A master’s degree in law is a fantastic way for law graduates to develop a specialisation, or for non-lawyers working in related fields to gain a deeper understanding of legal issues.

Since law is a vast and diverse subject, we offer a huge amount of flexibility in this general LLM programme. You also have the option of taking one of our specialist pathways that focus on different topics (see related courses below).

The pathways align to our major research strengths in areas like legal education, international legal research and human rights – but you can study modules from all these areas if you opt for the general LLM. Alongside the optional modules, you may choose to either write a 15,000 word dissertation or conduct a work-based project that will give you valuable experience of dealing with a specific legal issue in detail.

The course is perfect for lawyers and law graduates looking for career development, although all of our LLM courses can be studied by students without a background in law, since you will be trained in the necessary analytical and legal skills.

The programme also offers an optional placement year, following your first year. Placements will be provided and supported either by us or a partner organisation where you'll gain worthwhile and practical real-world experience in handling issues relating to aspects of social welfare law. This is a unique and exceptional opportunity for you to work in law. International students wanting to do the Placement year must indicate so upon application.

As such, the programme will also provide ideal training for paralegals, journalists, NGO and charity workers, policy advisors, consultants, lawyers, those working in business and finance or anyone who will benefit from a legal education in their career.

All our LLM courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. We extensively use problem-based learning, class discussion and case studies to ensure our teaching is brought to life, while all our lectures are issued as podcasts to give you greater access to learning resources and allow you to revisit specific classes.

The LLM Transitional Justice, LLM International Law and Legal Practice and LLM Human Rights Advocacy pathways are supported by regular events at the Centre for Human rights in Conflict. These involve presentations from prominent experts in the field of human rights in conflict. This year's speakers included Michael Ignatieff, President and Rector of the Central European University and Former Leader of the Canadian Liberal Party, David Malone, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Other recent speakers at UEL have included included Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and the high-profile human rights lawyer (and UEL law graduate) Imran Khan.

All teaching on the programme takes place in the evening at our newly opened purpose built building at University Square Stratford, which has cutting edge facilities and includes a Mooting Room, Harvard Lecture Theatre and our newly re-launched Law Clinic provided to assist the local community. Students also have access to the new library that opened in 2013 on the Water Lane campus at Stratford.

If you go for the placement option, your degree will take an extra year as you will be placed in a workplace for 10 months. Placement is not available to part-time students. Students wanting to do the Placement year must indicate so upon application.

This general LLM is designed to give you freedom over the topics you study. As a result, the only core module is the ‘Dissertation or Work-Based Project’ and the rest of your course will consist of modules that you select from an extensive list.

The four available pathways (Business & Financial Law, Human Rights Advocacy, International Law & Legal Practice, Transitional Justice & Conflict) give you an indication of the prominent themes and specialisations in our law department, and this LLM enables you to place focus on the areas that interest you in this diverse field.

Modules range from those dealing with regulation in business and finance (Regulation of Financial Markets, Financial Crime and Corporate Criminal Liability, International Banking Law) to topics in human rights (Human Rights Practice and Advocacy, War and Human Rights, Minority Rights under International Law), issues arising from war and conflict (International Refugee Law, International Law and the Use of Force), and many at the intersection of these themes.

As well as choosing your optional modules, you can opt to either write a postgraduate dissertation or carry out a work-based project. Both of these options allow you to carry out independent study on a topic of your choice, developing your practical legal skills while honing your knowledge of a specific legal issue.

The programme also offers an optional placement year, following your first year. Placements will be provided and supported by the London-based NGO, Pro Bono Communities, where you'll gain valuable experience in handling issues relating to aspects of social welfare law. Training and supervision will be provided by Pro Bono Communities and a module leader at UEL will oversee the relationship and assess student performance.

If you already have a law career then this course gives you the chance to specialise with focused, professional training in the fields that interest you.

The course provides the opportunity to undertake a work-based project so you can gain practical experience and build professional links, while our renowned Law Clinic enables you to work on real legal cases with local people to enhance your clinical skills.

You can also study this course if you are a professional working in related areas and would benefit from an understanding of contemporary legal issues in business, human rights, international law and other fields.

A legal education is highly attractive to employers in any sector, as it demonstrates a huge range of transferable skills, an analytical intelligence, and an understanding of the regulatory frameworks that would apply to any business or organisation.