hi i am kartik..... i am planning to do L.L.M from a good university in uk next year .... can anyone please tell me about the job oppurtunity one has after doing L.L.M... i am doing my L L B from a reputed university of India. I would also like to work in U.K for some time so that i can pay off the loan that i'll be taking to pursue my L.L.M...Is it worth doing L.L.M ...and do good firms pick overseas students up easily and give them good pay??...Please if there is other important information about this ... which would help me decide ..whether to or not to go for LLM ..Please inform me about that........

I would seriously check my finances before committing to the LLM, especially judging by your other post about only working a few hours a day to maintain yourself in the UK. I took a loan out for my LPC as I have no training contract and it isn't easy making the repayments - and i am still living at home rent free for now!

My main reason for telling you to reconsider is the finances. You will find it very difficult (unless you earn a ridiculous amount of money) to earn enough in 20/25 hours of work a week to maintain yourself living in the UK, and thats just outside of London! If you are thinking of London please do not be under any illusions - it is very expensive. So any loan you take to fund your studies would probably need some extra to help you with living.

I've read a lot of views by professionals on other sites and they all agree that unless you really plan to do something with it for a specialism - it won't add much to your academics (I need to make up for a poor LLB so that is why I am taking it). If you get an upper second class honours degree then you should be considered by most firms without the need for an LLM.

Finally, it won't be easy completing a full-time LLM and working so many hours as well. I've worked throughout my education, a lot less hours than what you're suggesting and it wasn't easy. I'm planning to start a part-time LLM in London this year combined with (almost) full-time work. I say almost because I've been told classes will still be during the day.

If you want to practice in the UK have you thought of appying to UK firms for a training contract? If you're successful most will pay your tuition fees for you for the Legal Practice Course and even a maintenance grant. And even if you get a training contract with one that doesn't pay anything, at least you'll be safe in the knowledge that you have a job when you've finished with your studies.

I know everything I've posted above sounds quite dismal and designed to put you off the LLM but I just want to make sure you don't enter the LLM under any disillusions. If you check EVERYTHING and still decide its for you then go for it! And I wish you all the best!

thank you ... deepstar for the valuable information that you have provided to me......i will surely keep that in mind...Would you be kind enough to tell whether i'll be able to finance myself if i do a part time LLM course and do full time work...the way you are planning to do..... and how can i apply for training contract..... if you have any information on that please let me know....... how much does a person need monthly to survive in UK....??......... I think it is a very good jesture on part of people like you who help others get vital information about Education..... Thanks once again

I should think you'd be able to find it ok to finance yourself on a part-time LLM and handle the workload combined with working. Its definately what I'm doing. You apply for training contracts direct to the firms. www.lawcareers.net has a really comprehensive list of training contract providers and the areas of law they practice. In terms of how much money you need a month - well thats really an open question. It depends on the standard of living you're prepared to go down to, if you get university accomodation (which if you do the part-time LLM you'll need to check eligibility even if you are going to be a foreign student, and also where in the UK you plan to study. Some places are quite cheap - but others (London for example) are very expensive.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much.... u have provided me with some vital information...... i'll keep that in mind...... for the time being i have no other doubts... if i have any i'll revert back to you....anyway thanks for the gr8 help .....

Hi Kartik

I am more than sure that "non-EU international students"(howmuch I abhor the expression!) cannot read for an LLM part-time and work full-time.

You say that you are from a reputed university in India.If that is the case,then the law firms in Delhi and Mumbai should consider you, provided you have some internships under your belt and your academics are good.

An LLM from a good university in UK makes us more marketable in India.That is it.Period.

For people like you and me who come from a modest background(now is'nt that such a face-saving expression?)
we have to put a lot at stake.But then I ask,what's life without a few daunting challenges?

Sayak

Thanks for the advice... I agree with you that Delhi and mumbai firms will be ready to select me after i complete my LLB... But once you do your LLm your vision expands..plus you get a jump start in your carrer ... thats the main reason that i want to do LLM... But i was also looking out for an option to work in UK for some time......Doing part time LLM and Doing work will be difficult i guess...But then as you say Life is full of challenges......I hope i succeed .......