Why Edinburgh Law School?
Edinburgh Law School is renowned for its international and interdisciplinary outlook, having been at the heart of legal education and research for more than 300 years. The Faculty of Law at the University of Edinburgh, now known as Edinburgh Law School, was founded in 1707 and is situated in historic Old College in the heart of Edinburgh, minutes from both the Law Courts and Scotland’s Parliament.
When choosing where to study, a university with a strong reputation may be high on your priority list – and the University of Edinburgh name is globally recognised and renowned. The University of Edinburgh is a leading institution and is consistently ranked in the top 50 universities in the world. Recent rankings include:
- 13th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings: Law 2024.
- 20th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Law & Legal Studies.
- 22nd in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Our undergraduate degree programmes enable you to study for a qualifying degree in Scots Law, whilst offering the flexibility to choose from a wide range of optional courses during your studies and take advantage of the University's study abroad exchanges.
Find out more about our undergraduate degrees
Our on-campus masters degrees give you exceptional choice from a wide range of fields. From criminal justice to commercial law, intellectual property law to international banking regulation and more, you will find something that fits with your career and academic objectives.
Find out more about our on-campus masters degrees
Our online masters degrees give you the opportunity and flexibility to study for an internationally recognised qualification from anywhere in the world. With a range of different durations and fields to choose from, our programmes offer you a way to advance your career and develop your academic knowledge alongside your employment and personal commitments.
Find out more about our online masters degrees
Our postgraduate research degrees give you the opportunity to become part of the Law School's vibrant and inspiring research community, enabling you to carve out your own research specialism. We have research excellence in a range of fields spanning law, socio-legal studies, and criminology.
Find out more about our research degrees
The Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at Edinburgh Law School is ideal preparation for your future legal career in Scotland.Taught by a team that has substantial experience as solicitors and advocates, this programme will allow you take the step from academic study to professional practice of the law, and begin your journey to qualification.
Find out more about the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice
As a research-intensive institution, the University of Edinburgh is a member of the League of European Research Universities and a founding member of the UK’s Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK. Edinburgh Law School is also one of Scotland’s leading legal research institutions, with a strong reputation for research excellence in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Edinburgh Law School is ranked 3rd in the UK for law for the quality and breadth of our research by Research Professional, based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021). 80% of our research outputs were rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent and we were recognised as having a 100% world-leading research environment in the REF2021 exercise.
Scotland's capital is a historic city which has regularly been voted one of the world's most desirable places to live. Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated, and beautiful European city with a diverse, multicultural community.
- Edinburgh is ranked in the top 10 best student cities in the world and 2nd in the UK (QS Best Student Cities 2023)
- The University's campus is ranked the 2nd most beautiful in the UK (Times Higher Education, 2017)
- The city of Edinburgh was ranked 2nd in the world for quality of life (Deutsche bank, 2017)
- Edinburgh was named the third safest city in the world according to a survey conducted by Post Office Travel Insurance in 2015
Find out more about the city of Edinburgh
It is such a vibrant city with all amenities of a modern capital city but at the same time a place full of history and cosy alleys.
We are a community of world-leading researchers, legal professionals, and students at all stages of their education. Drawn from over 60 countries, our staff and students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, bringing with them a wealth of different experiences and perspectives that enrich the work we do together. Edinburgh Law School was awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in 2017, which recognises our commitment to addressing gender equality in the School, in particular reducing the barriers to recognition and advancement which may exist for female and trans staff and students. We have also recently established a team of LGBTQ+ advocates who can offer a source of support to students and staff who identify as LGBTQ+.
The Law School is based in Old College, a space which has been designed with our community in mind, a central hub for our teaching, research activities, study spaces, seminars and more. The building is designed to support collaboration and interaction, with plenty of space to socialise and study, both independently or with others.
Our traditional and historic home in Old College underwent a complete refurbishment in 2019 as part of a £35m project. As a student at Edinburgh Law School, you will benefit from state of the art teaching, study, and research facilities that are at once historic and modern, old and new.
Designed for the way you study, the incredible new features include a spectacular Law Library, spacious seminar rooms, and dedicated student social spaces at the heart of the School. Our library is one of the largest law libraries in the UK.
Find out more about our facilities and resources
As a student at the University of Edinburgh, you will also benefit from a wide range of facilities, including:
- Excellent sports facilities
- 24-hour open-access computer labs across key locations, as well as free laptop loans
- Careers Service
- University Health Centre
- Student Counselling Service
- Student Disability Service
The University of Edinburgh is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for the employability of our graduates (Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Ranking 2021). Joining a programme at Edinburgh Law School offers students an incredible platform to build an outstanding career, whether in the legal profession or beyond. The quality and breadth of our education, shaped by our excellent research, prepares you to make a real impact in the professional world.
After concluding your studies, you also become part of a thriving alumni community, many of whom are leaders in the legal world. These personal and professional connections will go with you as you progress through your career, linking you back to Edinburgh and the community in the Law School.
Career opportunities
Edinburgh Law School works closely with a number of leading law firms through membership of the Programme for the Future of the Law and the Legal Profession to provide skills development and career opportunities for Edinburgh Law School students.
Find out more about these career opportunities
The Careers Service
To support your development and career planning, you will have access to careers advice and support via the University Careers Service throughout your time with us at Edinburgh Law School.
Find out more about the Careers Service
The University of Edinburgh is not only about education. It is about culture, heritage, connection and being strong and successful together.
