Introduction
Continue your study of law to an advanced level without the limitations of a specialist LLM. General Law offers a wide range of course modules from our other postgraduate degrees so that you’re able to tailor your studies to your own requirements.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- LLM
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
General Law allows you the flexibility to study many disciplines of interest without the restriction of one specialised degree. Create a bespoke programme tailored by you to meet your personal academic needs and career aspirations.
Develop your critical analysis and independent research skills to enhance your employability against the demanding needs of the legal profession. Featuring carefully chosen course options, you will have the opportunity to study topics such as Oil and Minerals for Good, International Law, The Politics of Human Rights and Criminal Evidence.
The University of Aberdeen attracts a world-class teaching staff who are unrivalled in their breadth of experience. You will have access to first-class teaching from globally respected staff, such as Programme Director Professor Dr Mátyás Bódig who is a founding member of the Centre for Citizenship, Civil Society and Rule of Law at the University of Aberdeen.
Available Programmes of Study
Please note: Students starting their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.
Duration: 12 months full-time. 24 months part time.
- LLM
-
General Law
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthLLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January MoreLLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year UK £11,900 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
All candidates must take the following course:
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS501T)
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This course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which will be required for LLM-Taught courses. The course is delivered as a series of five interactive lectures with two individual assessments designed to encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities for early feedback. It also incorporates a library workshop to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Optional Courses
Plus additional courses to the value of 120 credit points from any Level 5 30 credit on-campus Law courses (excluding any of the Professional Skills courses, LS5905, LS5906, LS5909, LS5914, and LS5915). Please visit the Course Catalogue for details
PART TIME ROUTE
This route will run over two years minimum. Candidates can take up to 120 credit points in an academic year. LS501T and PD5006 must be taken in Year 1, and LS5904 must be taken in Year 2.
The remaining credit points will be taken as follows: additional courses to the value of 120 credit points from any Level 5 30 credit on-campus Law courses (excluding any of the Professional Skills courses, LS5905, LS5906, LS5909, LS5914, and LS5915).
Semester 2
Optional Courses
Plus additional courses to the value of 120 credit points from any Level 5 30 credit on-campus Law courses (excluding any of the Professional Skills courses, LS5905, LS5906, LS5909, LS5914, and LS5915).
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
The compulsory dissertation provides the opportunity to research and explore in more detail a specific legal area of your choice.
- Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)
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60 Credit Points
Between May and mid-August students prepare a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice related to their specialist LLM programme. Students are instructed through the delivery of a preparatory lecture, two supervisory meetings and a two hour dissertation planning workshop in a small group setting. Students are expected to spend considerable time on independent research throughout the course of the dissertation module, including; preparation of dissertation plan, amendment of plan in accordance with supervisory comments, preparation for the dissertation workshop, and, of course, in the final 10,000 word dissertation itself.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Teaching is organised on a modular basis. There are two eleven-week semesters. Examinations are held at the end of each semester, in December and May. The dissertation is submitted in August. Students can join either in September or January.
The variety of assessments in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practical situations in order to become expert at being able to analyse and reason issues thoroughly.
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
Assessment Methods
By course work, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The degree of LLM shall not be awarded to a candidate who fails to achieve a CGS grade of D3 or above in the specified dissertation course, irrespective of their performance in other courses: such candidates may, at the discretion of the examiners, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.
Why Study General Law?
Law was considered a founding discipline in 1495 and is now considered one of the UK’s elite training grounds for lawyers.
- There are over 40 nationalities within the School of Law postgraduate community, therefore you will benefit from a programme with a truly international outlook.
Students choose to study Law here because of our reputation for academic excellence, encouraging career prospects and unrivalled student experience. At Aberdeen, you will:
- Develop the core knowledge and skills that are vital to the demanding needs of the legal profession, which will provide you with a competitive advantage in the jobs market.
- Distinct from other Law Schools, at Aberdeen, we cap our class sizes – which means you’ll benefit from a highly personalized, high contact learning experience and not get lost in the crowd.
- Enjoy the facilities of our impressive University Law library and gain online learning support through our Virtual Learning Environment.
- Be able to select modules from almost all of the University’s LLM courses, giving you the flexibility to choose from many specialist options.
- Benefit from the opportunity to attend our Research Seminar Series, which will provide you with unique insights into current legal issues.
The University also has a market-leading Careers and Employability Service that will help you apply your skills to a range of careers. You will be supported by a comprehensive range of careers support and events, focused on providing you with the tools and additional skills you will need to advance and transform your career potential.
In addition, upon graduating, you will have the chance to join our extensive Alumni network, which has 82,500 members in 192 countries.
You will also benefit from the diverse mix of students on the programme and will learn from their prior academic and professional experiences, which will enrich discussion and debate in class.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Normally, a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Law will be required to be accepted onto this programme. Relevant practical experience in a related field will also be beneficial.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded postgraduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
Studying General Law will broaden your career opportunities and help you find employment in a variety of sectors, including legal, social and welfare, business, HR or financial areas.
Our Experts
Dr Mátyás Bódig is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. At the Law School, he is Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes, as well as Programme Coordinator for LLM in Human Rights. A founding member of the Centre for Citizenship, Civil Society and Rule of Law at the University of Aberdeen, Dr Bódig previously worked in Hungary as Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow.
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
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School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB