Study durations
Flexibility is built into our LLM programmes, with a range of study durations to choose from and start dates in both September and January.
The University of Edinburgh has two, ten-week semesters per year.
2025-26
Semester 1 (September - December 2025)
- Orientation starts week beginning 01 September 2025
- Teaching starts week beginning 15 September 2025
- Teaching ends 28 November 2025
Semester 2 (January - March 2026)
- Orientation starts week beginning 08 December 2025
- Teaching starts week beginning 12 January 2026
- Teaching ends 03 April 2026
2026-27
Semester 1 (September - December 2026)
- Orientation starts week beginning 31 August 2026
- Teaching starts week beginning 14 September 2026
- Teaching ends 27 November 2026
Semester 2 (January - March 2027)
- Orientation starts week beginning 07 December 2026
- Teaching starts week beginning 11 January 2027
- Teaching ends 02 April 2027
Depending on your start date and the duration of your studies, you have some flexibility to choose how many courses you take in a semester.
Please note that you must take at least one course per semester, and no more than three courses in any one semester.
| Study duration | Starting month | No. of semesters | No. courses per semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | September | 2 | 3 courses |
| 20 months | January | 3 | 2 courses |
| 2 years | September | 4 | 1 or 2 courses |
| 32 months | January | 5 | 1 or 2 courses |
| 3 years | September | 6 | 1 course |
LLM students on the two-year route will either take one course in two semesters and two courses in two semesters; or one course in three semesters and three courses in one semester.
LLM students on the 32-month route will take one course in four semesters, and two courses in one semester.
You should expect to spend around 10-15 hours per week on each course and allow additional time for assessments.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our online programmes please don't hesitate to contact us.