Master of Laws (LLM)

Start Date: September, January and May

Length of Programme: 1 year Full-Time / 2 year Part-Time

Mode of Study: Study in the UK (London Holborn)

Preparing you for practice

The BPP University PGDL is designed to help you make a smooth transition from being a non-law graduate into a career in law. We don't just give you an excellent qualification, we give you an insight into life in practice, so you enter the next stage of your training more informed, more prepared and more effective, and able to demonstrate a higher competency when applying for training contracts and pupillages.

Once you have successfully completed your PGDL exams, you have the opportunity to specialise or develop an understanding in alternative areas, take two extra modules and you could graduate with a Graduate LLB (Hons) awarded by BPP University.  The Graduate Diploma in Law is awarded by BPP University and is recognised as completion of the academic stage by the SRA and BSB.

When you have passed your PGDL, you're guaranteed a place on our LPC, the next step to becoming a solicitor. Or you can apply for our BTC, the next step to becoming a barrister. 

How the programme is taught

We assume you have no prior knowledge of law when you start your PGDL, so you get a full induction programme and a high level of support from day one. This includes outstanding learning materials and online resources. All study materials are included in the fee. All lectures and resources have online equivalents.

You'll be taught by our experienced legal professionals and academics with time split evenly between tutorials and lectures as well as regular consolidation sessions and a wealth of online resources. For full details view our Locations tab.

What you will experience in the classroom

BPP University's ethos is learning by doing. Classes are designed with an interactive focus, based on discussions, debates and resolving practical case studies. You will learn the academic knowledge, but as importantly you will learn how it's applied in practice, with a logical approach, presenting your arguments persuasively and in a structured manner.

You will study up to 21 hours a week consisting of live and online lectures and classes dependent on location and start date. Tutorials are taught in groups of around 18 students, giving you a high level of student/tutor contact time.

All our students also have a Personal Tutor and access to a Student Advisor, should you need any guidance or additional support outside of class time.

Independent research essay options

We offer a wide range of titles, and will always consider individual topics suggested by students. Current options include intellectual property, succession, company law, family law, housing law, medical law and public international law.

Study Options

Personalise your PGDL timetable

BPP gives you more control over the way you study with face-to-face, online distance learning, or a combination of both available. Classes are offered morning, afternoon, evening and weekends. Face-to-face PGDL classes are taught on two set days per week during the core teaching term, at the following centres, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge and Liverpool.

You can start in January or September. For full-time study, both options take nine months. Or if you choose part-time and start in January, you'll finish in 18 months – ready to start the LPC or BTC in September. If you start part-time in September the programme takes two academic years.

Optional modules

With the BPP PGDL, you're given access to an unrivalled range of additional modules, designed to get you ahead and give you the edge in interviews. Highlights include:

• Company law module
• Further specialist law modules – start specialising early in areas such as Intellectual Property or Public International Law, so you can demonstrate more expertise than other graduates.
• Professional Skills modules developed with leading city firms – Featuring areas like legal writing and legal research
• Mandarin Chinese – Gain an insight into the language used in one of the world's most important markets with free Mandarin Chinese lessons (London only).

Specialist careers advice

From the moment you accept your place until you secure your first legal position, you can use our careers service. With our one-to-one support, we aim to give you the edge when it comes to getting a training contract or pupillage. You'll have everything from access to our vacancies database to advice on filling out application forms, intensive interview coaching, employer research and networking opportunities with top firms.

Part-time PGDL

Our part-time programme is designed to fit around your other commitments such as work and family. BPP offers a variety of part-time modes:

• Evenings: taught between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. Each module is taught by a one-hour tutorial per week. All our lectures are recorded and made available to students online for flexibility of study
• Weekends: one Saturday every fortnight, consisting of tutorials. Lectures delivered online
• Day: taught on one half-day per week from 9am - 1.30pm in year 1 and from 9am - 2.40pm in year 2. Lectures are delivered online
• Distance learning: weekly online lectures and tutorials with optional face-to-face tuition.

Face-to-face

To qualify with an LLM, learners are required to study the following:

• Core module - the module bearing the name of their selected course (must be studied in Term 1 or 2)
• 10,000 word dissertation - must be written on the core module topic
• Three elective modules – selected from the options below
• 10,000 word dissertation (Core - Compulsory)
• (Online) Financial Regulation and Compliance  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• (Online) International Business Law (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Chinese Business Law  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Chinese Finance and Investment Law (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Commercial Law  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Comparative Commercial Law  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Financial Regulation and Compliance  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• International Business Law  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Islamic Business Law  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Islamic Finance Law  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• The Law relating to Fraud and Financial Crime  (Core or Elective - Optional)
• Trans-National Criminal Justice (Core or Elective - Optional)
• (Online) Advanced Islamic Finance and Business Law  (Elective - Optional)
• (Online) International Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Law  (Elective - Optional)
• (Online) UK and International Banking Law (Elective - Optional)
• Advanced Islamic Finance and Business Law (Elective - Optional)
• Chinese Public Law and Human Rights  (Elective - Optional)
• Comparative Corporate Securities Law  (Elective - Optional)
• Environmental Law and Practice  (Elective - Optional)
• International Corporate Law and Practice  (Elective - Optional)
• International Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Law (Elective - Optional)
• International Trade Law and Practice (Elective - Optional)
• The Law of Investigations  (Elective - Optional)
• The Law relating to International Financial Transactions (Elective - Optional)
• UK and International Banking Law  (Elective - Optional)

The only exceptions to this are as follows:

• LLM Chinese Business and Investment Law – two core modules (Chinese Business Law, Chinese Finance and Investment Law), 10,000 word dissertation, and two elective modules
• LLM Islamic Finance and Business Law - two core modules (Islamic Business Law, Islamic Finance Law), 10,000 word dissertation, and two elective modules

Entry requirements

Educational background

• Law degree (including criminology and criminal justice studies) (minimum 2.2); or
• A degree with some legal/regulatory content and relevance to the programme (minimum 2.2); or
• Non-law degree (minimum 2.2) and a pass in the PGDL or CPE; or
• Non-law degree (minimum 2.2) and appropriate/relevant professional experience; or
• Non-graduates with appropriate professional experience will also be considered

If you do not meet the entry requirements but have other qualifications or work experience, please contact us and we can review your options. 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language and you do not hold an honours degree that was delivered in English, you will be required to provide certified proof of ability in written and spoken English to at least, IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in no more than 2 components) or equivalent, in addition to the above entry requirements.

How to apply

Please complete this application form and email bpphk@austen.group with the following:

• Copy of valid passport
• Bachelor Degree certificate / Transcript
• Personal statement (at least 250 words detailing why you wish to study this programme and your future career path)
• CV / Resume
• Reference Letter(s)
• IETLS test result / University statement confirming instruction of teaching is in English

 

 

 

Fees

May 2023

If you choose to settle the Programme Fees one-off, you will be offered a further bursary of GBP 500 (valid for May 2022 Cohort).