Postgraduate Programs in Law

Postgraduate Law Law is one of the social sciences and a great choice for your postgraduate studies with a selection of postgraduate qualifications to choose from. Deciding to study a postgraduate program in law at a European university is an exciting choice, there are currently 27 member countries in the European Union including countries such as Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Croatia and the United Kingdom.

Therefore, you can’t be short of choices of where to study your law course, both in terms of European cities and world-class law schools. The opportunities are endless when studying postgraduate law program in a European country and there are plenty of taught postgraduate courses to choose from.

The European Union Court of Justice (ECJ) is the highest court in the EU and is based in Luxembourg. However in many ways the UK’s contribution to Law is unequalled, the country continually forges forward to develop its professional associations which include: The Law Society and The Bar Council; and its Inns of Court: The honorable societies of Lincoln’s Inn, Gray’s Inn, Middle Temple and Inner Temple.

Plus, the UK is renowned for producing high-profile and reputable solicitors, barristers and Queen's Counsel (QC).

Studying postgraduate law

Discover more about postgraduate law opportunities at the University of Law by watching this video.

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A Queen’s Counsel or King’s Counsel (the title depends on gender of the reigning monarch) is a distinguished barrister or solicitor advocate who has practiced law for at least 10 years; to be bestowed the honor of a QC is a remarkable feat that gives the QC precedence over other barristers/solicitor-advocates in court.

There are over 100,000 people employed as solicitors in the UK, there are plenty of opportunities for those looking to become solicitors, barristers and Queen’s Counsel.

Renowned lawyers in the European Union include Gabrielle H Williamson who specialises in antitrust, trade and environmental law, Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel (QC) who specialises in clinical negligence and personal injury claims for severely injured claimants; Jeremy Rosenblatt who specialises in international child abduction and Fiona Shackleton, nicknamed ‘Steel Magnolia’, her famous case includes the Paul McCartney versus Heather Mills divorce case.

There is a wide range of postgraduate law courses available to study in the EU such as: LLM Environmental Law, LLM Health and Medical Law, LLM Banking and Finance Law and LLM European Union Law which can be studied at Ghent University Law school (Belgium) a ’Jean Monnet Centre of excellence’ renowned for its expertise and resources in EU Law.

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Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has been phased in from 1st September 2021 as the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. The introduction of the SQE means that everyone who becomes a lawyer will undergo the exact same process and meet the same high standards. It will eventually replace the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which is the current route to practice as a solicitor.

The SQE will form part of a new, four-step route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales:

1. Degree or equivalent qualification in any subject
2. SQE1 and SQE2 assessments
3. Minimum of two years of Qualifying Work Experience
4. Demonstration of suitability

Read our article for further details of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

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Areas of specialism in PG Law

Postgraduate programes in law

There are many different areas of specialism for postgraduate law – here we describe a few of the more popular choices and some of the European institutions that you can study them at:

Tax Law

Tax law at masters level gives students a wider scope of its theoretical underpinnings by addressing UK, EU and international tax law. Programs may also include elements of public economics and banking law. In the UK students can study Tax law at London School of Economics and Queen Mary University, both situated in London; a commercial and political center. Tax law can also be studied at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, located in the city of Austria; it’s a beautiful, serene campus that sits idyllically outside of town offering LLM programs in: International Tax Law and Business Law (Corporate Law). It can also be studied at Tilburg University (The Netherlands) as an advanced LLM in European and international taxation.

Human Rights Law

LLM in Human Rights Law addresses human rights law in the international, UK and European context; allowing students to examine national and international systems of rights protection, including the European Convention, UN and Treaty-based rights. Students will explore the law in the area of freedom of expression, and human rights as regards media organisations, terrorism, health care, the family, and disabled people. In the UK Human Rights Law can be studied at the University of York: International Human Rights Law and Practice (UK); University of Nottingham: Human Rights Law LLM.

Comparative, European & International Law

The comparative, European and International Law LLM offers students advanced knowledge in the theory and key areas of contemporary private international law, from a comparative, international and European perspective. Programs may also include elements of Contract Law in European context and international insolvency. In the UK, the program can be studied at the University of Dundee. In mainland Europe, it can also be studied at the European University Institute (Firenze, Italy).

Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual Property law encompasses a variety of rights that protect creativity and inventiveness. The World Intellectual Property Organisation has defined Intellectual Property as: "the rights in relation to: literary, artistic and scientific works; the performance of performing artists, phonograms and broadcasts; inventions in all fields of human endeavor; scientific discoveries; industrial designs; trademarks; service marks and commercial names and designations; and all other rights resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields". LLM Intellectual Property Law can be studied in the UK at the University of Brunel and Bangor University.

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Studying an LLM

If you are interested in studying a Master of Laws (LLM) program, LLMstudy.com has all the information you need to help you find the perfect LLM program, be it full time, part time or online. LLMstudy.com also has the lowdown on the career opportunities and studying options for popular areas of law including Health Care Law, Human Rights Law, Employment Law and Commercial Law. Plus, LLMstudy.com also has indpeth information on a variety of LLM specialims, including an LLM in Air & Space Law, LLM in Environmental Law and LLM in Medical Law.

Apply for one of our x5 bursaries worth £2,000 each

We've launched our new Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries for 2024. Full-time, part-time, online and blended-learning students eligible. 2024 & 2025 January start dates students welcome. Study postgraduate courses in any subject taught anywhere worldwide.

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