Postgraduate FAQs

Applications are made online. Click on the how to apply button on any of the prospectus pages.

We aim to make a decision on each application within 21 days of receipt of a complete application. 

• A transcript (showing individual marks awarded) from your undergraduate degree (interim ie. showing all marks to date if not completed degree).
• An English language certificate if applicable – but your application can be processed without one.
• A personal statement (one to two pages only) - you should include why you are applying for the programme, why you are applying to the University of Bristol, why you think you are a suitable candidate for your programme of study, and how your choice of programme fits with your future career plans. 
• Two academic references - ideally these should be from academics who taught you most recently. It is essential that we have academic rather than professional references. We accept professional references if it is more than 5 years since graduation. We will process an application with only one reference at this stage in the admissions cycle.

English Language requirement

Our English Language requirement is the same for all postgraduate taught Law programmes:

IELTS 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in all bands.

We accept other language tests, our requirement is called Profile B internally, and all the tests accepted are listed on profile B page.

Academic requirements

MA Law – A 2.1 undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) in any discipline.

Is LNAT required for the MA in Law? – No. Offers are made on the basis of academic and language requirements, the personal statement and references are also considered.

Our LLM programmes – Academic entry requirements for our LLM programmes vary. Please visit the specific programme prospectus pages to find out more.

MSc Socio-Legal Studies - A 2.1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in law, social sciences or another relevant discipline. A background in law is not essential as training will be given during the programme.

In your statement you should describe the reasons for your choice of postgraduate programme and why this is important to you. Please also explain why you are applying to the University of Bristol, why you think you are a suitable candidate for your programme of study, and how your choice of programme fits with your future career plans.

Across our LLM portfolio we generally admit approximately 300 students. LLM students come from approximately 40 countries. 

For the MA Law we admit between 50 and 80 students.  

We usually allow applicants to defer an offer for one year (only unconditional offers can be deferred and for international students, deposits must be paid in advance). Deferrals can be requested by emailing chooseBristol-PG@bristol.ac.uk

No, it is not a requirement. We suggest you might find it useful to undertake some legal work experience to help you make up your mind that studying law is for you, but it does not make any difference to whether you receive an offer.

The Law School is committed to excellence and innovation in teaching, and to ensuring that law students’ learning experience is both stimulating and challenging.

The Law School is a top 10 UK law school (Complete University Guide UK 2026 and QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). 

The University of Bristol is ranked 54th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025) and ranked in the top 10 in the UK for employer reputation, for law and legal studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).

Our law degrees are underpinned by research from world-leading academics - ranked third in the UK for legal research excellence (THE analysis of REF 2021). 

In the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the University was given a silver award. From a student perspective, studying law at the University of Bristol means being taught by a range of talented academics working at the cutting edge of their research fields, bringing world-class legal expertise directly into the classroom.

We offer a wide range of postgraduate law programmes. Visit the postgraduate prospectus finder to view the LLM programmes available.

The LLM is offered part-time over two years. Two units are studied each year, and the dissertation is written after the year 2 assessments.

The MA can be studied part-time over 4 years. Two units are studied each year – see the programme catalogue for more information.

The MA is for either non-law graduates or non-UK lawyers wanting to get a foundation of legal knowledge to pursue a career in law or beyond; the LLM is aimed at law graduates, and graduates in cognate fields, who are keen to specialise and enhance their CV.

LLM programme - weekly contact hours will vary depending on the units you study, and students will be expected to undertake independent study each week to supplement taught activity. 

MA programme – 4 compulsory units in year 1, 3 compulsory units and 1 optional unit in year 2. Weekly contact hours will vary, and students will still be expected to undertake independent study each week to supplement taught activity.

Classifications are as follows:

• Distinction: a final programme mark of 70 or above.
• Merit: a final programme mark of 60 – 69.
• Pass: a final programme mark of 50 – 59.

LLM programmes

Units currently expected to be offered in each LLM programme can be found in the programme catalogue.

For the dissertation component of the programme, we produce a list of potential topic areas and initial readings. You can choose one of these areas, or submit your own title for approval. 

MA Law

MA Law structure can be found in the programme catalogue.

Other programmes

MSc Socio-Legal Studies structure can be found in the programme catalogue.

There are a range of ways in which we aim to support our students in the Law School; who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. After registration, and before your arrival in Bristol, we will send you a set of pre-arrival materials to prepare you for your legal studies in Bristol, including introductions to the English legal system.  

On the LLM, we have a dedicated team of personal tutors who are responsible for your academic and pastoral wellbeing, and support your progress throughout the degree programme. This is overseen by the Senior Tutors, who you can also contact for assistance. We also have a Law School Disability Adviser, who works closely with the university disability services, for students with declared disabilities.     

On the MA, you will be allocated to a personal tutor who is responsible for your academic and pastoral wellbeing, and will also have access to the Senior Tutors. The MA Law has a mentoring scheme, where second year MA students support the first years. 

There is also a range of university support for student wellbeing – Counselling service; Student health service including on campus GP service; Big White Wall, Just Ask.   

The University’s Centre for Academic Language and Development works with the School to provide legal writing and research skills development sessions to all postgraduate students.  

The variety of practical skills and networking that you can gain through activities delivered by the Law School and Careers Service provide a solid foundation for you to further explore career paths open to you. We recognise that your postgraduate degree can open many doors for you in a variety of sectors and we are here to support you on that journey.

We traditionally offer a wide range of initiatives such as mentoring, advocacy, international mooting opportunities and the chance to work in our pro bono law clinics. Our annual Law Fair hosts over 40 top law firms and chambers, plus smaller legal organisations. Find out more about the careers and employability support offered in the Law School. 

You will be supported by a dedicated Law School Employability Adviser, providing one-to-one careers support throughout your time as a student here. We also have a diverse alumni network who support activities in the Law School, including our mentoring schemes.

Student societies play a big role in the student experience in the Law School with over 10 active societies. They can offer you the chance to take part in mooting, debating, negotiation and commercial awareness activities. Find out more about the law-related student societies. 

The postgraduate MA Law programme is a two-year accelerated Master of Arts in law, suitable for non-law graduates of any discipline. The degree offers the opportunity for more sustained engagement with core legal areas than is possible on one year 'conversion' course.

It is particularly attractive to those who wish to enter the English and Welsh legal profession. By studying over two years of intensive postgraduate-level work, students gain a greater depth of understanding than is possible in one-year programme, together with experience in a specialist area of their choice.

On completing the MA Law you will have a postgraduate degree rather than another undergraduate degree.

The MA curriculum builds on the fact that students will have already benefited from a university-level education. Students will graduate with a wider legal knowledge and a deeper understanding of law and legal reasoning, than can be obtained in a one-year law conversion course.

The MA Law curriculum is based on the seven 'Foundations of Legal Knowledge', providing students with the skills associated with graduate legal work.

The route to qualifying as a solicitor has now changed, with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introducing a new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).

The route to qualifying as a barrister has also changed, with the Bar Standards Board having introduced the Bar Training Course.

The Law School has partnered with BPP University to offer the free BPP Bridge Programme to students wishing to get a head start on their qualification. Find out more about the routes to qualification. 

The majority of home students can now apply for a Postgraduate Study Loan (amount and process varies by country of residency). For the MA Law or part-time study on an LLM course, the loan is paid in 50% instalments over the two years).

Visit our postgraduate funding page for links to each home country’s application and eligibility.

For details of awards, bursaries and scholarships, please visit the Fees and Funding website.

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Law specific opportunities can be found on our funding page. For international students you may be eligible to apply for the Think Big about Law and Justice Scholarship.

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from disabled students. We strongly encourage you to tell us about your disability so that we can prepare to support you. No applicant will be disadvantaged in the admissions process due to a disability, learning difficulty, health or mental health condition. When you disclose a disability, the admissions process we follow is identical to the process for all applicants. For more information visit the Disability Services web page. 

The Law School is committed to sustaining a positive and mutually supportive working environment for staff and students, ensuring individuals are treated equally and are able to access the same opportunities. To support this, the School's Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Committee provides a point of contact for staff, students and external persons if they have issues or ideas concerning LGBTQ+, Income, Gender, Disability or Racial inequalities, and to address ways to improve Law School policies in these areas.

Yes, check out our Law School tour video by one of our LLM graduates, Raeesa Rajmohamed.

You can also view our full campus tour to get an idea of what studying in Bristol is really like.