Life as a research student

Why I chose to study for an LLM by Research

I chose to pursue an LLM by Research because I wanted the intellectual space to think slowly, critically, and independently about private law. My research interests lie in Scots private law, particularly contract and the law of obligations. The LLM(R) offered the ideal framework to pursue this enquiry in depth, allowing me to test doctrinal coherence, engage with comparative material, and ask normative questions about where the law ought to go.

Choosing to undertake the LLM(R) at Edinburgh was, for me, an easy decision. Edinburgh is uniquely placed for research in Scots private law, where civilian and common-law influences intersect and where questions of legal identity, coherence, and reform are particularly alive. Overall, I chose the LLM(R) because I wanted to do real research. I chose Edinburgh because there is, in my view, nowhere better to do it in Scotland.

My experience so far

One of the most distinctive aspects of the LLM(R) has been the supervisory relationship. The level of engagement, generosity with time, and intellectual openness I have experienced has been exceptional. Supervision meetings are not merely about “checking progress”, but about testing ideas, refining arguments, and being encouraged to think more ambitiously and precisely. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement, enthusiasm, and intellectual curiosity my supervisors bring to every discussion.

Another standout feature has been the sense of intellectual autonomy the programme affords. The LLM(R) requires a high degree of self-direction, but that autonomy is carefully scaffolded. You are trusted to pursue your own line of enquiry, while being supported by a research culture that values depth, clarity, and originality.

Beyond my own project, I have been struck by how integrated the LLM(R) feels within the wider life of the Law School. Opportunities to teach, attend academic seminars, engage with visiting speakers, and participate in editorial and academic initiatives have made the experience feel far from isolating. Instead, research is embedded in a broader scholarly ecosystem, where ideas are exchanged across career stages and areas of expertise.

The research community at Edinburgh Law School

One of the most defining features of my experience on the LLM(R) has been the research community at Edinburgh Law School. It is a community that is intellectually ambitious, generous in spirit, and genuinely inclusive – particularly towards early-career researchers and postgraduate students. From the outset, I felt not merely accommodated, but actively welcomed as part of a shared scholarly endeavour. In other words, LLM(R) and PhD researchers are treated much like staff, and the hierarchical divide is far less pronounced than one might expect.

Finally, the research community at Edinburgh is one that values integrity and care. There is an emphasis on producing work that is rigorous, principled, and meaningful, rather than merely fashionable or expedient. Being part of such a community has been both motivating and reassuring. It has made the LLM(R) feel not like an isolated research project, but like an apprenticeship in scholarly life – one rooted in curiosity, generosity, and intellectual seriousness.

Life in Edinburgh

Living in Edinburgh is one of the great privileges of studying here (I will concede that I am biased, since I was born and raised here!). It is, nevertheless, a city that manages to feel historic and intimate while remaining lively, creative, and student friendly. You are never far from striking architecture, green space, or a café where half the room appears to be reading or writing. For a research degree in particular, I would say Edinburgh offers the rare combination of intellectual quiet and cultural energy.

What I value most, however, is how liveable the city is for students. Edinburgh feels safe, walkable, and welcoming, with a strong sense of community – particularly among postgraduate researchers. It is easy to move between focused academic work and long, informal chats (although, since we all get on really well, it is sometimes easy to do a little too much of the latter).

Ultimately, Edinburgh is a city that supports thinking. It gives you space to concentrate, places to unwind, and enough character to make everyday life feel rich rather than routine. For me, that balance has made it an ideal place not just to study, but to live.