Evening all, first-time poster here.

I'm sitting the ADIT in May. I've recently been told that there is a significant overlap between the syllabus for the ADIT and for the LLM (Tax), to the extent that I'm already doing half the work that I'd need in order to get an LLM.

I had not considered this as an option before, but now I'm intrigued. Seems like a nice selection of letters for not too much extra work, and my employer would almost certainly pay for me to do it part time (or if they won't, I can, so either way money's not an issue - lucky me, eh?).

What I don't know, though, is how much work's involved and how likely I am to pass the thing if I sit it. Oh, and whether it's worth it... I mean it is to me, but I'm trying to be grown-up and think in terms of future marketability and so on.

People keep telling me to ask the opinions of "lots of people who've done it" but I know nobody who's sat the ADIT and only two people who've done an LLM.

So... what do you all think? Is the LLM worth committing to an extra year's worth of part-time study? Or is it self-indulgent fluff since I already have CTA (with fingers crossed for the ADIT) and I'm in a good job?

I work in accountancy and am never likely to move to a law firm.

I've pretty much decided to go for it - the only thing that would really put me off would be to hear that everyone in the world (employers etc) considers the two quals to be identical and therefore pointless from any angle - but any advice, experiences, opinions and so on would be much appreciated. In particular, is there any aspect of this that I have not considered?

Thanks in advance!

The overlap between the ADIT and the LLM is not accidental. When the ADIT was introduced, it was intended that students taking the "right" combination of courses on the London LLM (generally, International Tax Law, EC Tax Law and an extended essay) could take the ADIT as well. Interestingly, you are the first person I've come across who has approached the combination from the alternative direction (i.e. you are doing the ADIT, and thinking of extending it to an LLM).

There are several students over the past three or four years who have combined the ADIT and the LLM. In fact, I think the majority of those who've completed their ADITs were London LLM students.

One important point. To be admitted to an LLM programme, you will usually need a first degree in law (LLB or equivalent).

In any event, good luck with the ADIT

Philip Baker

Thanks for the advice, Philip.

I'm sitting all three ADIT papers in May. Paper II is fairly straightforward for me since I work in tax so it's easier to brush up on my existing knowledge than to attempt a thesis.

Whether three papers all at once is too much (I hear most people sit only one or two at a time) remains to be seen - it's ten years since I last sat an exam and the pass rates for Papers II and III are woeful.

If I pass Papers I and III then I will try for the LLM next year.