Hi guys,

I'm considering undertaking an LLM. I will complete by LLB this summer and will shortly be looking for suitable LLM courses. I've been working full time and studying at Uni in the evenings but when I do start the LLM, i'd like to do it full time. Can anyone give me any perspective on what it is like to study an LLM full time? How much time do you spend in class, approximately? Can you take on board a part-time job? How much time do you spend reading/preparing per week? At the moment, I work full-time and my journey from home to work/Uni takes me 3 hrs per day. I am on track for a 2:1 LLB but it's important for me to get some sense of what I may be letting myself in for. Any advice you can give would be very much appreciated.
Thank you!!

Hi,
Im about half way through an LLM at the moment. I am studying the course full-time and the timetable for both semesters has been only 6 hours a week (this has been divided into 3 different classes).
Depending on what units you take will depend on how much time outside of class you can spend on preparing for the next weeks class. For example, for IP law we will have several cases to read up on, where in criminal law we will have several journal articles to read/analyse. I would say that on average, about 15 hours would be sufficient - but again, it would depend on what your tutor sets.
Alot of people have dropped out because they were not expecting the work load to be so intense. But to be honest, from what I have heard about my universities reforms to the LLM next year, we have it easy.

Average of 2 essays each semester (between 2000 and 4000 words) plus an exam. The dissertation is 20 - 25,000 words. Classes finish in June, our dissertation is due end of September.

There are several people in my class that travel from over 150 miles away for the one day of classes. Most research can now be done over the internet (Westlaw/LexisNexis), so these people do not miss out. I live 5 minutes from my university but still do all my research over the internet.

As for work, I work in a busy bar - in a managerial position so I am there most evenings. I still have plenty of time to myself.

hope this helps, any other questions just ask

Chris, many thanks for your response. It was really helpful. I want to do an LLP in IP and am looking around for an appropriate LLM in a London university. What Uni are you at?
Thanks once again.

Hi, I am currently doing llm in Bristol.

If you would like to know more llm students, come to www.llmstudy.com/forums
You will also find a lot of useful information.