Hello all,

Im thrilled that Ive got offers from both this universities but I cannot make up my mind.

My LLM would be in international tax law, but it seems that QMUL is more traditional but Kings is getting a stronger course, and it is better ranked...

King's, all doubts throw away:)

I am really interested in this post,

Firstly, AmandaNV why do you state that QM is more traditional regarding international tax?

Secondly, Alexkos which are the reasons why KCL is a better school in this particular area?

After researching a lot about both programmes, I have arrived at the conclusion that:

1) KCL runs the programme with visiting professors which, usuallly, are lead practitioners in their fields. Jonathan Schwarz stands out among others. However, we can state that albeit the programme and the professors are outstanding, this is not the strongest deparment in KCL since it is run just with visiting professors. Should you take a look either at the Competition Deparment or the International Finance Law Deparment, they are full of in house scholars. Which is my conclusion? in this particular area, KCL pays more attention to the professional approach. This may not the suitable programme if you want to go for a career in academia... on the other hand, it provides strong links with leading firms in the city while giving a strong foundation to PRACTICE in this are of Law.

Moreover, If you take a look at the "structure", there are 5 modules. Notwithstanding, only 3 out of those 5 modules are pure International Tax Subjects (International taxation, EU tax law and transfer pricing). The syllabus of the other two (taxation of business entrepises and VAT) are more focused in UK taxation. This can be seen as an advantage if you want speacialized training in UK tax.

Finally, the programme serves as a preparation for the ADIT exams (the same as QM though). This supports the idea that the programme has a strong professional approach.

2) With reference to QM, I do not have the same info as KCL. But the programme seems outstanding too, and here they have strong in house scholars. However, the structure is almost the same and I think that both programmes are great in this area.

To sum up, QM and KCL are the only Law Schools which provide specialist training in this area (LSE focus more in UK tax). So we can not compare it like other programmes, where there is a huge offer. Imagine that QM was better than KCL, KCL would still be the second best school in International Taxation in UK and viceversa. You have to take into account that this is a very specific area, and an LLM in taxation or international taxation is highly regarded among Law Firms and International Corporations. Unlike other LLMs, this is really observed by potential recruiters...

Thank you so much for the comments related to the post.

One thing to add: I was recently informed that at QM the first 3 weeks are related to classes and lectures in general matters and ony after it one shall assign to specific modules, which can be good for those that are still in doubt about the LLM pathway but is not exactly nice for those that already know what they are looking for...

Thank you so much for the comments related to the post.

One thing to add: I was recently informed that at QM the first 3 weeks are related to classes and lectures in general matters and ony after it one shall assign to specific modules, which can be good for those that are still in doubt about the LLM pathway but is not exactly nice for those that already know what they are looking for...

Beicon, when you state that "KCL has a better overall reputation" are you refering to the International Tax LLM or to the institution itself?

Regarding the International Tax I have my doubts, which can be considered the best International Tax programme in UK? outside there are renowned LLMs in this field such as Leiden, ETC, Maastritch, NYU, Florida etc. However, the International Tax programmes that take place in UK are rarely mentioned throughout the discussions. Are they worse because of that? Behin all I think there can not be a rich discussion, since there are just two LLMs in this area...

Queen Mary is the top LLM in Tax in the UK by a mile - 70 students in International tax last year !!! Tripled in numbers in the past 5 years and the top EU tax program also.