Overview and entry requirements

SOAS LLM (Master of Laws) programme gives students the opportunity to study at our vibrant School of Law with its unique focus on the legal systems and legal challenges of the Global South generally and Asia, Africa and the Middle East in particular.

The structure of the LLM allows students to create their own programme of study, choosing from a wide array of modules, including those in comparative law, international law, law and development, commercial and trade law, human rights, environmental law, Islamic law and dispute resolution.

In addition, students may be able undertake modules outside of the School of Law, opening up SOAS’ array of world-leading options in languages, cultures, arts, humanities, politics, economics and finance, and beyond.

Students complete the LLM by undertaking a dissertation, developing an extended research project on a topic of their choice. The LLM may be taken full-time over a period of one year, or part-time over a period of two, three or four years.

See School of Law

Why study LLM (Master of Laws) at SOAS

• we are UK Top 20 and World Top 200 for Law (QS World University Rankings 2021)
• our LLM (Master of Laws) teaching reflects our research strengths in the laws of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and in Islamic, international, human rights, commercial and trade, comparative, and environmental law
• much of our teaching concerns the critical study of law and the ways that law can be used to marginalise or to empower individuals and communities. In today’s globalised environment, our teaching also explores the study of the society in which the law operates, and the relationship of law to other structuring forces such as gender, sexuality, race, and economic status
• all teachers on modules offered at SOAS are experts in their designated field, and many have years of experience advising governments, international and non-governmental organisations, or in professional practise
• undertaking the LLM at SOAS brings you into the heart of a world-leading, one-of-a-kind law school to study the world’s most pressing legal issues

Why you

The LLM (Master of Laws) programme is ideal for LLB graduates or legal professionals who wish to expand their knowledge of, and critical engagement with, law, particularly as it relates to the Global South.

You will join an international alumni of graduates from the LLM at SOAS, many of whom are now working at the UN, in NGOs, in government, in private practice, in policy work or in academia.

LLM alumni

Since the LLM may be taken full-time or part-time, many students have been able to successfully combine their studies at SOAS with their existing careers. Our LLM alumni include John Atta Mills (former President of Ghana); David Lammy MP; Sylvester Umaru Onu (Associate Justice, Nigerian Supreme Court); and Francis K. Butagira (Ugandan Ambassador to Germany).

Please note that the LLM is restricted to applicants who hold an UK law degree or international equivalent.  If you do not hold a law degree but are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in law at SOAS, please see details of the MA: Taught MA programmes in Law

Centre for Human Rights Law

The area of human rights, conflict and justice occupies an important place in the SOAS School of Law, which is home to the SOAS Centre for Human Rights Law. The Centre provides a focal point for research activities and regular events, and an opportunity for postgraduate students to become involved and engage with the SOAS research community and actors in the field.

Explore 

• SOAS School of Law Research
• From LLB Student at SOAS to Family Solicitor at a top 40 UK Law Firm

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Structure

Students must take modules to a total value of 180, consisting of a dissertation (60 credits) and 120 credits of taught modules. Taught modules are worth either 15 or 30 credits.

Students who wish to graduate with a LLM (Master of Laws) are required to take at least 90 credits from the School of Law (General Law Postgraduate Taught Module List), and a final 30 unit which can either be taken within the School of Law or from the Postgraduate Module Open Option List with the LLM Programme Convenor’s permission. The dissertation topic will be connected to one of the taught LLM modules studied.

Please note: Not all modules listed will be available every year. Please see the individual module page for information.

Dissertation

Dissertation (12,000 words), on a topic related to the specialism of the degree

Taught Component

Guided Option

Choose modules from the List of General PGT Law Options below to the value of 90 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from the List of General PGT Law Options below or from Postgraduate Open Options to the value of 30 credits

List of Modules (subject to availability)

General Law Options

Open Options Note

Open options will need approval of deputy PG programme convenor (LLM or MA)

Programme Specification

• LLM Master of Laws Programme Specification (pdf; 171kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

Contact hours

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

More information is on the page for each module.

Knowledge and understanding

• Students will acquire specialist knowledge of the chosen subject areas of law.
• This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, knowledge and understanding of the following:
  1. the theoretical and practical underpinnings of law;
  2. the context in which law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended;
  3. the role played by law in different social and economic environments;
  4. the role and function of legal institutions;
  5. the weight and significance of different sources and methodologies.
• Students will develop knowledge of how to locate relevant materials and assess their relevance and/or importance.

 Intellectual (thinking) skills

• Students should develop rigor in analysis and assessment of legal arguments.
• Students should develop the ability to understand, summarise and critically assess differing perspectives on theoretical debates.
• Students should develop independence of thought and the confidence to challenge the accepted wisdom.
• Students should learn to identify issues and formulate questions for further research through independent work.
• Students will be encouraged to bring to bear their own previous experience and knowledge in addressing legal issues in an interdisciplinary manner.

Subject-based practical skills

The programme will help students develop the ability to:

• Write clear research essays and dissertations.
• Research in a variety of specialized research libraries and institutes and online, and retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources.
• Present seminar papers and defend the arguments therein.
• Discuss ideas introduced during seminars.
• Develop essay and dissertation research questions.
• Read legal source materials rapidly and critically.
• Present legal arguments in moots and debates.

Transferable skills

The programme will enable students to:

• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Structure and communicate ideas and arguments effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read and comprehend significant quantities of reading rapidly and effectively and develop critical faculties.
• Find and use a variety of written and digital materials, especially legal materials, in libraries and research institutes.
• Present (non – assessed) material orally.
• Develop teamwork skills.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Employment

SOAS Law graduates leave SOAS as civic minded and critically engaged individuals who can effectively contribute to their communities and societies. With a thorough understanding of the legal dimensions underlying many of our global challenges today, our Law students are valued by employers due to their analytical skills, specialist knowledge, and global perspective.

SOAS Law graduates have found the LLM a vital boost to their work as legal professionals and that this Law Master provides an excellent base for further study towards a research degree such as a PhD leading to an academic career. 

Careers

Recent School of Law SOAS graduates have been hired by organisations including:

• PwC LLP
• BLM Law
• BloombergNEF
• British Medical Association
• Clifford Chance
• DAC Beachcroft LLP
• Department for Work and Pensions
• EY
• HM Treasury
• Latham & Watkins
• Legal Cheek
• Simpson Millar Solicitors
• The Economist
• Travers Smith
• Vodafone
• World Cancer Research Fund

Visit SOAS Careers Service

Roles

SOAS Law degree graduates gain positions including:

• Trainee Solicitor
• Barrister
• Finance Manager
• Legal Researcher
• Paralegal
• Financial Analyst
• Procurement Manager
• Tax Consultant
• Business Developer
• Recruitment Consultant