How to apply

The LLM programme application process takes place entirely online. You should ensure you have all the relevant documentation ready to submit in support of your application. Please note that missing documents will delay the application process.

Application deadline

Our LLM programmes by online distance learning have start dates in September and January of each academic year.

The application deadline for September 2012 entry is 17 August 2012. However, you should submit your application as early as possible in the academic year prior to that in which you wish to study.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you should make sure you meet the entry requirements for our LLM programmes.

Find out more about our LLM programme entry requirements

Documentation required

When submitting your application you are required to submit the following documentation in support of your application:

1. Qualifications

  • Degree certificate(s)
  • Academic transcript detailing individual subjects taken and results achieved, accompanied by details of the grading scheme employed
  • Where academic paperwork is not in English, certified translations must be provided (these must have been produced by a certified translator)
  • Professional qualifications
  • Professional registrations

2. References

You will be required to provide two references in support of your application. For further details of requirements for references, please refer to the University's Reference Guidelines.

The refernce guidelines are available to download in PDF (requires a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader).

Both references should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme. We may accept non-academic references from applicants who have been out of higher education for 5 years or more.

When submitting your online application, you will be given options on how to provide your references:

  • You can upload your references as documents with your online application
  • You can provide us with the referees' email addresses and we will send a request by email (please ensure that your referees are prepared and able to provide the references in the five working days following submission of your application)

3. Evidence of English language proficiency

For students whose first language is not English, documentary evidence of competence in both written and spoken English must be provided.

For more information about the English language tests and scores that are approved for admission by the University of Edinburgh please visit our entry requirements page.

Find out more about English language requirements

If you can provide official evidence from the appropriate institution that your first degree was instructed and assessed in English and it is less than two years since you obtained your award, you do not have to provide further evidence of language competence.

If your first degree was taken more than two years ago, you are required to provide additional evidence that you have regularly continued to use academic-standard English in the interim. Acceptable evidence would include testimonials from line managers from an English-speaking company who can attest to written and spoken English language capability.

In such cases, you should provide your evidence when you apply, at which time we will consider each request on an individual basis.

4. Personal statement and relevant knowledge/skills

Personal statement

You will be asked to complete a personal statement as part of your application. This should include why you feel you are qualified to enter the programme and how you think it may affect your career prospects.

If the LLM programme to which you are applying has more than one area of specialism or theme you should indicate here which area(s) you wish to specialise in (maximum 3500 characters - approximately 500 words).

Relevant knowledge/training skills

This may include details of any skills or voluntary work that you have undertaken that you feel are pertinent to the programme. If you have not yet finished your first degree, please tell us about the programme of study you are taking (max 3500 chars - approx. 500 words).

Finance

When submitting your application, you will be asked to provide details on how you intend to finance your studies. Please give careful thought to this, as, if an offer of a place is made, it will be done so on the understanding that you have secured the means to finance your studies.

Find out more about LLM programme fees for 2012/13

You can also find details on funding opportunities on the Edinburgh Law School postgraduate scholarships page.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships at Edinburgh Law School

When submitting your documents

Each document you submit must be no larger than 4MB (although please try and make them as small as possible to improve processing time).

You can submit documents in the following formats: .doc, .rtf, .pdf, .txt, .jpg, .xls, .gif, .zip

One document should be uploaded per requirement; please note that it is not possible to upload all required documents merged into one document.

You can upload up to two additional documents that are relevant to your application and not specified above e.g. if you hold more than one degree you may upload an additional degree certificate.

If you wish to upload a document after you have reached the 'Personal' page of the application form, you can do so by using the 'Save and return later' button. This will send you an email with an encrypted link. When you click on the link you will be taken to your application and can access the 'Upload Document' page and continue with your application.

Problems uploading documents

If you are unable to upload electronic copies, you may forward documents to us by post: please send any documentation to:

Clare Neilson
AHRC/SCRIPT
AHRC Research Centre
Edinburgh Law School
University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
United Kingdom

Please note: the University reserves the right to request original documentation at any point in the admissions process.

Your online account

When you apply you will create an online account with us. You will get a username and a password, which will allow you to track your application through its various stages.

You should check your account for any new messages/instructions that require your action in relation to your application. The distance learning programme team will also keep in regular contact with you via email.

Apply online

If you have checked that you meet the entry requirements for our LLM programmes and have all the required documentation ready to submit with your application you are ready to apply for your chosen LLM programme.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the application process please contact our online distance learning team.

llm.distance@ed.ac.uk