LL.M. Degree
LL.M. studies are intended to enable students to deepen their knowledge in the areas of their specialization and interest. Students who complete the program are awarded an LL.M. degree. LL.M. studies are conducted along three tracks:
(a) Track including a research study (thesis)
Students are admitted to the track in one of the follow ways:
- Admission to the direct track, available to a limited number of students who can demonstrate research capabilities already at the stage of their application
- Admission to the indirect track, available to students who completed one year of study in the track without a thesis requirement
(b) Track without a research study (thesis)
(c) Track without a research study (thesis) in an intensive program for judges, lawyers, and jurists
University regulations for graduate level studies are published separately on the site of the Office of Student Affairs.
LL.M. Degree without Thesis
1 Attendance requirements for this program are as follows:
(a) Electives: 24 credits
(b) Research seminars: 8 credits
Total: 32 credits
2 Students attend research seminars and elective courses of the standard program of the Faculty of Law.
3 Students must attend at least one seminar in the first year of study.
4 LL.M students must meet the university's requirements for basic studies in Judaism.
5 A minimum grade point average of 75 is required to graduate from this track.
Minimum requirements for admission to the LL.M. program with a thesis:
1 LL.B. grade point average of 85 or higher
2 A grade of 85 or higher on one of the seminars, and of 90 or higher on the other
Students are required to take 28 credits, at least half of which they must complete in the course of the first year and the rest during the second year.
The courses include one mandatory seminar, "Legal Research," two research seminars, and elective courses (from among the LL.B. elective courses and seminars). In addition, graduate students must meet university requirements for basic studies in Judaism.
The time table for the LL.M. degree with thesis is as follows: the research proposal must be submitted by August of the first year of study, and the completed thesis by the end of the second year of study.
Applicants must purchase the forms for graduate level study (at the university stores, Steimatzky, etc.) and submit them to the University's Masters Committee. Alternatively, application forms can be completed and the fees paid over the Internet at: https://dory.os.biu.ac.il/Toar2Web/.
In addition to the requirements specified in the forms, applicants must submit the following:
1. Transcripts of their LL.B. studies
2. Statement of purpose regarding the proposed research (2-3 pages)
3. Agreement of a Faculty of Law instructor to serve as thesis advisor*
4. Copy of a seminar paper submitted in the course of LL.B. studies
5. Two letters of recommendation from academic instructors who are acquainted with the applicant's work
*Applicants must find an advisor among members of the faculty's academic staff and obtain their written agreement to instruct them in their thesis work. The list of faculty members, including their fields of specialization, can be found on the Faculty of Law site.
Click here for the list of faculty members
Instructors who are not members of the Faculty of Law staff will not be approved.
Note that registration for the LL.M. degree with thesis begins for the following year around January and continues until June only. At the end of the registration period, the Committee for Advanced Research Degrees meets to discuss all applications. The final response is issued by the University's Masters Committee.
Studies begin in November and last two years (four semesters).
Click here for instructions on writing the thesis
