Dear all,

I really need help in identifying a good LLM that would prepare me to become a legal academic. Preferably a program that focus on developing research skills, ex methodology and theory. So far I found that both Edinburgh and Leicester offer LLM in Legal Research. Any other programs you all have in mind?

I guess equally important is my qualification. I currently A-/B+ grades in most of my course, putting me among the 10% of my class, however, I've checked with some of the websites, that may or may not translate to a "first class" law degree in UK. I have no work experience, but do have international mooting experience, and am currently a research assistant for a professor.

Thanks so much in advance.

UCL has a specialized certificate focusing on teaching if i remember correctly. You might want to check that out for your llm.

In the UK, young legal scholars usually have a good LLM and - a growing trend - PhD in law. British law schools generally do not formally require an entry level applicant to have a doctorate degree in law but it would be difficult to get very far without it today.

You should seek to enrol at a good law school in the UK and also to identify your area(s) of research and develop your research abilities in that way. There must be particular reasons why you choose the UK and not Germany to pursue further studies in law. I would not advise taking an LLM in legal research - at least that is not an orthodox route for legal academics in the UK. Here you must demonstrate potential for high quality research and the law schools look for it in your grades (your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees), evidence of publication in good journals and preferably some experience of teaching. A few universities offer an LLM by research (at Birmingham and Durham, it is called the Master of Jurisprudence), which is not to be confused with the LLM in Legal Research. You choose your area of speciality, find an academic advisor in the school to supervise your work and you produce a thesis (usually 50,000 words) at the end of one year. It is another avenue to reflect your capacity and willingness to undertake research work.

thank you so much for such an informative reply. much appreciated!
I see that you've mentioned Germany, was it just an example? or anything uniquely good about Germany?

I had assumed that you may also be interested in studying in Germany because you indicated Bucerius as a prospect in your application tracker. I have no knowledge of what the requirements are like there but I daresay there will be differences.

In what context do you want to teach law and which country?
If you want to work in the UK, you virtually always need a PhD now (and teaching experience and publications). An LLM will not offer any benefit towards a teaching career - unless you need the LLM to bump up your credentials or to gain access to a PhD programme.

A German doctorate is not the same as a PhD, and it's not worth following the German path (which also includes the habilitation stage) unless you want to settle there.