Overview

At a critical time for workers' rights around the world, our LLM in Employment, Work and Equality offers you an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of relationships between law, regulation, policy and practice. There is a growing demand for specialist lawyers with the knowledge and skills in this important field.

The LLM in Employment, Work and Equality has been well received by trade unions and NGOs as a distinctive programme that offers more than traditional courses in employment law. It provides an in-depth, intensive study of wide-ranging issues analysing domestic and international law, the role of human rights in regulating the labour market, the representative scope of trade unions, treatment of migrants at work and equality more generally.

Choosing our LLM in Employment, Work and Equality means you will be challenged and inspired by world-leading labour lawyers dedicated to progressive and innovative thinking around employment, work and equality law - with those teaching the course belonging to the Law School's Centre for Law at Work.

The intellectually demanding, research-rich curriculum will allow you to demonstrate excellent legal, analytical and research skills and be empowered to pursue top-flight careers in a variety of sectors. Find out how you can do more with law at the University of Bristol Law School.

Programme structure

We have a large and vibrant international community and University of Bristol LLM students benefit from small class sizes. Our exciting range of optional units reflect the expertise of our globally renowned academics and an opportunity to further specialise your degree.

You will take four units (120 credit points overall, 30 credit points each) and a compulsory dissertation (60 credit points). You have the option of taking three specialist units from the LLM in Employment Work and Equality programme and one unit from any of our other LLMs.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our LLM in Employment, Work and Equality.

Entry requirements

We will consider an applicant with an upper-second class honours in a Law degree OR an applicant with an upper-second class honours in a related degree who has at least three modules in either law, labour, work or employment. Previous or professional experience is not required. Recognised Prior Learning is not currently accepted.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have a relevant postgraduate qualification.If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£13,700 per year
UK: part-time (two years)
£6,850 per year
Overseas: full-time
£26,700 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

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.

Funding for 2024/25

Information about funding and scholarships can be found on the University of Bristol Law School fees and funding webpages. This includes information about the Law School's Think Big about Global Justice Scholarships, open to international postgraduate students.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Some University of Bristol LLM students have gone on to work with international law firms in leading employment sets or as barristers in chambers. Some are now involved in policy-making through trade unions, employers' organisations and NGOs.

Graduating from Bristol will open doors for careers in a variety of sectors. Suitable for law graduates or graduates with a related degree, this LLM will help:

  • develop and deepen understanding of employment law,
  • build transferable skills,
  • provide a springboard into a diverse range of careers,
  • boost prospects for those already working in the sector,
  • deliver a solid step towards a research career.

Please visit our careers and employability webpage for more information about the support and opportunities we provide during your studies.