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Assessment

  • Each course is divided into four sections - A, B, C and D. Each section will be assessed by a 45-minute unseen written examination, each double section by a 90-minute unseen written paper. There are no oral exams and no dissertations.
  • Examination sessions are held twice a year, in May and October. That means you can manage and spread your study and assessment load. You do not have to sit exams at every session. You can skip exam sessions, but remember you must finish within your five year period of registration.
  • You do not have to come to London to take your examinations. Examinations are held in local overseas centres around the world as well as in London. Examinations overseas are arranged mainly through Ministries of Education or the British Council. You will be charged a fee by your local examination centre (this fee will vary). Please see the Exams section of our website for important information on exams. All exams are set and marked in London by the Board of Examiners.
  • Note: Under certain circumstances you will have the opportunity to make a second attempt at an exam for a section.
  • Classification
    The Master of Laws (LLM), Postgraduate Diploma in Laws and Postgraduate Certificate in Laws are awarded without classification. At the discretion of the Board of Examiners a mark of Merit or Distinction may be awarded. A student who obtains an average mark for all assessment in the range 60-69% will normally be awarded the relevant award with Merit. A student who obtains an average mark for all assessment of 70% or more will be awarded the relevant award with Distinction. A mark of Merit or Distinction shall not normally be awarded to a student who has failed any section.

Academic direction

  • Although this programme is offered through the External System, the academic management of the Master of Laws (LLM) is provided jointly by the Departments of Law of Queen Mary (QMUL) and UCL [external links]. Teachers from the University of London Law Schools plan the structure and content of the programme, develop and write study materials, set the examination papers and mark scripts. View a complete list of Master of Laws (LLM) study guide authors (pdf: 2 pgs, 24KB).
  • 5-star rated Departments of Law (external link).
  • The Director of the Postgraduate Laws programme is Dr. James J. Busuttil. He has been Associate Professor of International Law and Organization at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, the Netherlands, Director of the British Institute of Human Rights in London, Lecturer in Law at the University of Essex, and a practising lawyer in New York City and Washington, DC. He is Co-Rapporteur of the International Law Association’s Committee on Islamic Law and International Law. Dr Busuttil holds a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford, a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Harvard University.

Gisela Stuart
LLB graduate, UK.

MP for Birmingham Edgbaston and Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

" Studying, revising, looking after a family and staying sane is no easy task! I was lucky; I had a tolerant and supportive spouse, children who respond to a flexible routine, and the stamina and determination needed of success. I was thrilled when I actually completed the degree: the presentation ceremony at the Barbican Centre was one of the most moving and magnificent experiences of my life. I am now MP for Birmingham Edgbaston. This is due in no small part to the skills I acquired as an External student at the University of London."

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