Hello everyone,

I have a greater interest in pursuing graduate studies in the U.K and have noticed that most of their institutions have two options,that is:-LLM and MPILL. Am seeking some useful advise and information on the best program to pursue,should one go for an LLM or an MPHIL?

Please advice.

Rather than progress into a detailed answer about each, detailing information that you will find on every faculty website, perhaps it would be better if you gave some details about what you wish to do with the postgradaute qualifcation?

Thanks,
Well i intend to specifically pursue a career in law teaching and research as currently am engaged as a teaching assistant in one of the local universities in my home country.I have an LLB and close to two years post bar admission exeperience.

An MPhil would probably be a good route to go down at some point. Whether it is now or further down the line really depends on whether you know what you wish to research into, feel you have the competence to enter research study without any further tuition and, possibly, on your own financial circumstances. If, for example, you wish to research a specific area of international law and have been working as a teaching assistant in that subject for a while, you may feel you know enough to embark on the solitary quest that is research. If, on the other hand, you think international law sounds interesting but you know very little about it, you would be advised to consider taking a taught programme initially, if you can afford that route, so you can check your assumption is correct and you can develop your ideas into something 'researchable'.

Notably, an MPhil proposal needs to be fairly detailed and precise so I imagine it can be quite a bit of work to put together. On the flip side, it is easier to get funding for research study than it is for a taught programme generally.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for your help,that sounds more relevant and useful,will prefer to pursue an MPHIL,more so in light of seeking possible funding.

Maybe if you would kindly advice,which insitiutions would you specifically recommend for one to consider applying to?

When it comes to research courses, the quality of your degree is not dependant on university rank but on the quality and suitability of the supervisor. Really, the only thing I can suggest is that you plough through university websites and determine whether you meet their entry requirements and whether they have anybody interested and willing to supervisor your study. If so, email the selected academics with your proposal and touch base to see what they say (this is what you do for PhD at least and I suppose polite, but I don't know) or get going on your app!

A useful guide as to the quality of an institution in terms of research is the RAE tables which were published in December- http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-results-2008-law-degree

It really isn't as simple as Oxbridge= best, Ex polys= worst. Often, you'll find better supervision in places you wouldn't dream off looking! Best of luck!

Thanks alot.am very greatful.

If you are looking to move in to academia then, although there is rarely a formal prerequisite in this regard, many candidates for entry level posts have (or are nearly finishing) PhDs. An MpHil is quite an unusual qualification actually to choose to enroll for; in a lot of institutions candidates who have failed a PhD still make the standard for an MPhil and get that instead. So, you might want to consider whether that is a more appropriate way to be spending your time - especially as some institutions do advertise PhD studentships (sometimes tied to particular areas, sometimes not). They are usually competitive, however. Some institutions support PhD students by giving them tutorial teaching (often for 1st year courses, sometimes more senior students, depending on the PhD candidate and where they are in terms of progress in PhD). As well as being better paid than working in a bar and probably more interesting, this starts to give you teaching experience for when you apply for jobs. Indeed, many institutions encourage PhD students who are teaching to enrol for a postgraduate teaching qualification (often free). Ways for find studentships - often advertised in Guardian education or THES; on web sites. In terms of finding peole interested in particular areas, maybe the SLS directory might help. Obviously, a PhD will take longer than an MPhil (which is probably going to take 2 years), so is a bigger commitment.