LL.M. - How to Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from September 1 until June 30. The priority deadline for scholarship consideration is March 1. Enrollment is limited to the fall semester, which begins in early August.

We encourage applicants to submit their applications early in order to receive an enrollment decision in a timely manner; however, we will continue to accept and review applications continuously until June 30.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at llm@uchastings.edu.

Completed Application submitted via Law School Admission Council (LSAC)*
$75 Non-Refundable Application Fee paid though LSAC
Proof of English proficiency (see below)
Official Transcripts
Please follow the instruction available on this webpage to submit your official transcripts to LSAC. UC Hastings strongly recommends (but does not require) that applicants register for the LSAC CAS LL.M. International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation service, which requires an additional fee of $135. This includes the authentication and evaluation of transcripts/mark sheets, copies of degrees/diplomas, degree and graduation certificates, and rank statements so that US law schools better understand your academic credentials.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Please follow the instruction available on this webpage to submit letters of recommendation to LSAC. If you have graduated from your law degree program within the past two years, at least one of your recommendation letters must be from a former or present law teacher.
Personal Statement
Please tell us more about your experiences, your reasons for seeking an LL.M. degree, and the course of study you wish to pursue. Your personal statement should be typed and is limited to 3 – 5 pages. Your statement must be electronically attached to your LSAC application.
Current Résumé or CV
You will electronically attach your most recent resume or CV outlining your academic and professional achievements to your LSAC application.
Scholarship Application Form (optional – see below)

*The LSAC requirement will be waived and we will accept paper applications if you are a current student or a graduate of one of our exchange partner universities or a Riesenfeld nominee of a partner university. Please contact us at llmadmissions@uchastings.edu if you have any questions about the application process.

If English is not your native language, UC Hastings requires that applicants submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score through LSAC.

We require a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT) or 600 (PBT). Applicants should register for the TOEFL in time to ensure that your scores will be received by LSAC in advance of the UC Hastings application deadline. To have your TOEFL score report sent to LSAC, place an order to LSAC institution code 8395. Please visit http://www.toefl.com/for more information on the test and exam dates.

Applicants may also choose to submit scores through LSAC from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). We require a minimum IELTS score of 7. To have your IELTS score report sent to LSAC, you MUST indicate before or at the time of your exam that LSAC should receive a score report. Please visit http://ielts.org for more information on the test and exam dates.

TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Request

TOEFL/IELTS waiver requests will be considered if you have successfully completed and received an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where English is the primary language of instruction. To request a TOEFL/IELTS waiver, please submit an attachment to your LSAC application explaining why you are eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver.

Name: Vasiliki “Vanessa” Kiou
Class: 2015
Country: Greece

“The LL.M. program prepared me for a career in Business and Intellectual Property law, helped me develop a set of valuable skills, and expanded my professional network. Living in the heart of the global innovation ecosystem and studying in such a diverse academic environment was one of the most intellectually and socially stimulating experiences I have ever had.”

Name: Katlyn Anne Carlos Aguilar-Bilgera
Class: 2017
Country: Philippines

“Being an LL.M. student at UC Hastings was a rewarding experience. The school’s intellectually stimulating and enriching learning environment enabled me to go beyond my perceived limitations. Because of the knowledge, skills, and discipline I acquired and developed from the program, I am now able to contribute in preparing and shaping students to become competent and productive members of the legal profession in my home country. It is my hope that I will be able to exhibit the same commitment and competence which I have witnessed from my professors at UC Hastings.”

Name: Tripti Sharma
Class: 2006
Country: India

“The faculty at UC Hastings are very engaged with their students. Most have an “open door” policy and are extremely reachable. I was interested in Immigration Law at the beginning of my coursework and my professor guided me through the process of getting an externship in that area. It was a valuable experience and helped me improve my writing and researching skills.”