LL.M. - How to Apply
In order to be eligible for the UC Law SF LL.M. program, you must be an attorney licensed outside of the U.S. or have completed (or expect to complete prior to enrollment at UC Law SF) a first degree in law outside of the U.S. NOTE: J.D. graduates from U.S. law schools are not eligible to apply to the UC Law SF LL.M. program.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting September 1 each year with a March 1 priority application deadline for scholarship consideration. Enrollment is limited to the fall semester, which begins in early August.
The application period for the 2026-27 academic year LL.M. program is now open.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting September 1 each year with a聽March 1 priority application deadline for scholarship consideration. The deadline to submit new applications is May 31. Enrollment is limited to the fall semester, which begins in early August.聽
In order to be eligible for the UC Law SF LL.M. program, you must be an attorney licensed outside of the U.S. or have completed (or expect to complete prior to enrollment at UC Law SF) a first degree in law outside of the U.S.聽NOTE: J.D. graduates from U.S. law schools are not eligible to apply to the UC Law SF LL.M. program.
We encourage applicants to submit their applications early in order to receive an enrollment decision in a timely manner.
To apply to the UC Law SF LL.M. program, you must be an attorney licensed outside of the U.S. or have completed (or expect to complete prior to enrollment at UC Law SF) a first degree in law outside of the U.S. .
NOTE: J.D. graduates from U.S. law schools are not eligible to apply to the UC Law SF LL.M. program.
- Completed 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 聽to submit your official transcripts to LSAC. UC Law SF 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.聽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 聽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. - Current R茅sum茅 or CV
You will electronically attach your most recent resume or CV outlining your academic and professional achievements to your LSAC application. - Personal Statement (optional)
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 鈥 5 pages. Your statement must be electronically attached to your LSAC application. - Need-Based Scholarship Application Form (optional 鈥 see below)
*The LSAC requirement will be waived and we will accept paper applications聽if you are a聽current student or a graduate of one of our exchange partner universities or a nominee of an international partner institution.聽 Please contact us at llmadmissions@uclawsf.edu聽if you have any questions about the application process.
If English is not your native language, UC Law SF requires that applicants submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score through LSAC. TOEFL and/or IELTS scores should be less than two years old.
We prefer 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 Law SF application deadline. To have your TOEFL score report sent to LSAC, place an order to LSAC institution code 8395. Please visit 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 prefer 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 聽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.
UC Law SF offers a limited number of scholarships to LL.M. students based on both merit and need. If you wish to apply for a need-based scholarship, you will need to answer the scholarship questions on your application. View the detailed information about the Cost of Attendance and Scholarships.
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of the following protected categories: age, ancestry, childbirth or related medical condition, citizenship, color, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition (e.g., cancer-related or genetic characteristics), national origin, disability, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, sex- or gender-stereotyping,聽or any combination of these or related factors.聽The College鈥檚 full notice of non-discrimination is available聽here. Concerns and questions regarding sex discrimination may be reported to the聽Title IX Coordinator.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at聽llm@uclawsf.edu.
U.S. Bar Eligibility
Most LL.M. students who complete our LL.M. program are eligible to sit for the California, New York, Washington, D.C., and other bar examinations. Enrollment in an LLM degree does not guarantee that you will be eligible to take a U.S. bar exam or practice law in the United States, however. LL.M. applicants should review the requirements set by each state in which they wish to sit for a bar exam. The National Conference of Bar Examiners’ 聽provides additional information.
UC Law SF academic advisers assist students with choosing courses that help prepare them for the bar exam, and the Career Development Office assists students with bar exam application process.
Name:聽 Vasiliki 鈥淰anessa鈥 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.聽 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 Law SF was a rewarding experience. The school鈥檚 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 Law SF.鈥
Name: Tripti Sharma
Class: 2006
Country: India
“The faculty at UC Law SF 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.”