Skip to main content

Qualifying Law Degree

LLM

Book open days Get prospectus Contact us

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.

Fit a master's around your schedule
Choose Birkbeck today

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