Just so you know how biased this answer can be, it comes from someone who opted for the LLM.
In my opinion the LLM and the MCL are just different - there is no better or worse. Whereas the LLM papers (or at least those in the commercial designation) are more theoretical, the MCL papers tend to be a lot more practical and oriented to people interested in developing a career as a solicitor in the corporate practice of big law firms.
MCL students are expected to prepare several risk assessments in view of corporate deals (such as M&A transactions) and have more lectures/group sessions with practitioners from law firms, whereas the LLM students will have a more "academic" experience, dealing with professors in lecture and group session environments.
To summarise, it seems to me that if you already have some experience practicing corporate law in your original jurisdiction (so that the practical aspects of it are not so much of a mistery), and would like to either (i) develop your understanding of England's corporate law (such as corporate finance, insolvency, governance, etc.) in a critical manner or (ii) pave the way to a future PhD, it makes absolutely no sense to apply for the MCL.
However, if you have a keen interest in Corporate Law, have not practiced much and would like to increase your chances of securing a training contract at a City law firm, the MCL seems a good option.
Hope this is helpful.
The one thing that annoys me out of all of this is that I was given a 3rd March deadline to confirm my spot on the MCL. In the meantime, I'm stuck here wondering (and doubting) whether I'll have news on both the LLM and the MJur before then, which I doubt.
Having applied for both of MCL and LLM at Cam, I wonder whether MCL is generally considered as more preferred or prestigious course than LLM, or the opposite? I want to hear people's general view from the popularity perspective, not the kind of answer that two different courses focusing on different interest or issues.
I look forward to answers to this, as I'm wondering the same thing.
Just so you know how biased this answer can be, it comes from someone who opted for the LLM.
In my opinion the LLM and the MCL are just different - there is no better or worse. Whereas the LLM papers (or at least those in the commercial designation) are more theoretical, the MCL papers tend to be a lot more practical and oriented to people interested in developing a career as a solicitor in the corporate practice of big law firms.
MCL students are expected to prepare several risk assessments in view of corporate deals (such as M&A transactions) and have more lectures/group sessions with practitioners from law firms, whereas the LLM students will have a more "academic" experience, dealing with professors in lecture and group session environments.
To summarise, it seems to me that if you already have some experience practicing corporate law in your original jurisdiction (so that the practical aspects of it are not so much of a mistery), and would like to either (i) develop your understanding of England's corporate law (such as corporate finance, insolvency, governance, etc.) in a critical manner or (ii) pave the way to a future PhD, it makes absolutely no sense to apply for the MCL.
However, if you have a keen interest in Corporate Law, have not practiced much and would like to increase your chances of securing a training contract at a City law firm, the MCL seems a good option.
Hope this is helpful.
<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>The one thing that annoys me out of all of this is that I was given a 3rd March deadline to confirm my spot on the MCL. In the meantime, I'm stuck here wondering (and doubting) whether I'll have news on both the LLM and the MJur before then, which I doubt.
</blockquote>
Having applied for both of MCL and LLM at Cam, I wonder whether MCL is generally considered as more preferred or prestigious course than LLM, or the opposite? I want to hear people's general view from the popularity perspective, not the kind of answer that two different courses focusing on different interest or issues.
</blockquote>
I look forward to answers to this, as I'm wondering the same thing.</blockquote>
