Are you thinking about a career in law? Take the skills and knowledge from your first degree and convert to a legal qualification, equivalent to the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
The legal profession, like many others, is evolving rapidly due to new developments such as the digitalisation of the sector, changing the way in which lawyers operate. As a result, it is important for anyone looking to enter the profession to know about these developments, as well as having a solid foundation in legal knowledge and skills.
A career in law presents a wide variety of employment opportunities for students, from representing and advising clients as a solicitor or barrister, to creating powerful research and shaping law and policy, to name just a few.
Legal education for the future
On our course, which is equivalent to the GDL, we’ll help you to develop an understanding of the profession in the context of the evolving role and professional identity of those who work ...
1 year full-time
This course will get you thinking about your career from day one. During your Professionals in Practice unit, you will learn how to think like a legal professional and to develop skills that are fundamental to a career in law. You’ll also gain insight into how digital and business skills are increasingly required in professional practice.
Foundational Subjects
In order to gain a comprehensive knowledge of law, you will need to study the eight core foundational subjects, equivalent to those you would study on a GDL. For those wishing to train as a barrister, these subjects are compulsory if you wish to pursue further vocational training. For those wishing to become a solicitor, these subjects will give you a thorough grounding in the law and are closely linked to the subject matter of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part One (SQE 1). See ‘Becoming a solicitor’ in the careers section below for further information.
Research Projects
To gain your LLM qualification you must complete two research projects. The first project will see you focus on a dimension of professional practice. The second allows you to showcase key academic research and critical writing in a subject of your choice. During these projects you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate key employability skills so desired by employers in this dynamic field, as well as exploring their own areas of legal interest.
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
To be admitted onto this course, you will need a UK/ROI honours degree – minimum 2:2 – or the international equivalent.
Certificate of Academic Standing
We can also accept Certificates of Academic Standing granted by the Bar Standards Board to students with honours degrees from recognised overseas universities, or mature students who do not have a degree but can show sufficient work experience. For more information, please check section 2D of The Bar Qualification Manual.
Overseas applicants
We require IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. Accepted English qualifications can be viewed here.
For further information please visit our website: mmu.ac.uk/international
Full-time fee: £13,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Full-time fee: £17,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Optional estimate: 300-600
All books required for the course are available from the library and many are available online. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. Many students choose to buy a laptop. Estimated costs are from £300 for a laptop.
Students may also choose to buy textbooks. Estimated costs are up to £300 for books.
Students may also wish to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.
Optional estimate: £1622
Students wishing to qualify as a solicitor are encouraged to take the SQE 1 optional unit on this course. The unit is assessed externally by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for qualification purposes. From October 2022, the exam registration fee payable to the SRA by students to enter the SQE 1 will be £1,622. This fee is likely to be reviewed regularly.
There are a variety of career options that you can choose from after completing this course. If you wish to go into professional practice as a solicitor or barrister, these are the are additional steps you’ll need to follow:
Becoming a barrister
To become a barrister in England and Wales you will need to complete vocational bar training, such as a Bar Training Course. For full details on how to qualify as a barrister, visit the BSB website.
Becoming a solicitor
To become a solicitor in England and Wales you will need to pass SQE 1 and SQE 2 and undertake a period of qualifying work experience. For full details on how to qualify as a solicitor, visit the SRA website.
Diverse career opportunities
You may also wish to pursue a different career path. An LLM is an internationally recognised qualification and, with the variety of topics covered on this course, gives you the valuable skills and understanding that can open doors to exciting opportunities all over the world.
You should leave us with the advanced analytical and research skills that will appeal to a huge range of organisations from within the law, government, the civil service and the world of commerce. With the rapid increase in digitalisation and the use of legal technology, you might also find yourself pursuing a career in digital lawyering. If you’d prefer to stay in academia and research, you will also be well prepared to take the next step with a PhD.
Whatever your background or experience, completing this course will show employers that you have the intellectual drive and dedication to succeed in your chosen field. With the advanced knowledge and skills development our LLM offers, you will be well-placed to work in both legal and legally related jobs at a regional, national or international level.
To apply for the LLM Graduate Legal Studies, you need to submit an application via the Central Applications Board (LawCAB). For guidance on how to make your application, please visit the LawCAB website.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme Review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the
changes section of our Terms and Conditions .
Important Notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of Regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current Student Protection Plan .