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Qualifying Law Degree

LLM

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • Two years full-time, on campus

  • Two years full-time, online

  • Two years full-time, flexible learning

  • Three years part-time, on campus

  • Three years part-time, online

  • Three years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our LLM Qualifying Law Degree provides you with a social-political grounding in the law by placing it in a historical, social and comparative context.

  • What will I learn?

    You will develop advanced skills in legal writing, oral presentation and critical reasoning. The course emphasises the importance of an academic and intellectually challenging approach to the study of law, and of its institutions and processes. It follows an evening timetable with classes in the evening. 

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • Birkbeck is a leading international centre for world-class legal teaching, research and scholarship. You will be taught by field-leading academic staff, alongside experienced solicitors, barristers and judges from across the legal sector.
  • Career development and skills enhancement are a key part of studying this course. You will have access to a huge range of careers support including Birkbeck's careers service.
  • You will have opportunities to network with real-world legal professionals through our Mentoring Programme, Legal Practice Conversations, Legal Professionals Insight Evening and Careers Fair, and open days are held exclusively for Birkbeck students.
  • You will be able to put your teaching into practice with the University of London Refugee Law Clinic. You can join our Law Society, highly successful Mooting team, or the Birkbeck Law Review.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Law School

The Law School is recognised for research excellence, professional connections and student support, as well as courses that combine multidisciplinary insight with practical skills.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a subject other than law.

The selection process includes an exercise in reasoning and analysis (no previous knowledge of law required).

There is no transfer directly into Year 2 and no credit for earlier law studies.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

LLM: Two years full-time or three years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
Full-time home students, Year 1: £7,380
Full-time home students, Year 2: £9,225 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £13,900
Full-time international students, Year 2: £17,375

LLM: Two years full-time or three years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
Full-time home students, Year 1: £7,380
Full-time home students, Year 2: £9,225 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £13,900
Full-time international students, Year 2: £17,375

LLM: Two years full-time or three years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
Full-time home students, Year 1: £7,380
Full-time home students, Year 2: £9,225 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £13,900
Full-time international students, Year 2: £17,375

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in the legal profession, or use the degree to develop their existing career, further their academic skills, or prepare for a research degree. Many of our graduates go on to vocational training and obtain solicitors' training contracts and pupillages in barristers' chambers. Possible professions include:

  • barrister
  • solicitor
  • patent attorney
  • barrister’s clerk.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Qualifying Law Degree (LLM)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time