I have been accepted into the LLM programs at KCL and Durham, Meanwhile, the University where I obtained a two-year 'accelerated' LLB has advised me that I could 'relinquish' my degree and return for a third year. However, I would risk my grades falling below the first honours / 'with distinction' threshold.


Moreover, neither KCL nor Durham will allow me to defer. There is also no assurance they would accept me were I to reapply, nor is there any assurance that I would be accepted by OxBridge (unlikely), LSE, or UCL (which seem to be the only programs consistently ranked higher than KCL or Durham).


I would like to sit for the NY Bar Exam. The 3rd year of the LLB program requires a dissertation plus three optional 30-credit modules (I have completed all the core courses). 

A 'General LLM' at KCL would also entail a dissertation but requires four 30-credit modules, with the dissertation to be completed over the following summer. Therefore, a case could be made that a general LLM is 'substantially equivalent' to the final year of a 3-year LLB.  

[Edited by Gregh89 on Jul 27, 2023]