For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Minimum entry requirements for Executive Master's in Law (LLM)

Upper second class honour (2:1) UK LLB or equivalent, plus at least three years’ post-study legal practice.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
- academic statement of purpose
- two references
- CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however you must apply a minimum of two months in advance of your first proposed module date.

You will take one to two courses per year, choosing from a wide range of law options. Not all courses will be offered every year, although some of the more popular options may be offered each year, or more than once each year. We aim to offer between 15-20 courses on a yearly basis.

If you take courses that fall predominantly within one of the specialist areas you can request that your chosen specialism be included in the name of the degree, or alternatively you can pursue your studies towards a general LLM.

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for Executive Master’s in Law (ELLM) in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.

Teaching methods and assessment

Courses will be examined through a combination of assessed essays (8,000 words) and take-home examinations. Up to three courses may be assessed through essay, with the remainder being assessed through take-home examinations.

You can choose in which courses you wish to submit the assessed essay. The take-home examinations will be downloaded and uploaded online.

You can view indicative details of hours, teaching staff, and assessment in the Calendar within each course guide.

Academic support

You will be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

The programme is designed for working professionals with a minimum of three years' post-degree experience in legal practice, for example, in a law firm, government, a company, a non-governmental organisation or an international organisation. The programme is recognised as enhancing a wide range of career paths.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations in the field give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2020/21 for Executive Master's in Law (ELLM)

UK/EU students, registration fee: £600 (2020/21)
Overseas students, registration fee: £600 (2020/21)
UK/EU students, per module fee: £3,500 (2020/21)
Overseas students, per module fee: £3,500 (2020/21)

You will take a total of eight modules. Note that fees may increase over time.

Fee status

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status.

Scholarships and other funding

This programme is not eligible for LSE financial support.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities