I think about doing an LLM despite no law degree. I actually have a business background with a BA in Business Administration. I have worked for a couple of years now and repeatedly had to work out contracts. Thought an LLM in corporate law or business law will not just support my knowldege in law issues but also push me up on the career ladder. Any advice? Can I actually pursue an LL.M. despite no degree in law?

I think about doing an LLM despite no law degree. I actually have a business background with a BA in Business Administration. I have worked for a couple of years now and repeatedly had to work out contracts. Thought an LLM in corporate law or business law will not just support my knowldege in law issues but also push me up on the career ladder. Any advice? Can I actually pursue an LL.M. despite no degree in law?

Hi Fredyyish, Generally you will not be able to pursue an llm program without a law degree but some Universities offer courses that provide you with the skills needed to succeed in an LLM program. London School of Buiness and Finance may grant you an exemption. It's a private school based in London with campuses in Toronto, Manchester, Birmingham and Singapore. They offer an MA in International Business Law. if you have relevant work experience you may be accepted despite no law degree.

Hello Freddyish,

Any advice? Can I actually pursue an LL.M. despite no degree in law?

thanks for all your responses. Flori, you said that it is possible to pursue an LLM despite not law degree. I am interested in business/ commercial / corporate law so I suppose a combination of corporate law/ finance law would be good. Do you know which University would accept student without a law degree? I prefer an english speaking LLM program, maybe in the States, Australia or UK? Your help is appreciated. Many Thanks in advance.

Hello Freddyish,
if I were you, I would first make a pre-selection of law schools that you are interested in and then check for the admission requirements...

Best greetings
flori

Freddyish, University of Gothenburg offers a Master program in Social Work and Human rights. They accept students with a BA degree.

I heard of Maastricht University. They offer an LLM in European Law. If you have a degree other than law you can apply for an entrance exam in law to pursue an LL.M.

I started to compile a list of possible Universities in Australia although I do not know if I can afford them. My first choices for a Masters in Busines laws are Sydney, Mwlbourne, new South Wales UNSW law, and Adelaide (MBusLaw). Followed by an LLM in commercial law and I suppose a lot cheaper at Monash or ANU College.
My final choice is La Trobe in Melbourne with a Master of laws for international students.

Can anybody tell me if they accept students for an LLM with a degree other than law?

Monash offers an LLM in Intellectual Property and communications law knowledge for which you don't need a law degree. They also have LLM's in diispute Resolution, Government law and Regulatory Practice and Law and International Development, alls programs to apply to if you have no law degree. For their LLM in Commercial Law you need a law degree. Same for the LLM at LLa Trobe.

To complete the List with Australlian Universities accepting students for an LLM without a law degree:
University of New South Wales (Australia) - UNSW Law with
Master of Business Law
Sydney Law School - University of Sydney - Master of Business Law (MBL)
For the Melbourne Law Masters you need to show significant work experience.
At Australian National University (ANU) the Master of Laws [LLM] in Law, Governance and Development requires completion of a non-law degree and the Graduate Certificate of Law with a minimum average of at least 50 per cent.

Hey great. Thanks a lot. Iam surprised. I did not expect to find five Universities in Australia to offer an LLM despite no law degree.

Continuing my list of Universities that accept graduates for an LL.M. without a law degree. Currently looking at UK programs. So far I found Swansea, Bangor and Herdfordshire. Herdfordshire accepts a degree subject in a related discipline, such as Business, Political Science or International Relations. Bangor accepts a joint honours bachelor degree in Law or a related subject such as Business, Economics, Accountancy, Politics, Criminology or Sociology. Any more suggestions are welcome.

I know of Brunel and RGU Aberdeen. Brunel offers the opportunity to study for an LLM without a law degree. Studies in related disciplines will be assessed by the Postgraduate Director and an interview may be required.
RGU Aberdeen accepts non-law graduate with substantial law-related work experience such as a contracts or legal administrator within a business.

I know that an LLM program can give you a specialized knowledge of international and Business law that will prepare you for work in an international organization I wonder if you will be able to understand legal concepts and follow lectures if you do not have a law degree. I think a basic legal knowledge is required. Why don't you choose to study for an LLB instead?

Hi

I did my llm at swansea a very pleasant experience and I also remember a few students with no law background being admitted to intellectual property llm that should be the thing suitable for you. I strongly recommend that you write to them. Usually very helpful

Kosta

Many Thanks for your replies. Kosta I will consider Swansea.
@onlinelaw:
As I dont have a law degree, I may feel a bit lost when certain legal concepts are discussed, but I do not believe this will be a big handicap, as I do have an understanding of the international system that I acquired during my undergraduate studies. As it is not my aim to work as a fully qualified lawyer I dont see the point of doing an LLB. I wish to specialise and acquire specific knowledge that I can apply to my daily work.

Hi Freddyish, I just read up on admission requirements of some German Universities and came across this threat. I remember Universität des Saarlandes - Europa-Institut
and Freie Universität Berlin offering LLM programs for which you don't need a law degree.
Saarland requires completed university degree that is comparable such as economics or humanities, at a German or foreign university as well as proof of solid knowledge of German and / or English language.
FU Berlin asks for a University degree, preferably from legal studies, a minimum of a year work experience as well as proof of English language proficiency. Hope it helps!

Many thanks for your reply. I am surprised how many Universities there are that except students with another degree than in law. Nevertheless, I am looking for Universities in the US, UK and Australia. For the latter ones I have completed my list.
If anyone knows of American Universities that offer an LLM without a law degree your comment is highly valued. Many Thanks in advance.