University of Aberdeen - School of Law

Taylor Building Courtyard

Master of Laws programmes are taught on a modular basis over a twelve month period with wide subject choice.

Four courses from within LLM programmes must be studied (30 credits each), plus a course in research methods (20 credits), and there is a compulsory dissertation (40 credits) which is written between June and September. To allow for diversity, on most LLM programmes, one of the four taught courses may be taken from a different LLM programme. For a full list of our LLMs, visit the Law School website.

Because of its flexible modular structure it is possible to commence the LLM programme at the start of the winter semester in September or at the start of the spring semester in January.

On many of our programmes we also offer a Professional Skills route - a short, intensive course offering a practical alternative to the dissertation, with problem-based learning and job-focused training.

"The Professional Skills aspect of the programme was attractive as it bridged academia and application of knowledge, skill and experience". Yolander Persaud, LLM Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills, November 2019

We offer a range of online short courses in law and some of our degree programmes can also be studied online:

LLM Dispute Resolution

LLM International Trade Law (with Dissertation or Professional Skills)

Oil and Gas Law (with Dissertation or Professional Skills)

King's College from Elphinstone Hall

Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is one of the UK's most internationally distinguished universities. It has a student population of around 14,000 and a large international community of students drawn from 130 different countries. It has a beautiful central campus where ancient buildings sit side by side with modern facilities.

The University has an excellent reputation for teaching quality and research, and, over the years, four Nobel Prizes have been awarded for work carried out or begun at Aberdeen.

Students are attracted by our tradition which is rooted in our 525 year history - but we are focused firmly on the future and are at the cutting-edge of research in many fields. Our attraction also lies in the quality of our courses and teaching, the research opportunities we provide, our superb facilities as one of four ancient universities of Scotland, and for the care and support which we provide for all our students. The University promotes a multi-national, multi-faith community.

Law has been taught at the University since its foundation. As such, studying for a Masters degree in law at the University of Aberdeen offers the opportunity to study at one of Europe's oldest Law Schools.

Today, the School is ranked among the UK's Top 10 Law Schools by the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 and we are 5th in the UK of 105 Law Schools for Overall Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2022).

Our Law School is proud to have many notable alumni including:

• Bertha Wilson – first female justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, d. 2007
• Lady Leeona Dorrian – Lord Justice Clerk
• Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC – Lord Advocate
• Iain Livingstone, Scottish Chief Constable

Entrance to Old Aberdeen Campus

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Law which has been completed, or is due to be completed, to a "very good" standard according to the marking scheme of the institution, i.e. the results achieved are higher than average. The overall result should be equivalent to an Upper Second Class Honours degree in the UK.

Undergraduate degrees in other relevant disciplines may be considered.

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. If your first language is not English, we will also require evidence that you meet our English Language criteria. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Please apply via the University of Aberdeen website. Visit our 'How to Apply' page for details.

Elphinstone Hall interior

Fees are dependent on the programme studied. 

For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.

International Applicants

Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen

The Law School has a number of scholarships available for application each Spring at postgraduate level, such as the Vikram Reddy Memorial Scholarship, the David Carey Miller Scholarship and the LLM Merit Scholarship. 

The CB Davidson Fund, which has a rolling deadline, provides limited financial support for postgraduate students from outside the UK to study at Aberdeen Law School. Awards are made on academic merit.

Applications must be submitted independently once an offer to study for a LLM has been made.

For up-to-date information, please search our Funding Database

New King's Building

We are situated at the heart of the historic King’s College Campus, close to the centre of Aberdeen. The city has a long history of international trade and is more recently recognised as the Energy Capital of Europe. Aberdeen has a rich local cultural heritage, and offers easy access to the beautiful and varied landscape of the North East of Scotland. 

Hillhead Accommodation

We offer a range of accommodation options, in or close to our Old Aberdeen campus, where Law is taught. Visit our Accommodation webpages for further details.

Aberdeen offers a vibrant and friendly environment for students to study in. For details about our various student activities and clubs, visit our Student Life pages.

LLM student in Taylor Library

Our International Study Centre offers a 12-week Pre-Masters pathway for students looking to expand their subject knowledge whilst developing their English skills prior to starting their degree. For details visit our International Study Centre website.