LLM in the USA and Scholarship Requirements
If you are thinking of studying an LLM in the USA through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, this guide covers the key steps and basic requirements.
Two tracks of the official scholarship program matter here: the Imdad Track, which sends students to the top 200 institutions in specific high-demand fields in the job market (for a bachelor's or master's), and the Pioneers Track, which sends students to the top 30 institutions in the world in all majors.
What to Know Before You Apply
Getting academic admission to a law program in the USA is somewhat different from master's admission in other fields, and there are specific factors to meet. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) platform is an important reference, as many American law schools, such as Boston University School of Law, require LLM applications and supporting documents to be submitted through LSAC.
- The university must be accredited, and the master's or LLM program you choose must be recognized.
- You usually need a first degree in law from your home country, not just a general bachelor's. Both the Two-Year LLM at Boston University and the LLM for International Lawyers at Washington University in St. Louis require a first law degree, and WashU directs those without one to its Master of Legal Studies program.
- You must prove English proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL, and some American universities accept relatively low scores because they offer programs that support legal English.
- LLM programs usually last one year, and some universities offer two-year versions with language support. They cover diverse specializations such as financial law, intellectual property and general American law.
The LSAC Platform and How to Use It
LSAC is the intermediary through which many American law schools receive LLM applications, and the process usually goes through these steps:
- Create an LLM Services account on the LSAC website. LSAC advises creating it at least six weeks before the first deadline.
- Arrange for official academic records to be sent directly from every institution you attended.
- Have your recommenders upload or mail their recommendation letters.
- Send your TOEFL or IELTS scores if required.
- Submit your applications and purchase the CAS service report, which costs $38 for each application submitted.
The LSAT is not required of LLM applicants at Boston University Law, because LLM programs focus more on your legal qualification and experience. Requirements vary from school to school, so check each program's page.
BU and WashU Requirements Compared
The table below compares admission and language requirements at two American universities. It shows that some universities offer flexible paths for students with intermediate English levels, with chances to improve during the program.
| Item | Two-Year LLM at Boston University | Two-Year LLM for International Lawyers at WashU |
|---|---|---|
| Required qualification | First degree in law | First degree in law, and those without one are directed to the Master of Legal Studies |
| Program structure | Two years | An intensive four-week summer program followed by two years of coursework |
| Language requirement | TOEFL iBT 85 (or 4.0 overall with at least 3.5 in each section under the new scale in effect since January 21, 2026), or IELTS 5.5 with no skill below 5.0 | Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent) with no minimum scores published on the program page |
| Compared with one-year LLM programs | Require TOEFL 100 (5.0 overall and 4.5 per section under the new scale) or IELTS 7.0 | Applications from those scoring above 100 on TOEFL are considered under the regular one-year LLM guidelines |
BU encourages applicants who fall below the minimum to apply, because it considers other factors. WashU's program, meanwhile, is designed to build legal English.
Scholarship Application Steps
- Choose the right law specialty for you, such as commercial, banking or international law.
- Compare universities by language and admission requirements.
- Prepare the required academic documents: bachelor's certificate, transcript, recommendations and résumé.
- Create an LSAC account if the university requires it.
- Obtain final, unconditional admission from the admissions and registration office of a university on the program list.
- Submit your scholarship application through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program on the Safeer platform. The National Unified Admission Platform "Qabool" is also linked to the program.
- Complete the steps for paying the university seat deposit, the F-1 student visa, housing and insurance.
The program requires final, unconditional admission from the admissions and registration office of a university on the program list (except for non-English-speaking countries). To learn the platform steps, read how to register on the Qabool platform and application deadlines.
Accepted Law Universities in the 2026-2027 Guide
The program guide for 2026-2027 ranks universities by field. In the Business, Administration and Law field, the following universities appear:
| Track | Universities |
|---|---|
| Imdad Track | New York University, University of Southern California, Boston University |
| Pioneers Track | Washington University in St. Louis |
These lists change every year, so always check the latest guide.
Summary and Final Tips
- Choose the program that fits your language level, as some universities offer a foundation year or a two-year track to strengthen legal English.
- Even if a university accepts a low score, try to raise your IELTS or TOEFL level.
- Check the official scholarship lists to make sure the university and field are included in the year you apply.
- Start preparing early in Saudi Arabia through practical training or legal research to strengthen your academic profile.
If you want to know the best American universities for an LLM with language requirements that suit your scholarship, contact us at Almorad Education for the full details and to start your scholarship journey with confidence. To learn more about studying in the USA, read the guide to studying in the USA from language to master's, or AI master's in the USA and the scholarship.
Official Sources
- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program — Official site for tracks and conditions
- Guide to University Lists 2026-2027 — University lists by field
- LSAC: Steps to Apply for LLM Programs — Application process through LSAC
- Boston University Law: Admissions FAQ — Language requirements and LSAT
- WashU Law: LLM for International Lawyers — Admission requirements
