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LLM in Law and Social Justice

Explore critical issues, develop advanced skills, and join a global community dedicated to using law as a tool for positive societal change.

Overview

The LLM in Law and Social Justice is a rewarding programme which equips you with the skills to challenge inequities and advocate for marginalised communities. It covers a broad range of social justice issues, designed to get students thinking about how law interacts with, shapes and is shaped by society and vulnerable populations. Taught by leading experts, our research-led teaching ensures that what you learn is relevant in any jurisdiction. The interdisciplinary nature of the modules in the Law and Social Justice specialism makes this a unique programme which will allow you to develop a breadth of skills.

Highlights

  • Complete your LLM degree in just 10 months when studying full-time, giving you a head start in industry
  • Our location in the heart of legal London provides you with a unique opportunity to draw on the resources of the centre of the UK’s government, legal and financial communities.
  • Gain practical skills with pro-bono opportunities offered at the Centre for Access to Justice, allowing you to provide legal advice and give back to the local community.  
  • Develop your skills and legal knowledge by taking part in mooting and debating competitions. 
  • Access specialist careers support from our in-house Careers Consultant.
  • Be a part of our global student community and take advantage of our unrivalled Graduate Law Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.

Why choose this programme? 

Students on this specialism are passionate about social justice issues, such as ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to access legal advice and courts, or using law to help protect vulnerable individuals and groups. If you're interested in the ways that the law impacts society and marginalised populations; in thinking critically about issues like race, gender or discrimination in the law; or if you see injustices around you, this specialism will allow you to learn more about how to recognise and fight them.

Who should apply?

Our students are typically passionate about social justice issues, such as ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to access legal advice and courts, or using law to help protect vulnerable individuals and groups.

Students taking this specialism are very international. Many students have joined straight from completing an undergraduate degree in law and related subjects, while others have years of experience working in law, government and third sector organisations in jobs that connect to the broad themes of the social justice modules. Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements page to find out the exact requirements for this programme. 

Applying and entry requirements | Fees, funding and scholarships | Frequently asked questions | Information for offer holders

Programme structure

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly for seminars and tutorials.

Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or through a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessments such as oral presentations, output for audience or group projects.

During the programme, you will research and write a 9000 word Research Essay which counts towards your final grade.

Full-time students

Terms one and two

During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction Programme, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM programme.

In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes.

There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the UCL Laws Graduate Law Society.

Term three

Your assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two.

During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.

Part-time students

You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:

  • Your degree will be completed over two academic years
  • In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules
  • In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay
  • You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.

You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.

Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and flexi LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.

Modular/flexible students

You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:

  • You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree.
  • You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5 year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years).
  • We will prompt you to select modules each year.  You may wish to have a year or more where you do not take any modules; this is possible.
  • It is recommended that you only complete your Research Essay at the end of your degree, in the same year that you are due to complete all of your taught module credits.
  • You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.

Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays.  You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.

Modules

Students will need to obtain a total of 180 credits consisting of taught modules and a Research Essay to successfully complete the programme. Students choosing a LLM specialist degree are required to select a minimum of 60 credits from the qualifying modules listed below. Students are required to write their Research Essay in the area of the specialism.

Students are advised to plan their modules choices and Research Essay carefully and in advance. You will select your modules at pre-enrolment, before arrival.

Below is an example of the suite of modules you can expect to chose from. The taught modules offered on the LLM programme vary from year to year. Please note that modules are subject to cancellation and change, including changes in module convenors and type of assessment and the modules listed below are to be confirmed for the 2025/26 session. Applicants and offer-holders are therefore advised to check this site regularly for further updates and changes prior to the start of the programme in September. Module places may be limited and will be subject to availability where there is a high demand and exceeds resources.

Modules for LLM in Law and Social Justice
LLM Law modules

Career Prospects 

The LLM in Law and Social Justice opens up a huge number of doors. Some go into legal practice in related areas such family law, criminal law or social welfare law, or in law reform such as with the Law Commission for England and Wales. Beyond the legal sector, many others pursue social justice careers with national and international charities and NGOs.

 

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Applications for this programme have now opened. To apply please click the button below.

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