Hi everyone,
I'm new at this board, though having read quite a while.
I applied to a LLM in International Commercial law at University of Glasgow and to the Intellectual Property LLM at Edinburgh.
I just received offers to both of them (as long as my final degree is alright, which I will receive in about a month).

Now I'm undecided where to go. My guts tell me Glasgow. I've met a Professor and some alumni of Glasgow before and they just made the programme and especially the city sound great.
Though, Edinburgh has a stronger focus on IP law, which I could imagine working in later. And, as far as I read, Edinburgh has a bit higher reputation.
Though, my decision won't only be based on University facts but also on what's off the campus.
Which city do you think is more attractive regarding living costs, housing, night life, cultural activities, fun? I've heard that Glasgow is the city which might not be as beautiful as Edinburgh, but much more entertaining.
I mean, I don't want to spend the whole year in the library full time - hopefully ;D
So what do you think? Hope to get some opinions ! Thanks in advance

Hi there,

I did my undergrad at Glasgow and now doing an LLM in Commercial Law at Edinburgh so so be a useful person to give you a decent answer!

Not knowing where you're from, I'm not sure if you have any actual experience of the two cities. You're right in saying Edinburgh is a much more beautiful place to live - tourist sights, museums, culture (including the world biggest arts festival in the summer...when you should be writing your thesis!). There is no question that it's a great place to be. That being said, from a 'having fun' perspective, Glasgow is fantastic. The students and staff are tremendously friendly (not to say, of course, that Edinburgh's aren't!) and the west end district (where the campus is situated is a brilliant student haunt. As to living costs, you'll probably get more for your money in Glasgow - a decent sized one bedroom flat will set you back about £450/month whereas in Edinburgh you're probably looking at £550 upwards. Going out (read 'drinking') in Glasgow is also much cheaper than in Edinburgh.

As for the universities, I have noticed a difference in quality between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The LLM courses in Edinburgh seem to be more established than in Glasgow and attract a very mixed crowd - lots of EU/US/Australasians in Edinburgh. Glasgow's couses, on the other hand, and for whatever reason, seem to be more popular with Chinese/South East Asian students. I'd also argue that Edinburgh has an international reputation that is much better regarded - I think it's in or near the world's top 20.

You have a great choice to make, however - Glasgow is the English speaking world's fourth oldest university and Edinburgh the sixth. They are both wonderful places to live with good courses on offer. If I had to choose between the two I'm not sure what I'd do! For academics and culture, go for Edinburgh and for fun, a great place to live and a beautiful campus, go for Glasgow!

Good luck.

Wow! Thanks for this long answer... I'm from Germany by the way...
Well, the decision won't get easier though.
It seems hard to decide between "academic reasons" and "fun/cost reasons" ...
I still kind of tend towards Glasgow... Your arguments on Glasgow are strong: I really would like to study at an ancient campus university. Also the fact that Glasgow is quite a bit cheaper is important since I probably won't get any scholarschips.
But as you say, the academics seem to be more recognized in Edinburgh - and that is a huge part of the LLM, if not the most important. Well well well... Hard decision to make...
Thanks for your great answer again!

You're welcome. Knowing now that you're German, I should say that there are a lot of Germans doing the LLM at Edinburgh. I don't know whether you would consider that an advantage or not?!

As for scholarships, you might find it easier than you think:
http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/pg/scholarships.aspx

Commercial and IP are very different programmes so you should also really think about what you want to get out of the course. Edinburgh IP programme is excellent and Edinburgh is consistently ranked higher than Glasgow but if you prefer commercial law then you should go with Glasgow though I don't know anything about their Commercial programme, only the international courses and lecturers. I don't envy your decision making! Best of luck with it.

EDIpostgrad

Do you mean you do not recommend Edinburgh about commercial law programme? If so, why do you think Glasgow is better for commercial law?

Happydreamer
No, Edinburgh has a great Commercial LLM, however, the original post says that the person was admitted to Glasgow's Commerical programme and Edinburgh's IP programme. Thus I am assuming it is one or the other they are choosing between. I know that some people do change their specialism so it would be possible to do Commercial law at Edinburgh. I was simply responding to the original request and if they preferred Commercial over IP law then no sense pursuing a programme that was not on point.
Cheers!

EDIpostgrad
Oh, now I understand. Thank you for your response.

hi to all!

some days ago i received an offer from edinburgh, but since i'm a complete rookey to this subject, i need some help!:)

firstly, due date to respond to the offer is feb 14 :), but i am a graduate student at my university and will not finish my degree before july. i'm also waiting for some other universities' offer, and i'm not sure what will the consequences be if i confirm the offer, but later receive a better offer or if i don't succeed in getting the scholarship...

also, it seems to me that there are no full scholarships for the llm taught programme, and the best one i could find was the global masters scholarship, which i applied for, but covers "only" £5000.

any advices?

thanks in advance! :)

Elizabeta-
It is not a big deal that you won't finish your degree until July. The LLM programme does not begin until September at Edinburgh (and most other UK unis). You do have the option of changing your mind even once you have accepted. The point is you should not wait until the last minute to change your mind as if you accept a place that will keep another person from being accepted due to limited number.
As for funding, here is a link to the possible options at Edinburgh. http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/pg/scholarships.aspx
best of luck!

Glasgow University's School of Law has a new LLM programme starting in September, LLM in Intellectual Property and the Digital Economy. More details are available on the School of Law website.

You will easily be able to change onto this programme from the LLM in International Commercial Law when you arrive for registration in September.

another question about edinburgh!

has there ever been a case that the university offers to give a tuition waiver?

I was thinking about e-mailing the university, and asking for the waiver, based on recent exceptional academic success.
I was also advised by a professor at the edinburgh university to e-mail them and let them know about my success.

Is there any realistic hope that something like that could happen, since it is quite normal in the US?

thanks in advance!

Elizabeta-
They don't generally do 'tuition waivers' per say but you can apply for one of the several bursary/scholarships. Here is the link for options: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/pg/scholarships.aspx
Best of luck.
EDIpostgrad

Hi ikkaren,
It depends on what you want from the LLM. They are entirely different programmes. However, within the International Law tract you can opt to take international commerical arbitration as well as other courses that are being added in the coming semester. Personally, I say go international but I am biased as that is the programme I took (with Intl Commercial Arbitration as an elective).
Best of luck.