I would very much like to do an LLM in the UK, but I am on the wrong side of 30 years old. How old is too old to apply to an LLM? For those who have completed such programs, what were the age ranges of your peers? Did any have children? All information, no matter how anecdotal, is appreciated.

I did it at 33-34 at LSE after practicing law in the US for 10 years. Well worth the break, though I was one of the older students. I suppose it depends on what your motivation is.

Jack

If you're studying on-campus you will be amongst the oldest students. If you do the programme via distance learning, you'll find that you're close to the average age, as many students on distance learning programmes have been working for a number of years and wish to remain in work while completing their studies.

hi...I am 31 yrs old and plan to study LLM in the UK
from Autumn 2007. I agree with Jack. Don't bother with the age because it will be a worthwhile break after so many yrs job.

Best wishes

Good on those of you who take the career break from practice. I did and ended up in academia (in the UK). To respond to Iowa's original question: there is certainly no age-bar to doing an LLM. I suspect that whilst student bodies across the UK will feel 'young' because of the undergraduate degree population. Speaking from my experience (Essex), we have a considerable number of students on LLM courses who have several years' work experience and are therefore in their late 20's/early 30's; other students are older (40+). So I would say, you would be in a minority at Essex, but not a tiny minority by any means. Some of the older students have brought their families (including children) with them. It is clearly therefore possible but I don't how easy it is. One of the considerations might be whether their is family accomodation on campus/ child care facilities.

Thanks for the info. My wife and I just found out we're having a second child, so I think I'll have to shelve the LLM until my next life. (Too bad I don't believe in reincarnation.)