Office of Admissions
LUMS DHA, Lahore Cantt. 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3560 8000 Ext.: 2177
LL.M
LL.M
Overview
The Master of Laws (LL.M) at the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL), LUMS, is a graduate programme designed for law graduates and legal professionals seeking advanced training in legal research, writing, and analysis. Marking twenty years of legal education at SAHSOL, the LL.M programme builds on the School’s distinctive approach to legal scholarship grounded in critical inquiry and an engagement with law in its institutional, social, and political contexts. The programme offers an intellectually demanding environment in which students deepen their understanding of law while developing the skills required for advanced legal practice, research, and academic work.
Structured over three semesters and comprising 30 credit hours, the LL.M combines a set of core courses with a wide range of electives. Core courses in Advanced Legal Writing, Legal Research and Methodology, and a Research Seminar provide students with a strong foundation in legal analysis, interdisciplinary inquiry, and independent research, with opportunities for supervised independent research, including the option to undertake an LL.M thesis involving original legal scholarship.
Students may tailor their course of study in consultation with school advisors, drawing on SAHSOL’s extensive elective offerings. Areas of focus include Law, Government, and Citizenship, Business Law, Criminal Law, International and Comparative Law, and Legal Theory. Electives reflect ongoing legal developments and are informed by the distinguished faculty’s active engagements in scholarship and practice. The programme also offers opportunities for clinical and experiential learning, enabling students to engage with law beyond the classroom.
Structure
The LL.M programme at SAHSOL is structured over three semesters and a total of 30 credit hours. The programme combines a set of core courses with a broad range of electives, allowing students to tailor their studies in line with their academic and professional goals. Students work closely with programme advisors throughout the programme to design an individual course of study. Depending on their interests, students may place greater emphasis on coursework or pursue opportunities for independent research.
LL.M Thesis (Research Option)
Students who opt for the research-oriented pathway complete an LL.M thesis involving original legal research. The thesis takes the form of a substantial research paper of approximately 10,000–15,000 words and is completed under faculty supervision.
The thesis is expected to demonstrate independent research, analytical depth, and scholarly rigour. Students are encouraged to align their thesis topic with their chosen area of study, and the research process concludes with an oral defence before faculty members.
Core Courses
All LL.M students complete the following core courses, which provide a shared foundation in advanced legal skills and research:
Advanced Legal Writing
This course develops advanced legal writing skills across professional and academic contexts. Students work on legal memoranda, briefs, opinions, legislation, and analytical essays, with sustained attention to structure, clarity, argumentation, and audience.
Legal Research and Methodology
This course introduces doctrinal, comparative, and interdisciplinary approaches to legal research. Students learn to identify and analyse primary and secondary legal sources, use major legal databases, and engage with empirical and socio-legal research methods.
LL.M Research Seminar
This seminar introduces students to contemporary legal scholarship and faculty research areas. It supports the development of research questions and literature review skills, and familiarises students with current debates across key fields of law.
Electives and Area of Study
In addition to the core courses, students choose from a wide range of electives offered by SAHSOL that reflect ongoing developments in law, policy, and practice. Several electives incorporate experiential or practice-oriented components, enabling students to engage with legal problems through simulations, supervised projects, or clinic-style learning, alongside doctrinal and theoretical study. Course offerings may vary from year to year depending on faculty expertise and emerging areas of legal inquiry.
Law, Government, and Citizenship
This area focuses on key questions of public law, including rights, political processes, and governmental accountability. Courses also examine the relationship between the state and citizens, including through issue areas such as technology, privacy, and the environment.
Indicative electives include: Equality and Discrimination Law, Technology & the Regulation of Social Media.
Criminal Law
Courses examine how criminality is defined, regulated, and contested within legal systems. Areas of focus may include criminal procedure, punishment, justice institutions, and broader social and ethical questions surrounding crime and responsibility.
Indicative electives include: LUMS Law Clinic; Crime, Justice, and Society
Business Law
This area addresses the legal frameworks governing economic activity, including taxation, finance, corporate structures, and cross-border commercial regulation. Courses engage with both domestic and international dimensions of business and market regulation.
Indicative electives include: Tax Law; International Corporate Finance Law.
Legal Theory
Courses explore the philosophical, critical, and interdisciplinary foundations of law. Drawing on diverse theoretical traditions, this area examines how law is shaped, interpreted, and challenged within society.
Indicative electives include: Anthropology of Law; Advanced Law and Violence.
International and Comparative Law
This area covers international legal regimes and comparative study of legal systems across jurisdictions. Courses may focus on global governance, conflict, regulation, and comparative approaches to constitutional and public law.
Indicative electives include: War Law; Climate Change and Environmental Policy.
Admission Criteria
Fall Admission 2026
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to be considered for admission to the LL.M Programme.
Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:
- Academic Record;
- Performance in the Admission Test;
- Statement of Academic Purpose;
- Two Letters of Recommendation;
- Work Experience (preferred but not mandatory);
- Online Application Submission;
- Online Submission of Supporting Documents and Fee Payment;
- Application Review; and
- Interview Performance (if called)
To be considered for admission evaluation, ensure all steps are completed on or before the stipulated deadline.
Note These are the minimum requirements that applicants need to fulfil in order to be eligible to apply. Fulfillment of these criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS. Admission decisions made by the University are final.
Academic Record
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 16 years of education with a prior law degree (J.D, LL.B, LL.B (Hons.), BA-LL.B, or equivalent).
- Pakistani law degrees: Awarded by institutions recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, with a minimum CGPA of 2.4 (on a scale of 4) or Second Division.
- UK law degrees: Minimum of a 2:1 classification.
- Other foreign law degrees: Assessed for equivalence in accordance with HEC guidelines.
Note: Applicants completing their last degree by May 30, 2026, are also eligible to apply for Fall 2026 admission.
Test Requirement
Applicants are required to take One (1) of the following tests to be considered for Fall 2026 admissions:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE (General) scores are valid for Five (5) years. Scores of GRE (General) taken before May 10, 2021, will not be considered valid for the Fall 2026 admission. For further details, visit www.ets.org
- NTS GAT (General)
NTS GAT (General) scores are valid for Two (2) years. Scores of NTS (General) taken before May 10, 2024, will not be considered valid for Fall 2026 admission. Moreover, a cumulative score of 50 in GAT (General) is the minimum requirement for admission. For further information, visit www.nts.org.pk LGAT (LUMS Graduate Admission Test)
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) will be conducted only once for Fall 2026 admissions at the designated cities of Pakistan. The LGAT Scores will be valid only for Fall 2026 admissions. The LGAT scores will be used for application evaluation and will not be disclosed to the applicants.
The LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is designed to assess applicants’ proficiency across three key areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Reasoning. While the exact number of questions may vary, the Verbal section typically includes around 30 multiple-choice questions, the Quantitative section consists of approximately 20 questions, and the Analytical Reasoning section contains about 15 questions. Each section is allocated approximately 40 minutes. All questions are presented in a multiple-choice format.
Click here to access the LGAT guidelines and explore sample questions.
Note:
If the applicant has taken more than one test or attempt, the best score of a single test or attempt will be considered for application evaluation, provided all test(s)/attempt(s) are declared in the admissions application.
The GRE (General) is offered as a Computer adaptive test worldwide. The LUMS code to receive official GRE (General) scores from Pearson and ETS is 0679.
Submission
The admission application will be considered for evaluation after the successful completion of the following Four (4) STEPS by the applicants on or before the stipulated deadlines:
Online submission of scanned copies of required supporting documents;
Submission of an appropriate Application Processing Fee; and
Online submission of the Letters of Recommendation by the Referees.
Application Processing Fee
- The application processing fee is PKR 5,000.
- LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) registration fee is PKR 3,000.
- The application processing fee is USD 200 for International applicants.
Note:
Applicants must complete and submit their Online Admission application on or before April 14, 2026, 5:00 pm (PKT).
Applicants are required to submit the scanned copies of all supporting documents online on or before April 15, 2026.
After the successful submission of the Online application, applicants must make the Processing Fee payment by the deadline.
Referees must submit completely filled Letters of Recommendation by the given deadline.
Completion of all steps is mandatory. Applications, documents, or fees received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.
Application Review/Interview Performance
Applicants are advised to submit complete and accurate information regarding their academic background, research, writing experience or any other relevant achievement.
Applications will be reviewed by the relevant committee. Shortlisting for interviews will be done based on the applicant's academic achievement, statement of academic purpose, admission test scores and letters of recommendation. Only short-listed candidates will be called for the interviews.
Statement of Academic Purpose
Applicants to the LL.M Programme at the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL), LUMS are required to submit a Statement of Academic Purpose. This statement is a central part of the application and is used to assess an applicant’s academic preparedness, intellectual focus, and fit with the objectives and structure of the SAHSOL LL.M
The Statement of Academic Purpose should be analytical and reflective, not merely descriptive. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate clarity of thought, maturity of academic interests, and an understanding of advanced legal study.
Applicants should use the statement to address the following, as relevant to their background and goals:
Academic background and preparation
Discuss prior educational experiences that have shaped your interest in advanced legal study.
Proposed areas of academic interest
Identify the substantive areas of law you wish to pursue during the LL.M
Engagement with law as a discipline
Reflect on how you understand law as a field of study, whether doctrinal, comparative, interdisciplinary, empirical, or policy-oriented.
Research and writing interests
Applicants should comment on their interest in research-led study. Where applicable, reference prior research projects, writing samples, or questions you wish to explore further at the graduate level.
Academic and professional objectives
Explain how the SAHSOL LL.M fits into your longer-term academic, professional, or public-interest goals.
Format and Length
- The statement should typically be 750–1,250 words.
- It should be written in clear, formal English, with attention to structure, coherence, and argument.
- Applicants should avoid restating their CV and instead focus on reflection, analysis, and academic intent.
There is no single “correct” approach to the statement. Applicants are encouraged to write thoughtfully and honestly, demonstrating how they will contribute to and benefit from SAHSOL’s graduate academic community.
Letters of Recommendation
References are a crucial component of the LL.M application. Referees’ assessments of an applicant’s academic ability and potential, relevant skills and qualities, and overall motivation and suitability for graduate study in law are given careful consideration.
Applicants are required to nominate two referees who know their work well and can provide informed and specific comments. Academic references are strongly preferred, though applicants may choose referees best placed to their capacity for advanced legal study. Where the submitted references do not allow for a full assessment, an additional reference may be requested.
Work Experience
It's important to note that work experience is preferred but not a compulsory requirement for admission to our LL.M Programme.
The modes of payment are as follows:
1. Voucher can be paid through cash, Pay Order and Bank Drafts made in favour of "Lahore University of Management Sciences" at any branch within Pakistan of following banks:
- Allied Bank Limited
- Meezan Bank Limited (Customer Code: LUMS)
- Bank Al-Habib Limited
2. For online Credit/Debit card payment, please click here.
3. Vouchers can also be paid through ATM machines and internet banking portals of the following banks:
- Allied Bank Limited
- Askari Bank Limited
- Bank Alfalah Limited
- Bank Al-Habib Limited
- Faysal Bank Limited
- Meezan Bank Limited
- Standard Chartered (Only for Online Payments)
Note:
- For making payments through internet banking portals/ATM, students need to have bank account in the respective bank.
- Fee payment through "Pay Orders" is accepted at banks up to two working days prior to the payment deadline. Fee may be paid through Cash Receipts, Online Services and Credit/Debit Cards till payment deadline.
Advance Tax:
Through an amendment in the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 by Finance Act 2013, advance tax (under section 236 I) shall be collected @ 5% on the entire amount of fee except refundable portion.
Bank Helpline Numbers
Allied Bank Limited
1. UAN: 111-225-225, Branch contact No: 042-35748308
2. Regional Office: 042-35747603
Meezan Bank Limited
1. Region Office: 92-42-35786207
2. Head Office: 92-21-36406139
Bank Al-Habib Limited
1. Karachi: 92-21-32277231-239, Lahore: 0333-1218430
2. DHA Ph. 5 Branch: 042-37189231 042-37189234
Fee Structure for FY 2026-27
| Particulars | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours | 12 | 12 | 6 | 30 |
| PKR | PKR | PKR | PKR | |
| Admission Fee | 164,410 | - | - | 164,410 |
| Tuition Fee | 1,243,920 | 1,243,920 | 621,960 | 3,109,800 |
| Semester Registration Fee | 52,400 | 52,400 | 52,400 | 157,200 |
| SOP | - | - | - | - |
| Reading Material | - | - | - | - |
| General Security | 68,590 | - | - | 68,590 |
| Total | 1,529,320 | 1,296,320 | 674,360 | 3,500,000 |
Important Points
- The above breakdown of fee structure is for the entire LL.M programme.
- The per credit hour rate for FY 2026–27 is PKR 103,660/-
- Fees are payable by semester according to the schedule given in the Annual Fee bill.
- University fees are usually announced once each year. However, the University reserves the right to change its policies and fee structure at any time.
- The aforementioned fee structure for the LL.M programme is currently tentative and may be subject to change.
Refund Policy
To learn more about the University's Refund Policy, please click here.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Deadline | April 14, 2026, 5:00 pm (PKT) |
| Deadline to upload supporting documents (Online) and pay the application fee | April 15, 2026 |
| LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) | April 26, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Deadline to take GRE (General)/NTS GAT (General) | May 10, 2026 |
| Admission Decisions | July 31, 2026 |
| Commencement of Classes | September, 2026 (Tentative) |
Note:
- The University reserves the right to change dates and deadlines for admissions. Please stay connected to this webpage and the Online Admissions Portal to remain informed of any updates or changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already have an LL.M degree Can I apply to LUMS?
Yes. We do not exclude candidates who already have an LL.M or any other graduate degree, provided they fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria.
Do you require any entrance test for admission to the LL.M Programme?
Yes, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or NTS GAT (General) or LGAT score is required for admission to the LL.M Programme.
For how long are the GRE scores valid?
GRE scores are valid for five years. GRE taken five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid.
How do I register for GRE?
Details regarding registration are given on www.ets.org.
I would like to submit my GRE score to LUMS when I take the test. What is the code?
Our GRE reporting code from ETS is 0679.
Is there any preference by LUMS in attempting GRE/NTS GAT (General) or LGAT?
There is no preference in taking GRE/NTS GAT (General) or LGAT.
If I take GRE more than once, do you consider my highest score?
We will consider the best scores of a single attempt.
By which date should applicants expect their Test Registration Cards of LGAT?
Test Registration Cards and instructions will be visible to the applicant's online application account under the “Application Status” tab with an email that the Test Registration Card has been posted. It will be visible to the applicant's online account one week before the test date.
I have submitted my online application & all required documents on time but I am unable to view my Test Registration Card?
If an applicant is unable to view his/her Test Registration Card despite completing all the requirements, then he/she can write to us at admissions@lums.edu.pk.
Does the full-time LUMS LL.M Programme offer spring admission?
Given the structure of the curriculum, we only offer fall admission.
How do I inform LUMS about a change in the online application?
It is highly recommended that applicants fill out the application form carefully. Changes cannot be made after the submission of online application. In extreme circumstances an applicant can send the updated information to admissions@lums.edu.pk with the specific header ‘Change in Application Form’.
How many letters of recommendation should I submit?
Minimum two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation for me and when will my referees receive the email?
References are a crucial component of the LL.M application. Referees’ assessments of an applicant’s academic ability and potential, relevant skills and qualities, and overall motivation and suitability for graduate study in law are given careful consideration.
Applicants are required to nominate two referees who know their work well and can provide informed and specific comments. Academic references are strongly preferred, though applicants may choose referees best placed to their capacity for advanced legal study. Where the submitted references do not allow for a full assessment, an additional reference may be requested.
Your referees will receive an email within 24 hours once you submit your application. Please inform your referees to check their spam/junk folders if they have not received the email.
Can I transfer credits from another Graduate Programme?
Transfer of credits from another programme to the LUMS LL.M programme is not allowed. All admitted students, regardless of having an advanced degree, will begin the programme as a first-year student.
Can I submit more than one admission application for LL.M?
No, you cannot submit more than one application in an academic year for the LL.M Programme.
May I apply using the paper-based application and send paper materials?
We only accept applications submitted electronically. This allows us to process your application more quickly and allows you to stay informed of the status of your application throughout the process by checking it online.
How will you notify me regarding a decision on my application?
Admission decision will be communicated through courier service; however, you can also check your application status through your online account under the “Admission Status” tab. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding the application status by telephone or email.
May I appeal my admission decision or ask to have the decision explained?
The admission process is a well-deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, all of them do not qualify because of the limited number of available seats. The decision regarding admission is final. If your application is unsuccessful, you will also receive a letter informing you of this. Due to the volume of applications the University receives, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
My final transcript will be complete by the end of June, can I apply?
Applicants completing their last degree by May 30, 2026 are eligible for applying in Fall 2026 admissions.
Who is an international applicant?
A foreign national who is not of Pakistani origin and does not have a Pakistani passport/NICOP/CNIC is eligible to apply to LUMS as an international applicant. Applicants holding dual nationality, one of which is Pakistani, will not be considered an international applicant.
What is the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan?
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is an independent, autonomous, and constitutionally established institution of primary funding, overseeing, regulating, and accrediting higher education in Pakistan.
How do I get equivalence from Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan?
International students can get equivalence through the following process: https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/Pages/default.aspx
Does LUMS offer campus accommodation to international students?
LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for international students.
Financial Support at LUMS
LUMS is committed to making high-quality education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds. Our financial aid programme offers a wide range of support options, designed to facilitate students who demonstrate both high academic achievement and financial need.
Financial aid awards are assessed each year, considering academic performance, demonstrated financial need, available resources, and university policies. While LUMS endeavours to provide substantial financial assistance within its available resources, students are encouraged to explore external funding sources to complement the aid provided by the university.
LUMS strives to enable students to pursue their educational and professional goals without financial barriers, reinforcing our commitment to an inclusive and academically vibrant community.
The following financial support options are available for SDSB Graduate Programme students:
- LUMS Financial Aid
- Women's Scholarship
Maintaining Eligibility
- Financial Aid Award is valid for One (1) year only. Continuation of aid in the subsequent year is subject to reassessment.
- Students receiving Financial Aid should maintain a full-time status in a regular semester. Failure to do so will lead to the cancellation of the Financial aid award.
- Financial aid award can be increased, reduced or kept the same at any stage of review during your stay at LUMS
- LUMS reserves the right to physically verify the beneficiary's home/business premises.
- LUMS reserves the right to amend, cancel, or terminate the awarded Financial Aid in case of any misrepresentation or incorrect information provided by the student. Such misrepresentation or concealment of facts may lead to the termination of your admission from the Programme. University also reserves the right to recover the awarded amount during the preceding year(s) from the recipient on an immediate basis.
LUMS Financial Aid
LUMS Financial Aid Programme not only supports students with financial challenges but also attracts top-ranked students, ensuring that the university upholds its commitment to academic excellence by providing opportunities for the brightest minds.
LUMS aims to reduce financial barriers to higher education, nurturing an inclusive and academically vibrant community where academically distinguished students can realize their full potential and achieve their professional aspirations. At the Graduate level, Financial Aid is provided in the form of an Interest-Free Loan.
To be considered for LUMS Financial Aid, applicants must submit their financial aid application along with all required supporting documents by the application submission deadlines. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be eligible for financial aid assessment for the 2026-27 academic year.
This support can cover part or all of a student’s Tuition and Semester Registration fees and is assessed annually, considering academic performance, financial need, available resources, and prevailing university policies to ensure ongoing assistance that aligns with each student’s circumstances.
Repayment begins six months after graduation, with a flexible repayment period of 3 to 5 years, allowing students to transition smoothly into their careers. While LUMS is committed to offering substantial financial assistance, students are encouraged to explore additional external funding sources to supplement the aid provided by the University.
Women's Scholarship
LUMS is committed to making education accessible to talented students from diverse backgrounds. The Women’s Scholarship supports this mission by offering a pathway for high-achieving women to pursue advanced degree programmes, helping to bridge gender gaps in business education and leadership. Beyond financial assistance, recipients join a network of mentors and peers, fostering collaboration, professional growth, and a shared vision for future leaders.
The aim of Women's Scholarship is to foster, celebrate and advance women’s leadership in business. By tapping highly talented young women, we hope to contribute towards building the future of not only their families but also their communities. This scholarship will support female candidates to pursue higher education on merit and will increase the number of women joining the Graduate Programmes of the Business School. 50% tuition fee waiver will be awarded to women admitted on high merit under the SDSB Women's Scholarship initiative.
This Scholarship will groom female managers and leaders of business; dramatically changing the managerial landscape of Pakistan. As these women assume leadership roles in organisations across the country, there will be a change in the culture of these organisations.
Mode of Payment
Voucher can be paid through cash, Pay Order and Bank Drafts made in favour of "Lahore University of Management Sciences" at any branch within Pakistan of following banks.