Postgraduate study in Laws:

Master of Laws (LLM), Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate

A check list to use when choosing an institution

Please remember that the University cannot comment on the standards of teaching or guarantee an institution's service to students. It is very important that you check carefully that the institution you intend to study at suits your needs.

Before enrolling with an institution here are some useful checks you could make:

• Is this a properly registered college or institute?
• How long has it been established? Be careful about institutions with little experience teaching at postgraduate level. High quality institutions cannot be set up in a year.
• How long has it been teaching External students? Has it got a 'track record' of successful results in University of London examinations or examinations at a similar level of university study?
• Does its prospectus give details of the specific services and facilities it can offer you? If not, can it give you written details of these?
• How do its services and fees compare with other institutions in your area?
• Does the timing and frequency of any classes or support suit you? Are there tutorials as well as lectures and what size are the tutorial groups?
• Does the institution offer teaching and learning support for all levels of the degree? Is this support limited to a range of units?
• How many lecturers are full time and how many part time?
• Ask to see the facilities, especially the library. Can you borrow books from the library or is it for reference only? If you already have your subject guides, check that there are copies of the essential and recommended texts. Is there room to study in the library and is it quiet?
• Will there be a written contract between you and the institution when you enrol? If not, make sure you understand the terms and conditions that apply and your liability. Check how you pay fees - in one payment or in instalments. What the refund policy is if you cease studying for any reason?
• Talk to students who are already enrolled and get their opinions.
• The University advise you not to enrol at an institution until you have an offer of registration from the University, but you may be eager to start your studies. If so, ask if the institution is able to charge you only for the tuition you have actually received if the University does not accept you.

Additional checks for online or correspondence institutions:

• If based in the UK, is the institution accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Council or a member of the Association of British Correspondence Colleges?
• If the institution offers study materials as part of its tuition, are these designed specifically for the University of London programme? Do they go beyond the External Programme subject guides in their content and coverage?
• If a tutor service is offered, what response time does the institution guarantee?
• Can you send in your assignments by fax or email and can you ask to receive feedback the same way?