UK · Master's
Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh
LLM International Law
Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh
Course Overview
Edinburgh Law School is the oldest law school in Scotland (founded 1707) and consistently ranked top 5 in the UK by The Times Good University Guide and #25 globally for Law in QS World Rankings by Subject. The 1-year LLM International Law is one of the UK's most prestigious specialist Master's, covering public international law, international human rights law, international trade law (WTO), law of the sea, international criminal law, international investment law, and dispute resolution. Faculty includes Professor Jure Vidmar and Professor Christine Bell — leading scholars on international peace agreements (Bell's expertise is directly relevant to the Sri Lankan post-conflict context).
Sri Lankan applicants — typically practising lawyers (Sri Lanka Bar / Attorney-at-Law) with 2-5 years' practice in international law, human rights, or commercial law; legal officers at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Attorney General's Department; or LLB graduates from CHEC / Open University / NSBM — choose Edinburgh LLM for the academic prestige, the focus on transitional justice and post-conflict legal scholarship, the 2-year UK Graduate Route, and the strong Chevening / Said Foundation funding pipeline. Returnees take Senior Crown Counsel / Foreign Ministry Legal Adviser / international NGO Legal Director posts.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle LLB or law-equivalent degree (BA Jurisprudence, JD) from a recognised institution — minimum Second Class Upper (2:1 / GPA 3.3+).
- check_circle Non-law Bachelor's accepted only for applicants with substantial international law work experience.
- check_circle Personal statement (1,500 words) outlining specific LLM specialisation interests and research questions.
- check_circle Two academic references (one law-focused).
- check_circle Writing sample (academic essay or legal memo, max 3,500 words).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (min 6.5 in each band).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall (min 23 in each section).
- check_circle Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 185 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your LLB was conducted entirely in English at a recognised institution.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (£) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (full programme) | £29,000 | Rs. 11,600,000 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Edinburgh) | £13,200 | Rs. 5,280,000 |
| Student Visa & IHS Fee | £1,250 | Rs. 500,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | £43,450 | Rs. 17,380,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 2-year UK Graduate Route. Edinburgh LLM grads feed into international law firms (Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, Allen & Overy international law teams), UK government legal services, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, plus international organisations (UN, WTO, ICC, ICTY). Sri Lankan returnees take Senior Crown Counsel posts at the Attorney General's Department, Foreign Ministry Legal Adviser roles, in-house legal posts at LOLC / John Keells / Hayleys, plus PhD progression at Cambridge / Oxford. UK trainee lawyer salary: £45,000-55,000 at Magic Circle firms; £35,000-50,000 at regional / specialist firms.
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