University of Edinburgh - School of Law

The spectacular skyline of the City of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh has been providing outstanding educational opportunities for over 400 years. One of Scotland’'s ancient universities, Edinburgh was founded in 1583 as ‘The Tounis College’ and was the first civic university in Britain.

The University of Edinburgh is an established centre for postgraduate study and research offering more than 210 taught postgraduate programmes from 22 acadmic schools, and research degrees from more than 130 academic units.

We are ranked in the top 25 Universities in the world. The 2015 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings ranked us 24th and the 2015 QS World University Rankings placed us 21st.

We can offer you a unique opportunity to work at the highest academic level alongside some of the most influential academics in your field.

We came 4th in the UK for law based on the breadth and quality of our research in the latest 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

So if you are looking to further your study in a research-led environment with world-leading researchers, Edinburgh Law School provides a fitting environment.

Edinburgh Law School Old College Campus

Edinburgh Law School was established in 1707, and for over 300 years we have trained some of the world's finest legal minds. Now in its fourth century, the School is larger and more diverse than ever.

Situated in the heart of the city, just minutes from both the highest Law Courts in Scotland and Scotland's Parliament, Edinburgh Law School offers a unique place to study in both a world-renowned city and world-leading law school.

We are an international and forward-thinking law school. Our staff are leading contemporary thought across the spectrum of legal scholarship and our research has influence and impact both locally and globally.

We were ranked 4th in the UK and 1st in Scotland for the breadth and quality of our research (REF 2014) and are consistently ranked as one of the top Law School's in the UK, with the QS World University Rankings listing us as 27th in the world.

The School currently has 360 master's students from across 52 countries studying with us on campus and a further 200 studying with us all over the world, through our online distance learning platform. Our student community is diverse and inclusive, broadening the horizons and enhancing the prospects of those who join us.

Graduation Ceremony

Edinburgh Law School currently offers 18 taught on-campus LLM or MSc programmes, 3 LLM by research programmes and 6 LLM programmes by online distance learning.

ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMMES

LLM in Commercial Law

An LLM in Commercial Law from Edinburgh Law School provides a prestigious qualification and an excellent grounding for the future study or practice of commercial law. Students on this programme have the opportunity to enjoy a challenging year of study, led by a team of experienced and enthusiastic commercial lawyers and shared with a cohort of students from all over the world.

For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/commercial_law

LLM in Comparative and European Private Law

The LLM in Comparative and European Private Law aims to equip students with an in-depth understanding of the core areas of private law in the world's two great legal traditions.
Students will have the opportunity to examine the principles on which the laws of major jurisdictions are based, both in the civilian tradition and the common-law world, along with current harmonisation attempts.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/comparative_and_european_private_law

LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice

The LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice aims to provide an advanced understanding of contemporary debates in criminal law and criminal justice. You will study core material relating to criminal law theory and doctrine, and will also have the opportunity to study more general issues relating to criminal justice, such as policing, surveillance and security. It is a programme designed to provide flexibility for students who wish to develop their understanding of these disciplines and prepare them for further work in this area, whether professional or academic.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/criminal_law_and_criminal_justice

MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice

This MSc provides comprehensive training in criminology, criminal justice and criminological research methods. Edinburgh has a renowned history in both theoretical and empirical traditions in criminology. The degree provides you with a strong foundation for embarking on careers within and related to the area of criminal justice, including academic and research careers. The programme is actively involved with the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) and the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR). Local practitioners often contribute to the programme and support you in developing your research skills and your understanding of the practical application of criminological ideas. Numerous workshops, lectures, conference and seminars take place throughout the academic year providing you with a varied and stimulating research environment in which to study criminology and criminal justice.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/criminology_and_criminal_justice

LLM in European Law

This programme reflects the rapid evolution of contemporary European law and its impact on domestic legal orders. The courses offered on this LLM span the institutional, constitutional and substantive dimensions of EU law and are taught primarily by staff working within the Europa Institute. The interdisciplinary method of the Europa Institute also provides a unique environment for advanced study of EU law in its political and economic contexts. The programme also involves teaching by legal practitioners and policymakers working at the highest levels of the development of EU law, thereby offering you a broad range of perspectives on EU law and practice.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/european_law

MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Security

This programme integrates teaching from Edinburgh Law School and the University's School of Social & Political Science. The MSc is designed to equip students with an advanced, cross-disciplinary knowledge of the legal, political and policy issues in relation to crime, justice and security in a global context. It will enable you to analyse and evaluate alternative explanations for international and transnational developments in crime and responses to crime.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/msc_in_global_crime_justice_and_security

LLM in Global Environment and Climate Change Law

The LLM in Global Environment and Climate Change Law is designed to equip you with an advanced, interdisciplinary knowledge of the legal issues and techniques related to environmental protection and the management of natural resources, with special emphasis on climate change. It aims to enable you to analyse and evaluate the historic and ongoing development of international, European and national laws for environmental protection, the inter-relation between these different levels of law-making, as well as the interactions between environmental law and other areas of law.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/global_environment_and_climate_change_law

LLM in Human Rights

Edinburgh offers you the chance to be involved with a dynamic and engaged community in the field of human rights, and our LLM has very close links with the University's Global Justice Academy, a cross-disciplinary hub working to addresses crucial global challenges in human rights. The programme draws from research strengths and teaching from the School of Social and Political Science and the Law School. Due to popular demand, applications for 2017 entry to this programme close on 30th April.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/human_rights

LLM in Innovation, Technology and the Law

This interdisciplinary degree explores the role of the law in responding to, regulating, and promoting new and emerging technologies. The programme will equip you with a high level of knowledge in the fields of law and technology, with a sophisticated awareness of the problems in the area and the differing approaches to their solutions. For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/innovation_technology_and_law

LLM in Intellectual Property Law

The LLM in Intellectual Property Law is intended to provide both an advanced knowledge of substantive intellectual property law and the place of intellectual property within a domestic, regional and international context. The programme spans comparative study of the laws of patents, copyright, trademarks, designs, database protection, breach of confidence, passing off, as well as investigating a range of issues, which underpin contemporary intellectual property law. The programme will enable you to explore intellectual property in not just its legal context but also in its social, ethical, cultural and commercial contexts.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/intellectual_property_law

LLM in International Banking Law and Finance

The Global Financial Crisis and the Eurozone crisis have changed the environment in which global finance operates forever. In this new world of 21st century financial markets, only the most skilled and best trained succeed. The new LLM in International Banking Law and Finance is therefore an essential programme for individuals wishing to pursue a career in or develop their current career in the legal, accounting or banking industries. Please note this is a high demand programme so we close applications for 2017 entry on 30th April.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/international_banking_law_and_finance

LLM in International Economic Law

This programme seeks to provide a thorough understanding of the institutions, rules and principles of the international economic system, as well as key legal and policy issues arising from the globalisation of the world economy. Through the compulsory courses of the programme, you will gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the core branches of international economic law.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/international_economic_law

LLM in International Law

The LLM in International Law provides an in-depth study of the fundamentals of international law and international relations, with the opportunity to take specialised courses on issues of contemporary significance. The programme encourages and supports the development of research skills and seeks to prepare you for a career in international law or international organisations. The programme has strong links with the Scottish Centre for International Law, established in 1999 at the University of Edinburgh. The Centre aims to promote research and study in international law and to play an active role in the development of laws on an international scale.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/international_law

LLM in Law

The LLM in Law provides the opportunity to pursue the study of law to a high intellectual standard. The programme for the general LLM degree allows you maximum flexibility to select from across an extensive range of course options. The breadth of choice available with this degree should appeal particularly to the student with a wide range of legal interests and those who have not yet settled upon a field of specialisation.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/law

LLM in Law and Chinese

This two-year programme provides a unique opportunity to study law at LLM level while at the same time receive intensive training in Modern Standard Chinese language (Mandarin). This innovative programme is jointly coordinated between Edinburgh Law School and the University's School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. You will spend time in both Edinburgh and China and will graduate with full, masters-level training in law as well as a solid grounding in Chinese language.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/law_and_chinese

LLM in Medical Law and Ethics

Individual and population health is a matter of growing social concern that implicates a wide range of fields, practices, institutions and instruments, including the law. By studying this new LLM in Medical Law and Ethics, you will benefit from the opportunity to study the fundamentals of medical law and ethics, both international and domestic, at an advanced level, and to explore a range of contemporary healthcare issues from a variety of disciplines across the medical humanities that reflect the research of some of the UK's leading experts in this field. This is an essential programme for anyone wishing to pursue or advance a career in medical law or ethics.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/llm_msc/medical_law_and_ethics

LLM Programmes by Research

LLM in Legal Research

The LLM in Legal Research is an innovative programme preparing you to undertake high-quality doctoral research in one of the UK's leading law schools. It provides the bridge between undergraduate studies in law and doctoral work.
The programme is designed to simultaneously offer you the opportunity to undertake more in-depth, guided study in an area in which you may plan to specialise in the future; understand the basics of legal research, legal scholarship and research methods; and undertake a piece of supervised, independent research, involving practice in using research-methods skills, leading to a dissertation. This LLM is suitable for students wanting to specialise in any field of legal studies in which we have supervisory expertise.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/teaching/postgraduate/llm_msc/in_legal_research

LLM by Research

The degree of LLM by Research aims to consolidate and build on legal research and writing skills acquired through undergraduate legal studies by enabling students to plan, undertake and complete a 30 000 word dissertation, working independently but under specialist academic supervision, within their chosen field of law.
It seeks to enhance and develop the student's ability to manage and engage with both primary legal sources and academic literature on the chosen topic, to present critical and engaged legal arguments, and to maintain the coherence of those arguments over a piece of written work of this size and scale.

The programme is intended to stand independently as a postgraduate legal qualification; but it will also prepare students who wish to pursue doctoral research in law. The framework of the LLM by Research allows the applicant the time and intellectual space to work in their chosen field, and to refine and develop this initial phase of the project for future doctoral work.
For further information please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/teaching/postgraduate/llm_msc/by_research

ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMES

About online distance learning

The University of Edinburgh, School of Law offers the following LLM programmes by online distance learning:

• LLM in International Commercial Law and Practice
• LLM in Law
• LLM in Innovation, Technology and the Law
• LLM Information Technology Law
• LLM Intellectual Property Law
• LLM Medical Law and Ethics

For further information about these LLM degrees please visit: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/online_distance_learning/llm_degrees

The modules in the LLM programmes (online distance learning) are intended to provide students with an advanced knowledge of domains where law engages with the commercial sector, technology, intellectual property and medical ethics, laying a foundation for specialised professionals to contribute to their local economy through the expertise acquired during the programme and to assist in the further development of the legal framework in the subject domains.

The programme, which has an international focus, is built on the strength of innovative cross-cutting research of the highest quality. In delivering a programme of such depth we aim to assist our students in developing a sophisticated awareness of legal and ethical problems and dilemmas that arise at the intersection of law and technology together with an appreciation of the differing approaches to their solutions.

Having studied on the programme, not only will the students emerge with a high level knowledge of law related to technology, intellectual property and medical ethics, they will also have a full appreciation of their relevance to social, ethical, cultural and commercial contexts.

Our virtual learning environment (eScript) has been specifically developed for us by learning technology specialists within The University of Edinburgh (winners of the Queen’s anniversary award in 2005). Through this unique environment and during the course of the study, students have the opportunity to:

• benefit from the expertise of academic staff, specialist in a range of subject areas
• develop new contacts within their international peer group
• engage in on-line discussion and participate in analysis, legal argument and debate
• identify and deploy appropriate sources from a breadth of legal resources
• analyse problems and prepare solutions on a range of legal, ethical, and policy debates
• communicate effectively through a variety of written channels, including essay writing.

Princes Street Gardens

We ask for a minimum 2.1 (honours) degree, or international equivalent in law or social sciences. Law, or a heavy component of undergraduate law, is preferred for many of our programmes but there are some programmes that accept students from a wider range of study backgrounds. Please check the specific entry requirements for the programme you're interested in.

For more information about the specific entry requirements for postgraduate study at Edinburgh Law School please visit: LLM via Online Distance Learning programme information webpage.
On-campus programme information webpage.

To apply for our on-campus programmes please see Edinburgh Law School's postgraduate studies pages

To apply for our online distance learning programmes please visit Edinburgh Law School's online distance learning website

Please contact either [email protected] (for on-campus) or [email protected] (for distance learning) for details of the fee structure.

The University of Edinburgh's Scholarship Office can answer any questions regarding financial aid. Their website includes a fully searchable database of funding opportunities.

Edinburgh Law School also provides several scholarships for postgraduate study. Please click on the Scholarships tab for more information or visit the Edinburgh Law School Funding pages

Edinburgh Law School
University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh EH8 9YL
UK

Please note that Edinburgh Law School will be temporarily relocating to David Hume Tower, George Square from June 2016 to Summer 2018 while our Old College home undergoes significant refurbishment. George Square is based in the city centre and is home to most humanities and social science teaching and facilities.

For details of the campus location in the centre of Edinburgh, please see the University of Edinburgh online maps

For more information about our refurbishment project visit our project website

The Law postgraduate prospectus covers a lot of information about student life in the City and is a good place to begin.

Edinburgh Law School is a vibrant, diverse and international Law School. Our community consists of students from across the world, with very different backgrounds and motivations for studying at postgraduate level, meaning that you will be studying with like-minded people as well as opening your horizons.

Edinburgh law School graduates also go on to a wide variety of careers whether it be in the legal profession, an NGO, academia, private sector business, or government institutions. Visit our Careers pages for more details and examples of the career paths a postgraduate programme from Edinburgh can lead to.

For information about student life in Scotland, have a look over the article here on the LLM-guide.com by Valdis Wish for a look in to what's on offer in Scotland.

Distance learning students can study from any location in the world with an Internet connection, so it's harder to give an example of a typical student experience!

If you would like to connect with a current student at Edinburgh Law School please contact the Postgraduate Communications Team for more information.

Pre-sessional English language courses are available. Visit the University of Edinburgh English Language Teaching Centre pages for more details.