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Master of Laws
LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
A Master of Laws (LLM) in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, offered by The University of Law, is a postgraduate degree designed for law and non-law graduates to enhance your academic legal knowledge. This internationally recognised Master’s will allow you to develop an in-depth knowledge of different mediation and arbitration techniques and practices and can open up pathways to a careers as a domestic or international mediator or arbitrator in a range of industries such as construction and more.
key Facts
STUDY ONLINE
If you’re looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?
Course Details
LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
This is a hands-on, practical course which will realistically simulate mediation and negotiation scenarios, allowing you to develop the skills required in practice. Utilising the insights of our experienced professional lecturers, you’ll have the chance to gain first-hand advice and support to fully understand the nuances and skills required to achieve favourable outcomes during dispute resolution.
You will examine key aspects of alternative dispute resolution, including: negotiation; commercial arbitration; how to identify the most appropriate form of ADR; how to critically evaluate legal principles and practical solutions; and how to conduct and evaluate research relevant to your client’s needs. You will also cover mediation, in particular: the role of the mediator; the qualities and skills of an effective mediator; the structure of a mediation; mediation advocacy; drafting consent orders; position statements and settlement agreements; and practicing the art of mediation. This is a particularly practical course, where you will be expected to put into practice what you have learnt through simulated mediation and negotiation scenarios.
When you study the LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution with us you will:
- Be taught by our expert lecturers, including subject matter specialists, former and current practitioners, and research and teaching focused academics.
- Benefit from strategic partnerships with firms, regulators and accreditation bodies, which inform our programme development.
- Improve your employability by gaining important transferable skills and mapping your career with our careers team.
- Strengthen your network - connect with other students, faculty and industry professionals on an international scale, and seek out opportunities for future placements and job opportunities.
- Increase your earning potential - the 2023 Graduate Labour Market Statistics found that postgraduates on average earn £5,000 more than their graduate counterparts.
- Get ahead of the competition - gain in-depth knowledge of your topic of interest and become a subject expert, which will provide you with a competitive edge in the job market.
- Enjoy flexibility - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies.
- 94% of postgraduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2024.
- Prepare for the future of Legal Technology – study modules in legal technology and gain insight into this emerging area of law.
Take a look at our Centre of Excellence for Dispute Resolution, for more information about how you can benefit from our specialist programmes, strategic partnerships, expert teaching and resources to help you succeed in the field of dispute resolution.
Please note that, due to Home Office regulations, students who require a Student Route visa to study with us are not permitted to study online and can only choose face-to-face taught modules.
Upcoming Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for our September 2025 intake are as follows:
- International students requiring a Student Route Visa from outside the UK: Monday 28th July 2025
- International students requiring a Student Route Visa from inside the UK: Monday 8th September 2025
- Domestic and Online students: Monday 29th September 2025
Course Structure
Terms 1 & 2 (full-time) or 1-4 (part-time)
In addition to a general induction to the programme, there is a two-week induction covering the Key Principles of the English Legal System. This is compulsory for non-law students, but also open to students wanting a refresher in the fundamentals of the law of England and Wales. This would be useful for any student who has taken a considerable break from legal education.
Compulsory modules include:
- Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution**
- Research Methods Training to help you prepare for your dissertation
You may then choose two* modules from our elective module guide running at your location of study.
View the elective module guide
*All optional modules are subject to availability and may change from time to time. Not all modules may be available in all terms. Only modules running at the location of study will be available to choose.
Term 3 (full-time) or 5 & 6 (part-time)
- Dissertation in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Course Start Dates
September 2025
-
LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Master of Laws)
- Full-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
- Part-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
February 2026
-
LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Master of Laws)
- Full-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
- Part-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
September 2026
-
LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Master of Laws)
- Full-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
- Part-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
February 2027
-
LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Master of Laws)
- Full-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
- Part-time: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
Online
Study LLM Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Online starting September 2025, February 2026, September 2026 or February 2027
Course requirements
The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.
Study Online
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of a flexible study programme to fit around your other commitments together with the benefit of our expertise, experience and employability focus, why not consider our online study option?
eventsUpcoming Dates
Jul 16th
Convert to Law
Postgraduate
16:00 - 18:30
Online
Jul 17th
Unlocking Opportunities: Your LLM in Focus
Postgraduate
17:00 - 18:30
Online
Jul 22nd
Elevate your Career with an MBA (Virtual Event)
Postgraduate
18:00 - 19:00
Online
next event
1d 10h 39m
Course Information
Application and booking deadlines vary by intake - take a look at our key application and enrolment deadline dates for more information.
With so many options for studying this course, you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.
Modules are assessed by a three hour unseen written examination or 4,500 word coursework assignment.
All assessments are conducted online.
The dissertation module will be assessed by submission of a thesis (15,000 words), and provides an opportunity for sustained, in-depth and intensive investigation into, and reflection upon, a specialist area of Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
The course has an innovatively flexible structure, with specific assessments that are conducive to effective learning.
The approach to learning and teaching on the Master of Laws programmes is predominantly learner-centred. Each taught module is divided into a number of Units which are presented using the Prepare, Engage, Consolidate approach.
Prepare: this represents all the work the student needs to complete before attending the relevant workshop. Traditional lecture content will be presented in short bite-sized segments of approximately 10 minutes to better engage the modern student. Guided independent research and reading will be expected as part of a student’s preparation.
Engage: this represents the interactive element of the Unit. This could be a face to face
workshop, a synchronous online workshop or an asynchronous online activity.
Consolidate: this represents the final part of the Unit and can be used by students to check their understanding of the Unit immediately after their Engage activity or as part of their revision for the module or both.
Employability We Set You Up For Success
We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.
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Fees and Applying
You can apply for this course directly with the University.
This course cannot be chosen to study alongside our Legal Practice Course (LPC). For more information on the choice of Master's to study alongside our LPC, please visit the LPC page.
Please note: Our Master of Laws (LLM) programmes are not a direct route to qualification as a Barrister or Solicitor in the UK.
2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)
Domestic students
London: £13,450
Outside of London: £11,900
Non-domestic students
London: £18,500 (or £15,500 including a £3,000 International Bursary*)
Outside of London: £17,000 (or £14,500 including a £2,500 International Bursary*)
2025/26 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2025)
Domestic students
London: £14,000
Outside of London: £12,400
Non-domestic students
London: £19,050
Outside of London: £17,700
By studying a Master's degree you could be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £1000 Academic Master's Alumni Discount.
We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available which make studying with us more affordable than ever.
We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.
If you are an international student and are coming to the UK to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the UK Home Office.
The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the UK for 2 years post completion of a UK degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.
Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.
