The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The London School of Economics and Political Science was founded in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, Graham Wallas and George Bernard Shaw. The aim of the School was the betterment of society. By studying the causes and effects of poverty and inequality, the founders sought to improve society in general. Sidney Webb in particular, noted Beatrice in her diaries, had a vision of "a centre not only of lectures on special subjects but an association of students who would be directed and supported in doing original work".

Today LSE is a world-leading university which focuses on the study of social sciences including law, politics, economics, sociology and finance. The School is a world centre for advanced research. In the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise carried out jointly by the four funding councils for higher education in the UK, LSE had the highest percentage of world leading research of any UK university, leading or coming close to the top of a number of rankings of research excellence.

LSE is an exceptionally diverse, energetic and international academic institution. This makes studying here not only intellectually rewarding but also a lot of fun. Our teaching combines views and experiences from different disciplinary traditions as well as from different jurisdictions which ensures that what you learn at LSE is relevant to legal study and practice in any jurisdiction.

The Law Department has been part of LSE since its inception. Today it is one of the School's largest departments with over 65 academic members of staff, many of whom are recognised internationally as leading scholars in their fields.

The Law Department is well known both for its interdisciplinary approaches to legal scholarship and its contextual approach to legal study and teaching. To understand the law, its function and effects we need to place it within the political, social and economic context within which it is formed and operates.

Postgraduate teaching at LSE has a strong comparative flavour. We aim to study not only the law in the UK, but also to consider and compare the different approaches taken by different jurisdictions to addressing similar problems.

The Executive LLM is one of the most innovative and intellectually stimulating of LLM programmes offered in Europe today. It makes available the highest quality postgraduate education, taught by many of the leading academics in the UK, to individuals in full-time employment who are not in a position to take a year-long break from work. The programme is open to applicants who have had at least three years post-degree work experience in law. Students on the programme will study for the LLM by taking a set of intensive modules over a period of three to four years. To obtain the Executive LLM, students must complete eight modules from any of those offered.

The programme offers modules in a broad range of fields including arbitration, corporate law and finance, commercial law, financial regulation, information technology, media and communications law, human rights and international law, and public law. For a list of modules offered in upcoming sessions, please see our website: www.lse.ac.uk/ellm

The teaching will take place in week-long sessions, which will typically be held in the first half of September, December and April. Each module will provide between 24 and 26 hours of contact teaching time. Students will be provided with online and hard copy materials for the module well in advance of the intensive teaching.

The intensive teaching sessions allow the teacher to get the best from the students and enable the students to learn not only from the teacher but also from each others professional experience and knowledge.

Alternative Completion Options: Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates:
Whilst we hope and expect that most of our Executive LLM students will complete the whole programme, we recognise that unexpected work commitments may sometimes make this unfeasible. With this in mind, the Executive LLM also offers alternative exit points for students who have completed several modules but do not think it will be possible to complete the whole degree. An LSE Diploma in Legal Studies is available on the completion of six modules and a Certificate of Legal Studies on the completion of four modules.

The Law Department at the London School of Economics and Political Science is the UK's number one legal research institution. It is also a market leader in the provision of postgraduate legal education through our well-established LLM and MSc programmes.

Studying in LSE's Law Department allows students to be taught by the leading scholars in the field. To be taught by the people who write the books. Every seven years UK University research is subject to a national research quality assessment exercise. In the last census period, LSE was ranked the number one research institution in the country both in relation to the quality of its research outputs, and the quality of its intellectual environment. Although research is a central part of life at LSE, we take teaching just as seriously. This means that we have reduced postgraduate module sizes to a maximum of 30 students in each class to enable interactive seminar style teaching. In our view, this is the best and the most enjoyable way to learn.

The Executive LLM has three pre-requisites for admission:

1) You must have obtained very good grades in your law studies. The grades required for admission will be tailored to the system of legal education in the countries from which applicants have obtained, or will obtain, their qualifications. Places will normally only be offered to applicants with the equivalent of a high 2:1 in a UK Bachelor of Laws Degree.

2) You must have had at least three years post-degree experience in legal practice at the time of commencement of the programme. This could, for example, be in a law firm, government, a company, a non-governmental organisation or international organisation.

3) If you are not a native English speaker or if the language of instruction of your previous degree is not English, we ask you to provide evidence of your command of English. You should include your test scores, if available, in the relevant section of the application form. If you receive an offer of admission, it will be subject to proof of your score. English tests must be less than two years old at the time of application. If you have not yet taken the test, your application can be considered in its absence, but any offer will be conditional on your achieving the required score.

Applications for the programme are open on a rolling basis throughout the year. Once admitted, students may start the programme immediately by taking the next available modules. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 6 months before their proposed start date. To make an application, please see: http://www.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate/enquirer/howToApply/home.aspx

If you have any queries about your application throughout the process, the Graduate Admissions Team can be reached at: 020 7955 7160. http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate/gettingInTouch.aspx

Applicants will need to provide the following:

- Application form (either paper or online)

- Application fee (paper application £75, online application £50)

- Official copies of transcripts of results: the online application instructions
explains how candidates can send official transcripts.

- Official proof of competency of English (if applicable): a test of English (IELTS or
TOEFL) is required for non-native English speakers who have not completed a
degree in English. The online application includes instructions about how to send
scores.

- Two letters of recommendation: One academic and one professional (or two
professional references if the candidate has been out of education for five years
or more and is unable to obtain an academic reference). The online application
includes instructions about the reference form and where to have referees send
the completed reference.

- Personal statement: explaining a candidate's interest and suitability for the
programme, including career achievements and ambitions.

The fees for the programme are currently £3,250 per module. This includes tuition, course materials and some refreshments. Please note that travel to/from LSE and accommodation are not included in the fees.

There will also be an application fee (currently £50 for online applications and £75 for postal applications, subject to change) and a registration fee of £550. The registration fee is payable within 14 days of receiving the offer and is non-refundable.

As a new programme for working professionals, this degree is not eligible for the LSE Graduate Support Scheme. Candidates may seek additional funding from sources listed on the LSE Financial Support page for students from particular backgrounds and nationalities. For more information please visit: www.lse.ac.uk/financialsupportoffice

LSE is uniquely geographically placed in the heart of UK legal life. Our campus is adjacent to the Royal Courts of Justice and Lincoln's Inn, one of the four Inns of Court of which all barristers must be members. It is a short walk away from the Houses of Parliament, the offices of the largest global law firms, and regulatory bodies such as the Takeover Panel and the Financial Reporting Council. This proximity provides a unique and unrivalled context in which to study law. The fact that cases, statutes and regulations are produced, and deals brokered and structured, in the vicinity of our campus brings the study of law to life. This proximity is also a key component of LSE's intellectual life and energy which draws on the views and experiences of judges, practitioners and regulators for conferences, lectures and seminars.

London is one of the world's most exciting cities. From the theatre to the opera, from bars to restaurants, from classical to any type of contemporary music, London really does have it all. When staying in London for your intensive week you will be situated in the heart of cultural London - in the middle of the West End, a five minute walk to Covent Garden, a ten minute walk to the Royal Festival Hall.

Students will be responsible for accommodation costs. However LSE does negotiate corporate rates with hotels near the School that students can benefit from. Please see the LSE Accommodation Office website for further information: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/lifeAtLSE/accommodation/accommodationforStudents.aspx

LSE residences offer great value central London accommodation during winter, spring and Summer. To view the residences and rates, please see: http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/

LSE is truly a multinational institution with countries from many parts of Europe and the rest of the world represented in both the student body and our faculty. LSE Alumni really do span the globe. By taking the Executive LLM you will become part of the Alumni Network, and will have a wonderful opportunity to meet and to learn from your peers about both the practice of law and life in multiple jurisdictions - both in the classroom and over a drink at one of the Executive LLM social events.