Program Overview

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Legal Studies and Psychology, MA

Introduction

Legal Studies and Psychology at Aberdeen is a great combination, bringing together close examination of the world of law – including topical and controversial issues. You will explore how we think and behave as humans, in a stimulating and highly-rated teaching and research environment that gives you a hands-on approach to gaining the skills and grounding to succeed in any career involving ‘people’.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: CM89
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Year 1

Compulsory Courses

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
• Legal System (LS1025)
• Foundations of Private Law (LS1022)
• Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (PS1009)
• Introductory Psychology I: Methods and Applications (PS1011)
• Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (PS1509)
• Introductory Psychology II: Methods and Applications (PS1511)

Optional Courses

• Select 30 credit points from the below courses, plus further credit points from non-LS courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
• Criminal Law (LS1020)
• Contract (LS1520)
• A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)
• Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
• Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)

Year 2

Compulsory Courses

• Advanced Psychology A - Concepts and Theory (PS2017)
• Advanced Psychology 1 - Methods and Applications (PS2018)
• Advanced Psychology B - Concepts and Theory (PS2517)
• Advanced Psychology 2 - Methods and Applications (PS2518)

Optional Courses

• Plus 60 credit points from the following courses:
• Comparative Law II: The Romano-Germanic Tradition (LS2540)
• Criminal Law (LS1020)
• A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)
• Eu Institutions and Law (LS2026)
• The Law of Property (LS2031)
• Public International Law (LS2032)
• Administrative Law and Civil Liberties (LS2033)
• Contract (LS1520)
• Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
• Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)
• UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)
• Commercial Organisations and Insolvency (LS2525)
• Family Law (LS2526)
• Introduction to Legal Theory (LS2527)
• Succession and Trusts (LS2528)
• Private International Law (LS2532)
• Business Law (LS2533)
• Introduction to Comparative Law (LS2536)
• Tort in A Comparative Context (LS2537)

Year 3

Compulsory Courses

• Psychological Assessment (PS3011)
• Methodology A (PS3015)
• Developmental Psychology (PS3518)
• Social Psychology (PS3520)

Optional Courses

• Select a further 60 credit points from Legal Studies LX Honours courses.

Year 4

Compulsory Courses

• Advances in Biological Psychology (PS4033)
• Perceptual Processes (PS4037)
• Psychology Joint Honours Thesis (PS4038)
• Memory and Language Processes (PS4532)

Optional Courses

• Select a further 60 credit points from Legal Studies LX Honours courses.

LX403Q Contemporary Issues in Energy Law

• LX4557 Administrative Law (Honours)
• LX4561 Media Law (Honours)
• LX4584 The Use of Force in International Law

Optional Courses

• Law of Sales Honours (LX4011)
• Criminal Justice (LX4019)
• Gender, Law and Society (LX401E)
• Intellectual Property Law (LX401L)
• International Human Rights (LX401P)
• American Constitutional Law (LX4021)
• Company Law (Honours) (LX402F)
• Civil Law Honours (LX402G)
• Privacy and Data Protection Law (LX402Q)
• Law and Artificial Intelligence (LX402T)
• Law and Economics: Selected Topics (LX402V)
• Delict (LX402X)
• Criminal Law (LX4035)
• Animal Welfare Law (LX4039)
• International Criminal Law (LX403C)
• International Law of the Sea (LX403D)
• Free Speech Honours (LX403L)
• The Legal Architecture of Global Commerce (LX403N)
• Copyright and Allied Rights (LX451K)
• Voluntary Scotland, Scottish Charities, Clubs, Community Organisations (LX451P)
• International Family Law (Honours) (LX451T)
• Criminal Evidence (Honours) (LX451V)
• Corporate Governance (LX452C)
• Children, Young People and Crime Honours (LX452K)
• International Cybersecurity Law (LX452L)
• Regulation of Biometric Data and Profiling: Social, Ethical and Legal (LX452M)
• Law of the Digital Economy (LX452U)
• Space Law: Public International Law (LX452W)
• Shipping Law (LX453F)
• Fundamental Issues in Environmental Law (LX453H)
• Principles of Tax Law (LX453J)
• Property Law (Honours) (LX453K)
• Scottish Legal History (Honours) (LX453M)
• Human Rights Law in the UK (LX453P)
• Law and Medical Ethics (LX4553)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study Legal Studies and Psychology?

Why Psychology

• You will be introduced to state-of-the-art concepts and theories taught by award-winning teachers and world-class researchers, exposing you to the latest thinking in the field.
• You will benefit from the key strengths within the School of social psychology, neuroscience, language, perception and industrial psychology.
• We have a wide range of course options available in 4th Year to allow you to specialise in areas such as clinical, forensic, language and developmental psychology.
• You will have the opportunity to gain experience using specialised laboratories and equipment including those for brain imaging analysis, eye movement recording, movement analysis and visual neuroscience.
• To help you get a job we have an employability programme for our students which includes: internship opportunities, online resources, career talks and networking events.
• Psychology graduates are eligible for membership of the British Psychological Society, this is a first step towards becoming a professional Psychologist.
• In the final year students have the opportunity to do a unique research project to a professional level. A number of final year projects have gone on to be published in internationally renowned journals.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers: Standard: AABB, Minimum: BBB, Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS: Standard: BBB, Minimum: BBC, Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

• There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability.
• The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Accreditation

• This degree holds accreditation from the British Psychological Society.