University of Reading School of Law

The Law School offers ten taught LLM programmes:

LLM International Law
LLM Advanced Legal Studies
LLM Human Rights
LLM Global Crisis, Conflict, and Disaster Management
LLM International Commercial Law
LLM International Corporate Finance
LLM International Corporate Law (by distance learning)
LLM International Financial Regulation
LLM International Banking Law
LLM Intellectual Property and Management
LLM/MSc Law and Economics
LLM/MSc Oil and Gas Law (LLM also offered as Distance Learning Programme)


The International Law and Human Rights programmes are associated with major research clusters in the School. The Advanced Legal Studies degree allows students to draw on the breadth of research strengths in the School to tailor a programme that meets their needs and interests. Alongside these run the Commercial Law programmes, unique in that modules can be combined from both the School of Law and the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School.
A new, innovative programme in Global Crisis, Conflict, and Disaster Management has been introduced for 2015 and is aimed at early to mid-career professionals.

In each programme students undertake taught modules totalling 120/140 credits during the Autumn and Spring terms (October – May/June), and then write a dissertation/project (60/40 credits) from May/June until September. There is also a January intake for some of the LLM programmes further details of which can be found on the School website. Teaching in the LLM is mostly conducted in weekly, discussion-based classes with an emphasis on small group teaching with around 5-15 students in a group. LLM students may select from a range of around 30-40 modules each year that are offered by the Law School and other departments, encompassing subject areas within International, EU and UK law that usually include:

· Theory and Practice of International Law
· Human Rights
· Terrorism, War and Law
· Intellectual Property
· Commerce and Trade
· International Dispute Settlement
· Regulation of Financial Markets
· Oil and Gas Law
· Competition Law
· Banking and Finance

The Law School’s web pages for postgraduates contain detailed information about programmes and modules.

For candidates wishing to pursue a research-oriented career, the School offers three research preparation Masters degrees:

· M Research (Law and Society)
· MA Research (Legal History)
· M Research (Law)

In addition, the School’s PhD programme offers supervision in a wide range of fields.

The Law School provides a study environment that is welcoming and inclusive. We aim to make postgraduate study a collegial experience. All Law students will be enrolled in the Research Methods module which ensures that the cohort meets weekly in class, but the opportunity to meet less formally is also important. In term time the School hosts informal social events for postgraduates. This is an opportunity to chat with your peers, and with academic and administrative staff, with later year PhD students, graduate teaching assistants, and often visitors from other parts of the university such as the International Office, the Student Union, or Student Services. These events have been a great way for students to meet, and for staff and students to get together in an informal environment.

The University of Reading is a global university ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide. It enjoys a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. Campus life at the University of Reading has much to offer it's 17,500 students. Contemporary study facilities, halls of residence, support services, cafés and bars are centrally located on one of the most attractive university campuses in the UK. All this is just a short walk or ride from the centre of Reading with its lively mix of culture, nightlife, shops and eating-places. For those preferring country pursuits, the Chiltern Hills and the River Thames are close by. Excellent transport links put Oxford, London and Heathrow within easy reach.

The School of Law at Reading is one of the leading law schools in the United Kingdom. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), we were ranked 10th in the UK for research intensity; that is, for the amount of world-leading and internationally excellent research we conduct across the whole of our School. It is consistently rated highly for overall student satisfaction as measured by the National Student Survey (2012 - 90%), and with over 40 members of academic staff, an annual intake of approximately 250 undergraduate students, and a community of around of 80-100 postgraduates undertaking LLM and PhD programmes, the School of Law has a wealth of expertise and facilities to offer our postgraduates. The Law School is located on the main Whiteknights campus in the beautiful Foxhill House, a nineteenth century heritage-listed building that has been adapted to twenty-first century use.

The University or Reading School of Law is a research-intensive law-school, with a Faculty that has expertise in a wide range of areas of law. The Law School houses a number of research groups including specialities in International Law - Global Law At Reading (GLAR) and Commercial Law - Centre for Commercial Law and Financial Regulation (CCLFR). More details about these can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/GlobalLaw/gl-home-2.aspx and here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/cclfr/

Our Academic staff come from a variety of backgrounds and reflect the fact that we are very much a Global Law School.
Our full staff list can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/law/about/law-staff.aspx

Applicants are usually expected to have a degree at upper second class level (or equivalent) in Law or a related discipline. Where applicants do not hold a Law or related qualification then they would normally be expected to show the capacity to undertake advanced study in Law either by virtue of a strong academic record and/or relevant work experience.

International Applicants

LLM candidates at Reading come from a wide range of countries. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to meet the English language requirements. The University provides academic language support free of charge for non-EU students, including:

· Academic Writing Skills classes
· Speaking Skills classes
· Listening Skills classes
· Sessions in Language Laboratories
· Writing Advisory Service
· Tutorials

International students can find a wide range of information about language and other matters on the University’s web pages for International Students.

The School of Law has a dedicated international tutor, to support and help our international students as they study in a new environment and culture.

In a recent i-graduate International Student Barometer survey (www.i-graduate.org) international students at the University of Reading placed the learning experience at the University ahead of Oxford, Cambridge and Yale in a benchmark of 84 institutions. Individual learning elements rated in 1st place included: academic course content; lecturers who are good teachers; and advice on long term careers and job opportunities from academic staff.

Information about our application procedure and links to the online applications form can be found on our webpages. (http://www.reading.ac.uk/law/pg-taught/law-pgrt-application-forms.aspx)

For up to date details on our fees please consult the university webpages at https://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/fees/pg-feestable.aspx.

Various School sponsored scholarships are available ranging from £5,000 to £1,000. As well as these there are more specific awards available including the Academic Elite 2000 scholarship (sponsored in conjunction with UKEAS) for students studying on one of the following programmes: LLM International Commercial Law, LLM International Financial Regulation or LLM International Corporate Finance whose home address is in China. Also among the opportunities for funding for LLM candidates is the Felix Scholarship. Applicants from India or a developing country who hold a first-class honours degree and are under 30 years of age on 31 January on the year of entry can apply for this award which pays full fees and provides a living allowance. Please contact Dr Alina Tryfonidou, Director of Postgraduate Studies in the School of Law, before you apply. The deadline for applications is in February each year and applications must usually be submitted a year prior to commencement of LLM. For full details of this and any other funding available, see the Law School’s web site.

Students undertaking a PhD or a research preparation Master’s may be eligible for a wider range of funding. There are currently also two scholarships available for UK or EU candidates entering any of the following programmes: M Res (Law & Society), MA (Res) Legal History, or M Res (Law) to the value of £2,250.

Full details of all funding opportunities are on the School's website at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/law/pg-taught/law-pgt-feesandfunding.aspx

The School often has opportunities for postgraduates to work as paid research assistants for members of faculty.

Contact us

Enquiries about LLM programmes and admissions should be directed to:

Postgraduate Admissions Secretary
School of Law, University of Reading
Foxhill House
Whiteknights Rd, Earley
Reading RG6 7BA
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)118 378 8018
Fax: +44 (0)118 378 4543
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.reading.ac.uk/law

Our beautiful campus offers contemporary study facilities, halls of residence, support services, cafés, shops and entertainment all centrally located on one of the most attractive university campuses in the UK.

The close proximity of all academic and support facilities will make it easier for you to quickly settle into your new environment, integrate rapidly into the student body and help you get the most out of your study period.

The University of Reading is ideally situated in the employment-rich and picturesque Thames Valley. London Paddington is only 25 minutes away, with trains every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day, and both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are within easy reach.

Your home at university is a place to live, to study, to meet friends, to socialise and - for some people - to discover independence for the first time.

Our halls provide you with a home away from home where you find yourself part of a supportive community. We offer a wide range of accommodation options.

Our accommodation guarantee:
A new full-time postgraduate who has accepted an offer from the University and applies for accommodation by 1 August and satisfies any conditions of their academic offer by 31 August of their year of entry, will be guaranteed accommodation in one of our Halls*.
*Subject to restrictions (see our webpages for details)

The University of Reading is consistently rated highly by its students. Students here benefit from a beautiful campus environment, vibrant students' union, quality halls of residence, and have the skills they need to get good jobs when they graduate.
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