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University of Kent: Kent Law School
www.kent.ac.uk/kent-law-school
Challenging convention. Pursuing justice. Empowering change.
Kent Law School is one of the UK’s most respected institutions for legal education, consistently recognised for its innovative and critical approach to the study of law. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, Kent Law School is ranked 17th in the UK, a reflection of its outstanding academic reputation and commitment to excellence.
What makes Kent distinctive is its critical legal education model. Rather than treating law purely as a set of rules and procedures, students at Kent are encouraged to understand law as a social, political, and ethical force. This interdisciplinary and reflective approach allows for a deeper examination of how legal systems operate within society, and how they are shaped by — and can shape — wider cultural, political, and economic contexts.
The Law School has earned particular recognition for its research quality, ranked 2nd in the UK for research intensity and quality in the Complete University Guide 2025. The School’s academics are not just educators but globally respected researchers engaged in cutting-edge legal scholarship. Postgraduate students benefit immensely from being part of this dynamic intellectual community, where teaching is informed by active research across a range of contemporary legal issues.
Whether you're interested in environmental justice, human rights, international trade, or the intersection of law and health, Kent Law School provides a platform to rethink how law operates in today’s complex world.
Flexible, Specialist Postgraduate Study Options
Kent Law School offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes, providing flexibility in both specialisation and delivery. Whether you're pursuing a taught Master’s (LLM), a research-based degree (LLM by Research or PhD), or a combination of academic and practical study, Kent provides a tailored academic experience designed to meet your professional goals.
Some of the standout LLM programmes include:
- LLM in International Commercial Law
- LLM in Human Rights Law
- LLM in International Environmental Law
- LLM in Criminal Justice
- LLM in Intellectual Property Law
View all Law postgraduate courses at Kent
In addition to specialist LLM pathways, students may also choose to pursue a general Kent LLM, allowing for broader academic exploration across multiple legal areas.
Flexibility is central to Kent’s postgraduate offering. Most programmes are available full-time or part-time, with September and January start dates. This allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional responsibilities.
The university also offers various funding and scholarship opportunities for both UK and international students, including full scholarships for doctoral researchers and financial support for those on taught programmes.
A Beautiful and Strategic Location in Canterbury
Kent Law School is located at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus, set in the heart of Southeast England. The campus itself is green, self-contained, and peaceful, offering an ideal academic environment. Surrounded by open spaces and wooded areas, it provides students with a quiet, reflective setting in which to study and build community.
Just a short walk from campus is the historic city of Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning cathedral, rich literary history, independent shops, cafés, and a vibrant arts scene. The hybrid setting — combining campus tranquillity with urban energy — gives students the best of both worlds. Fast train links also make London easily accessible in under an hour, making Kent an ideal location for those who want proximity to the capital without the hustle of city life.
Explore the campus virtually to get a feel for life at Kent. Kent Law School is a dynamic and cosmopolitan place to study a variety of taught (Master's/LLM) and research degrees (LLM by Research and PhD) with an international and contemporary focus gaining insight into facilities, lecture halls, accommodation, and the general campus atmosphere before applying.
You are immersed in a culture of critical research within the School, which is widely regarded as a centre of excellence in legal research and training, recognised in the latest Times Higher Education Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) ranking Kent Law School 2nd in the UK for research quality.
A Thriving Postgraduate and Professional Community
Student life at Kent Law School is rich with academic, social, and professional development opportunities. Postgraduate students are welcomed into a diverse, inclusive, and intellectually engaged postgraduate community . where collaboration, critical thought, and real-world impact are central values.
The Law School hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including guest lectures, seminars, workshops, and wellbeing initiatives. Many of these are organised by Kent’s leading research centres, such as the Centre for Critical International Law and the Centre for Sexuality, Race and Gender Justice (SeRGJ). These centres foster interdisciplinary collaboration and provide students with unique opportunities to engage in high-level academic discourse.
Extracurricular opportunities are abundant. Students can contribute to the Mastering Law blog and the annual LLM Conference. Student-led societies, peer support networks, and advocacy initiatives also enrich campus life.
Facilities for postgraduate students include:
- Dedicated study spaces and computing rooms
- Access to the Templeman Library,, featuring extensive electronic legal databases and 24/7 access
- Modern on-campus accommodation, including postgraduate-only study areas
- Blended learning tools for a flexible academic experience
- On-site Sports and wellbeing facilities, , including a gym, health centre, and mental health services
Career Support, Alumni Success, and How to Apply
Kent Law School doesn’t just prepare you for further academic research — it equips you for a successful and impactful legal career. Whether you're interested in practising law, entering academia, or working for NGOs, international organisations, or public policy institutions, Kent provides comprehensive careers support.
Kent’s Careers and Employability Service is available to all postgraduate students and continues to support alumni for up to three years after graduation. Services include:
- One-on-one career coaching
- CV and cover letter workshops
- Networking events with employers
- Internships and legal competitions
Kent’s Graduate and Researcher College also provides ongoing professional development, hosting networking events, research workshops, and social gatherings that help postgraduates stay connected and inspired.
Applying to Kent Law School
Applications for postgraduate programmes are submitted directly through the University of Kent’s application portal. UK and international applicants are encouraged to review:
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Entry requirements specific to each programme
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Visa and immigration guidance
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English language requirements
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Funding and scholarship eligibility
Find out more about the Application process here.
Prospective students can connect with current postgraduates through the student ambassador programme, which offers insights into academic life, campus culture, and personal experiences at Kent Law School.
Join us – Make an impact in Society
Kent Law School offers more than just a postgraduate degree — it offers a chance to engage deeply with law as a tool for change. Whether you aim to work in the public or private sector, shape international policy, or pursue academic research, Kent provides a supportive, stimulating, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and ambitions can thrive.
With a reputation for excellence, a collaborative and inclusive academic community, and a strategic location in historic Canterbury, Kent Law School is an ideal choice for those who want to understand law in its fullest context — and use that understanding to make a real-world impact.
Discover Kent’s Law LLM – Lead the change.
Available courses
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