Law

Law

Introduction

The School of Law at Aberdeen is at the forefront of innovative research whilst benefiting from our ancient roots. Law was a founding discipline here when our University was established in 1495.

We welcome research students to collaborate with our staff and professional partners in an academically stimulating, international, and inclusive environment.

Study Information

At a Glance

Degree Qualification
PhD

Want to know more?

Contact by Phone
+44 (0)1224 274260
Email Us
lawpgr@abdn.ac.uk
Enquire Now
Via our online form
Next Steps
Find out how to apply

The Law School welcomes students who wish to pursue research degrees in law, and is able to provide supervision in a wide range of subjects. There is an active research community, with students from many parts of the world registered for a PhD or Masters Degree by research. Full time PhD students are provided with an office, a computer and access to the internet and printing facilities. Part time students are given access to dedicated hot desk space. We also offer a distance learning PhD Programme.

The specialist law library is housed in the same building as the Law School's teaching and staff rooms. The library contains not only a comprehensive collection of Scots and English sources but also a substantial collection of European Union, Commonwealth and American materials. There is a particularly fine collection of books in the field of Roman and Roman-Dutch law. The University is a European Documentation Centre, and that collection is housed in the Law Library.

You may also be interested to learn about our LLM by Research, a one year research degree suited to those who are looking for an alternative to traditional taught LLM.

Our Research

The legal research at the School of Law at the University of Aberdeen is cutting-edge and first class. Our faculty publish at all the top publishing houses, such as Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and MIT Press. They also publish in a wide array of premier law journals across Africa, Australia, East Asia, Europe, and North America and they also publish in many different languages.

The Law research in the School is integrated across five distinct  Research Centres

Entry Requirements

We welcome research applications from motivated and passionate candidates in any area of legal expertise of the Law School.

We require that applicants have completed a UK upper second class honours degree in law or a relevant discipline; or a UK Master's degree in law or related subjects; or any international equivalent of the previous two.

Alongside your application form, you will need to submit your research proposal

International Applicants

Top 15 UK Law School

We are ranked Top 15 in the UK for Law by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

What our Alumni Say

Alina Holzhausen

Alina Holzhausen

Alina Holzhausen

Job Details
Research Fellow in Public International Law and Climate Change
Graduated 2024

When I started my PhD journey, the Law School set up a training programme for PhD students throughout years 1-3, which enabled me not only to broaden my academic horizon, but also to connect with other PhD students. I found the training programme in year 3 particularly helpful, which was very much focused on the thesis defence (the viva voce), and career prospects after the PhD.

Josselin Lavigne

Josselin Lavigne

Josselin Lavigne

Job Details
PhD in Law (The Right to Self-Determination in Outer Space)
Graduated 2024

I decided to do my PhD at the University of Aberdeen because it has always had a very good reputation for research and teaching in space law. I would unhesitatingly recommend this university for the quality of its teaching staff, the professional and human quality of its administration, as well as structures such as its libraries and other research centres at the forefront of the academic world.

Get in Touch