Durham or Edinburgh?


Maurine

Hi!
Having a tough time deciding between Durham and Edinburgh(Commercial law). Both very well reputed and old schools....
Visited Durham last year, absolutely loved the atmosphere...
Your thoughts are welcome...
Which school would international law firms favour?
Thanks:)

Hi!
Having a tough time deciding between Durham and Edinburgh(Commercial law). Both very well reputed and old schools....
Visited Durham last year, absolutely loved the atmosphere...
Your thoughts are welcome...
Which school would international law firms favour?
Thanks:)
quote
Reinhard

Hi Maurine!

I understand your situation - for the preferences of international law firms look at http://www.llm-guide.com/board/1328.
As you say, both schools seem to be an excellent choice, in university rankings Edinburgh is under the top ten (I think), in LLM rankings Durham is sometimes ahead.

Of course you should like the city as well, but I think both places are nice - just Edinburgh is a lot bigger...

Good luck,
Reinhard

Hi Maurine!

I understand your situation - for the preferences of international law firms look at http://www.llm-guide.com/board/1328.
As you say, both schools seem to be an excellent choice, in university rankings Edinburgh is under the top ten (I think), in LLM rankings Durham is sometimes ahead.

Of course you should like the city as well, but I think both places are nice - just Edinburgh is a lot bigger...

Good luck,
Reinhard
quote
Maurine

Hi!
Thanks your thoughts. There'll both schools, but it seems from what you said that if you were in my shoes u'd be leaning towards...Edin? :) Whats Durham's ranking in LLM? and Edinburgh's?

Hi!
Thanks your thoughts. There'll both schools, but it seems from what you said that if you were in my shoes u'd be leaning towards...Edin? :) Whats Durham's ranking in LLM? and Edinburgh's?
quote
Joseph1

There is no ranking of LLMs anywhere in the world that is reliable.

As you say, both are old and reputable universities with nice old buildings. Neither is as dynamic as universities like Manchester or Warwick.

You should consider the fact that Scots law is not the same as English law. If you want to work in London - you are probably better off at Durham. If you want to work in continental Europe, then Edinburgh may be better for you.

There is no ranking of LLMs anywhere in the world that is reliable.

As you say, both are old and reputable universities with nice old buildings. Neither is as dynamic as universities like Manchester or Warwick.

You should consider the fact that Scots law is not the same as English law. If you want to work in London - you are probably better off at Durham. If you want to work in continental Europe, then Edinburgh may be better for you.
quote
gamayun

As as a future student of International Commercial Law I would most probably choose Durham. At least it was one of my initial choices. I also got an admission to Durham.

As as a future student of International Commercial Law I would most probably choose Durham. At least it was one of my initial choices. I also got an admission to Durham.
quote
Reinhard

Hi!
... it seems from what you said that if you were in my shoes u'd be leaning towards...Edin? :)


:-) not really. it just depends on what you want. I personally prefer a small city - less distraction and better prices.
What kind of person are you? Where are you from? Consider the arguments of Joseph1. If you already studied continental law, maybe Durham would be of better use for you.
@ rankings: times law ranking (old) Durham 4, Edinburgh 18, times law ranking (new) Durham 3, Edinburgh 6; remember the words of Joseph1... I'm sure both universities are good, I believe Edinburgh ist much better known abroad...

let me know your decision...
cheers reinhard

<blockquote>Hi!
... it seems from what you said that if you were in my shoes u'd be leaning towards...Edin? :) </blockquote>

:-) not really. it just depends on what you want. I personally prefer a small city - less distraction and better prices.
What kind of person are you? Where are you from? Consider the arguments of Joseph1. If you already studied continental law, maybe Durham would be of better use for you.
@ rankings: times law ranking (old) Durham 4, Edinburgh 18, times law ranking (new) Durham 3, Edinburgh 6; remember the words of Joseph1... I'm sure both universities are good, I believe Edinburgh ist much better known abroad...

let me know your decision...
cheers reinhard
quote
gamayun

The strange situation we have ... different sources have different law schools rankings... Durham in top 5, in other Durham is only in top 10. And completelly different opinion has respected HR manager from another post of this board.
So:
Would you reject Durham for UCL? And finally would you reject both Durham and UCL for Warwick - Int.Trade Law.

Thanks for opinion in advance.

The strange situation we have ... different sources have different law schools rankings... Durham in top 5, in other Durham is only in top 10. And completelly different opinion has respected HR manager from another post of this board.
So:
Would you reject Durham for UCL? And finally would you reject both Durham and UCL for Warwick - Int.Trade Law.

Thanks for opinion in advance.
quote
Reinhard

completelly different opinion has respected HR manager from another post of this board.
So:
Would you reject Durham for UCL? And finally would you reject both Durham and UCL for Warwick - Int.Trade Law.



well in one post a hr manager didn't consider durham or edinburgh as bad choices - which post do you mean? of course it's difficult, for everybody.
I wouldn't consider UCL for personal reasons, so I can't say that I would reject it. Warwick sounds very good, so that's another question. Ask yourself: Which programme is more attractive for you? Never forget that it lasts a year, so you should like it...

<blockquote> completelly different opinion has respected HR manager from another post of this board.
So:
Would you reject Durham for UCL? And finally would you reject both Durham and UCL for Warwick - Int.Trade Law.

</blockquote>

well in one post a hr manager didn't consider durham or edinburgh as bad choices - which post do you mean? of course it's difficult, for everybody.
I wouldn't consider UCL for personal reasons, so I can't say that I would reject it. Warwick sounds very good, so that's another question. Ask yourself: Which programme is more attractive for you? Never forget that it lasts a year, so you should like it...
quote
C.Miller

I work at the University of Edinburgh School of Law, so what else would I say but to choose Edinburgh over Durham! A few general points based on what has been said already:

You could come to Edinburgh and have a look around to compare the city (which is more like a large town in my opinion) to Durham. Before you arrive, make an appointment with someone at the School of Law to give you a quick tour of our amazing campus - www.law.ed.ac.uk for contact details.

You will find that at postgraduate level at this School of Law, there is reference to Scot's Law, English Law, EU Law and International Law. You should check with the School of Law if you want verification on your preferred course's focus.

Remember too that class sizes at the University of Edinburgh are limited....

Finally, if you wish to practice Law in the UK, an LL.M is not a prerequisite.

Just a few points which I hope will help your decision. PM me on this board if I can be of further assistance.

I work at the University of Edinburgh School of Law, so what else would I say but to choose Edinburgh over Durham! A few general points based on what has been said already:

You could come to Edinburgh and have a look around to compare the city (which is more like a large town in my opinion) to Durham. Before you arrive, make an appointment with someone at the School of Law to give you a quick tour of our amazing campus - www.law.ed.ac.uk for contact details.

You will find that at postgraduate level at this School of Law, there is reference to Scot's Law, English Law, EU Law and International Law. You should check with the School of Law if you want verification on your preferred course's focus.

Remember too that class sizes at the University of Edinburgh are limited....

Finally, if you wish to practice Law in the UK, an LL.M is not a prerequisite.

Just a few points which I hope will help your decision. PM me on this board if I can be of further assistance.



quote
Joseph1

I would actually go to UCL over either.

Warwick is excellent as well. Not as old as Durham or Edinburgh but much more dynamic. Durham might still have a touch more prestige but I would say that Warwick is arguably a better course and employers will recognise that.

I would actually go to UCL over either.

Warwick is excellent as well. Not as old as Durham or Edinburgh but much more dynamic. Durham might still have a touch more prestige but I would say that Warwick is arguably a better course and employers will recognise that.
quote
Maurine

Thank you for your thoughts!
I am leaning slightly towards Durham...
Does anyone know how their program compares with Edin?
:)

Thank you for your thoughts!
I am leaning slightly towards Durham...
Does anyone know how their program compares with Edin?
:)
quote
Inactive User

Hi everyone!

I had the same problem with Durham and Edinburgh (plus Manchester). I have spoken with an irish lawyer who was kind enough to help me with some info. He said that all of them are eminent universities but if he had to choose one of them that would be Edinburgh. It combines its great reputation with the city atmosphere, knowledge with places to see and go out.
So, you should definetely consider whether you are interested in the city life or Durham 's life. Eventhough I believe that Durham has the best courses (great variety, european/international emphasis, trade-based), personally speaking I will have to reject it since it is very small for me, making it more difficult to travel as much as I want.
The irish lawyer but also several people from my country have advised me not to isolate in Durham. That's why I lean towards Edin which is a great cultural capital. I just wish it had more courses to choose.

Hi everyone!

I had the same problem with Durham and Edinburgh (plus Manchester). I have spoken with an irish lawyer who was kind enough to help me with some info. He said that all of them are eminent universities but if he had to choose one of them that would be Edinburgh. It combines its great reputation with the city atmosphere, knowledge with places to see and go out.
So, you should definetely consider whether you are interested in the city life or Durham 's life. Eventhough I believe that Durham has the best courses (great variety, european/international emphasis, trade-based), personally speaking I will have to reject it since it is very small for me, making it more difficult to travel as much as I want.
The irish lawyer but also several people from my country have advised me not to isolate in Durham. That's why I lean towards Edin which is a great cultural capital. I just wish it had more courses to choose.
quote
gamayun

Thessaloniki,

Interesting thing ~~! Besides courses, you are looking for diversity, adventures... did you consider such place as London or Birmingham?

And I was looking for the opposite - although I needed an excellent institution, still I wanted it to be located in smaller (cheaper) place than London :) I think London is excessively expensive no matter what..

Edin is an excellent choice!!! Good luck!
g

Thessaloniki,

Interesting thing ~~! Besides courses, you are looking for diversity, adventures... did you consider such place as London or Birmingham?

And I was looking for the opposite - although I needed an excellent institution, still I wanted it to be located in smaller (cheaper) place than London :) I think London is excessively expensive no matter what..

Edin is an excellent choice!!! Good luck!
g
quote
Nicky

I know it's other things that count and that Durham has a great reputation, especially for international commercial law, but if their programme is as up to date as their LLM website - oh my... ;-)

"Welcome to the
Department of Law's
new LL.M. Web Site

Site Last Updated
16th May 2003"

I know it's other things that count and that Durham has a great reputation, especially for international commercial law, but if their programme is as up to date as their LLM website - oh my... ;-)

"Welcome to the
Department of Law's
new LL.M. Web Site

Site Last Updated
16th May 2003"
quote
Reinhard

Well you're right about the homepage :-)
maybe that shows that they are fixed at what really counts?
hopefully...

Well you're right about the homepage :-)
maybe that shows that they are fixed at what really counts?
hopefully...
quote
Reinhard

... making it more difficult to travel as much as I want....


can't agree there - there are 2 (small) airports close to Durham, and it's more central than Edinburgh and on the main train line. 3 hours to London doesn't sound that bad.
of course it always depends where you want to travel to...

<blockquote>... making it more difficult to travel as much as I want.... </blockquote>

can't agree there - there are 2 (small) airports close to Durham, and it's more central than Edinburgh and on the main train line. 3 hours to London doesn't sound that bad.
of course it always depends where you want to travel to...
quote
Inactive User

Gamayun.. I did look up for Birmingham, but all the courses are brit based (even the ones called international sth) so that doesnt interest me at all. London is of course quite expensive and Queen Mary rejected me so I didnt look any further. London is great but I would like to see something different and not spend all my money there!

Edin seems to be a good solution, since it combines everything, but I want to check again with Manchester. Afterall, Edin hasnt sent me yet the unconditional offer which I have been waiting for 3-4 weeks.

Gamayun.. I did look up for Birmingham, but all the courses are brit based (even the ones called international sth) so that doesnt interest me at all. London is of course quite expensive and Queen Mary rejected me so I didnt look any further. London is great but I would like to see something different and not spend all my money there!

Edin seems to be a good solution, since it combines everything, but I want to check again with Manchester. Afterall, Edin hasnt sent me yet the unconditional offer which I have been waiting for 3-4 weeks.
quote
Xenia

God you guys have completely confused the hell outta me !!!! I was all set on Edinburgh and didnt think twice bout accepting Durhams offer...now i dunno what to do... friends said id go crazy in Durham as its too small and im more of a city person ...however i want to work in the UK after my llm and i hope an llm from Edinburgh doesnt hamper my chances of gettin a job...maybe ill just wait to hear from the other unis and get myself more confused...lol
cheers ;)

God you guys have completely confused the hell outta me !!!! I was all set on Edinburgh and didnt think twice bout accepting Durhams offer...now i dunno what to do... friends said id go crazy in Durham as its too small and im more of a city person ...however i want to work in the UK after my llm and i hope an llm from Edinburgh doesnt hamper my chances of gettin a job...maybe ill just wait to hear from the other unis and get myself more confused...lol
cheers ;)
quote
MathiasW

Hi Maurine!
Let's meet in E.! I have been there last September for a couple of days. It is a gorgeous city next to the coast and with an outstanding reputation (ranked among the 50. best universities in the world (ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005TOP500list.htm)).
In addition nightlife is also fantastic.
Don't hesitate just because of the different legal systems in England and Scotland. On the one hand the Commercial Law Programme (which I will also attend) combines English Law, Scots Law and European and International Law (take a look at the outlined content of the relevant courses at: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/courses/). On the other hand the distinction between Commercial Law in England and Scotland isn't that big. So don't be concerned about the job perspectives in England.

Hi!
Having a tough time deciding between Durham and Edinburgh(Commercial law). Both very well reputed and old schools....
Visited Durham last year, absolutely loved the atmosphere...
Your thoughts are welcome...
Which school would international law firms favour?
Thanks:)

Hi Maurine!
Let's meet in E.! I have been there last September for a couple of days. It is a gorgeous city next to the coast and with an outstanding reputation (ranked among the 50. best universities in the world (ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005TOP500list.htm)).
In addition nightlife is also fantastic.
Don't hesitate just because of the different legal systems in England and Scotland. On the one hand the Commercial Law Programme (which I will also attend) combines English Law, Scots Law and European and International Law (take a look at the outlined content of the relevant courses at: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/courses/). On the other hand the distinction between Commercial Law in England and Scotland isn't that big. So don't be concerned about the job perspectives in England.

<blockquote>Hi!
Having a tough time deciding between Durham and Edinburgh(Commercial law). Both very well reputed and old schools....
Visited Durham last year, absolutely loved the atmosphere...
Your thoughts are welcome...
Which school would international law firms favour?
Thanks:)
</blockquote>
quote
C.Miller

i hope an llm from Edinburgh doesnt hamper my chances of gettin a job..


An LL.M from Edinburgh would be very fine on your CV. The institution is instantly recognised by UK employers, and is also very well known through the EU, USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, India... :D. It has received a lot of praise and good rankings over the years for the school and its post-graduate teaching.

The city itself isn't like many others in the UK. Some places in the city have an intense city urban buzz, other places are more relaxed, but it's not a huge place (around 500k people). But there is always something to do and somewhere to go.

And if you ever thought of exploring Scotland, there is much to see only an hour or two away in a car. The Munroes for hill climbing, Loch Lomond for a grand day out, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, whisky distilleries, beautiful coast-line and pristine beaches, muesums galleries and theatres all within a stone's throw of the law campus,world-class mountain biking trails, even ski-ing in the winter at Aviemore is an easy drive away from the city.

Of course you could not bother at all about the city, or the campus life, stay at home and study here at UoE by distance learning www.law.ed.ac.uk/distancelearning/ ;-)

Whatever institution you select, I hope you have a great time and really enjoy your postgrad studies.

<blockquote> i hope an llm from Edinburgh doesnt hamper my chances of gettin a job..</blockquote>

An LL.M from Edinburgh would be very fine on your CV. The institution is instantly recognised by UK employers, and is also very well known through the EU, USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, India... :D. It has received a lot of praise and good rankings over the years for the school and its post-graduate teaching.

The city itself isn't like many others in the UK. Some places in the city have an intense city urban buzz, other places are more relaxed, but it's not a huge place (around 500k people). But there is always something to do and somewhere to go.

And if you ever thought of exploring Scotland, there is much to see only an hour or two away in a car. The Munroes for hill climbing, Loch Lomond for a grand day out, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, whisky distilleries, beautiful coast-line and pristine beaches, muesums galleries and theatres all within a stone's throw of the law campus,world-class mountain biking trails, even ski-ing in the winter at Aviemore is an easy drive away from the city.

Of course you could not bother at all about the city, or the campus life, stay at home and study here at UoE by distance learning www.law.ed.ac.uk/distancelearning/ ;-)

Whatever institution you select, I hope you have a great time and really enjoy your postgrad studies.
quote

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