LLM in Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

This programme enhances critical thinking and deep legal analysis, preparing students for diverse professional opportunities.

Overview

The LLM in Jurisprudence and Legal Theory at UCL is renowned for its intellectual rigour and comprehensive curriculum. The programme challenges students to engage with complex legal concepts, theories, and philosophical debates. It provides a deep understanding of the principles that underlie legal systems and the role of law in society.

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?

The program covers a wide range of topics, including legal philosophy, ethics, political theory, and the relationship between law and morality. Our modules ensure a well-rounded and thorough exploration of jurisprudence and legal theory.

Who should apply?

The LLM in Jurisprudence and Legal Theory is designed for individuals who are deeply interested in the philosophical foundations and theoretical aspects of law. This course is suitable for:

Recent Law Graduates
Practicing lawyers, legal advisors, and other professionals who want to enhance their analytical and philosophical skills to better understand and apply legal principles in their practice.
Individuals aiming to pursue an academic career in law or related fields. The programme provides a strong foundation for those planning to undertake further research or a PhD in legal theory or jurisprudence.
Professionals involved in policy-making, legal reform, or governmental roles who need a profound understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of law to inform their work and decision-making processes.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Modules

Students will need to obtain 180 credits consisting of taught modules and a Research Essay to successfully complete the programme. Given the wide selection of modules to choose from, students can create a truly unique programme. 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 in Jursiprudence and Legal Theory LLM: Constitutional Theory
Decolonizing Law
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition A
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory A
Modules across LLM Law: Access to Justice: Theory & Practice
Advanced Foundations of Environmental Law
Advanced Foundations of International Law of Foreign Investment
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Aspects of National Security
Carriage of Goods by Sea
Commercial Remedies
Comparative Constitutional Law
Comparative Corporate Governance
Comparative Human Rights Law
Competition Law (EU & UK)
Competition Law, Regulation and the Intangible Economy
Copyright and Related Rights, Law of
Corporate Finance
Corporations, Finance and the Environment
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
Environmental Lawyering
Foreign Relations Law
Foundations and Principles of International Law
Human Rights at Work
International and Commercial Trusts Law
International and Comparative Secured Transactions
International and European Refugee Law
International and Global Environmental Law
International Arbitration
International Commercial Litigation
International Criminal Law
International Human Rights Law
International Trade Law
Law and Policy of Climate Change
Law and Policy of International Trade and the Environment
Law of Patents
Law, Economics and Society: The Foundations of Capitalism
Legal Aspects of International Finance
Liquidation and its Consequences
Marine Insurance Law
Principles of Civil Justice
Privacy, Data and Surveillance Law
Regulation of Financial Markets
The Law and Regulation of Banks and FinTech Services
The Rule of Law in the European Union
Trade Marks and Unfair Competition in the UK, Europe and the United States

Career propsects

Graduates of the LLM in Jurisprudence and Legal Theory from UCL can have diverse career opportunities, including specialising further in legal practice, working in public policy and governement, consulting at international organisations and NGOs or working in the coprorate sector.

This programme also provides a strong foundation for those who may wish to go onto further research or study.

The programme equips graduates with critical thinking, advanced legal analysis, and philosophical inquiry skills, enhancing their career prospects in various professional contexts.