The Legal Cheek View
The University of Aberdeen is one of four “ancient” universities of Scotland, with law a founding discipline when it was established in 1495. Nowadays, the School of Law prides itself on delivering high quality, engaging, and academically challenging programmes.
Popular degree offerings at undergrad include its classic LLB, which is a qualifying law degree in Scotland, and its LLB with English Law – a qualifying law degree in England and Wales. At postgraduate level it also provides a general LLM as well as a diverse array of specialised LLM programmes in dispute resolution, trade law, oil and gas, human rights, international law, commercial law and more.
Along with its well-established Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP) for those seeking entry into the Scottish legal profession, the school is also introducing an SQE1 preparation course for those wishing to qualify in England and Wales. This will be delivered in an online form, with students receiving access to the programme for 12 months.
The course covers the 13 areas of functional legal knowledge tested in SQE1, along with Ethics and Professional Conduct. It includes practice sessions with multiple choice questions, essential for exam readiness. The course, while designed for independent study, features tutor-led sessions and the chance to participate in topic-specific discussions on the school’s platform.
This preparatory course focuses solely on SQE1 and will be available from summer 2024. The University plans to offer a separate course for SQE2 starting in 2025.
Built in 1964 to commemorate Sir Thomas Murray Taylor, former Principle of the university, the Taylor Building houses the law school on its first floor. Just a short walk from King’s College, the Taylor Building, sitting within the Old Aberdeen campus, is undoubtedly situated in one of the most beautiful areas of the city.
Students are also exposed to a law department at Aberdeen which is internationally renowned for its research excellence. Law students can gain exposure to five active research centres at the school, including The Centre for Energy Law, the Centre for Commercial Law, and The Centre for Private International Law.
Students have the opportunity to get involved with the law school’s community initiatives. These involve students conducting workshops on employability skills for inmates in nearby prisons, as well as organizing sessions on law for local schools.
There are also a variety of extra-curriculars on offer including the Aberdeen Law Project, which is the first law project in the UK that is founded, led, and operated purely by students. The Aberdeen Law Society is also one of the largest and most active societies on campus at the University. Other societies include the University of Aberdeen Bar Society and the Aberdeen Student Law Review. So, there’s plenty of opportunity for students to get involved with community initiatives and join legal communities at Aberdeen Law School.
Courses
SQE courses
SQE1 Preparation course
For law graduates of either English or Scots law, this SQE1 Prep course is fully online, takes place over 12 months and costs £2,350.
Postgraduate law courses
- LLM Business Law & Sustainable Development
- LLM Criminal Justice
- LLM Criminal Justice & Human Rights
- LLM Dispute Resolution (Online)
- LLM Energy Transition Law with Dissertation
- LLM Energy Transition Law with Professional Skills
- LLM Energy Economics and Law
- LLM General Law
- LLM International Intellectual Property & Information Law with Dissertation
- LLM International Intellectual Property & Information Law with Professional Skills
- LLM International Commercial Law with Dissertation
- LLM International Commercial Law with Professional Skills
- LLM International Human Rights
- LLM International Law
- LLM International Law and International Relations
- LLM International Law, Security and Strategic Studies
- LLM International Trade Law
- LLM International Trade Law (Online)
- LLM International Trade Law and Treaty Negotiations with Professional Skills
- LLM Natural Resources Law
- LLM Oil and Gas Law (Online)
- LLM Oil and Gas Law with Dissertation
- LLM Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills
- LLM Public International Law
- LLM International Dispute Resolution with Dissertation
- LLM International Dispute Resolution with Professional Skills
- LLM Corporate Finance and Law
- LLM by Research
Scholarships
CB Davidson Fund
This scholarship provides limited financial support for postgraduate students within the School of Law. It is for graduates in law from outside the UK to study in Aberdeen, and for students and graduates of the University of Aberdeen who wish to travel outside of the UK for research purposes.
Value: up to £2,500
Deadline: two rolling deadlines each year – 31 March and 30 September
The Vikram Reddy Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to support one postgraduate student from the United Kingdom through a one year on campus full time Master of Laws (taught or research) programme (LLM).
Value: £1,000
Deadline: applications open Spring 2024