Edinburgh Legal education trust LLM by research Scholarships

One or more scholarships are available for postgraduate research in Scots private law at the University of Edinburgh for a period of one year leading to the degree of LLM by Research (i.e. by a thesis of up to 30,000 words).

The scholarships are offered by the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust, which was formed in 1996 for the advancement of legal education. The Trustees wish to award one or more scholarships for study beginning in September 2026.

The LLM by Research can (but need not) be used as a pathway to further study for the degree of PhD. It is often possible to treat the LLMR as the first year of study for a PhD by transferring to the PhD programme during the year spent on the LLMR. 

The scholarship will pay tuition fees at home students’ rate and a stipend in line with UKRI rates.


The scholarships are open to anyone who, by the start of the LLMR programme, holds an honours degree in law, or an ordinary degree in law plus an honours degree in a different discipline, and who is accepted by the University of Edinburgh for the degree of LLM by Research. Preference may be given to those who intend to progress to the PhD. 

Candidates for these scholarships must be seeking to start the LLMR in Edinburgh Law School in September 2026.  UK and international students are eligible to apply. 

The proposed research must be in Scots private law.


When making decisions the Trust will consider the applicant’s academic achievements, research proposal, fit with our research expertise, and the degree of support provided by references. 

The Trustees reserve full discretion to offer, or not to offer, a scholarship.


Eligible applicants should apply for admission to the LLM by Research programme. You can find further information on how to apply for admission to the programme at How to apply | Edinburgh Law School.

Once you have applied for admission to the programme, please complete the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust Scholarship Application Form and send it to phd.law@ed.ac.uk by the scholarship deadline of 4th May 2026.

Download the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust Scholarship Application Form


Applicants should be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of June 2026.


Law School Postgraduate Research Office:

phd.law@ed.ac.uk


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