Entry requirements

Academic requirements

There are four pathways when applying for one of our postgraduate masters programmes. Please note that all applications are assessed on an individual basis and additional factors may be taken into consideration. Entry requirements may also vary by course. Applicants who hold qualifications from outside the UK please see international postgraduate entry qualifications.

Applicants with a bachelor degree in law

Applicants with a first or upper-second class (2:1) bachelor degree in law or a degree featuring a substantial legal component.

Applicants with a bachelor degree in any discipline

LLM International Law, LLM International Law & World Order, LLM Human Rights, LLM EU Law & Citizenship, LLM EU Economic Law & Goivernance: Applicants with a first or upper-second class bachelor or postgraduate degree in a discipline other than law will normally be required to demonstrate their ability to undertake advanced study in law, either through a strong academic record and/or relevant work experience.

LLM International Commercial Law, LLM International Corporate Finance, LLM International Financial Regulation, LLM Banking Law, LLM/Msc Oil And Gals, LLM/Msc Law & Economics: Applicants with a first or upper-second class bachelor or postgraduate degree in a discipline other than law will normally be required to make a case for their suitability for the proposed programme of study.

Applicants with a bachelor degree below upper-second class

LLM International Law, LLM International Law & World Order, LLM Human Rights, LLM EU Law & Citizenship, LLM EU Economic Law & Goivernance: Applicants with a bachelor degree below upper-second class in any discipline will be required to demonstrate their ability to undertake advanced study in law, through work experience, relevant research and writing experience or a strong academic record in relevant areas of their degree and/or in a diploma or certificate course.

LLM International Commercial Law, LLM International Corporate Finance, LLM International Financial Regulation, LLM Banking Law, LLM/Msc Oil And Gals, LLM/Msc Law & Economics: Applicants with a bachelor degree below upper-second class in any discipline will be required to make a case for their suitability for the proposed programme of study.

Non-traditional applicants

Applicants from non-traditional backgrounds - e.g. who do not for any reason have a bachelor degree or other academic qualification, or who have been away from study for an extended period. Applicants will be required to demonstrate their ability to undertake advanced study in law, through work experience. Non-traditional applicants may be encouraged to enrol on a diploma or certificate course in the first instance with a view to applying for a transfer to the LLM once they have successfully completed at least two modules.

Additional requirements for MRes and MA (Res) courses

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the ability to undertake research and writing at a high standard. It is usual for the programme director to ask applicants for samples of written work and applicants may be interviewed. Applicants for these programmes are also advised to include with their application a statement of around 300 words indicating areas of research interest and how the proposed programme of study fits with their future plans.

English language requirements

Students will generally be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency, unless:
a) either they have undertaken previous study at an institution in a majority English speaking country;
b) or are nationals of a majority English speaking country.

Please see further information on English language requirements for postgraduate law courses and English language support and courses at the University of Reading.

UK visa requirements

If you are not a national of the European Union (EU), it is likely that you will need to obtain a UK visa before you travel. Please see the UK Border Agency website.