Hi everyone,
Just wondering which is the best in terms of teaching, career prospects, and general reputation:
LLM International Law - Edinburgh University
LLM/MA International Law with International Relations - Brussels School of International Relations (Kent University)
MA International Law - School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London.

Thanks! :)

edinburgh

Hi,

For a career in international law, both in the UK or abroad, Edinburgh is by far ahead of the two other respected institutions. Also, bear in mind that an MA is distinct from an LLM, and so far as legal careers are concerned, an LLM is the preferable, if not the prerequisite, qualification.

Some international lawyers might disapprove of the very comparison between Edinburgh on the one hand, and Kent and SOAS on the other, given Edinburgh's world standing (20th worldwide) and its strong Law Faculty (300 years of teaching) - the sort of stuff you would find on Edinburgh's acid-free University brochures.

If you ever receive negitive comparative comments on the other schools, do not treat them as conclusive. Every school has its strengths and weaknesses (including Edinburgh which I am an alumni of). What matters in the LLM phase of your education is the content, and as I always say, [who is teaching you?].

You might be studying competition law at the Best law school in the UK, but that particular lecturer teaching you the course is a recent PhD graduate who is inferior to another excellent lecturer at a Mid-Ranked School. To give an example, if you were to pursue a career in WTO law, would you rather study an LLM at Harvard, Cambridge, or Georgetown? The answer might appear easy to many. Harvard or Cambridge (arguably the best law schools in the world). However, a careful examination of the courses would suggest that Georgetown is the best place for that particular research interest.

It is a balance of many factors academically - and indeed personally -. At the end of the day, it is a decision that not person can make except you, scary that idea might seem, but I can help with saying, Kent, SOAS, and Edinburgh are worth the investment, so make the most of any open opportunity.

All the best,

I would probably choose Edinburgh, though I do agree that you do have to balance a number of factors.

Thank you Interalia, P_Martini and especially PLS17 for your advice! The reasons why I was looking at the three colleges are as follows:
SOAS has really interesting module options in it's international law program, and is known for it's Middle East and Asian specializations and as I would like to do my dissertation on the Palestinian/Israeli situation I thought it would be beneficial.
BSIS (Kent University) - being based in Brussels, this would allow me to keep up my French as well as take on an internship at an EU institution. They also have a careers service which helps find internships for their students. Also I read somewhere that Kent University was highly ranked in the RAE survey of 2008. Moreover I would be able to take IR modules.
Edinburgh - world renowned university as well as top-class lecturers and interesting modules. Taking only three modules - worth 40 credits each, means that these subjects would be more in-depth than those studied at the other two colleges.
Not looking to become a lawyer (well at least for the meanwhile) but would like something like an advisor, researcher, or I may go on to do further study.

Hello Everyone
I have looked at the Kent BSIS and became very interested in their LLM choices. I just wanted to ask about the way they make their decision about the candidates: what are the primary aspects they pay the biggest attention to when looking at the application? and how much they give you a break if you are close enaugh for their criteria? THanks in advance

Hi McIaren
Well, when I applied for Kent at Brussels they sent it through an informal decision making process there, and then sent it to Kent University for the final decision - so basically there are two rounds, and if you get through the first, the likelihood is you will be accepted (I think!).
They got back to me in about 3 weeks, informing me I had been passed through the first round, and then about 2 weeks later with their final decision. The lady in Brussels who deals with the applications was extremely helpful

I'm not exactly sure what they focus in on when examining an application. From what I have heard, grades and references are the most important factors of any application and then of course the personal statement is important in that it gives the person viewing your application an idea of what you are like as a person: what motivates you and what your aims are.

Regarding your last question - do you mean will they accept you if you do not fit one of their criterion? To be honest I'm not sure. I know that one can do the LLM in International Law without an LLB/BCL provided that one has studies a social sciences subject like politics/international relations or worked in the field of law/or have the CPE/GDL. I think that one has to have a 2.1 or above, from what I read on their website. If you are unsure, I would suggest emailing them at Brussels. They are very nice and will do their best to help.

Hey Oui Oui

Thanks for replying on my post so promptly. Your response sheds some light on my questions, but one thing which i was curiouse about is the equivalency of the grades, see I am graduating from an US institution so I was wandering what GPA equivalency do they except, or in other words what were your grades (US equivalent) when you got excepted? if you don't mind to disclose that info. Thanks a lot, I appriciate your help.

Hi McIaren

No probs. Well I dealt with the UK/Irish system of marking. I got a first which I read on some websites translates to a GPA of 3.8-4.0. But it is really difficult to accurately convert my markings to their GPA equivalent as the marking systems are so different.

On the website BSIS say that they will accept students who have "an upper second-class honours degree" (63% or above) or GPA of 3.0 or above.

Hope this helps!

Hi Mclaren,
In addition to your GPA the school will look at the other credentials you bring with you. I, too, graduated from a US school (both BA and JD). I didn't have a 'first' as they translate it but had experience to add to my application. (finished my LLM at Edinburgh and am now finishing my PhD here, too) It is also very important that you written answers to application questions show why you are interested in the programme. Many US students often choose to do an LLM because they cannot decide on their next step so you need to show that you want to learn and are not just applying for another year of student life. Though you will also find the LLM quite social!
Best of luck!