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Durham University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to The University of Durham. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

History Personal Statement Example 2 I am captivated by the diversity and depth offered by a History degree; attracted by the way it encourages us to be analytical of the values and patterns of past societies. It was in my final year of secondary school that I was awarded the History Attainment Award, although my desire to study History dates back to an earlier age when I visited the site of the allied landings in Normandy at just eleven years old...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 2 Psychology surrounds us. I often observe my class mates and ask myself why they are so different, struggling with attention or eating disorders. While looking for reasons, I also want to find ways to help them and I am confident that psychology will give me the means to do so...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 4 I find it amazing to watch as the digital revolution sculpts society at a rate that has never before been seen; there is so much to still be discovered. Quantum computing is a topic that particularly interests me, stemming from my studies and keen interest in physics...

French and Arabic Personal Statement Example In studying French and Arabic, I am eager to compare two mutually influential languages and cultures, particularly their overlapping history and its cultural representations. I decided to defer my entry to retake my Maths A2 and plan to turn this to my advantage by working and living in France, putting what I've already learnt of the French language and culture into practice...

Physics Personal Statement Example 4 The elegance of the scientific subjects, in particular physics is what has established my eagerness for a deeper insight into the subject. What sets physics apart from the other sciences, in my opinion, is that it can be practically applied to all instances of life...

Maths and Spanish Personal Statement Example For as long as I have recognised words and numbers, I have seen a connection between the two. As I progressed in the AS Mathematics course I realised how drawn I was to the subject, motivating me to spend 2 weeks at school over the summer holidays learning 2 entire AS Further Maths modules, in order to take the full A-level course in one year...

Languages Personal Statement Example 10 At the age of eight, a friend introduced me to Guy Hamilton's 1969 film 'Battle of Britain'. This instilled in me two things: my doomed childhood ambition to be a Spitfire pilot, long since grudgingly abandoned, but also, perhaps ironically, a love for the sound and feel of the German language that has stayed with me all through the intervening decade...

English Personal Statement Example (Mature Student) Having worked on a secure psychiatric unit for two years, caring for many people unable to or precluded from following their dreams due to mental illness, as well as over a decade employed in positions just to pay the bills, I am finally pursuing my dream of becoming a published novelist...

Biomedical Science Personal Statement Example 5 Venturing into the unknown and never-ending world of science and medicine has been a passion and desire of mine for the majority of my life. I am captivated by how a simple idea can be transformed into a reality that can pave the way for new cures and more advanced anatomical understanding...

Physics Personal Statement Example 5 With philosophy at its foundation, and mathematics as its language, physics is full of profound insights into the workings of the universe, from the tiniest quantum interactions to the forming of the most distant galaxies...

Geography Personal Statement Example 2 In a dynamic world, the study of geography is increasingly important. The diversity of the subject and the interaction between the physical environment and human population is becoming even more evident with climate change and globalisation influencing our everyday lives...

Biochemistry Personal Statement Example 1 The need to survive is a remarkable thing, for it has allowed evolution to equip organisms with a range of extraordinary capabilities in order to stay alive. Since reading 'Why Geese Don't Get Obese' by Widmaier, my interests have developed in the molecular adaptations of animals; for example, the antifreeze protein that prevents the blood of Antarctic Notothenioid fishes from turning into ice...

Maths Personal Statement Example 4 What I love about maths is that it has no limits. It fascinates me: the formulae, the theorems, the logic. My original interest in the subject was triggered several years ago when I started discussing maths and physics with my dad...

German and English Literature Personal Statement Example Email correspondence with a friend in Berlin during the celebrations of the twentieth anniversary of the German reunification gave me an insight into the importance and relevance of Germany’s past both within the country itself, and throughout Europe...

Biology Personal Statement Example 8 My interest in Biology started at a very young age due to spending a lot of time outdoors. I am intrigued by the functioning of living organisms and how they are all linked; one small change in one species will affect a whole range of others...

Physics & Astrophysics Personal Statement Example I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study, whether it is a question of how aspects of it work, or indeed why they work. As such, I have found deep fascination in studying Physics, as it is able to provide answers (as well as evidence) to such queries...

Physics Personal Statement Example (International Student) 1 Some people believe there is no universal key to the mysteries of the world, but I am convinced otherwise. Since early childhood when my parents, both physicists by training, patiently answered all my why-questions and encouraged me in my fascination with astronomy, I have been thinking of Physics as the perfect science that can unveil all the secrets that fascinate humanity...

Economics and Politics/Geography Personal Statement Example My desire to study Economics in combination with the Social Sciences stems primarily from my interest in these fields but also from the fact that these two disciplines compliment each other exceptionally well...

Anthropology and Archaeology Personal Statement Example My interest in culture first started when I began to attend my local Hindu Temple with my friend in primary school. I was highly interested in how her surroundings differed from my own and enjoyed immersing myself in her way of life...

Law Personal Statement Example 11 My desire to study law at university is firmly rooted in my interest in world events and also with helping others. Law effects our everyday lives almost without us noticing. If we look at the news, there is always an aspect of law up for debate...

English and Philosophy Personal Statement Example English has always been at the forefront of my mind, whether it be writing storybooks as a child, play-writing as a teen, or analysing literature at A Level. I enjoy the thrill of writing creatively but equally enjoy composing non-literary pieces where I can put across my views, inform or debate...

Maths and Science Personal Statement Example Maths and science, in particular physics, have always been my favourite subjects in school. I have an inquisitive mind and am always asking "how?" and "why?" to find out how things work. I chose maths, physics and biology for my A levels, yet only realised I wanted to do engineering when I started studying topics such as mechanics...

History (Ancient and Modern) Personal Statement Example 1 It is those things we don’t yet know or understand that make history a fascinating, intellectual puzzle. We know a remarkable amount about history and the development of society but new archaeological discoveries, the dedicated efforts of historians, translators and other academics and advancements in areas such as archaeometry mean that the body of historical information is still expanding...

Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 2 To me, fiction is like the magic carpet of Aladdin. It takes me to travel through time and space and explore the slices of human experience. In the wonderful trips, I am guided by the author and accompanied by the characters...

History and English Personal Statement Example Studying history and English concurrently has appealed to me ever since I recognised the inseparability of the two disciplines closest to my heart. Personally, I believe that the literary style of a piece of writing is as important as scholarly research and I try to make my essays as lively as possible whilst still grounded in solid historical or literary method, dulce et utile, following the example of writers such as Richard J Evans...

History Personal Statement Example 37 My interest in history lies in the simple fact that I have always been fascinated by the past. At eleven I won a full academic bursary to attend my current school. This was a way into a community in which my intellectual curiosity would be valued and where I could further my enthusiasm for history...

German Personal Statement Example 7 The study of language has always been appealing and is the focus of much of my time and energy, but the study of the German language is what mesmerises me most. Before understanding German I was first intrigued by its sound, and as I began to learn it, I became fascinated by its complexity...

Economics Personal Statement Example 28 While working in the stock broker I became 100% sure that I wanted to study Economics at university. I gained employment at a Stock Broker office as a Monitor Operator in Bangladesh and my duty was to monitor the daily price list of trading of shares at the beginning of the day and then preparing trading reports at the end...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 17 The realisation I wanted to study Chemistry at degree level came with my growing appreciation of its contribution and significance in shaping modern society, coupled with an increasing interest in the subject as my knowledge and understanding have developed...

History Personal Statement Example 40 History has always fascinated me because of what it can tell us about humanity; the decisions taken, the actions chosen and the mistakes made can all make us reflect on what it means to be human. I firmly believe history is not simply a case of learning facts and dates but rather a chance to analyse the past, enhancing our understanding of how we interact with each other today...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 64 Psychology is ubiquitous in society. Because of the mercurial nature of humans, there is always something different to study and analyse. I find this exciting. Part of what draws me to psychology is how the dynamics of it affect daily life and behaviour...

History Personal Statement Example 43 I have always wanted to be part of an open-minded society and live in a country where originality is rewarded, so the UK came to my mind as being the best country to read my degree. My passion for the English language has developed over years of studying English at school, where I have been successful in every written and oral exam...

English Personal Statement Example 30 English is not simply the study of humanity, or society, or history or the written word; it is all of those together and it is this versatility that makes it so appealing to me. The link between literary criticism and psychoanalysis is a great interest of mine...

PPE/Politics and Economics Personal Statement Example 1 I have a strong interest in the close relationship between political events and economic developments, highlighted by a study of Russia in the lead up to the 1917 revolution. I was grabbed by the film adaptation of Ten Days That Shook the World, with its emphasis on its power of the masses...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 68 For me human beings have always been fascinating, and even mysterious, because, though we are all humans, we all think differently and behave so differently. I wonder why those impoverished people who live with little can have a happy life, whereas some millionaires who have status, reputation and money choose to commit suicide...

Archaeology Personal Statement Example 6 I have always enjoyed learning about different cultures and civilisations, reflected in my enduring love of history, and more recently, archaeology. Compared to modern history, archaeology carries a sense of enigma which makes it much more stimulating for an imaginative and inquisitive mind...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 20 I was once told by a writer at Bath "LitFest" that literature is "all about control". At a young age, his words seemed obscure, but years later, I am finally able to grasp his meaning. On one side of a barrier of ink and paper, a writer aims to understand and control their world, whilst a reader attempts to lose control in a boundless, imaginary world...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 12 A Gospel choir tour around South Africa was the catalyst for my fascination with human culture. As I travelled I was able to directly experience a multiplicity of cultures even within this one country...

Politics and International Relations Personal Statement Example 11 Throughout my life, I have been fascinated but also deeply fearful of the power that politicians around the world possess. Having grown up in the years following Lithuania's departure from the Soviet Union and joining the European Union, I have observed how imperative it is that political decisions should be made responsibly...

Geography Personal Statement Example 19 I could say that my love of Geography started in school, but in fact holidays to foreign lands have had a more significant impact on me. From the volcanic badlands of Lanzarote's Timanfaya, to the unique beauty of Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania, Geography and its impact on nature and human development have awed me...

Biological Sciences Personal Statement Example 3 When I was in primary school I would take pens apart to put them back together, so that I could see how every small piece fits together to create a whole working object, and as I furthered my education my focus shifted to the w orld around me...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Ancient and Modern History Personal Statement Example 1 What makes history engaging and interesting to me is its interdisciplinary nature and its ability to take you on a journey to the discovery of humanity's past. History has been a constant source of captivation for me, from studying the mythology of Ancient Greece in primary school through to the study of the Russian Revolution at A Level...

History Personal Statement Example (Oxbridge) 2 Whether considering the real world applications of Bentham's utilitarianism in Religious Studies, analysing the context of a changing Victorian society in English Literature, or debating the evolving ideology of the Labour Party in Politics, there is one common thread connecting what I enjoy most about my studies: history...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 14 The need for the study of Sociology in society is, arguably, universally fundamental. The study of society is of paramount importance in solving social problems of great magnitude such as poverty and family disorganisation...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 58 I could tell you why am interested in computer science until the cows come home, but to give you the fundamentals I would so passionately tell you that this course is one of the few disciplines which truly embodies the days of tomorrow...

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Master of Laws

Alternative text

  • September 2024

1 year full-time

Durham City

Course details

Laws exist throughout the world, across continents and in different cultures and societies, governing the way we live, work and play. Our LLM Master of Laws reflects this variety of contexts and offers you the opportunity to choose from a range of legal specialisms, with the result that you can tailor your legal qualification to suit your interests.

You can choose from the widest range of modules, which can be selected from areas across the Law School including International Trade and Commercial Law, European Trade and Commercial Law, Corporate Law and International Law and Governance where subjects range from the law of the sea to electronic commerce.

This one-year full-time course is comprised of taught modules delivered through a mixture of lectures, small-group seminars or tutorials and film showings, as well as a major dissertation, which you will produce under supervision following independent research. 

Students join the LLM from a broad range of countries and backgrounds, enriching the learning experience through the academic or professional experience they bring to the course. You will be able to participate in activities hosted by research centres who have their homes in the Law School, including the Institute for Commercial and Corporate Law, the Durham European Law Institute, the Centre for Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, Law and Global Justice at Durham and the Human Rights Centre.

Course Structure

Core modules.

Applied Research Methods in Law provides specialised knowledge on the latest research methods and skills used in legal studies as well as an advanced understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and of their relevance for different forms of legal research. The module also creates a framework within which you will be able to critically assess potential research topics and, importantly, where you will be able to design, discuss and develop a detailed research proposal of the appropriate standards for your dissertation.

The Dissertation is based on an area of particular interest in an area of law and can be of one of three lengths – 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 words. Depending on the length chosen, the dissertation is equivalent to 2, 2.5 or 3 modules.

To offer maximum flexibility, the remaining modules are chosen from an extensive range of options (* indicates half modules) which have previously included:

  • Advanced Issues in Corporate Law*
  • Advanced Issues in Human Rights*
  • Advanced Issues in International Economic Law
  • Advanced Issues of International Intellectual Property Law*
  • Advanced Law of Obligations
  • China and the International Legal Order*
  • Commercial Fraud*
  • Comparative and Transnational Law*
  • Comparative Corporate Governance
  • Competition Law
  • Consumption Tax Law and Policy*
  • Corporate Compliance*
  • Corporations in an EU Context
  • Current Issues in Commercial Law
  • Current Problems of International Law
  • Electronic Commerce*
  • Free Speech Problems in International and Comparative Perspectives*
  • Frontiers in Biolaw*
  • Fundamental Issues in International Legal Governance*
  • Fundamentals of Corporate Law*
  • Fundamentals of International Law*
  • Global Environmental Law*
  • Global Financial Law
  • Global Institutions
  • Horizontal Human Rights*
  • International and Comparative Corporate Insolvency Law*
  • International Banking Law
  • International Commercial Dispute Resolution
  • International Counter Terrorism: Theory and Practice*
  • International Humanitarian Law
  • International Investment Law*
  • International Perspectives on Law and Gender*
  • International Protection of Human Rights
  • International Sales Law
  • International Tax Law*
  • International Trade Law and Policy
  • Introduction to Corporate Governance*
  • Introduction to Corporate Insolvency Law*
  • Introduction to EU Law*
  • Introduction to Intellectual Property Law*
  • Introduction to International Criminal Justice
  • Islamic Law
  • Law of Oil and Gas Contracts*
  • Law of the Sea 
  • Medical Law and Ethics
  • Mergers and Acquisitions*
  • Multinational Corporations and Human Rights*
  • Private International Law and China*
  • Protection of Human Rights in Europe
  • Renewable Energy Law*
  • Securities Law and Capital Markets
  • Takeover Regulation in the EU*
  • US Business Associations
  • Cross-Border Commercial Litigation
  • International Law of Peace and Security
  • International Perspectives in Cartel Control*
  • The Law of Subsidy and State Aid Control*
  • Current Issues in International Law and Governance*
  • US Corporate Law*
  • Modules offered by another Board of Studies (subject to approval)

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This Master of Laws course involved a range of taught modules. The flexible nature of the subject means you can choose the majority of your modules to suit your professional interests and aspirations. Taught modules are delivered by a mixture of lectures and small seminar groups and there are also film showings, workshops, discussion groups and optional field trips.

You will also produce a dissertation on a topic that you have proposed and that has been approved by your supervisor who will be an expert in that area. Again, the course is structured for maximum flexibility so you can choose a dissertation of between 10,000 and 20,000 words. If you choose a lower word count you will make up the remaining capacity with further taught modules.

We aim to ensure that the learning process takes place in a relaxed and supportive environment and the total contact hours will be 15 hours or 30 hours, depending on the modules chosen. You will also have four one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during the dissertation process.

Assessment 

Assessment is rigorous and carried out through writing tasks with the majority of the modules you will choose assessed through the production of essays of 3,000-6,000 words in length. The assessment for the core module on applied research methods will be based on a proposal you will present for a research topic.

Finally, you will be assessed on a dissertation of between 10,000 and 20,000 words in length, which is worth between one-third and one-half of your total mark.

Entry requirements

A good 2:1 degree (or its equivalent) in law, or in a degree in which law is a major component.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Full time fees.

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated) .

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation .

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Career opportunities

Our global reputation for legal research and teaching of the highest quality is reflected in the career trajectory of our alumni.

Graduates serve across the full range of legal professions including solicitors, barristers, judges, members of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and as consultants and in government. Others have secured stimulating and rewarding positions in national and international law firms.

We are fully aware of the degree of competition that exists in securing a role in the legal profession and the School provides a range of resources to help alumni stand out as ideal candidates during the recruitment process. This includes detailed information about the steps involved in becoming a solicitor or barrister, visits from law firms and guidance on preparing for interviews and assessment days.

Department information

Durham Law School is a global leader in the development and framing of law. Led by academics who are experts in their field, we carry out cutting-edge legal research that feeds into our Masters and research qualifications, building knowledge and nurturing the skills needed to help shape law in the future.

The reputation of the School means our legal know-how is respected by parliamentarians and policy makers around the world. Our academics have been called to give evidence in Parliament and have had their research work quoted by courts and international bodies.

International law and questions of global policy and governance are an area of special interest at Durham, but our expertise extends to other areas including criminal law and criminal justice, ethics, human rights, European law, gender and law, Chinese law, Commercial and Corporate law and Global Justice.

The research-led learning environment in the School is one of commitment, innovation and passion for the subject. Our highly respected research groups organise lectures and seminars offer opportunities to hear from eminent scholars and practitioners. Speakers have included judges from the UK Supreme Court, from the European Court of Justice and leading officials from national and international institutions.

For more information visit our  department pages.

  • World Top 50 in the  QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
  • 6th in  The Complete University Guide 2024
  • Top 10 in The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • Top 10 in  The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

For a current list of staff, please see the Law School pages.

Research Excellence Framework

  • 5 th  in the UK for research environment
  • 100% of our research impact and environment was rated world-leading or internationally excellent

Situated close to a number of academic departments and University services with views of the magnificent Durham Cathedral as well as offering easy access to the historic city, we believe that we have one of the most striking and best-equipped law buildings in the UK.

The Law School is located in the University’s award-winning flagship Palatine Centre, part of a £48.4m sustainable building development.

The School’s facilities are purpose-built and state-of-the-art, featuring a moot court, pro bono room, Harvard-style Hogan Lovells lecture theatre, spacious dedicated work suites and modern wireless and audio-video-enabled research spaces and attractive social areas.

Find out more:

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The Personal Statement

Deferral programs.

Harvard’s approach to the personal statement for their JDP is identical to their approach during the regular law school application cycle. However, Columbia takes quite a different approach and technically does not ask for a personal statement as part of the LEAD application process. Columbia requires 3 different essays as part of the LEAD application. Therefore, the advice here is not directly applicable to the LEAD program.

Regular Law School Application Cycle

The personal statement is a part of every law school application during the regular law school application cycle. Even though many law schools will also offer additional (often optional) essays, the personal statement is required by all. Therefore, the personal statement is undoubtedly a key piece of the law school application. It is arguably the third most important piece of the law school application following closely behind your LSAT (or other test) score and your undergraduate GPA.

For details on best practices for writing the personal statement, click on the button below.

GoLLM Admissions Consultants

  • 7 Tips for Writing Your LLM Personal Statement
  • Law Schools

With the next 2019-2020 application cycle fast approaching, LL.M. applicants around the world start asking themselves: What should I write about in my LL.M. personal statement? And how should I write it? While there are internet and other resources on the subject (see our eBook with LL.M. personal statement samples  and LL.M. application advice ), there is still much left to say on this topic. Drawing from our own experience as former admissions committee members, we provide a fresh take on the basics – and pitfalls – of the art of effective LL.M. personal statement writing.

What is the LLM Personal Statement?

The LL.M. personal statement – some law schools refer to it as the LL.M. statement of purpose (SOP) or LL.M. essay – is the heart and soul of any LL.M. application. Because of the large number of applications law schools in the U.S., U.K., and elsewhere receive each year, they typically do not conduct interviews with prospective LL.M. candidates. Instead, in order to learn more about you and the merits of your application, they require applicants to write a personal statement. Moreover, some law schools, including Yale, Harvard , Berkeley, Penn, and Toronto, even ask applicants to complete multiple written submissions or separate the personal statement in several parts.

Top LLM Personal Statements eBook

Click on the image above to download your copy of our LL.M. Personal Statement eBook with 10 winning personal statement samples.

The specific requirements and format for the LL.M. personal statement vary from law school to law school. While some schools require that applicants address one or more specific questions in their personal statements or essays, others – such as NYU, Columbia, Stanford, Georgetown, or LSE – prefer to have more general and open-ended themes. Typically, a personal statement will cover topics such as an applicant’s background; his or her academic and/or professional interests and goals; and the programs of study he or she wishes to follow and the reasons for doing so.

The Significance of the LLM Personal Statement

The LL.M. personal statement is a two-edged sword: On the one hand, it offers applicants the chance to significantly boost their application. Applicants with strong credentials can use their personal statement to push their application over the finish line and secure admission to their LL.M. program of choice. Importantly, “borderline” applicants with lesser qualifications may counterbalance weaknesses in their application file and rise to the top of an admissions committee’s “wish list” of applicants. On the other hand, the LL.M. personal statement also brings about the risk of sinking an otherwise competitive application. Even excellent credentials, as expressed in an applicant’s resume, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, may not help if the applicant submitted a weak personal statement.

Obviously, you should strive to use your LL.M. personal statement as an opportunity to leverage your application. First off, try to have a positive attitude towards writing your personal statement. Rather than looking at it as a burden placed upon you by mean-spirited law school officials, treat is as a favor that law schools provide you with. After all, this is your chance to talk about yourself and to convince a law school that it should admit you to its LL.M. program. Since you will not meet the members of the admissions committees in person, this is your only chance to speak out and add some personal context to your application file. Use the personal statement as an opportunity to bring together the different pieces and strands of your application and turn them in to a coherent, well-rounded application package.

What to Do in Your Personal Statement – 7 Helpful Tips

First and foremost, when writing an LL.M. personal statement, you have to think about your audience. The persons who will read your statement – and make the ultimate decision as to whether or not you should be admitted to their LL.M. program – are the members of a law school’s graduate admissions committee. These committees often consist of law professors and professional admissions officers or admissions tutors. They may also include law students. While each committee has its own priorities and each law school has different expectations, you should make sure to consider the following factors when writing your own personal statement:

1. Be (and show) yourself

Remember that an LL.M. personal statement should be a condensed reflection of your own persona. Highlight your strengths and achievements, but do not attempt to be someone you are not. Resist the temptation to use sample LL.M. personal statements. These samples will not serve the important purpose of showcasing your true personality and uniqueness. Admissions committees will immediately spot generic statements and phrases and it will reflect badly upon your application.

Present yourself in the best possible light, but remain honest and yourself. This will also make it easier for you to come across as a likeable person, which, in turn, helps you to connect with the admissions committee. After all, while admissions committee members are trained to be highly objective and to focus on measurable factors, they are still human.

2. Be focused and organized

LL.M. personal statements are often capped at tight word limits. Do not waste valuable space with irrelevant or unfocused information. Instead, focus on answering the question or questions that you are asked to address. Make sure that your statement is well-organized and that it has a logical structure. Typically, on the most basic level, a statement will have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Within these parts of the statement, there will be subparts, which themselves need to have adequate structure and flow.

When you feel satisfied with a draft of your statement, go back and carefully and critically read every sentence, asking yourself what information about you and your application it conveys, whether it is necessary, and whether and how you could improve it.

3. Be specific

Personal statements only too often consist of collections of broad and unsupported statements and phrases. Do not make that mistake. Be specific by providing relevant details to support what you are writing. You were always determined to study international business law and to pursue an LL.M. degree in this area? Good, but explain the precise reasons for your interest and how it developed. You are motivated and hard working? Excellent – now provide concrete examples to prove it.

Applicants are often asked to explain why they are particularly interested in the law school to which they are applying to. Do not just say that the school is “excellent” or “esteemed” or that it provides a stimulating intellectual environment. Too many applicants before you have already used those exact words. Instead, find out as much as you can about each law school and provide meaningful and specific reasons as to why you are applying. For example, you could be interested in a specific subject area that aligns with a law school’s core strengths; perhaps you know a faculty member and have a genuine interest in working with him or her; or you could explain why a particular law school or Master of Laws program is best suited to prepare you for your future academic or professional goals.

4. Be professional

Keep in mind that the LL.M. is a graduate degree aimed at current and future legal professionals or academics. Not surprisingly, therefore, law schools are especially keen on selecting LL.M. candidates that display an extraordinary level of professionalism, independence, and maturity. Show that you are up to these requirements. Use examples that indicate that you have the ability to overcome adversities and solve problems, that you act responsibly, that you have leadership qualities, or that you have regard for other people and society at large. You will also want to provide evidence that you have solid interpersonal skills and that you are a team-player who gets along with other people.

On a more formalistic level, strive to use a writing style that is formal, clear, and sophisticated, yet not over the top or overly complicated. Avoid grammatical and spelling errors at all cost. Moreover, basic – but common – mistakes such as failure to adhere to the provided word limit or mixing up university names are completely unacceptable. Therefore: double check and triple check your writing.

5. Be interesting

Law schools receive hundreds or thousands of LL.M. applications each year, often from well-qualified applicants. Therefore, in order to be competitive, you have to offer more than simply good grades or a strong resume – you have to be interesting. Thus, your personal statement should immediately grab the readers’ attention and then continue to develop a captivating narrative involving you and your aspirations as the protagonists.

Ideally, you have a life experience, interest, or activity that is unusual and lends itself as the topic for your LL.M. personal statement. Did you volunteer for a humanitarian organization abroad, have you founded your own business, are you an expert in human genomics, or do you fly jet planes? Tell the admissions committee about it, tell them how it has shaped you, and how it relates to your interest in the law and – most importantly – your LL.M. application.

Do not worry if you have nothing of this kind to discuss in your statement. Remember that if you are smart about it, anything from a world event, personal encounters, issues, or achievements, to your own insights and ideals can be significant and used as the basis for an inspiring, thoughtful, and convincing personal statement. In each case, your statement should show what makes you unique as a person and how and why you would be an excellent fit for an LL.M. program.

6. Be ambitious, passionate, and a visionary (sort of)

Good applicants can show impressive achievements in their past. Excellent applicants, however, will connect the past with the future and discuss their plans, demonstrating their potential to have an important impact in law, business, politics, or other fields. Law schools think ahead and already imagine you as a graduate of their school. Would they benefit from having you as an alumni? You do not necessarily need to be another Mikheil Saakashvili – the current president of the Republic of Georgia and holder of a Columbia Law School LL.M. degree – but you should have clear and ambitious plans for the time following graduation. Finally, ambition is best if coupled with passion. Extrinsic motivating factors that drive you to seek an LL.M., such as reputation, fame, money, or lifestyle, are less attractive. Instead, focus on your intrinsic motivation, namely intellectual curiosity or a desire to change and innovate.

7. Be (reasonably) modest

Much has been written about the importance of presenting yourself in the best possible light in your LL.M. personal statement. This, of course, is true. Nevertheless, in addition to being yourself, avoid being overly boastful. Instead of expressly saying how smart and distinguished you are, let your credentials and the substance of your personal statement speak for themselves. If you provide the underlying facts and information, LL.M. admissions committees can and will draw the right conclusions.

Yet, keep in mind that there are different threshold of boastfulness, depending on cultural factors. In particular, international applicants should be aware that when applying to U.S. law schools, they can in many cases put greater emphasis on their own attributes than they would normally do when applying to an institution in their own country. In contrast, applicants to U.K. programs should be more careful when singing their praises, while those who target schools in mainland Europe should exercise even greater care in this respect. Overall, however, it is always a good idea to stay modest. Nobody likes a showoff, including law school admissions committee members.

The LL.M. personal statement is probably the single most important piece in the puzzle that is your LL.M. application. In addition to the items discussed above, when writing your personal statement, always remember its deeper purpose. Simply put, it is a means for law schools to find answers to the following questions: Who are you? What makes you unique? Do you have the intellect, experience, professionalism, strengths, and passion that a law school wants in their LL.M. class? When you feel confident that your personal statement provides satisfactory answers to all these questions, you are on the right track.

(If you are interested in learning more about this subject, make sure to have a look at our eBook Top Personal Statements for LL.M. Programs and the Personal Statements and Essays section on our law school resources page ).

You might also be interested in:

  • The Harvard LLM Personal Statement
  • The LLM Resume – Crafting a Strong CV for Master of Laws Applications
  • The LLM Recommendation Letter
  • Master the LLM Application - New eBook Released

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Writing A Law School And LLM Personal Statement

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LLM Personal Statement

A great LLM (Master of Laws) personal statement should be persuasive, concise and easy to read:

Persuasive – you want the admissions board to choose you over the competition.

Concise – you need to compress information about your past, present and future into a limited word count.

Easy to read – you don’t want the admissions board to give up on it halfway through.

Why is your LLM personal statement so important?

Your LLM personal statement is a vital part of the process of applying to an LLM course, and together with your academic record and relevant work experience , it is a key element to the success of your LLM application.

It is crucial that you allow yourself enough time to craft the perfect LLM personal statement, one that showcases all your skills, qualifications, experience and personality.

1. An LLM personal statement explains gaps

If you've got a few spaces in your work history or a job that ended poorly, then the LLM personal statement is your chance to explain what happened and what you have learnt from the experience. An unhappy or bad experience can be a significant learning experience and might have provided you with additional skills or motivations that will make you able to contribute to the course in a unique or significant way. Many law schools encourage students to explain any career gaps.

2. Provides insight into motivation

It's important that your motivations for applying for and doing the LLM course match with the law school's ethics and ethos. Your LLM personal statement is your chance to show that you are a good match for the law school and the LLM course. Explain your reasons for wanting to do this course and why you are passionate about the law or the particular part of the law you are planning on studying. You can show what you will bring to the course and why you will be an asset to the law school.

3. Make yourself stand out

A popular LLM course at a prestigious global law school will receive many more applications than spaces on the course. Everyone applying to that course will have an excellent academic record and a wealth of relevant work experience. Your LLM personal statement might make the difference between being accepted onto the course and not. Make yourself stand out with the language you use, but don't overdo it. Explain the finer details of your experience and why you've chosen to attend this course at this particular law school.

4. Important part of the law school’s decision making

Almost 90% of universities use the LLM personal statement to make their decision about applicants. This means the time you spend on your personal statement is crucial. Try and get some other people to read through your statement and offer their advice/opinion, especially if you know someone who has completed the LLM course recently. Make sure that your personal statement is your own work and that any revisions you make on the recommendation of others don't change your personal statement beyond recognition and lose the essence of you.

5. Proves you can follow instructions

There will be guidelines and advice provided by the law school or university to help you write your LLM personal statement. Use these instructions to prove that you can follow directions. It's also an opportunity to show off your written English skills, this could be particularly relevant if English is not your first language, and your English test scores are not what you would like them to be.

6. The first chance for potential professors to ‘meet’ you

Your LLM personal statement is your introduction to your future law school professors and the people who you might connect and reconnect with throughout your legal career. View your personal statement as the first introduction to this new part of your future network.

What information should you include?

LLM Personal Statement

Key things to bear in mind to achieve success when crafting the perfect LLM personal statement are:

1. Conciseness:  whatever you do, you MUST remain within the institution’s word limit. Legal professionals are expected to be able to summarise masses of information without losing any essential facts, and your personal statement is an indicator of your ability to do this.

2. Language:  don’t use complicated words in an attempt to impress. As a legal professional, you will be working with clients who may not understand technical terms so your ability to communicate in a formal yet simple style will not go unnoticed.

3. Format:  keep your LLM personal statement uncluttered, with lots of spacing and white space, to make it easy to read. It's important for the document to look good as well as to read well.

4. Structure and flow:  your intro could summarise the reasons why granting you a place is the right decision for the admissions board to make. The main body should be broken up into your past (academic, professional and personal info; relevant experience, your interests and motivations and what led you to the point of applying), your present (all the details about the LLM; why you chose it at that particular institution, which modules you’re really keen on) and your future (what you plan to do after you complete the LLM). Your conclusion is a summary of your main points and should end on a memorable note. After you’ve written your first draft, print it out and review it to see if it makes sense, making notes in the margins along the way as if you were an editor editing another writer’s work.

LLM personal statement top tips

Here are some tips and strategies to creating the perfect LLM personal statement.

Academic history

Discuss what you studied as an undergrad and whether the LLM is a natural progression or would represent a change in career path. Do you have a first degree in law and are you working your way towards a PhD in Law and a future in legal academia? If your first degree was not in Law, how would the LLM complement it; do you have a first degree in Economics and want to do an LLM in International Business Law for example?

Make it personal

Mention what interests and motivates you, and what has happened in your life that put you on the path to applying for an LLM at that institution. If you’ve chosen a small college, explain why you prefer institutions with a small population. If you’ve opted for a large law school, let the admissions board know why you thrive in a busy environment. It’s important to explain your preferences so the admissions board gets a sense of who you are and why you fit in with their law school. Include relevant information – like volunteer experience or extra-curricular activities – that have inspired you with your choice. The admissions team want to understand the personal reasons why you want to study their LLM course.

Don’t make claims you can’t support

Since you are applying for a postgrad legal program you should be familiar with making persuasive arguments. As legal arguments are evidence-based, be prepared to apply the same approach in your statement by avoiding unsubstantiated claims. If you state that certain modules are ‘relevant to your career’, state specifically how. Don’t leave it to the admissions board to try to work it out for themselves. If you claim that you are a top student, highlight your grades even though you will submit transcripts as part of your application. Use clichés like ‘leadership skills’ only if you can give examples of instances when you demonstrated these traits. And don't forget that if you are subsequently called in for an LLM interview, this personal statement will probably be used as the basis for the interview, so always tell the truth!

Don’t just write it, craft it

When it comes to the actual writing of your LLM personal statement be prepared to write, edit and rewrite your personal statement several times. Remember all those essays you wrote in your undergrad days? Well, the same rules of presentation, structure and flow apply to your personal statement; the only difference being that this time, the essay is about you. And once you think you’ve written the perfect LLM personal statement get a trusted friend or colleague to read it through to offer you constructive criticism and to pick up any typos or grammatical errors.

Relevant referees

Pick a referee who can provide you with a good academic reference, so choose a tutor and lecturer who will remember you from your undergraduate studies. Including your employer as a referee is a good idea if your current job is relevant to the course, or include someone you did relevant work experience for. You will need to ask potential referees before you submit your application.

10 things to avoid in your LLM personal statement

Here are the top 10 things that you should avoid doing when writing your LLM personal statement.

Including a mini dissertation – you are meant to explain your interest in the area that you wish to specialise in, which doesn’t mean writing an essay on your proposed dissertation topic! That can wait till you start your LLM program and are asked to submit a thesis proposal.

Underselling yourself – rather than blaming yourself later on for missing out on listing achievements from your work experience or undergraduate study, make it a point to highlight all the relevant information; ranging from past work experience on specific projects, skills acquired and applied, publications, moot courts, etc.

Being ambiguous – all your efforts will be futile if you didn’t make your personal statement read clearly with details relevant to the LLM course that you are applying for and clearly stating your interest for that course.

Writing too much or too little – usually universities provide the word count/A4 page limit for the LLM personal statement. Some students will have a tendency to write less hoping that the CV will cover all their academic and career highlights, whilst others may be tempted to write too much describing everything they have done in all possible detail. The sensible approach would be to mention enough to match the word count/page limit and to highlight only what is important to put your case forward.

Obsessing with templates – it might be a common trend to scour the internet for templates on personal statements but be warned that some may have been copied off the others and may all end up looking very similar. Your LLM personal statement should be unique and well drafted to make logical sense to the reader.

Making stupid mistakes – sometimes we tend to overlook minor mistakes that can have significant bearing on the outcome of our application. Things such as addressing the statement to the wrong university (or with a wrong date/address) can give a very bad first (and almost certainly final) impression!

Doing it last minute – our general advice when it comes to university applications is to never leave anything to the last minute. Some students tend to work hard on their personal statement redrafting it a 100+ times, while others only pick up this part of the application on the last day of its submission. Time must be given to this vital part of your application so that any mistakes including ones listed here can be corrected in good time.

Repeating information – although you may feel that you are trying to make a point by explaining a situation in different ways, university admissions staff may see this as a repetition of information that they don’t need to know. Once you make a point about a particular skill/achievement, move on to the next piece of information to show varied experience, knowledge and interest.

Name dropping – in professional services we tend to mention names of high-profile clients or popular legal representatives to get ahead of competition through our application. This may work in a casual networking setting, however when it comes to application processes for admissions, the focus is usually around your contribution to legal matters, your ambition to progress your career further through further studies, rather than just throwing some names in!

Making grammatical errors – although legal eagles tend to be careful on this one, it is best to proofread your LLM personal statement several times before handing it in. Ideally, you should share it with friends or colleagues to spot any noticeable errors.

Writing a personal statement – real-life examples

With all this key information on writing the perfect LLM personal statement – explore our law expert’s analysis of real applications to help you craft the ideal introduction and give yourself the best chance of getting onto your dream LLM program.

Introduction to our law admissions expert

LLM Personal Statement Robynn Aliveri

To help you achieve the success you deserve with your LLM applications we have taken four genuine (and successful) LLM personal statements from four genuine LLM students and asked LLM admissions expert Robynn Allveri to fine-tune them to make them as good as they possibly can be. To put it simply, our admissions expert cast her (very) critical eye over all four law school personal statements – that had already proved successful – and offers advice on how they can be improved. She highlights where the LLM personal statements let the candidates down, and of course also shows where and why they enable the candidate’s qualities to really shine through.

Our genuine LLM personal statements have been written by both international students and home students, applying to law schools in the UK, the USA and Canada. This unique selection of real law school personal statements will give you real insight into how to make you own law school personal statement a success. Armed with our knowledge of the dos and don’ts of LLM personal statement writing and unique admissions tips , you should be just a hop, skip and a jump away from LLM admissions success!

So here is our real-life guide on how to write a law school personal statement to guarantee success with your LLM application .

durham llm personal statement

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Llm personal statement - durham, bristol, kent, york.

durham llm personal statement

Posted Aug 21, 2017 19:48

2764

Hi, I am currently a 3rd year international student of LLB and I am thinking of trying my luck and apply for LLM at Durham, Bristol, Kent and York uni. However, I am quite struggling how to approach my personal statement. To you guys who were accepted to these universities - do you have any tips on how to write PS? Thanks !

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LL.M. Admissions: How to Write a Personal Statement

LL.M. Admissions: How to Write a Personal Statement

Article Sep 27, 2011

Many law schools require a personal statement from applicants. What are they looking for exactly?

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Law personal statement

An LLM can make you stand out from the competition thanks to your enhanced subject knowledge and industry contacts. Find out what to include in an LLM personal statement

When writing a personal statement for an LLM you'll need to:

  • state why you wish to study this particular LLM subject. Its undertaking will require considerable time and expense so be clear in your motivation.
  • outline how your experience to date, both academic and non-academic has prepared you for the LLM and how this indicates that you will be successful on the course.
  • link your study of the subject to your future career goals and state how completion of the course will support your achievement of this.

This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.

LLM personal statement

My primary motivation for applying for the LLM in Criminal Litigation is to enhance my existing subject knowledge and to gain a solid foundation from which to build a career as a criminal defence solicitor. I have not yet applied for a training contract, as I have a love of both academic study and the subject and wish to pursue this further, as well as enhancing my career prospects. Throughout the study of my undergraduate LLB I strove to maintain consistently high grades in each module and I believe my achievement of a first is testament to my commitment, which I intend to take forward when studying the LLM.

My interest in law is longstanding and was first piqued through a work experience placement with a local solicitor while still at school, where I had the opportunity to witness a criminal case first hand. Through attending court with an outdoor clerk I gained an insight into the workings of the court and into how cases were managed and argued. I was drawn towards this type of work due to its human aspect - the importance of trust between lawyer and client and the life implications for the client depending on the outcome of the case. I built on this experience by attending the public gallery of the Crown Court in my own time and developing a greater understanding of how the criminal justice system functions through observing proceedings and speaking to solicitors and barristers whenever possible. It was this experience that prompted me to study an LLB.

While my experience of the criminal sector provided my initial motivation, on the LLB I also felt it was important to take modules that would allow me to develop skills and experience across a range of legal sectors, to test the area I was most suited to in terms of interest and aptitude. I undertook Business Law and International Commercial Law, as well as modules in Employment Law, Family Law and Criminal Litigation and Evidence. I enjoyed the technical challenge of the commercial work and successfully applied to complete a work experience placement with a commercial law firm. There, I sharpened my legal skills by engaging in tasks such as researching relevant law, drafting a memo to a trainee solicitor and drafting a letter of advice to a mock client. I also gained an appreciation of the daily duties of a solicitor through shadowing them at meetings and reviewing contracts. I gained an insight into how corporate lawyers' relationships with professional clients have a far greater commercial focus than those of lawyers working with the individual.

I sought to build on these combined experiences by gaining as much practical experience as I could to gain real-world insight and skills with clients in my own right. I volunteered as a Gateway Assessor with Citizens Advice, which gave me excellent experience in how to manage an interview with a client using an appropriate professional manner and identify the pertinent legal issues and draft advice. It also gave me practical experience of building relationships with often vulnerable people, from all walks of life and the ability to speak to them in a way that they understood. 

Further to this, I have undertaken several pro-bono opportunities. These include working on projects such as Street Law, teaching young people about legal issues like online privacy and rights regarding stop and search, through practical and interactive methods. I have also taken part in the Schools Consent Project, leading workshops around the legal definitions of consent and assault in secondary schools and youth groups. Through these roles I further developed my ability to effectively communicate with audiences from a range of backgrounds and to adapt my approach according to their needs. I believe this ability, together with my deep interest in the subject, will stand me in good stead when working with clients involved in the criminal justice system.

In addition to academic work, I have a number of achievements in the field of music. I have obtained Grade 8 standard in both cello and violin and as part of my university's Symphony Orchestra I have played to audiences in Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as around the UK. I have achieved this while maintaining excellent grades in my undergraduate studies.

My goal is to work as a criminal defence solicitor in the future. I have chosen the route of solicitor, as opposed to barrister, as I place great value on the strong relationship built with a client and have the intention, once qualified, to undertake Higher Rights of Audience qualifications to allow me to advocate in court and see a case through to its conclusion. I see the achievement of the LLM in Criminal Litigation as a crucial step in gaining the enhanced knowledge to really excel in this role. My career aims beyond the course would be to secure a training contract with a Tier 1 ranked firm for crime, ideally in London or the South East, where I have strong personal roots.

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Professors Durham, Clark, and Lindholm at Russian-Language Launch of Freedom of Religion and Belief: A Deskbook – Moscow and Kyiv, 3 and 5 August 2010

durham llm personal statement

ICLRS Director Cole Durham and Associate Director Elizabeth Clark , along with ICLRS Academic Advisory Board Member  Tore Lindholm of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo, participated in the launch of the Russian translation of Facilitating Freedom of Religion or Belief: A Deskbook during events in Moscow and Kyiv on 3 and 5 August 2010.  As main speakers at the Moscow event, held at the Slavic Legal Center, Professors Durham, Sewell, and Lindholm were joined in the presentation by discussion moderator Roman Lunkin , director of the Institute of Religion and Law and Senior Scientist, Institute of Europe.  Other presenters – journalists, scientists, lawyers, and believers of different faiths – included the chairman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, Lyudmila Alekseeva; Professor Anatoly Pchelintsev of Indiana University, chief editor of “Religion and Law” and co-chair of the Slavic Legal Center; Vladimir Ryakhovsky, a lawyer and co-chair of the Slavic Legal Center; and Professor Anatoly A. Krasikov, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society, Institute of Europe. 

The Deskbook, a unique collection of articles by leading scholars and experts in the field of religion and law from around the world, is designed as a single-volume resource for all who are concerned with facilitating improved global compliance with international standards in freedom of religion or belief (FORB). A focus of the work is the protection of freedom of conscience in the Council of Europe, through the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

The initial collection of 38 articles by 50 international scholars was published on the initiative of the Coalition of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Oslo (Norway) in 2004 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, issued by Koninklijke Brill NV and printed in the Netherlands (Martinus Nijhoff Publishers). Editors of the work are Tore Lindholm, W. Cole Durham, Jr., and Bahia G. Tahzib-Lie, with an Editorial Board consisting of Elizabeth Sewell, Lena Larsen, Lev Simkin, and Roman Lunkin.

The Russian edition is a translation of selected articles from original the collection, divided into 12 chapters and an Introduction, with an additional chapter specifically devoted to the sphere of freedom of religion and belief in Russia (article by Anatoly Pchelintsev: “Citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of religion and the problems of its realization in the Russian Federation”). The was project was brought about by the efforts of the ICLRS in collaboration  with the Institute of Religion and Law and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo.

The Deskbook has also been published in Indonesian, and a translation into Mandarin Chinese is underway.

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  • Exploring Moscow for the First Time? A Personal Guide is What You Need!

Johnny and Victor Veir-Voronov at Moscow Kremlin

If you are coming to Moscow on business and need help with local transportation or translation during your stay, if you’ve got a couple of days to spare to do some sightseeing after you are done with all the important stuff, or if you go to Russia to check out all the tourist attractions in the first place, I can offer you the top-level personal driver and guide services for your entire trip’s duration. Since the meeting in Moscow Airport and until the moment you board the plane back home I’ll be your driver, guide and translator all-in-one, helping you find your way around the city and ensuring you’ll get the most out of your stay.

If you want to truly experience Moscow and get to know its rich historical and cultural heritage, take loads of pictures and just have a great time in a new and unfamiliar city, a personal guide is the way to go. It’s great if you have a friend showing you around or if you’re on an organized tour – but not all hidden tourist gems find their way into the generic program, you know. The tour schedule might not suit you, the attractions list might not have all the sights you had in mind, rolling together with a large group of people in a predetermined path might not be your way of spending time – there are plenty of reasons why people choose personal guides. If you are on a business trip, sightseeing might not be a top priority on your list of to-do things. But if there’s some free time left and you are in the mood to spend it discovering the various Moscow’s attractions, feel free to contact me and I’ll make sure you won’t regret it.

Only with a guide you’ll be able to survive the maze of Moscow’s streets

Moscow isn’t exactly the easiest city to find one’s way around if you are a foreign tourist or a businessman. Luckily, you’ve already had your stay planned beforehand by yourself or by other people responsible for that, with all the transportation and guide services arranged for. But what if you’d like to veer off the beaten path a little bit and check out something that’s not on your tour program? If you came by yourself and have no one to take care of meet and greet service in a Moscow airport, you might find yourself a little bit confused and overwhelmed. The language barrier can make things even more complicated if you don’t have someone who can translate with you – not so many people can speak English here, let alone other foreign languages. Feeling stranded in the airport in Moscow and being absolutely confused by the transportation system of the city is definitely not the best way to start your trip, so give a thought to the meet & greet service I can provide you straight from any Moscow international airportcustoms and passport control.

There are five airports in Moscow. Domodedovo airport and Sheremetyevo airport are the two international airports that most foreign visitors will arrive at. These two handle most of the international traffic, so they’re going to be your gateway to the city and the country. The customs procedures and passport control are nothing special; everything’s pretty much as you would expect them to be in any major airport around the globe. First you go through passport control. After you’ve got the stamps, you are free to pick up your luggage. Then it’s time for the customs proceedings. Just be sure to declare all your valuable possessions or large amounts of cash and hold to those papers until the day of departure, as you’ll need them when you depart. The time it takes to pass all the controls may vary depending on how many flights have arrived around that time; generally it takes anything from half an hour to an hour or more if it’s a particularly busy time.

Even locals get lost in Moscow sometimes, being a foreigner doesn’t help the situation

After you are done with all the paperwork, you walk out into the arrivals hall and are basically free to go about your business. If you’re not a first time visitor, can speak Russian or just feel confident exploring and finding your own way around Moscow, you can call a taxi, catch a train or a bus straight out of the airport and get to the city proper. After that, there’s a variety of ways to get where you want – but I’ve got to warn you that sometimes navigating Moscow can be hard even for a local. The public transportation system is fairly complex, the traffic is intense, and, as I said before, the language barrier can really get in your way when you need to find the simplest and quickest route around the city.

In most cases you’ll be much better off with someone who’ll take care of all that stuff for you, leaving your hands and mind free to enjoy the trip. We can arrange the meeting in airport if you provide me your contact and arrival data. Usually, I’d be holding a card with your name in the Moscow airport arrivals hall, standing near an easy-to-spot landmark right close to where you’ll be coming from. Of course, I can also provide you with photos of me so that you’d have an easier time finding me in the crowd. In case of an emergency you can also contact me via the cell phone number I will provide you with. I will wait for you to go through all the paperwork and customs control. Don’t worry if it takes a while, or if your plane is delayed – I’ll still be there to pick you up right after you’re done. It would be great if we could work out a preliminary schedule for your stay in Moscow, but there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from changing anything mid-course. I’m completely open to your suggestions any time during your stay in Moscow – just tell me what you need, and I’ll use all my knowledge and experience to guarantee you’ll have an unforgettably pleasant visit to Moscow.

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  • Moscow Airports: A Virtual Guide (Written by a Real-life Guide)
  • Services As an English-speaking tour guide in Moscow, I would like to offer you my services as a private driver, professional photographer, and an English-Russian translator.
  • Contact & Travel Information Details
  • The Moscow Guide & Driver testing
  • Terms and Conditions As each guide, which provides its services to foreign nationals, I have a number of rules that you should know before our cooperation. Compliance with these rules will help us to find a common language and avoid misunderstandings. Please read them.
  • A Case with Wrong Parking (Part I) With posting this picture of the Dworak family and me (taken by a passing tourist as we stood in Red Square in front of St. Basil's cathedral), I would like to tell you the story of their last day in Moscow and the big problem we were about to encounter.
  • A Case with Wrong Parking (Part II) On May 4th about 5 PM, after seeing off my Austrian clients, Rupert, Alexandra, Victor and Jana, at Domodedovo airport, I was able to quickly get a ticket and catch the "AeroExpress" train which goes to  Paveletsky railway station in the center of Moscow within 45 minutes.
  • A Case with Wrong Parking (Part III) ...A short time later, after seeing my wife off to her work at the hospital very early in the morning  (7 am) and while it was still night in Austria, I went downtown to take some interesting photos during the last repetition of Victory Parade on the Red Square I met on Tverskaya street one photographer from Minsk (capital of Belorussia) and one from St.
  • Cold weather in Moscow During last several days the weather in Moscow became very cold: last night it was about -22...-24 C and during the day - about - 15 C. I am very happy right now that recently I bought a very good winter coat, made in Finland by special "Valtherm" technology.
  • Improving Services with New Honda CR-V 2012 Let’s me introduce my new car, new Honda CR-V (2012), that I got yesterday on August 17 2012. It is the save and comfortable compact crossover that perfectly fits for family and business use taking into account specific of road condition and traffic in Russia.
  • About Me Loooking for Moscow personal guide? Whether you wish to see the finest attractions in Moscow in 3 days or if you’re going to stay here longer for a sightseeing tour, I’ll be your guide!

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About Me in Short

Guide, Driver and Photographer Arthur Lookyanov

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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Innovation Center Skolkovo – Territory of the Future

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Develompment of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, the modern scientific and technological innovative complex located in the Mozhaysky district of the Western Administrative District of Moscow of an area of approximately 400 hectares.

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Lights of Nikolskaya Street in Winter Twilight

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People walking up and down Nikolskaya street in winter twilight decorated with LED creating a festive atmosphere in any season. The picture is taken near GUM building (at the right) and Red Square.

Arthur Lookyanov's Photostream on Flickr

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    If you are coming to Moscow on business and need help with local transportation or translation during your stay, if you've got a couple of days to spare to do some sightseeing after you are done with all the important stuff, or if you go to Russia to check out all the tourist attractions in the first place, I can offer you the top-level personal driver and guide services for your entire trip ...

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