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  Law LLM by Research


University of Edinburgh    School of Law

Programme information Department Information Department Programmes
Full time & Part time September, January LLM, Research Only 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Law (22)

FindAMasters summary

The Law LLM by Research at Edinburgh Law School offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring legal researchers. Ranked 3rd in the UK for law research, our vibrant community provides an excellent setting for doctoral studies. With diverse fields such as criminal law, human rights, and intellectual property law, you can explore your chosen area in depth. The programme structure allows flexibility, making it ideal for part-time students. You'll have access to comprehensive training and support, including research skills workshops. Our extensive law library, with digital and print resources, and the University's Main Library enhance your research experience. Check our website for specific entry requirements.

About the course

Research profile

The Edinburgh Law School is a vibrant, collegial and enriching community of legal, sociolegal and criminology researchers and offers an excellent setting for doctoral research.

We are ranked 3rd in the UK for law for the quality and breadth of our research by Research Professional, based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).

Our doctoral researchers are key to the School’s research activities and we work hard to ensure that they are fully engaged with staff and projects across all of our legal disciplines.

You will find opportunities in the following fields:

Read more about this course

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.


Fees

Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme on our website.

 Course Content

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Where will I study?

Where is University of Edinburgh
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School of Law

Edinburgh Law School

From its location at the heart of Scotland’s capital, the University of Edinburgh has been providing outstanding educational opportunities for over 400 years.

The Law School

1707 marked the foundation of the Faculty of Law, now known as Edinburgh Law School, which is situated in historic Old College in the heart of Edinburgh, minutes from both the Law Courts and Scotland’s Parliament. Renowned for our international and interdisciplinary outlook, we have been at the heart of legal education and research for more than 300 years.

We are a community of world-leading researchers, legal professionals, and students at all stages of their education. Drawn from over 60 countries, our staff and students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, bringing with them a wealth of different experiences and perspectives that enrich the work we do together.

By studying at Edinburgh Law School, you’ll join a vibrant, active community of world-leading researchers, legal professionals and students at all stages of their education.

Why Edinburgh?


  • The University of Edinburgh is ranked 22nd in the world (QS World University 2024)
  • Edinburgh Law School is ranked 13th in the world for Law (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject: Law)
  • We offer a range of on-campus and online study options
  • Choose from over 15 general, specialist or research masters degrees
  • Edinburgh was named the best city in the world 2022 by Timeout and is ranked 10th best student city in the world, 6th in Europe, and 2nd in the UK, in the QS Best Student Cities 2023
  • Taught by leading academics networked with local and global partners
  • Student-led social life: Edinburgh Law School Postgraduate Student Society
School of Law

Old College

The Law School is based in Old College, a space which has been designed with our community in mind, a central hub for our teaching, research activities, study spaces, seminars and more. There has also been extensive development of the Law Library, creating additional room for collections and more study spaces for students.

The building is designed to support collaboration and interaction, with plenty of space to socialise and study, both independently or with others.

Find out More

Masters degrees

Our on-campus masters degrees give you exceptional choice from a wide range of fields. From criminal justice to commercial law, intellectual property law to international banking regulation and more, you will find something that fits with your career and academic objectives.

Our online masters degrees give you the opportunity and flexibility to study for an internationally recognised qualification from anywhere in the world. With a range of different durations and fields to choose from, our programmes offer you a way to advance your career and develop your academic knowledge alongside your employment and personal commitments.

Scholarships and funding opportunities

We offer a range of scholarships and funding opportunities. Please visit our website for further details.

Programmes at School of Law

Commercial Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This programme provides an excellent grounding for the future study of commercial law, for those intending to enter legal practice, or for those intending to pursue a career in the commercial sector. Read more

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Comparative and European Private Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

Drawing on both the civil and common law tradition, this unique programme offers the ideal platform for you to develop expertise in core areas of private law from a comparative perspective, and to benefit from research-led teaching from legal scholars who are recognised as experts in their field. Read more

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Corporate Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

The LLM in Corporate Law provides an in-depth knowledge of the legal, economic, financial, and governance matters covering the most relevant aspects in the life cycle of a corporation. Read more

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Criminal Law and Criminal Justice LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

A cutting-edge and intellectually demanding programme, the LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice will equip you with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and theories underpinning criminal law and criminal justice and how they operate in practice. Read more

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Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc

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This programme provides a platform to learn about and engage with the latest criminological research and apply this to current theory, practice and debate in this interdisciplinary field. Read more

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European Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

An in-depth knowledge and understanding of EU law is now more essential than ever for anyone considering a career in law, business, politics or policy within the UK, EU or beyond. Read more

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Global Crime, Justice and Security MSc

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This programme provides an excellent opportunity to study global developments in the field of crime, criminal law, justice and security. Read more

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Global Environment and Climate Change Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

Environmental law is a dynamic, fast-developing and globally important area of law that requires not only specialist legal knowledge but also an understanding of underpinning political, economic and scientific issues. Read more

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Human Rights LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

As a field of academic study, human rights cuts across a wide variety of disciplines. It sits at the heart of law, political science, theology and history. Read more

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Information Technology Law (Online Learning) LLM

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This programme focuses on the regulatory framework that governs information technology within international, European and domestic settings. Read more

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Innovation, Technology and the Law (Online Learning) LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This unique and internationally-focused LLM programme explores how the law responds to, regulates and promotes new and emerging technologies. Read more

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Innovation, Technology and the Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This programme aims to promote advanced knowledge and understanding of the relationships between law, technology, commerce and society in the widest possible sense. Read more

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Intellectual Property Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This programme is designed to equip you with an advanced knowledge and understanding of intellectual property law and policy within a domestic (UK), regional (European) and international setting. Read more

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International Banking Law and Finance LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

The legal and regulatory infrastructure and fundamental theoretical concepts underpinning global finance have undergone fundamental changes since 2008. Read more

 On Campus  Full Time
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International Commercial Law and Practice (Online Learning) LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This programme aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of how international commercial law operates in practice. Read more

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International Economic Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This programme seeks to provide you with in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the. Read more

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International Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This LLM is ideally suited to those wishing to specialise in public international law and offers you a firm foundation in the fundamentals of the international legal system and international relations. Read more

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Law (Online Learning) LLM

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This programme offers a diverse and flexible range of courses, enabling you to tailor the LLM to suit your specific professional and personal needs. Read more

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Law (Online Learning) PgCert

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This certificate provides an ideal learning environment for legal professionals, policy makers and professionals in both the public and private sectors to develop skills and knowledge in relation to legal matters which impact on their work. Read more

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Law LLM

University of Edinburgh School of Law

This general LLM programme is the ideal choice for students wishing to expose themselves to diverse areas of advanced legal scholarship. Read more

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Law LLM by Research

University of Edinburgh School of Law

The Edinburgh Law School is a vibrant, collegial and enriching community of legal, sociolegal and criminology researchers and offers an excellent setting for doctoral research. Read more

 On Campus  Part Time  Full Time
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Medical Law and Ethics (Online Learning) LLM

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This programme draws on the expertise and tradition of Edinburgh to deliver an internationally-focused, interdisciplinary programme that combines flexible learning with the most up-to-date teaching on all of the important issues affecting medicine, law and ethics today. Read more

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Medical Law and Ethics LLM

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Professional Legal Practice Diploma

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