University of Edinburgh Law School
- Acceptance Rate
- 20.0%
- SAT Range
- N/A
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.82
- Size
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- Type
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- Student:Faculty
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- Graduation Rate
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- Retention Rate
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
Law students at Edinburgh experience one of the world's great university cities while pursuing demanding professional education. The law school occupies historic buildings in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, within easy walking distance of Scotland's highest courts and the Scottish Parliament. This location provides both practical convenience and daily immersion in legal culture. Edinburgh's student population of over 40,000 across the university creates vibrant social life and extensive student organizations. The Law Society organizes social events, mooting competitions, networking opportunities, and professional development activities specifically for law students. Sub-groups focus on specific legal interests from human rights to commercial law. Housing options span university accommodation and private rentals throughout the city. First-year students typically access university housing guarantees, while continuing students often share flats in neighborhoods surrounding campus. Edinburgh's compact, walkable character makes car-free living easy, with excellent bus service supplementing walking for longer distances. The city itself offers extraordinary cultural amenities for a place its size. The Edinburgh Festival in August brings the world's largest arts festival. Year-round museums, theaters, restaurants, and pubs provide entertainment options from highbrow to casual. The city's physical beauty, combining medieval Old Town with Georgian New Town, creates an inspiring environment for study. Scottish culture welcomes international students, who comprise a large proportion of the law school. The university provides extensive support services including international student orientation, visa guidance, and cultural adjustment resources. English language support helps students strengthen academic writing and presentation skills.
Location & Surroundings
Edinburgh's historic city center hosts the law school within the Old Town area, near the Royal Mile connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This UNESCO World Heritage Site location places students amid centuries of Scottish history while maintaining easy access to contemporary legal institutions. The Scottish Parliament, Court of Session, and High Court of Justiciary all sit within walking distance. Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and second-largest city with a metropolitan population of approximately 550,000. The city combines governmental and cultural importance with a substantial financial services sector, creating a diverse economy with legal employment opportunities. Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, lies approximately one hour west by train. Climate features mild summers rarely exceeding 20 degrees Celsius and cold but not severe winters. Rain occurs frequently throughout the year, and wind can make temperatures feel colder than readings suggest. The northern latitude brings very long summer days and correspondingly short winter daylight. Students should prepare for grey weather and limited sunlight during winter months. Transportation within Edinburgh relies primarily on walking and buses, with most students finding cars unnecessary. The bus network provides comprehensive coverage, and the compact center makes cycling practical despite hilly terrain. Edinburgh Airport offers reasonable European connectivity, with London and other UK destinations easily reached. International students typically fly through London or Amsterdam for transcontinental travel. Cost of living in Edinburgh is moderate by UK standards, significantly below London but above many provincial cities. Student housing costs vary by location and quality. The overall environment is manageable on student budgets with reasonable planning.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition fees at Edinburgh reflect the complex UK fee structure. Scottish and EU students historically paid no undergraduate tuition, though Brexit has changed EU student status. English, Welsh, and Northern Irish students pay regulated fees currently around GBP 9,250 annually. International students pay substantially higher rates, approximately GBP 25,000-30,000 annually for law programs. Postgraduate fees vary by program and student category. LLM programs for international students typically cost GBP 25,000-30,000 for the one-year program. Living expenses in Edinburgh add approximately GBP 12,000-15,000 annually. Scholarships and bursaries partially offset costs for eligible students, with various awards available based on merit and need. Career outcomes for Edinburgh law graduates reflect the program's quality and Scotland's legal market. Graduates pursuing Scots law practice typically complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and traineeships before qualifying as solicitors or advocates. Law firms in Edinburgh and Glasgow actively recruit from the university. English law careers require additional steps including the GDL or SQE for those with non-qualifying degrees. Many Edinburgh graduates pursue English qualification given the larger market size. International careers draw on the education's quality and global networks built through diverse classmates. Non-legal careers absorb substantial numbers of graduates. Government, business, finance, and nonprofit sectors value the analytical skills legal education develops. The proportion of law graduates entering traditional legal practice has declined as alternatives have grown more attractive. The alumni network provides career-long connections across legal practice, business, government, and academia. Scottish legal circles are relatively small, making reputation and relationships particularly important. Edinburgh's prominence ensures graduates enter these networks with recognized credentials.
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