Studying for a Research Degree in Law

A research degree at the University of Aberdeen offers you the opportunity to study at one of the oldest universities in Europe. Law has been taught at the University since its founding in 1495. The School of Law is based in the historical surroundings of King's College, but housed in a modern purpose-built building with an outstanding library containing about 55,000 volumes (not all in print - e.g. microfiche), with well-qualified and helpful librarians.

The Law School has a thriving community of about 70 research students from all over the world, including Brazil, Cyprus, Turkey, Nigeria, Libya, the UAE, Thailand and China, as well as from the United Kingdom. To learn more about our existing research student community, click here. The Law School also has a flourishing population of around 150 taught LLM students, around 100 students taking the professional Diploma in Legal Practice and around 900 undergraduate students.

The academic staff have extensive contacts with the legal world as consultants, researchers, directors, and members of public, professional, and private bodies, commissions, and societies. All are involved in research and writing and in contributing to academic and professional societies and conferences.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) published in December 2008, the School had a total of 80% of its submissions recognised internationally as being of excellence or of significance and originality, with the remaining 20% judged to be of national standing. In the previous two RAE’s the School’s research was awarded the highest numerical rating possible of 5.

The School has received many commendations for its law teaching in both external and internal reviews. It achieved a satisfaction rate of 95% overall in the National Student Survey 2010.

Aberdeen is situated in the Grampian district of Scotland, which has a long-standing agricultural tradition and has more recently developed into the main centre for the North Sea oil industry. The city is cosmopolitan and has a rich cultural life, yet is still small enough to maintain a sense of community. Students have easy access to fine recreational facilities at the University and in the city.

The city is situated on the coast with a fine beach and the Scottish highlands within one hour's drive.

The Law School forms part of the University's College of Arts and Social Sciences, and you may wish to visit the College's Graduate School website for further information. You may also find the following links to other parts of the University's website of interest: