If you’re looking to study for a Master of Laws (LLM), you’ll notice we offer different versions to help you focus on your career interests. Whether you want to specialise in international human rights, environmental law, insurance law or any other area, we have an LLM for you. But don’t take our word for it, listen to our students. Below, we talk to some of our LLM alumni about their chosen LLM and how it helped them in their careers.
Written by Cara Fielder. Published 6 December 2024.
Joe Cunningham - MSc Legal Technology - Kennedys Law LLP
In 2020, I saw an advert for the MSc in Legal Technology. Curious about the rising use of technology and with an admittedly naïve understanding of the word ‘algorithm’, I embarked on a journey of AI in Law. This encompassed everything from techno ethics to blockchain. Studying part-time online enabled me to fit learning around my busy full-time job in product management for the client-facing technology development division at Kennedys Law LLP. I benefitted from the online-focused lectures and access to online library services. Having studied in person part-time for six years prior, the flexibility of online studying was an evolution that simply made sense.
Despite being online, part-time studies at The University of Law are a great way to meet people from different backgrounds. There is always something new to learn, and it is all the more interesting to hear the various perspectives and opinions of others from different industries.
It is rewarding to combine a full-time job with studying simultaneously. Balancing life’s commitments and learning makes completing any course all the more rewarding.
One exciting aspect of my work and study is witnessing and immediately being able to contribute to the way technologies are shifting decision-making and shaping a ‘new normal’ for lawyers and clients alike. When learning later in life, after building a career, the multi-disciplinary skills learned along the way are invaluable to achieving this.
Louise Baldwin - LLM Mental Health Law - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Liaison Psychiatry
I was drawn to the LLM Mental Health Law as the specialist subject knowledge aligns with my own interests. The flexibility of studying online also made the course manageable for me considering that I worked full time throughout the two year period. Crucially, it meant that there was no travel or commuting time to factor into my week; I could access all the study materials and resources from home. Studying part-time was essential to balance my employment and family commitments.
I used all the resources available to me through the programme, including study skills, to help me plan and manage my study time alongside my other commitments. Although it necessitated discipline on my own part to stay on track, the online academic content delivery and access to other online resources made this achievable and rewarding. The library supplied great access to learning materials and support for academic writing skills. I also used the Employability Service for a CV review and feedback.
The course has enhanced my career prospects and motivated me to apply for doctoral study on a mental health law related topic. I am currently in my second year of that programme.
As a non-law graduate, I was surprised to discover that I especially enjoyed the academic content, which was totally new to me. That positive learning experience helped to maintain my motivation for both my work and study over the course duration.
I also enjoyed the opportunity to develop and shape a research idea on a topic of my own interest, working collaboratively with my supervisor to deliver the project. Finally, I built great relationships with several peers with whom I remain in regular contact after graduation.
Sarah Fletcher - LLM International Human Rights Law - Complex Independent Victim Advocate for Victim Support
When I started my LLM International Human Rights Law, I was based at the Bloomsbury campus as this was closest to where I lived and the easiest to commute to. However, due to switching from being a full-time student to part-time, due to work commitments, I changed to online.
When I was a full-time student, I was able to do this around volunteering at Citizens Advice. However, due to financial reasons and to get further work experience in the human rights sector, I wanted to gain more experience working for NGOs/charities. As such, I became employed by Citizens Advice instead, initially as a help to claim adviser for Universal Credit. I quickly moved to assisting with all welfare benefits, to finally being offered a role as a homelessness prevention adviser. These work opportunities, alongside financial requirements, meant that I needed to pace my LLM studies. After completing my modules, I pushed back my dissertation to complete it part-time. This was highly beneficial to me, and the flexibility and support of The University of Law enabled me to adapt my studies to my personal and working circumstances.
I found the lecturers and my personal tutor so supportive and engaging. Each one could not help me enough with my goals and provided so much encouragement when I was struggling or having imposter syndrome. That support was invaluable.
I also have a very supportive family; my husband and I communicated at all times about shared responsibility of the children, working around both of our commitments. My children were included in discussions throughout, and they understood the commitments I was taking on. Effectively, we all worked together to ensure that we all were able to support each other.
I used the Employability Service to obtain a pro bono placement with a solicitor. I worked with other students to produce a presentation for 11–18-year-olds to help demystify legal personnel and structures. I also made an appointment with a careers advisor who assisted me in preparing my CV and applying to various Bar course providers alongside. They helped me highlight my experience and skills that could be transferable to the skills required to be a barrister. The careers advisor helped to utilise my long journey to my advantage and helped me structure this to enhance my applications.
The LLM has hugely assisted my career prospects. When I started my LLM, I knew I wanted to pursue a career at the Bar and qualify as a barrister. However, as my LLB was roughly nine years old, the Bar Standards Board required me to apply to have it reactivated. This was not an easy task as I had to demonstrate that I had continued with knowledge and experience in my LLB legal areas. Whilst my career assisted with some of this, studying the LLM provided the full evidence I needed.
This, alongside my personal tutor and lecturers’ support and references, enabled me to submit an incredibly strong application, which was accepted and my LLB reactivated. This had a chain reaction, enabling me to apply to Bar courses and then receive offers from all three Bar course providers I applied to. It is extremely hard to get a stale LLB reactivated, and I have no doubt that studying the LLM, alongside the support and references from The University of Law tutors, contributed enormously to the reactivation being successful.
I thoroughly enjoyed the topic areas I studied. Whilst my specialism was international and domestic human rights law, I also chose three other modules; mental health law, medical law and ethics, then advocacy and bar skills. The first two I chose because I thought they complemented my human rights specialism well, in addition to being interesting areas. These modules were even better than expected. The further knowledge I gained assisted my working practices, together with heavily influencing the areas I would like to specialise in as a barrister.
The third module, advocacy and bar skills, was an obvious choice for me to ensure that I could learn the skills required as a barrister and to see if I enjoyed the practical and theory associated with Bar practice. This cemented my passion to pursue the Bar.
After completing the human rights module, I based my dissertation on a specific article of child rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Whilst this was not specifically taught in the human rights module, the confidence I gained from the lecturer on the course enabled me to branch out and develop my thoughts on an area of law I hadn’t been taught. This was hugely beneficial for me.
I am incredibly proud of my dissertation, particularly as I was awarded the best dissertation for the 2022-2023 online cohort for public and international human rights law by the University. This was due to the contribution my dissertation provided to the current issues and legal discussions surrounding the topic. I am now receiving support from The University of Law to pursue publishing my dissertation due to the standard of contribution it offers, which I am immensely proud of.
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