Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Lincoln's Inn Fields
- Fees
- Home: £19,800
Overseas: £31,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
As part of the programme, we organise visits and discussions at some of the most influential art establishments in the UK. Previously, this has included guided tours of the British Museum, The Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum, together with legal discussions of their collections and practices. Some of these visits are part of our formal Co-Curricular Programme we offer across the semesters where we invite practitioners across the field to engage with our students, while other visits are conducted on a more informal, ad hoc basis.
Further enriching the academic experience, is our Visiting Scholar and Researcher in Residence Scheme, augmenting the research environment for our faculty and students through interactions with a visiting scholar and the various workshops or masterclasses delivered by them during their time with us. For example, our first scholar in residence, from the University of Amsterdam delivered a public lecture as well as a student seminar on restitution issues relating to Nazi-looted art, and also a master class on research methodology for all post-graduate students.
You will also have voluntary access to an excellent series of lectures in Critical Thinking and Writing in Law, a programme offered to all our LLM students to help you to improve your writing and legal research skills.
You will also have the opportunity to attend introductory lectures offered to LLM students during the CCLS induction weeks, including seminars on the common law, commercial law and other relevant topics.
Educational activities
CCLS’s qLegal clinic offers further career training opportunities for our students. It is an award-winning law clinic, providing legal assistance and support to tech start-ups and entrepreneurs, providing students with in-depth commercial and legal training, with an emphasis on innovation and creativity. Past projects in the creative industry including working with clothes designers, film makers, immersive experience organisers, NFTs and IP issues.
qLegal also hosts a blog competition allowing students to research topics of their choice. These articles can be creative and link to any area of law, such as this blogpost about the menswear industry published in 2021.
An experience in the field of art law is not guaranteed. However, qLegal’s experience is always legal and commercial. The programmes will allow you to develop a set of skills and knowledge transferable to any field.
Join the Queen Mary Network and speak to our community about this programme.
Lecture Series
The ABL programme has introduced two lecture series since its inception. The first, Visiting Scholar and Researcher Lecture Series involves scholars and researchers visiting at CCLS.
Another exciting new initiative was introduced in 2022 with artist, Ben Kinmont giving the inaugural lecture of our Artists’ Talks series which explores issues such as the relationship between art and law from the artist’s perspective. The series is the brainchild of one of our former students, Mary Rinebold, writer and consultant at Canvas Art Law, who is the curator of the series and has continued this year with artist Haley Mellin exploring the link between art and conservation.
Structure
- Six compulsory modules over 2 semesters (150 credits)
- Compulsory 10,000-word dissertation (30 credits)
This programme is available as part time study. Part time study allows the student to complete their programme over a 2-year period. The same credit requirements apply as for the full-time LLM apply but are spread over 2 years.
You can also choose to complete your SQE Preparation alongside this LLM which is available for both full-time and part-time study. Find out more
Please see the academic year plan for an idea of the structure of the programme and key periods of assessment.
Modules
Assessment
- You will be assessed by a range of methods combining examinations and coursework which will be fully explained in your student pack available during induction.
- You will undertake self-directed research and writing in completing your assessed dissertation
FAQs
—The course provided a holistic learning experience covering all the relevant and important topics in this specialised area, right in the heart of the art capital of London. Through guest seminars, workshops and lectures, we were given access to a wide range of different stakeholders and experts in the art market which further contextualised our studies.
Zaki Jumahri, Art, Business and Law LLM, 2022. Read more testimonials from students on the Art, Business and Law LLM.
Teaching
The modules are taught in a diversity of styles including lecture format, case study analysis, group exercises, with plenty of opportunity for interactive discussion throughout.
The faculty is made up of an eclectic mix of leading academics and researchers from CCLS and IAL, and respected industry practitioners, some of whom are featured on the right.
You will have a team of advisors to support you, including the ABL Programme Director, the LLM and Research Directors, your dissertation supervisor and your module convenors.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Free access to online databases and collections including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Justis, Eur-lex, Hein-Online, and many more.
- The Postgraduate School of Law Centre in Central London and the Graduate Centre at Mile End.
- Queen Mary’s excellent Law Library and European Documentation Centre.
- Access to the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and the Library at Senate House.
- Queen Mary’s unique Intellectual Property Archive at Clore House.
Campus
You will be based in the heart of London, a short walk from some of the UK's leading art institutions and their archives. You will have access to an extraordinary range of archives and resources – helping you to build a network of professional connections.
Teaching is based at the School of Law's postgraduate centre at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), located in Lincoln's Inn Fields. This area is home to numerous barristers’ chambers and law firms and is also short walk from the Royal Courts of Justice. Our academics and students interact with leading legal professionals, many of whom regularly teach and take part in our seminars and conferences.
Depending on the modules you choose, you may also have classes at the Mile End Campus or the University of London's Institute of Advanced Legal Studies or Charterhouse Square.
About the School
The School of Law
The School of Law is part of Queen Mary University of London, a member of both the University of London and the Russell Group. The School was ranked 7th in the UK and 32nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, and 10th in the UK and 50th in world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject.
The School of Law has consistently been ranked in the top 10 law schools in the UK for the quality of our research and teaching, and many of our internationally recognised staff act as advisers to governments, industry and NGOs, both nationally and internationally.
The School's central focus is on the role of law and its institutions in contemporary international society. The School of Law is divided into two organisational units: the Department of Law and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). The School of Law hosts the largest and most diverse LLM programme in the UK.
Career paths
There is a very high rate of employment of our students within six months of graduation. Our graduates have gone on to work in culture ministries, museums, creative industries, practising as solicitors, working as consultants and continuing education in the field. We have specialist career advisers who organise events and assist with finding internship opportunities at UK and international law firms and other employers.
We also offer:
- A student workplace scheme at a major London firm, with a specialist art law team
- CCLS’s mentoring programme with art law mentors
- Specialist training with qLegal, our award-winning law clinic. Past projects include working with clothes designers, film makers, NFTs and IP issues.
- 96% of our graduates are in full time employment/further study 15 months after graduation - Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21
—I was assigned to a tech start-up working as an intern on tasks and projects involving crypto and digital art, and NFTs. The experience was useful and helped me understand more about crypto art and apply knowledge learned in class across a range of issues.
Chiara Gallo, 2022, participated in an internship during her time with qLegal. Read more testimonials from students on the Art, Business and Law LLM.
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £19,800
- Overseas: £31,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £23,340
- Overseas: £37,800
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £11,670
- Overseas: £18,900
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £9,900
- Overseas: £15,750
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
School of Law scholarships
Other sources of funding
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in Law or a degree with substantial law content.
Law graduates with a 2:2 honours degree who also have other legal qualifications and/or substantial professional legal experience may also qualify.
Other routes
Non-law graduates with a minimum second class honours degree, that have also obtained a Merit (or 60 per cent) in the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) recognised by the UK professional bodies, may also qualify. Non-law graduates may also be considered on the basis of exceptional professional experience in a legal area or an area directly related to their programme of study. Particular regard will be had to (i) successful completion by the applicant of any certificate or diploma course or courses offered by IAL and (ii) professional experience in the art field with a legal element.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
All postgraduate programmes in this school have non-standard English language requirements.
For the English language requirements for this course, see programmes with non-standard English language requirements .
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.