduates | 34.3% |
| Percentage of UK Law postgraduates from English universities in full-time work or further study 5 years after finishing their Masters | 86% |
| Qualification recognition | Worldwide |
| Course length | 1 year or 2 years if studying part-time |
| Course structure | Taught with some research elements |
| Career paths | Solicitor, graduate, academia, advocacy, government attorney, corporate counsel, human rights advocate, consultant, compliance officer, regulatory affairs specialist, insurance, consultancy |
| Fields where Masters in Law can be useful | Accountancy, HR, marketing, business, insurance, consultancy |
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What You'll Learn
Career prospects and earnings
A Masters in Law (LLM) is a great degree for qualified lawyers to advance their careers in a particular specialisation. It is also useful for those working in fields that require a high level of legal knowledge. Official UK government data suggests that 86% of UK Law postgraduates from English universities are in full-time work or further study five years after finishing their Masters. Designed to be a career-boosting degree, official government data shows that Law Masters graduates earn more on average than first-degree graduates five years after completing their studies. The median earnings of a Law Masters graduate five years after finishing their course was £38,700 compared to £28,800 for a Law first degree graduate. That means that, on average, Masters graduates in Law earn £9,900 per year more than their Bachelor's equivalents (a 34.3% increase).
While an LLM is a qualification recognised worldwide, it is a non-professional qualification, and you don't need one to practise law. However, achieving one could advance your current training and expertise, making you more attractive to law firms. Most courses are specialised, allowing you to study a specific brand of law in greater depth.
An LLM can lead to fascinating careers in academia, government, and practice. Graduates with an LLM can select from academia or advocacy as a career path. Graduates who want a career as consultants must communicate and solve problems well. Human rights advocates may work for non-profits or intergovernmental agencies that focus on social justice. A Master's in Law degree offers graduates many career alternatives based on their talents and interests and opportunities for professional growth.
Outside of the legal profession, employers can include banks, insurance companies, HR departments of large firms, local government, or advice centres.
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Academic knowledge vs vocational training
A Masters in Law (LLM) is a postgraduate degree that can be useful for both lawyers seeking to advance in their careers and individuals in fields requiring advanced legal knowledge, such as insurance or consultancy. While an LLM can enhance career prospects and earnings, it is not a requirement to practice law. Instead, it is an academic qualification that deepens knowledge in a particular area of law.
In contrast, vocational training focuses on providing individuals with the skills needed for a specific profession or trade. It is often designed in partnership with employers and can lead directly to employment. For example, in the legal profession, aspiring solicitors in England and Wales must complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), while prospective barristers need to undertake a Bar course followed by a one-year training period called a pupillage. These vocational qualifications enable individuals to apply their legal knowledge in practice.
Academic knowledge, such as that gained through an LLM, tends to be more theoretical and broad-ranging. It may involve reading, disseminating, and discussing information, with an emphasis on understanding concepts within a theoretical framework. On the other hand, vocational training is more applied and focused on specific skills and techniques relevant to a particular occupation. Vocational graduates are often valued by employers as they possess the exact knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen profession.
While an LLM can enhance career prospects, it does not have a specific career outcome. It is a flexible degree that allows individuals to explore their interests and deepen their knowledge in a particular area of law. Those with an LLM may pursue a wide range of careers, both within and outside the legal profession, depending on their specialisation.
In summary, academic knowledge, exemplified by an LLM, provides a theoretical foundation, while vocational training equips individuals with profession-specific skills. Both types of education can be valuable, and individuals may choose to pursue a combination of the two to meet their career goals and interests.
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Specialisations and career paths
A Master's in Law (LLM) is a postgraduate degree that can be undertaken by qualified lawyers to deepen their knowledge of a particular topic and boost their credentials. It is also suitable for graduates with extensive experience in the legal profession or non-lawyers with a conversion course. The degree is designed to provide students with advanced training in a specialised subject, such as international law, human rights advocacy, policy analysis, and consulting.
The job roles you will be qualified for largely depend on your chosen specialism during the Master's. An LLM can lead to fascinating legal careers in academia, government, and practice. Graduates can expect competitive wages and good returns on their investment, with official government data suggesting that Law Master's graduates earn £9,900 more per year on average than their Bachelor's equivalents.
- Solicitor or barrister: A Master's in Law can provide a solid foundation for a career as a solicitor or barrister. Solicitors generally advise others on legal issues and may specialise in areas such as property, criminal, or family law. Barristers, on the other hand, are typically self-employed and may work in areas such as criminal, family, probate, or business law.
- In-house legal counsel: Many medium to large businesses have in-house legal teams comprised of individuals who handle all the company's legal dealings, including internal and external matters. A Master's in Law can prepare graduates for this role, and some organisations may require a Master's degree and professional experience for entry.
- Legal consultant: Master's in Law graduates can work as legal consultants for non-profits, corporations, or government agencies. This role requires strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Human rights advocate: With a Master's in Law, graduates can work for non-profits or intergovernmental agencies focused on social justice. This specialisation may include studying human rights advocacy and international law.
- Government attorney: A Master's in Law can prepare students for careers in government, including roles as government attorneys. This path may involve studying policy analysis and gaining a deeper understanding of the legal system.
- Academia: LLM graduates may also pursue a career in academia by teaching law or conducting research. This path can include studying research methods and gaining a PhD.
It is important to note that a Master's in Law is not a requirement to practice law in the UK, and there are alternative routes to qualifying as a solicitor or barrister. Additionally, the job market is influenced by various factors, and historical information does not guarantee future career prospects and earnings.
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Skills and expertise
A Masters in Law (LLM) is a postgraduate qualification that can be useful for advancing or specialising one's career. It is a non-professional qualification, meaning it is not necessary to practice law in the UK, but it can make your application more attractive to law firms.
The degree is mostly taught, but some courses have research elements. It is a flexible qualification, allowing students to study a specific brand of law in greater depth. It can be useful for those working in fields that require a high level of legal knowledge, such as insurance or consultancy. It can also be a good degree for those with careers that could benefit from advanced legal knowledge, such as those working in investment or business.
A Masters in Law can also be useful for those wishing to work in academia or advocacy, or for those who want to pursue a PhD. It can also be a good way to gain international credentials, as it is a qualification recognised worldwide.
The degree can also help students gain expertise in international law, human rights advocacy, policy analysis, and consulting. It can prepare students for careers in government, corporate counsel, or non-profit organisations.
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Alternative career routes
A Masters in Law (LLM) is a great degree for qualified lawyers to advance their careers in a particular specialisation. It can also be useful for those working in fields that require a high level of legal knowledge, such as insurance or consultancy.
The LLM is a non-professional qualification, so it does not qualify students to practice law. Instead, it is commonly undertaken by qualified lawyers to boost their current knowledge and credentials.
- Academia or Advocacy: Graduates can pursue a career in academia by teaching law or working as a legal consultant for non-profits. LLM graduates can also select advocacy as a career path. Human rights advocates, for example, may work for non-profits or intergovernmental agencies that focus on social justice.
- Government agencies: A Masters in Law prepares students for careers in government. Roles may include working as a government attorney or in policy analysis.
- Corporate counsel: Most businesses require a Master's degree in law or a Juris Doctorate (JD) and professional experience for in-house legal counsel roles.
- Consulting: Graduates who want a career as consultants must communicate and solve problems well. They can work as legal consultants for non-profits, government agencies, or corporations.
- Compliance: LLM in Human Resources or Compliance graduates can work as compliance officers or regulatory affairs specialists.
- Other fields: Depending on their specialism, LLM graduates may work in a wide range of fields. For example, those with an interest in business may find that knowing business laws helps immensely when setting up their own company.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a qualification recognised worldwide. It is a non-professional degree, meaning it does not qualify students to practice law. Instead, it is often undertaken by qualified lawyers to boost their knowledge and credentials. It can also be useful for those working in fields that require a high level of legal knowledge.
Graduates can pursue a variety of career routes based on their interests and skills. Students gain expertise in international law, human rights advocacy, policy analysis, and
Masters in Law graduates can expect competitive wages and a good return on investment. The median earnings of a Law Masters graduate from a UK university five years after finishing their course was £38,700, compared to £28,800 for a Law first degree graduate.
