Career Prospects

A major benefit of the LL.M is that it allows the student an opportunity to specialise, to engage in an in-depth study of a more specific area of law and that greater emphasis is laid on lateral thinking, and on international and comparative aspects of the law. Deliberate attempts are made to position the law within the wider political and socio-economic context.

The LL.M may enhance a graduate’s employability because completing it demonstrates an intellectual mind and genuine passion for the law.

Below are some of the career paths for Master of Laws graduates:

• Work in Humanitarian Organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross;
• Consultants in positions requiring in-depth specialised legal knowledge;
• Civil Service- Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Foreign Service Officer following the Study of International Law; Attorney General’s Chambers, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Trade, and other Government positions that require an understanding of the law at an advanced level;
• The Police and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions- for those who have studied Forensic Justice and Criminology;
• Academic Researcher;
• Starting an academic career by gaining the qualification to start a PhD;
• Company Secretary;
• Legal Counsel for in-house legal departments;
• Non- Government Organisations handling issues of human rights, development, and governance;
• Legal and compliance experts in the financial industry which includes banks, insurance companies, pension funds (NSSF), telecommunication companies, etc.;
• Lawyers, in the Corporate/Transactional and Financial practices departments of law firms for graduates with a Bachelor of Laws degree as their first degree;
• Legal and compliance officers for supervisory and regulatory authorities such as Bank of Uganda; National Environment Management Authority, etc.
• Authorities such as the Uganda Revenue Authority.

The Master of Laws degree qualification is very versatile and graduates can seek employment in almost any industry or Sector such as Justice, Environment, Compliance and Communications, Business, Energy, Banking, Insurance, etc. The skills gained are also vital to graduates who may want to start their own enterprises such as Consultancies, Non- Government Organisations, Private Detectives and Investigators, etc.

Whether one enrolls for the LLM right after the first degree or after years of work experience, it is possible to use this qualification to support one’s resolve to make subtle changes in career direction or start work in a completely new and exciting field.