Discover the heritage and academic excellence of The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London.
The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London is one of the oldest law schools in England and recognised globally as one of the most prestigious law schools in the world. Our online master’s enable you to benefit from our outstanding reputation and expertise, as well as the convenience of flexible study.
History and reputation
Renamed The Dickson Poon School of Law in 2012, our Law School was founded almost 200 years ago in 1831. Our comprehensive portfolio of bachelors, master's and research degrees includes the online International Corporate & Commercial Law LLM and online International Financial & Commercial Law LLM.
Thanks to our base in the Strand Campus – a stone’s throw from the Royal Courts of Justice and four Inns of Court – we enjoy excellent relationships with legal practitioners and judges, and politicians in the Houses of Parliament nearby. Among the Distinguished Visitors we have welcomed in the past are two former Lord Chief Justices of England and Wales and the Chief Justice of Rwanda.
Further afield, our connections extend to law schools, institutions and law firms across the globe. The Law School is a founding member of the European Law School Network, which represents three legal systems across Europe. We also co-founded the Center for Transnational Legal Studies in London, a global partnership in legal education with 21 world-class law schools. While our membership of the Law Schools Global League provides opportunities for education and research partnerships in 24 countries across five Continents.
“What you learn when you are reading the law is not only about the legal principles, but if you have any humanity in you at all, you think about the people who are involved in the cases. Reading law is a much wider subject than just learning a few rules or statutes; it’s about people, and that’s why reading law is such a fascinating subject.”
Rt Hon Lord Igor Judge (1941-2023), former Lord Chief Justice, former Distinguished Visitor and Visiting Professor, The Dickson Poon School of Law.
Academic expertise
With one of the country’s most distinguished research and teaching reputations, we rank among the 15 best universities in the world for Law and Legal Studies (2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject).
Our faculty includes active researchers, many of whom are recognised globally for their expertise. They advise governments, serve on commissions and a variety of public bodies, influencing policy and practice at both national and international levels. A range of visiting lecturers and practitioners from leading law firms helps to ensure that your education focuses on the application of the law, not just the theory.
Our teaching ethos encourages you to think deeply about your studies and the impact the law can make on individuals and society. Our innovative and interactive teaching methods include research-focused seminars. You’ll also have opportunities to debate and discuss cases and stories in the news with a hugely diverse student body. This gives you a global perspective and broadens your mindset.
Research impact
In the most recent national research assessment, the Research Excellent Framework (REF) 2021, 84% of our research was judged 4* and 3*, representing the highest classifications. We work in partnership with organisations including the Leverhulme Trust, The British Academy, Wellcome Trust, the European Research Council, The British Council, and the UK Research and Innovation.
The problem-based approach to our research ensures we are helping to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges and debates. These range from equality and human rights, such as assisted dying and modern slavery, to climate change, globalisation, international relations, and international trade.
In 2014, we launched the Transnational Law Institute with its mission to become a world-leading centre for the development and dissemination of knowledge of transnational law. We focus on the role of law and lawyers in three main areas: transnational human rights, democracy and the rule of law (TLI-HRs); transnational environmental law (TLI-EL); and transnational health (TLI-Health).
Networking and career development
One of the biggest attractions for our online master’s students is the diversity of our online cohorts and the opportunity to learn alongside professionals from different backgrounds and cultures. You could find yourself studying with top lawyers, senior partners and judges, as well as recent graduates.
On graduation, you’ll join the thousands of alumni who connect each year at professional networking events, online and face-to-face. You can also sign up to King’s Connect, the University’s alumni networking and mentoring platform, which gives you the chance to join a variety of different social and professional forums, expanding your global network.
Why study an online LLM with The Dickson Poon School of Law?
Put simply, when you study an online master’s, you get the same quality of education as your on-campus counterparts, but with much more flexibility. Becoming part of a legal education that dates back almost two centuries, you’ll be taught by the same academics whose internationally recognised expertise and research informs the curriculum.
You’ll also have access to up-to-date materials delivered exclusively via our own learning platform, King’s E-Learning and Teaching Service (KEATS). KEATS supports your teaching and learning by providing materials electronically and enabling you to engage in interactive features, such as assessments, discussions and assignments.
Ready to join one of the oldest and most respected law schools in England?
