Student life
Joining Edinburgh Law School as a postgraduate student means more than just an excellent academic experience. As well as being immersed in the heart of our community in our newly refurbished, beautiful home in Old College, you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities alongside your studies.
Edinburgh Law School is located in the historic Old College building. One of the oldest parts of the University of Edinburgh, it is situated just down the road from the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, on Chambers Street.
The interior of Old College was recently refurbished as part of a £35m project. You will benefit from brand new teaching, study, and research facilities, including a purpose-built Moot Court room, 150 seat octagonal lecture theatre, and flexible study space in our dedicated Ken Mason Postgraduate Hub. There has also been extensive development of the Law Library, creating additional room for collections and more study spaces for students.
Taking the step up to postgraduate study is a fantastic way to develop and challenge yourself academically. To help you make the transition to postgraduate study, you will be guided through a comprehensive induction programme that ensures all our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed on our programmes. Whether you are coming straight from an undergraduate degree, have taken a few years away from academia, or are new to the field, our skills sessions and resources will provide you with the right support to begin your programme with confidence.
Academic staff and our research-led approach to teaching
Our programmes are delivered by academic staff who are experts in their field and passionate and supportive in their teaching. Some courses will also feature input from senior practitioners from relevant industry or government.
We are a research-intensive university and our teaching is underpinned by this research, with a focus on real-world relevance. Based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), Edinburgh Law School is ranked 3rd in the UK for law for the quality and breadth of our research. Therefore whichever path of study you choose, you can be confident that the course material is drawn from the most up-to-date research available.
Most of our courses are taught in a seminar style, but you may also experience lecture, debate, small group, and online classes. Our aim at Edinburgh Law School is to enable you to think for yourself, helping you learn how to make and develop your own arguments. We therefore encourage an interactive approach to teaching so that you not only learn from academic teaching staff but also discuss your ideas with your fellow students.
The majority of our programmes are assessed through written assignment and all have a dissertation component, written on a topic of your choice with support and guidance from a dissertation supervisor.
Edinburgh Law School is situated in the heart of the city of Edinburgh in the historic Old College just a few minutes' walk away from many of the city's famous attractions. Edinburgh is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world and is home to around 100,000 students. Edinburgh is a unique historical city with a lot to offer no matter what your interests.
Edinburgh has a varied social scene with a wide range of bars, clubs, cinemas, and music venues throughout the city. It is also home to 12 major annual festivals including the Film Festival, International Festival, and the Fringe Festival.
As a masters student at Edinburgh Law School, you are automatically a member of the Edinburgh Law School Postgraduate Society. This society is run by students, for students, and is dedicated to hosting events and activities for students enrolled on our programmes throughout the year. In previous years, they have run the following activities:
- Networking events and workshops with alumni
- Student-run reading groups
- Charity fundraising events
- A Postgraduate Ball and Christmas Dinner
- Trips across the UK (and overseas) to visit landmarks such as the London Supreme Court
If you want to be more involved, you’ll even have the opportunity to be part of the team that organises and runs these events, which can be a great chance to add to your CV and network with staff and alumni.
You’ll also be able to take part in events and activities run by the University of Edinburgh Students’ Association (EUSA). They have over 280 societies offering you the chance to develop your interests, network, and meet like-minded people. From a capella to brewing, photography to renaissance singing, there is something for everyone – and if you can’t find the society that suits you, you can also work with the Activities Team to set up a new society!
Edinburgh Law School Students are encouraged to take part in mooting activities during their time here. Students in the past have participated in international competitions including:
- The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot
- The European Law Moot Court Competition
- The Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot
During your time as a student of the Law School, you will be able to attend a range of talks and seminars on research themes, hosted by the School. These can include seminars and talks by guest speakers and visiting academics, inaugural lectures by professors, reading groups run by PhD students, workshops and conferences.
The Law Library
The library is one of the largest law libraries in the UK. It also houses the library of the Europa Institute, an outstanding European Documentation Centre holding a vast collection of legal, criminological, and European materials.
Find out more about our facilities and resources
You will also have full access to all of the University of Edinburgh's libraries and a wealth of online resources for law.
Find out more about the range of online resources you will have access to
Accommodation
The University guarantees an offer of accommodation for all eligible postgraduate students from outside the EU.
Find out more about the range of accommodation Edinburgh has to offer
Sport and exercise
The University of Edinburgh is one of the leading sports universities in the UK and has a range of world-class sports facilities.
Find out more about the University's sports facilities
Details of the full range of facilities that you will have access to as a student can be found on the University's main website.
Find out more about the range of facilities the University has to offer
As a student at the University of Edinburgh you will have access to wide range of support services.
Student Adviser
During your studies, you will have a dedicated Student Adviser who will be your first point of contact for any support, including:
- Your studies
- Your wellbeing
- Practical matters
Find out about our range of support services
The Postgraduate Office
Our postgraduate team are here to provide advice and guidance to help support you in your studies.
Contact the Postgraduate Office at pg.law.enquiries@ed.ac.uk
The Careers Service
The University's award-winning Careers Service provide advice and guidance to help you with your future career choices.
Find out more about the Careers Service
The Advice Place
The Advice Place provides free, impartial, and confidential information to students on a range of topics.
Find out more about the Advice Place
Disability Service
The Student Disability Service is a service which supports disabled students. They support students with dyslexia, mental health issues, and students on the autistic spectrum, as well as those who have chronic illnesses, physical and sensory impairments.
Find out more about the Student Disability Service
Student Counselling Service
The Student Counselling Service offers short term counselling and various drop-in workshops. They can also provide contact details for other organisations that will provide help and support.
