Hi all,

I am in the process of applying for an LLM. Ideally this will be in Public International Law (or possibly Human Rights Law), but could be a general one where I will then pick PIL/HR modules to the extent possible. This is for September 2013 entry (which means I have missed Oxford, Cambridge and LSE).

Am currently considering KCL, Queen Mary (London) and UCL, as well as possibly Manchester and Edinburgh. I am also giving some thought to Lieden, but this is the only non-UK uni I am looking at.

I am a UK qualified solicitor (undergrad degree in Jurisprudence), but currenly working in the commercial world so looking to retrain. Therefore have particular interest in courses that offer practical experience, mooting, placements in relevant organisations etc.

Would really, really appreciate some thoughts on the different university's, which are best for these subjects. I have of course looked at the table rankings, but that is for law generally and so it doesn't make things too clear.

Thanks in advance!!

I'll try to assist with this, mez1087. Hopefully I am not too late with a reply.

Are you set for certain on a September 2013 entry or could you delay a year? It would be unfortunate if you had to exclude some possible destinations due to missed deadlines.

Is there any particular reason for Leiden as the sole non-UK institution? I only ask as there are some excellent other PIL LLM programmes out there, at the same standard as Leiden.

If there are any particular issues in PIL and Human Rights that really interest you more than others then let me know as this could have an impact on where to go, and particularly out of the institutions you have listed.

I've only replied with advice on this forum a couple of times and have no idea if it was of use to anyone but if there is still time for you then I'll answer as best as I can.

You are quite right on the league table rankings. Even for law in general the value of them is not all that clear. The heavy emphasis placed on school rankings alone by many law graduates on forums like this has disappointed me for a long time.

If you plan to switch from commercial to HR regarding the fact of being a practicing solicitor whom fancies International law. It would be best to hold off for another year and thoroughly research the programmes.

Kind regards