General Law LLM

Why choose this course?

This is a General LLM. The core module is Research and Dissertation, and there is a wide range of elective modules to choose from.

This flexible programme of study offers modules which are relevant to the current legal environment. You will learn how to apply the law successfully to complex situations, as well as develop research and investigative skills, and a critical and research-oriented approach to a range of chosen legal areas.

The Department of Law has a team of highly skilled academics, some of whom combine teaching with legal practice. This helps to ensure that the courses are constantly refreshed with the latest industry thinking and practice, and provides you with the opportunity to mix with people who can provide hands-on experience and insight into their area of legal work.

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Mode Duration Attendance Start date
Full time 1 year Mixture of daytime and evening classes depending on choice of modules September 2023
Part time 2 years Mixture of daytime and evening classes depending on choice of modules September 2023
Location Penrhyn Road
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • The academic team includes National Teaching Award winners, fellows from the Higher Education Academy, and staff who combine teaching with legal practice, research and scholarship.
  • Studies are enhanced by legal events and guest lectures, covering legal aspects of areas such as technology, employment, and climate change.
  • This course has a strong focus on employability, equipping students with the specialist knowledge and expertise to succeed in the legal profession, as well as other careers and professions.

What you will study

The General Law LLM allows you to tailor your programme to your interests and career goals, with no named specialisation. Students will:

  • undertake a core dissertation in an area of their choice, subject to the availability of an appropriate supervisor
  • choose four modules from a range of any of the optional modules. This ensures your degree is transferable to any career path upon completion.

You can choose to take the full-time programme (one year) or the part-time one (two years).

Core module

Elective modules

Core module

Legal Research and Dissertation

60 credits

This module is a core requirement for all LLM programmes. It aims to develop students' skills in advanced legal research and their appreciation of the theoretical underpinnings of legal research. The module also enables students to choose their own area of legal interest to research in depth and to produce an extended piece of academic writing demonstrating their skills in research and analysis.

Elective modules (choose 4)

Alternative Dispute Resolution

30 credits

Alternative Dispute Resolution is becoming increasingly important within the civil justice system and this module will provide students with an opportunity to evaluate the various methods available for resolving conflicts, including conciliation, mediation, negotiation and adjudication. Students will gain a theoretical and practical knowledge of dispute resolution procedures, particularly with reference to negotiation and mediation.

Arbitration

30 credits

Arbitration has been one of the most important processes for resolving disputes for several centuries and, although other methods of dispute resolution have evolved in recent years, (for example, mediation and conciliation), arbitration continues to retain its importance in both domestic and international contexts. This module seeks to provide a critical understanding of important aspects of international and domestic arbitrations. It explores the characteristics of arbitration and discusses its operation in various international forums. The main focus of this module is on arbitration on the international context, but reference is also made to domestic arbitration. It is assessed through coursework.

Company Law

30 credits

This module provides an understanding of the potential problems posed as a result of the extensive power wielded by those in control of large companies and it explores ways in which society can control this. It aims to provide students with the opportunities to analyse the ways in which English law imposes liability on companies and with the understanding of how a business might be run, including the identification of any potential problems.

Employment Law

30 credits

This module examines the law relating to the individual relationship between an employer and a worker from its inception to its termination. Employment law is a dynamic amalgam of common law principles with significant statutory overlay.  International law, EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights are other important sources of employment law standards. This module explores the respective rights and duties of the parties to the employment relationship from a number of critical perspectives. There will be an emphasis on the most topical issues of the moment.

Evidence and Arbitral Awards

30 credits

This module seeks to provide one with detailed and systematic knowledge and understanding of the nature and forms of civil evidence. It explores the various techniques required in the assessment of evidence and in the analysis and drafting needed to prepare and write arbitral awards.

Law of International Trade

30 credits

International trade is an elective which would be of interest to students wishing to be employed in the commercial field in both the UK and overseas. This module covers the international legal and institutional framework for regulating international trade. The module helps students to understand different aspects of international law and be able to apply them to business and management problems arising in a global economy. It examines the legal, economic, political and institutional underpinnings of the world trade regime, the core principles and legal rules governing international trade in goods, and services. One of the focus will be the World Trade Organization (WTO), which began to work in 1995 as a general umbrella organization coordinating laws affecting trade, but is also having a much wider impact on the regulation of international business activities. It also examines the various contracts that are essential components of international trade transactions, such as international sales contracts, the contract of carriage and the insurance contract. In addition, legal issues arising from international trade and dispute settlement will be explored in the class.

Energy and Climate Change Law

30 credits

This module provides students with an overview of the legal issues concerning energy and climate change. It examines the legal frameworks that govern both international and domestic energy and climate change regimes. It does this within the context of the scientific, economic, social and political factors which influence the development of law and policy in this area. This module provides students with an understanding of the challenges that are faced in developing effective legal and policy solutions by evaluating existing methods and considering developments which are taking place on national and international levels.

Labour Law in the Global Economy

30 credits

This module examines the regulation of collective labour relations between management and trade unions in the context of English law and international labour standards. This involves analysis of the development of collective institutions and procedures for the governance of labour relations at national and international levels. The study of labour law in a global context will be informed by policy debate on the effectiveness of enforcement of essential labour rights in a competitive economy.

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

After you graduate

Your LLM in General Law is a demonstration of your skills, determination and expertise.

For practising legal professionals, an LLM will help you improve and focus your career towards the areas that interest you most. You will expand the scope of your knowledge and use your dissertation as an opportunity to carry out independent research any area that interests you.

Many of the graduates from this course go on to complete their solicitor or barrister training or join graduate schemes in a range of areas including procurement and contracts; in-house legal advice or compliance.

Our LLM graduates have gone on to work for law firms, private business, government, NGO's and charitable organisations. They work in a breadth of roles with job titles including assistant solicitor, barrister, paralegal, partner, lawyer, legal advisor, judge, consultant, policy compliance manager, general counsel, company secretary and senior associate.

Regional and global companies that our graduates work for include Norton Rose Fulbright, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Blaser Mills Solicitors, Campbell Johnston Clark, Fluor, Nabarro, Guile Nicholas Solicitors, Adams and Remers, Crown Court Worcester, Carter Bells, Adler Fitzpatrick Solicitors LLP, Surrey Law Society; Government Legal Services, Russell Cooke Solicitors, FPG Solicitors, Rose & Rose and IBM.

What our graduates say

Kingston has been an amazing, transformative opportunity for me to develop my international career. I grew my legal skills, gained confidence and a better understanding on how to achieve my future goals.

Studying and living in Kingston was an amazing experience, where you find the most tranquil environment to prepare for your exams or write a dissertation, and at the same time you always have an activity to do if you need a break. The facilities at Kingston University are improving every year. Riverside pubs, cafes, sports and art clubs are all within easy reach. My masters degree was one of the most positive and exciting years in my life.

To anyone looking to join Kingston, I would recommend absorbing all the knowledge the lecturers have, try to use all the support services available, but do enjoy yourself and Kingston life.

I chose Kingston as it was recommended to me by my agent in Russia and because I liked the pictures I have seen. I wanted to be around a quieter area rather than a busy city centre; I thought it would help me concentrate on my studies more.

I am sure that I made the right choice as I have stayed in Kingston ever since.

Anna Borodkina – Business Development at Quastel Midgen LLP Solicitors

I've had such a good experience doing my postgraduate degree at Kingston that I just wish I had done it earlier! Coming to England (from Trinidad) for the first time since I was a tiny child was a daunting prospect, but I've found everyone so helpful and encouraging that I really didn't need to worry.

I chose the General LLM in order to take advantage of the wide choice of options. In particular I've discovered a real interest in family mediation. My previous employers in Trinidad have shown much interest in taking me back after the LLM course, and at the moment I'm planning to take the Bar Vocational Course in London and then returning to Trinidad to complete my professional qualification. I'm now determined to make a career using the experience and knowledge I've gained from the course, which has equipped me to offer either a large or small practice some very valuable skills.

In addition to the academic side of life, I've found the chance to meet a cosmopolitan range of fellow students on the course so enjoyable. The University was able to find me terrific accommodation, and I've been very happy with a landlady to look after me and help me to settle in. I'm sure that the whole adventure, together with the excellent courses offered, will make the experience one I'll always remember.

Marsha Single

Entry requirements

Typical offer

To apply for this course, you need:

  • an honours degree in law (usually a 2:2 degree or above); or
  • a joint honours degree (2:2 or above), where the major component is in law (for example, Accounting and Law or Combined Studies); or
  • a Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE), Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course; or
  • a qualification as a solicitor or barrister.

We welcome applications from international students. If you hold a non-UK degree or legal professional qualification, see our guidance on equivalent qualifications.

International

Please note: most students from countries outside the European Union/European Economic Area and classified as overseas fee paying, are not eligible to apply for part-time courses due to UK student visa regulations. For information on exceptions please visit the UKCISA website or email our CAS and Visa Compliance team.

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirement, which is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with no element below 6.0. Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from recognised majority-English-speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services. 

Your workload

Type of learning and teaching

  • 6% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

General Law LLM

General Law LLM
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 102 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1698 hours

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises exams (eg test or exam) and coursework (eg essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

General Law LLM

General Law LLM
  • Coursework: 88%
  • Exams: 12%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetables

Each student receives a personalised timetable. This is usually available after you have completed your online enrolment, which is typically accessible one month before the start of your course.

Class sizes

You will be part of an intimate cohort of students which supports dedicated academic guidance and advice and the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes therefore you will be taught alongside students who are on these courses within the School.

Fees for this course

2023/24 fees for this course

Home 2023/24

  • LLM full time £10,900
  • LLM part time £5,995

International 2023/24

  • LLM full time £15,800
  • LLM part time £8,690

2022/23 fees for this course

Home 2022/23

  • Full time – £10,260
  • Part time – £5,643

International 2022/23

  • Full time – £15,400
  • Part time – £8,470

Funding and bursaries

Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:

If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.

We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks – this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Field trips

There may be optional local field trips which would incur a travel cost of approximately £25 per year.

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.