Top Up LLM

Enhance your CV with a 'Top Up' LLM

If you have successfully completed your LPC you are eligible to apply for NCLT's LLM Top Up.  The good news is you don't have to do another taught course, as your LPC counts towards your LLM.   Just attend a two day intensive research methods programme and write a dissertation.

The value of your LPC:

• Your LPC is worth 120 level credits
• A masters award (LLM) requires 180 level credits
• Top up your LPC with an LLM "Top Up" worth 60 level credits

The aim of completing an LLM is to:

• Give you the opportunity to generate work which will impress your firm (current or future)
• Demonstrate your commitment to a legal career and showcase your analytical skills and original thinking
• Enhance your CV in a competitive market

Affordable fees*

The NCLT LLM Top Up is competitively priced.  For NCLT LPC students the fees are just £1,995 (July 2011 course fees) and if you took your LPC at another institution, the cost is just £2,450 (July 2011 course fees). For full details on costs and how to pay, please visit our Fees and Funding and How to Pay pages.

*NB. For the course starting January 2012, the fees will be released on the website shortly.

Quality course

Our LLM Top Up has been tried and tested. It is a UWE course developed from the UWE LLM for practitioners for which they were a Regional Winner (for the South West region) in the National Teaching Awards in 2006 for the South West region.  When you enrol on the course you will be a UWE NCLT student, with access to UWE's facilities.  The initial research weekend will take place at UWE's Frenchay campus.

Study flexibly:

• Timing - you can start at any time within two and a half years of completing the LPC and finish at any time within five years of starting the LPC
• Location - After you have completed the research methods weekend at UWE Bristol, you can study wherever you wish and have access to UWE's electronic resources including their online law library
• Subject - you can choose to write about what interests you and or what you think will improve your career profile.  The LLM is practice orientated, so what you write in your dissertation is relevant to practice and can be written in a form suitable for practice e.g. a practice note for a firm's "know how" bank, or a precedent with drafting notes for the precedent bank

Course structure

You will start with a compulsory two day mini course on research methods.  For the dissertation you can discuss your choice of subject with your appointed supervisor, who will be on hand throughout your study to offer you support and advice.

Teaching and learning

The LLM Top Up involves extensive independent research developing analytical and critical reasoning skills and supporting reflective study and independent learning.

Assessment

The LLM Top Up is assessed through a dissertation of up to 15,000 words on a topic chosen, in consultation with your supervisor.  If you are working within a firm, your dissertation may be in a subject area that could benefit your firm when completed.

Entry requirements

A pass on the Legal Practice Course and while not strictly an entry pre-requisite, your Topic Outline (not more than 1 side of A4 submitted with your application) must be accepted by UWE.

When and how to apply

Current LPC students - you should apply for the LLM immediately after you finish your last round of assessments.  Don't wait for your results; we can offer you a conditional place if need be.

For an application form, please download the pdf from "Apply here" (see right)

If you have a question about the LLM Top Up, in the first instance, please get in touch with the NCLT Team by calling 0121 362 7529 or by emailing nclt@nclt.co.uk.