Master of Legal Studies
Course Overview
The Master of Legal Studies is a 12 to 18-month postgraduate programme delivered entirely online through LOU's virtual learning environment. The programme is designed for legal practitioners, governance professionals, policy advisors and international relations specialists who want to advance into senior legal management, research and advisory roles at executive or policy level. Drawing on UK and international legal frameworks, the curriculum is research-informed with an online legal research dissertation at its core.
By completing the Master of Legal Studies, graduates will be equipped to advise organisations and governments on complex legal and regulatory matters, conduct publishable-quality legal research and lead compliance and governance programmes at the highest professional levels — through postgraduate online study accessible from any jurisdiction in the world.
Key Features
- Curriculum aligned with Law Society of England and Wales, CIArb and United Nations legal framework standards
- Live online lectures, recorded sessions available on demand, and digital library access through LOU's platform
- Online legal research dissertation examining a contemporary UK or international legal, policy or governance question
- Corporate law, public international law, arbitration and comparative law at postgraduate depth
- Virtual tutorial sessions with legal academics and senior practitioner tutors across commercial and public law
- Online research methodology for legal studies — doctrinal, socio-legal and comparative methods
- Global perspective — international human rights law, UN treaty frameworks and cross-border legal governance
What You Will Learn
- Apply advanced legal research methodology to complex UK and international legal problems at postgraduate level
- Evaluate corporate governance frameworks including directors' duties, shareholder rights and regulatory compliance
- Analyse public international law, treaty obligations and the legal frameworks governing global institutions
- Assess the intersection of international human rights law and domestic legal systems at comparative level
- Design advanced dispute resolution strategies integrating arbitration, mediation and litigation at advisory level
- Evaluate data protection, digital regulation and cyber law at the intersection of law and technology
- Conduct independent legal research and produce an online research dissertation of publishable quality
- Advise on cross-border regulatory compliance and international legal risk at executive and board level
Who This Course Is For
- Legal practitioners and compliance directors seeking research-informed postgraduate credentials online
- LOU Bachelor of Legal Studies graduates progressing to postgraduate legal specialisation
- Policy advisors, NGO legal directors and international relations professionals deepening legal expertise
- Governance and regulatory affairs specialists seeking a formal postgraduate qualification in law
- International legal professionals who need to study from anywhere in the world at London postgraduate standards
Career Pathways
- Legal Advisor (Senior)
- Corporate Governance Manager
- Policy Analyst
- International Development Officer
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- UN Programme Officer
- Human Rights Lawyer
LOU's online career support assists Master of Legal Studies graduates with executive legal CV preparation, LinkedIn coaching and online interview preparation for senior advisory, governance and policy roles in legal services, international organisations and the public sector worldwide.
Entry Requirements
- A UK 2:2 (Lower Second Class) honours degree or overseas equivalent in any discipline
- Applicants without a first degree may be considered with 5+ years of senior professional experience
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band under 6.0) or equivalent English proficiency
- A 500-word research statement covering the applicant's chosen area of specialisation
- Two academic or professional references and a short online interview
Why Study at LOU
LOU — London Online University — delivers postgraduate legal education entirely through its virtual learning environment, with the Master of Legal Studies accessible from any jurisdiction worldwide via LOU's online platform. Live online lectures with legal academics and practitioner tutors, recorded sessions available on demand and digital library access provide rigorous postgraduate legal education without campus attendance.
Aligned with Law Society and CIArb standards, the Master of Legal Studies provides internationally relevant postgraduate legal credentials. LOU's dedicated online career support, virtual tutorial sessions and peer network of legal professionals support every student throughout the degree and beyond.
Apply for Master of Legal Studies
The Master of Legal Studies is delivered entirely online, enabling legal professionals and policy specialists to achieve a London-standard postgraduate qualification from any jurisdiction in the world. Advance your career with an LOU Master's degree delivered entirely online. Begin your postgraduate legal journey with LOU today. Enrol Now
