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Executive LLM

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The King's College London & International Bar Association Executive LLM is a two-year part-time distance learning advanced Master of Laws course for ambitious commercial, in-house or regulatory lawyers, keen to build on their achievements and develop their careers. The Executive LLM offers a range of unique course content designed to equip talented lawyers with advanced legal, commercial and policy knowledge as well as sectoral expertise. As a professional student, you will also develop complementary skills that will make you a more rounded, more accomplished, and more successful lawyer. 

The two-year, part-time course blends online modules with five London-based immersive weekends to build your commercial knowledge, deepen your specialist expertise and broaden your international professional network. 

There are five different kinds of modules for those taking the PG Dip. Those wishing to complete the Executive LLM also need to write a 60-credit dissertation in Year 2. The five kinds of modules are:

  • Advanced Law (students take 2 x 15 credit modules in competition law, financial law or international dispute resolution)
  • Advanced Skills (negotiation and leadership) - another set of advanced courses, inspiring participants to raise the bar still further
  • Transnational Law
  • Electives - these are non-law modules, but of direct relevance to lawyers and the way they work, helping them to add value, through a better understanding of legal, policy or commercial factors, and their intersections. Modules include Managing of Multi-national Enterprises, Managing of Public Bodies, Decision-Making, Global Business Ethics and Risk: Communication and Management
  • Sectoral Case Study - small groups will team up to find a real problem within a delineated sector (e.g. Energy and Resources; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Technology Based Enterprises; or Major Projects), and then engage with and solve this problem, together. In addition, each area will be led by experts who will provide interesting insights into major issues of the day.

Additional information about the Executive LLM structure and modules can be found in the programme guide. 

The course information sheet is a printable version of the information on this web page, which you can download here.


Key Benefits

  • You will be able to specialise in financial law, competition law or international dispute resolution; all taught by academics and practitioners who are leaders in their field.
  • Flexibility, so you can study to achieve your aspirations without taking a break from your career.
  • With small class sizes, you benefit from close instructor interaction and collaboration with other students.
  • Elite course content designed to bridge theory and practice.
  • Five London-based immersive weekends provide a unique opportunity to work in small teams to tackle cutting edge legal challenges under the guidance of experts.
  • Structured networking time, allowing you to develop meaningful professional relationships with like-minded peers.

 

Key information

Application status Closed

Duration 2 Years

Study mode Distance Learning, Part-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Programme accreditations Law Society CPD points

Course intake 35 (PT)

Course leaders

Competition

Finance

International Dispute Resolution

Advanced Skills

Transnational Law

Sectoral Case Studies

Electives

Further details

Course contact for further information

For further information please email us: executivellm@kcl.ac.uk 

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty The Dickson Poon School of Law

Locations

 

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The King's College London and IBA Executive LLM

Executive LLM

King’s College London and the International Bar Association (IBA) are collaborating to offer a world-class professional course.

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Course detail

Description

This two-year, part-time course blends online modules with five London-based immersive weekends (two in the first year and three in the second) to broaden your legal, commercial and policy knowledge, deepen your specialist expertise and grow your international professional network.

The immersive weekends provide a unique opportunity to work in small teams to tackle cutting edge legal challenges under the guidance of expert academics and practitioners.

Course purpose

Our Executive LLM is a two-year advanced Master of Laws course for ambitious commercial, in-house or regulatory lawyers, keen to build on their achievements and develop their careers while continuing to work at the same time.

Course format and assessment

Students are required to complete 120 credits of taught modules for the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), and an additional 60-credit dissertation if they wish to complete the Master of Laws (LLM).

Each online module (except the Sectoral Case Study and Skills) takes 6 weeks to complete. Online modules are followed by an immersive weekend (there are five in total over the course of two years) that includes seminars, lectures and an assessment for the modules taken in that period.

2018

  • 15 February: applications close
  • 6-8 April: immersive weekend 1
  • 20-22 July: immersive weekend 2

2019

  • 11-13 January: immersive weekend 3
  • 5-7 April: immersive weekend 4
  • 19-21 July: immersive weekend 5

Assessment

The majority of modules are assessed in their entirety by written exams. A minority of modules are assessed by coursework and/or participation (where student interaction is essential).

Structure

Year 1

Required Modules
  • Advanced Law II: 

                 Advanced Competition Law (15 credits)

                 Advanced Financial Law (15 credits)

                 Advanced International Dispute Resolution (15 credits)

Optional Modules

All students studying the PG Dip and the LLM will be required to select one optional module each year. The modules in year one typically include:

Year 2

Required Modules

The following is required if you are completing the LLM:

Optional Modules

 All students studying the PG Dip and the LLM will be required to select one optional module each year. The modules in year two typically include:

Entry requirements & how to apply

Executive LLM Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements

High 2:1

(65%)

 We encourage all candidates with a strong practice and academic background to apply to the Executive LLM. On average, our students have 5-6 years practice experience and a high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65%). A Master’s degree is also preferable, though not essential.
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band B Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £55 applies.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Executive LLM checklist
Personal statement Yes A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required. The application requires that candidates complete a personal statement which covers the following three questions:

1. Name one highlight of your career so far, and explain why it meant so much to you.

2. What are your career goals?

3. How can the Executive LLM help you to achieve your career goals?
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Optional You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application

 

Application closing date

The King's & International Bar Association’s Executive LLM course is paused for 2019/20 entry and applications are currently closed. For more information and to register your interest for 1920/21 entry please complete our enquiry form.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Part time Home/EU fees: LLM - £30,000 (2018/19) or PG Dip - £24,000 (2018/19)
  • Part time overseas fees: LLM - £30,000 (2018/19) or PG Dip - £24,000 (2018/19)

*These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Payment structure

The PG Dip tuition fees (£24,000) will be invoiced over two years, with £12,000 due each year, according to the schedule outlined below. Students wishing to complete the LLM will be invoiced an additional £6,000, bringing the total tuition fees for the LLM programme to £30,000.

Year one:

  • When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable £2,000 deposit to secure your place; this will be credited towards your total fee payment.

  • An additional £4,000 will be due in April 2018.

  • A further £6,000 will be due in July 2018.

Year two:

  • £6,000 will be due in April 2019.

  • The final £6,000 for the PG Dip will be due in July 2019.

  • Those wishing to complete the LLM programme will need to pay a further £6,000, with £3,000 due in August 2019 and £3,000 due in November 2019.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books, should e-copies not be available from the library
  • Library fees and fines should you have the opportunity to visit King's College London/external libraries
  • Personal photocopies should you make them
  • Printing costs for printing course materials should you choose to do so
  • Any transcription costs should they be necessary i.e. exam paper transcription in the event of illegible handwriting
  • University society membership fees
  • Stationery
  • Travel costs for travel to and around London for the immersive weekends
  • Accommodation for the immersive weekends
  • Graduation related costs including but not limited to travel and gown hire.

Scholarships

Generous scholarships of up to 100% of postgraduate diploma tuition fees are available to eligible applicants (worth up to £24,000). All applicants to the King's College London and IBA Executive LLM are welcome to apply, please visit the scholarship page for further details and an application form. 

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

The course is designed to help participants to take their career to the next level, both in terms of their knowledge, their ability to see problems from others’ perspectives and by helping them to build their network. In the words of Dr Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association, this course is designed to bring together the brightest lawyers in law firms, in-house and in regulators and competition authorities throughout the world. This course is going to be extremely important to them, they “…are looking for carreer advancement, and network, and to increase their knowledge. It is a perfect marriage."

Testimonials

John

John

"If you are a senior associate or a junior partner in a law firm the Executive LLM will increase your marketability and provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to London and get an educational experience that cannot be duplicated."

Tatiana

Tatiana

"The Executive LLM is very intensive and the quality of teachers is high. It feels like you are learning a lot in a very short period of time and you are learning from other colleagues who come from different backgrounds."

Next steps

Upcoming events

Jun 22 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 22 June
Jul 6 Undergraduate Open Day | Health and Life Sciences | Guy’s Campus | Saturday 6 July
Sep 7 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 7 September

Full list of student events

View our postgraduate guide

Learn more about postgraduate degree programmes at King's. Download or view our guide in PDF format.

Download guide

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