LLM in Drafting Legislation, Regulation, and Policy

The School of Advanced Study at the University of London brings together eight internationally renowned research institutes to form the UK's national centre for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities.

The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies was founded in 1947. It was conceived and is funded as a national academic institution, attached to the University of London, serving all universities through its national legal research library. Its function is to promote, facilitate and disseminate the results of advanced study and research in the discipline of law, for the benefit of persons and institutions in the UK and abroad.

The institute is engaged in a broad range of activities in the promotion and support of legal research in its widest sense. IALS serves its various constituencies of researchers, nationally and locally, both at Charles Clore House on Russell Square in Bloomsbury, featuring its national legal research library, through its digital free-to-internet resources, and through its outreach activities around the country. The Institute has an inclusive approach to legal studies embracing the theoretical basis of law, the sources and documentation of the law, and the direct impact of law on human lives.

The LLM in Drafting Legislation, Regulation, and Policy offers a unique opportunity for drafters, legal officers, policy makers, and those interested in the process of law-making and in drafting to study the legislative environment and legislation as a tool for regulation. 

This programme is based at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS), a member institute of the School of Advanced Study, University of London. 

The programme aims to promote an understanding of the principles of legislative studies and an in-depth awareness of what constitutes legislative quality and how this can be achieved. Legislative drafting is often perceived as a technical skill that one learns on the job. The view of the Institute’s Sir William Dale Centre for Legislative Studies is that legislative drafting is a practical discipline requiring awareness of the theoretical principles of drafting along with experience on the job. Legislative drafting has evolved to become the bedrock of political, economic and social transformation. It is still, however, relatively unexplored as an academic discipline. The LLM examines issues relevant to common law and civil law jurisdictions related to the policy process, the legislative process, and the drafting process

The programme is not prescriptive and allows you to naturalise your knowledge and apply it in your own national environment. Capped class numbers allow individualized tuition. Alumni are usually employed by governments and international organizations. 

This course is also available to study via distance learning from anywhere in the world.

You'll benefit from a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment as well as a range of funding opportunities. SAS is a national research hub and IALS enjoys close links with its other members, including the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, the Institute of Modern Languages Research and the Institute of Historical Research. Cross-institute collaboration is actively encouraged, making us an ideal location for interdisciplinary research.

You'll be able to use the libraries of other colleges, in addition to Senate House Library and IALS’s outstanding law library.

In addition to a rich programme of discipline-specific research training, you will also have access to a wider training programme that draws on the research and teaching expertise of the other SAS institutes and the University of London. Our workshop programme of generic research and transferable skills training provides the transferable and employability skills necessary for careers in academia and elsewhere. 

The LLM in Drafting Legislation, Regulation, and Policy (formerly Advanced Legislative Studies) has been offered by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies with considerable success since 2004. The programme can be studied at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London or by distance learning from a location anywhere in the world.

Please note that we are currently reviewing the structure and content of this programme and may introduce some additions and enhancements.

Teaching, learning and assessment

If you are based in London can undertake the LLM on either a full- or part-time basis. 

If you study for the LLM on campus in London, you will participate in lectures, seminars, and face-to-face discussions with tutors and other students.

If you are based elsewhere, or cannot follow the taught programme in London, must undertake the two-year, part-time distance learning programme.

Part-time study consists of four modules in the first year of study and two modules and the dissertation in the second year of study.

If you study by distance learning, you will receive access to extensive materials delivered online and by email, and participate in online discussions with tutors and other students.

Core Modules

ATM001-01 Research Methods Training

The aim of this module is to teach the students the research skills required for a postgraduate degree in Law and to familiarise students with the formation and testing of hypotheses. The course is taught by weekly 2-hour seminars, and is examined by one 3,500 words essays (maximum length including footnotes but excluding bibliography). The module will assist students in their general approach to research as well as practical issues such as essay-writing, footnoting etc.

This is the first course in Research Methods in which the IALS Library and the IALS Law Librarians are directly involved with the technical aspects or research training.

Assessment for this course is undertaken by the Course Director, Dr Constantin Stefanou.

ATM010-01 Comparative Legislative Studies I

The aim of these two modules is to introduce students to the theoretical constitutional framework in which legislative drafting takes place at the national and international levels taking into account political doctrines and approaches. Each module will involve 10 weeks of teaching in 2-hours weekly lectures and seminars. Each module is examined by one 3,500 words essay (maximum length) at the end of the module. Please note that the essay for these modules must be comparative.

ATM020-01 Comparative Legislative Studies II

The aim of these two modules is to introduce students to the theoretical constitutional framework in which legislative drafting takes place at the national and international levels taking into account political doctrines and approaches. Each module will involve 10 weeks of teaching in 2-hours weekly lectures and seminars. Each module is examined by one 3,500 words essay (maximum length) at the end of the module. Please note that the essay for these modules must be comparative.

ATM030-01 Legislative Drafting I

These two modules form the heart of legislative drafting training within the field of legislative studies covered by the LLM. The aim of the modules is to analyse and explore the distinct problems faced by professional drafters, and to propose and promote best practices in statutory drafting.

ATM040-01 Legislative Drafting II

These two modules form the heart of legislative drafting training within the field of legislative studies covered by the LLM. The aim of the modules is to analyse and explore the distinct problems faced by professional drafters, and to propose and promote best practices in statutory drafting.

ATM270-01 The Theory and Practice of Regulation

The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the theoretical background of regulation and to provide to them practical skills to apply this knowledge in practice. The course is taught by weekly 2-hour seminars that include presentations and practical exercises, and is examined by one 3,500 word essay (maximum length including footnotes but excluding bibliography).

Dissertation

15,000 word dissertation

To find out more about the course, download our programme specification. 

Distance learning offers you a more flexible way to study for a postgraduate degree in the humanities – combining innovative learning and teaching techniques with the ability to study from anywhere in the world.

We offer three master’s courses and a range of PhD supervision via distance learning. Our research degrees via distance learning allow you to study for a University of London MPhil or PhD degree from anywhere in the world. The programme is run on the same basis as campus-based programmes.

The School of Advanced Study will offer students with an appropriate topic and level of local resource the opportunity to undertake a PhD by distance learning. These students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Fees are the same as for our on-campus PhD programmes. 

Important note: It may not always be possible for all institutes and supervisors to offer the option of distance learning, as some topics are not appropriate to be studied this way. As such, we strongly recommend that you check first - before applying.

If you would like to be considered for our Research Degree programme via Distance Learning, please download and fill out the Research Degrees by Distance Learning form, to attach to your online application.

The normal minimum entrance requirement is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree from a university in the UK, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

We will consider applications from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements but who offer alternative qualifications and/or relevant experience. Applicants are not required to have a law degree nor a professional qualification in law. 

English is the language of instruction and applicants are required to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency.

Find out more about our entry requirements. 

For more information on how to apply, including deadlines and the documentation you will need to provide on the application form, visit our How to Apply page.

Fees are set annually and cover registration, tuition, and (in the case of research students) supervision.

Fees are quoted per annum -- that is, you will need to pay at least the fee quoted below for each year of your studies. Please note that tuition fees are subject to annual uplift. The University of London reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses and amend other details without prior notice.

See the Tuition Fees for 2024-25 - listed by Institute.

Our students fund their studies in a variety of ways including scholarships, bursaries and fellowships, as well as government loans and postgraduate loans. 

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that you don't need to pay back and are awarded based on personal circumstances or academic achievement. Funding at postgraduate level is competitive so it’s a good idea to plan financially before starting your course. 

For information about fees and funding from the School of Advanced Study, please visit the SAS Fees and Funding page.

The LLM is designed to meet your needs if you are seeking a career in legislative drafting or already working as a legislative drafter, or if you want a career in, or are already working for, organisations that produce different types of draft normative acts.

Many of our students are mid-career drafters employed by government (for example, by AG Chambers, the Ministry of Justice, or other ministries). We also have students who work for or aim to work for NGOs that propose normative acts to governments.

The LLM is also a good choice for students who are looking to go on to complete a PhD in Law. Our PhD graduates are pursuing successful careers in a variety of professions, including academia, legal practice, public sector, and civil society

The SAS Careers Service works with students and graduates of all ages and at all stages of career development across all the institutes. Our mission is to provide high-quality information about careers and skills, and professional advice and guidance. We help students with their career development, either within their current field of work or in something completely new. 

SAS students can access 1-2-1 guidance appointments throughout their studies and for up to 2 years after graduating, to help them plan their next steps, whatever they might be. We also offer CV, cover letter, and application advice as well as mock interviews with the SAS Careers Consultant who will empower you to feel more confident in your interview performance.