LLM Law (Juris Doctor)
Open the door to an international career in law
Year of entry: 2026 (September)
Learn from experienced legal professionals and world-class academics as you immerse yourself in realistic simulations of legal practice.
Our LLM Law (Juris Doctor) can put you on the path to practising law in the USA. If you'd like to know more information about the course and admissions requirements, make an appointment with our Regional Manager for the US and Canada.
Intellectually challenging and skills-focused, this course will ensure you are ready to embrace the challenges of an international career in law. You'll graduate with a unique insight into how professional legal practice works, enabling you to perform at the highest levels and in firms of all types.
A University of York LLM is an internationally recognised qualification and the LLM Law (Juris Doctor) can put you on the path to legal practice around the world. Subject to any local requirements, completing this course could be a stepping stone to sitting Bar exams in jurisdictions as diverse as the USA, Australia and Hong Kong.
This degree also meets requirements that can enable you to progress to the next stages of professional qualification as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales.
Course content
In the first two years of the programme, you will work collaboratively with around 12 other students on a series of real-life legal problems. These will develop your knowledge of the core legal subjects:
- Criminal Law
- European Law
- Obligations (Contract, Tort and Restitution)
- Property Law (Land Law and Equity)
- Public Law (Constitutional and Administrative Law)
You will also, in our core Skills modules, develop a range of professional legal skills, such as writing, interviewing, negotiation and advocacy. These will supplement other vital skills, including critical thinking, communication and teamwork.
In your second and third years, you'll have the opportunity to develop your specific legal and career interests from a selection of option modules that span a wide range of areas of law and practice. This covers corporate, commercial, human rights, international, constitutional and criminal law, as well as legal theory and philosophy. You will complete your final year with an independent learning project that will enable you to pursue an area of interest related to modern legal practice, drafting a piece of professional know-how.
Modules
Year 1
Core modules:
- Foundations in Law 1
- Foundations in Law 2
- Foundations in Law 3
- Introduction to Law & Society (Senior Status)
- Legal Concepts
- Legal and Professional Skills
Year 2
Core modules:
- Advanced Legal Skills
- Foundations in Law 4 (Senior Status)
- Foundations in Law 5 (Senior Status)
- Foundations in Law 6 (Senior Status)
Option modules
You will also study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Art Law
- Asylum: Theory, law and practice of the international protection of refugees
- Case Study: Criminal Process & Children
- Case Study: Housing, Welfare and Immigration
- Case Study: Civil Employment & Discrimination
- Case Study: Counter-terrorism & Media
- Clinic
- Company Law
- Comparative Constitutional Law & Theory
- Corporate Commercial Case Study
- Crime and Punishment
- Criminal Trial Part One: Trials, Evidence & Justice
- Family Law
- Family Law in Practice
- Financial Crime
- Intellectual Property
- International Criminal Justice
- International Human Rights Law
- International Investment Law
- International Trade Law & Regulation
- Law, Commerce & Finance: Transactions
- Law, Gender & Sexuality
- Law & History
- Law and Emotion
- Legal Practice, Technology & Computer Science
- Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law
- Personal Property Law
- Principles of Financial Regulation
- Private International Law
- Public Interest Litigation Lab
- Public International Law
- Space Law, Governance and Planetary Protection
- Transnational Crime
- The Business of Trusts
- Transnational Crime
Year 3
Core module
Option modules
You will also study three option modules in Semester 1 and three option modules in Semester 2. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
- Advanced Issues in Legal Theory
- Applying International Human Rights Law
- Comparative Constitutional Law & Theory
- Current Issues in Counter-terrorism and Media Law
- Financial Crime
- Foundational Issues in Legal Theory
- Human Rights Placement
- Intellectual Property
- International Business Negotiation
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Corporate Governance
- International Criminal Justice
- International Human Rights Laboratory
- International Trade Law and Regulation
- Issues in the Philosophy of Criminal Law
- Law & Society
- Law and Circular Economy
- Law and Commercial Transactions
- Legal Services: Business & Strategy
- Practice of Commercial Transactions
- Practice of Corporate Transactions
- Practice of Fieldwork
- Private International Law
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Explain and advise on relevant English and EU law applicable to businesses and their core commercial activities, and the operation and regulation of legal services markets, law firms, and legal professionals; and plan efficient and effective research strategies to identify, evaluate and apply relevant principles and regulation to diverse, complex and integrated legal and practical issues that affect such businesses.
- Apply and adapt problem-solving skills developed through problem-based learning – analysing and evaluating facts, parties’ interests and objectives, and identifying legal and practical issues, and risks - to deal confidently, creatively and in a structured manner, independently and collaboratively, to develop effective solutions to, and advise on, new, unfamiliar and complex problems commonly encountered in corporate commercial legal practice.
- Develop well-reasoned, critical and creative arguments, theories and solutions to current legal issues and problems facing corporate commercial practitioners and clients, supported by researched evidence.
- Integrate and adapt well-developed legal, academic and interpersonal skills to engage with clients, peers, and other professionals; including autonomous skills in interviewing, researching, problem-solving, advising, negotiating, communicating, case analysis; advocacy; planning; and basic project management; and apply these within the context of corporate commercial legal transactions and matters.
- Communicate confidently and effectively, both verbally and in writing in a range of formats; presenting well-reasoned, structured, practical legal advice – adapted to intended recipients and audiences, whether public, professional or clients – in the context of corporate commercial legal transactions and matters.
- Reflexively draw upon and apply a broad awareness of perspectives and interests in their work, taking into account ethical, social, political, professional, commercial, financial, business, international, policy, human rights, ethnic, gender and client interest considerations when evaluating corporate commercial transactions and matters, and solving problems.
- Work efficiently and effectively, both independently and as a leading member of a team, and take the initiative to draw upon personal and interpersonal skills and attitudes developed as part of a student law firm to identify the applicability of these skills in the context of corporate commercial legal practice.
- Record, reflect on and evaluate strengths, weaknesses and progress in their own and others' personal learning and professional development, to be able to identify and set future learning requirements and career goals to further personal professional ambitions.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (3 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£9,535 | £26,900 |
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
- UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
- International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Funding information
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
Funding opportunities
Student Finance England's eligibility criteria states that student finance is only available for one- or two-year, full-time postgraduate programmes. As this is a three-year, full-time programme, unfortunately it does not attract government funding. As such, if you are applying for this programme, you would have to self-fund for your studies.
Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching format
York Law School is the only Law School in the UK to build its LLM (JD) programme around problem-based learning. In PBL, you will encounter a range of authentic 'problem' scenarios raising a wide range of legal issues. These will usually involve more than one area of law, so you will come to understand the interrelationships between areas of law that exist in practice and society, and the 'messiness' of law as it arises in real-world contexts.
In addition to PBL, you will learn through simulations of legal transactions and matters, as well as traditional seminars, tutorials and lectures. Through this variety of learning approaches, you will develop an understanding of legal practice, as well as reflect on deeper social and theoretical issues, such as questions of justice, fairness and human rights. Tutors will guide and facilitate your learning, helping you to gain the maximum possible from each mode of learning.
Your learning will also be supported by a range of learning resources, including subject guides, legal documentation, realistic client scenarios, and a variety of other materials in our virtual learning environment.
Teaching location
York Law School is located on Campus East. Nearly all of your teaching will take place within the Law and Sociology building or nearby on Campus East.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Assessment and feedback
In your first two years, summative assessment includes coursework tasks, individual learning portfolios and reflective analysis, and formal assessment of contribution in PBL and Skills sessions. Some modules have additional forms of assessment, such as presentations or drafting advice to clients. All summative assessments will count towards your final module grades.
In your final year, your assessments may also include production of a range of internal and client-focused reports and pieces of legal advice, legal documents and presentations. You'll also prepare an extended piece of professional writing in the form of a major piece of client advice or a practice know-how report.
None of the modules offered by York Law School currently include formal examinations as a form of assessment.
Careers and skills
The LLM Law (Juris Doctor) is a key stepping stone to legal practice in jurisdictions across the globe. As an internationally recognised qualification with an emphasis on combining functioning legal knowledge and a strong base of practice skills, it provides a clear pathway into the law and legal services sector, across a range of different practice areas.
We encourage you to get involved with our Careers and Development Programme. The programme includes several employers, providing an insight into the legal profession and the relevant recruitment processes.
Career opportunities
- Lawyer
- Paralegal
- Commercial in-house lawyer
- Arbitrator
- Conveyancer
- Advice worker
Transferable skills
- Time management
- Research skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Project management
- Reasoning and judgement
- Document and case analysis
- Negotiation and mediation
- Advocacy
Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we'll help you find your career advantage.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
If you haven't met our English language requirements
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Next steps
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