Law (Online Learning) PgCert

Our online learning programmes are delivered entirely online via a virtual learning environment. Learning and teaching happen ‘asynchronously’. This means that you have the flexibility to log in at times and in places convenient to you, contribute your views and respond to others, and still maintain a sense of community with your fellow students across time zones.

• Find out about studying online with Edinburgh Law School

You must complete three masters-level courses to be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Law.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will have the option of graduating with the certificate or continuing your studies through a facilitated transfer onto one of the Edinburgh Law School’s LLM programmes by online learning.

• Detailed information about the programme and your course options

Please note the available choice of courses in any given year may change.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Law enables you to engage with a range of subject areas within the discipline.

You will emerge with an understanding of specific areas of law, which may include commercial law, information technology law, intellectual property law and medical law.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will have the option of graduating with the Certificate or continuing your studies through a facilitated transfer onto one of the Edinburgh Law School’s LLM programmes by online distance learning.

Graduates of our online distance learning programmes progress to a range of careers in Law and related legal fields, including work in local and international firms, government legal departments, other public institutions, international organisations and in academia.

A minimum UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in law.

We will also consider a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a social science subject.

Your other qualifications and professional experience will also be considered as part of your application.

Supporting Your Application

Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.

Relevant professional qualifications will be considered.

Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 7.0 in the writing component and 6.5 in each other module)
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 25 in writing and 23 in each other module)
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 185 in writing and 176 in each other module)
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fee deposit

If you receive an unconditional offer of admission, you will be asked to pay a deposit of £500 within 28 days or by the start of the orientation period, whichever is sooner, to secure your place on the programme.

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposit policy

Tuition fees

• Detailed fees information

• Online Learning Scholarships

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding