Which uni to choose for my LLM?

[future_traineesolicitor]

Hi all, long time lurker here.

I am a law grad and international student. I have applied to some LLM programmes in the UK.

I have so far received offers for Queen Mary and Manchester. I am still waiting for some other universities I applied for.

However, the deadline to accept my offer (and pay the tuition deposit) at Manchester is next week and I am not sure if I should accept it.

My undergrad uni (RG) has a pretty good reputation for law. I am worried that by going to Manchester for my LLM the recruiter would see it as a step down. I know that a postgraduate degree isn't that important in TC applications but how much weight does it carry?

Queen Mary actually gave me a much later deadline to accept offer but it's not as highly recognised internationally (rankings, reputation etc.) From my understanding, if I wish to pursue a career in law in the UK, Queen Mary is the obvious choice. But if I fail to secure a TC, Manchester would be better recognised in my home jurisdiction. I am wondering whether these two unis actually differ a lot from a graduate recruiter's stand point.

I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, long time lurker here.

I am a law grad and international student. I have applied to some LLM programmes in the UK.

I have so far received offers for Queen Mary and Manchester. I am still waiting for some other universities I applied for.

However, the deadline to accept my offer (and pay the tuition deposit) at Manchester is next week and I am not sure if I should accept it.

My undergrad uni (RG) has a pretty good reputation for law. I am worried that by going to Manchester for my LLM the recruiter would see it as a step down. I know that a postgraduate degree isn't that important in TC applications but how much weight does it carry?

Queen Mary actually gave me a much later deadline to accept offer but it's not as highly recognised internationally (rankings, reputation etc.) From my understanding, if I wish to pursue a career in law in the UK, Queen Mary is the obvious choice. But if I fail to secure a TC, Manchester would be better recognised in my home jurisdiction. I am wondering whether these two unis actually differ a lot from a graduate recruiter's stand point.

I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks!

Postgraduate degrees don’t really have much weight for the vast majority of firms, so most would not see it as a step down (even if you could suggest it was one). Queen Mary and Manchester are very comparable on multiple levels, but particularly how recruiters will view them - they have some key differences at the same time though, and so you should consider which course, university and location will be better for you.

 

[future_traineesolicitor]

Postgraduate degrees don’t really have much weight for the vast majority of firms, so most would not see it as a step down (even if you could suggest it was one). Queen Mary and Manchester are very comparable on multiple levels, but particularly how recruiters will view them - they have some key differences at the same time though, and so you should consider which course, university and location will be better for you.

Thanks Jessica, I got offers at both uni for corporate and commercial law specialism. I am a big fan of London but I am also thinking about applying for regional offices for there's less competition and better wlb (hopefully).

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks Jessica, I got offers at both uni for corporate and commercial law specialism. I am a big fan of London but I am also thinking about applying for regional offices for there's less competition and better wlb (hopefully).

I wouldn’t go regionally just because of a perception of it being less competitive - this is not always true (it really depends on the location). But you may find better work life balance in firms that do more domestic work rather than international work.