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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,580
Start Date
2025-09-01
Medium of studying
Fully Online
Duration
24 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Commercial Law | International Law | Jurisprudence
Area of study
Law
Education type
Fully Online
Timing
Part time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 16,580
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
2026-01-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Dispute Resolution

Overview

The Dispute Resolution program is designed to enhance non-court dispute resolution skills and qualifications. It is a flexible online program that fits around full-time work, with a wide range of course options to choose from.


Qualifications

  • LLM (180 credits)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
  • Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
  • Short courses (30 credits)

Key Info - LLM

  • Learning mode: Online
  • Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
  • Credits: 180
  • Typical duration: 24 months
  • Start month: September or January
  • Indicative cost: £16,580

Key Info - PgDip

  • Learning mode: Online
  • Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
  • Credits: 120
  • Typical duration: 18 months
  • Start month: September or January
  • Indicative cost: £11,000

Key Info - PgCert

  • Learning mode: Online
  • Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
  • Credits: 60
  • Typical duration: 9 months
  • Start month: September or January
  • Indicative cost: £5,420

What You'll Study

  • Negotiation
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (preparatory course)
  • Legal Principles (core course)
  • Optional courses:
    • International Commercial Arbitration
    • Mediation Theory and Practice
    • Investment Disputes in the Energy Sector
    • Negotiation Skills

How You'll Study

  • Customise your learning with a range of course options
  • Choose to study either fully online or through a mix of online and on-campus courses
  • Choose how you want to complete your final year - via courses, a dissertation, or a Professional Skills Summer School

Assessment

  • This degree is assessed online, with the exception of on-campus course options
  • On-campus course options feature on-campus teaching and assessments

Study Hours

  • Hours for online courses:
    • 30-credit courses: around 300 hours of study and assessment time
    • 15-credit courses: around 150 hours of study and assessment time
  • Hours for optional Advanced Mediation Practice course: blended course with majority of teaching online and three days on campus
  • Hours for optional Professional Arbitration Skills course: on-campus course with two weeks of teaching and assessments

Support

  • First-class support structure with contact with tutors via MyAberdeen and email
  • Social media and discussion boards to chat with fellow students
  • Wide range of services to support students, including careers and employability service, disability support, IT support, library support, and more

Fees and Funding

  • Master of Laws: £16,580
  • Postgraduate Diploma: £11,000
  • Postgraduate Certificate: £5,420
  • Pay-as-you-go qualification with control over costs and workload
  • Additional costs for on-campus course options, learning resources, and printing

Entry Requirements

  • LLM, PgDip, and PgCert:
    • 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Law, or
    • 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in another discipline, or
    • significant professional experience
  • International students:
    • Entry requirements: see above
    • Visa requirements: may need to obtain a visa to study on campus
    • English language requirements: see English language requirements checklist

How to Apply

  • Apply through online Applicant Portal
  • No application fee for online degrees
  • What you need to apply:
    • Degree transcript
    • Personal statement
  • Apply as early as possible to ensure time to review application and enrol before teaching starts

IT Requirements

  • Access to a computer (PC, laptop, or Mac) with up-to-date operating system
  • Reliable internet access
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Software: access to Office365 applications and specialist software if required

Research Areas

  • Dispute resolution
  • Negotiation
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Energy law
  • International trade law
  • Oil and gas law

Career Opportunities

  • Mediation careers
  • Arbitration careers
  • Careers in dispute resolution disciplines
  • Lifelong career support with access to careers service and alumni network

University of Aberdeen

  • Ranked Top 5 in Scotland for Law
  • Flexible online degrees that fit around full-time work
  • 20% alumni discount for University of Aberdeen graduates
  • Access to award-winning libraries and resources
  • Support from internationally experienced academics and dispute resolution specialists

Program Outline


Degree Overview:

  • The LLM in Dispute Resolution is offered online by the University of Aberdeen.
  • It combines a focus on dispute resolution with flexibility for students.
  • The program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
  • Students learn negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills.
  • They can prepare for careers in the non-court dispute resolution industry.

Outline:

  • The LLM program consists of 180 credits.
  • Students can complete the program in 24 months or less.
  • The program focuses entirely on dispute resolution methods.
  • Students can tailor their studies by choosing different modules and certificates.
  • Modules offered include:
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Mediation Theory and Practice
  • International Arbitration Law
  • International Investment Law
  • Professional Arbitration Skills

Assessment:

  • Assessment varies depending on the chosen modules.
  • Some courses involve online assessments.
  • Professional Arbitration Skills involves on-campus assessment.
  • The 60-credit dissertation option involves written assessment.

Teaching:

  • The program is delivered online through MyAberdeen.
  • Students have access to online materials including podcasts, tutorials, and class discussions.
  • The program features award-winning library resources.
  • Students learn from experienced academics, lawyers, researchers, and dispute resolution specialists.

Careers:

  • The program prepares students for work in mediation, arbitration, and other disciplines.
  • Graduates from the LLM are qualified mediators.
  • The program equips students with the knowledge and skills to work in both domestic and international arbitration sectors.

Other:

  • The University of Aberdeen is one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
  • Students can benefit from a first-class support structure.
  • The University offers additional career support after graduation.
  • Admission requirements
  • Fees and funding
  • How to apply
SHOW MORE
Admission Requirements
  • General Entry Requirements:
  • Minimum of a 2:1 (upper-second) honours degree from a recognized university.
  • 2:1 degree in a non-law discipline may be accepted in certain cases, depending on the applicant's professional experience.
  • Candidates with significant professional experience may also be considered.
  • Entry Requirements for EU / Home Applicants:
  • Entry Requirements for International / Non-EU Applicants:
  • 2:1 honours degree in Law from a common law jurisdiction (specifically for the Postgraduate Certificate in International Arbitration).
  • If English is not the applicant's first language, they may be required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency.

Language Proficiency Requirements:

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the following English language proficiency requirements:
  • IELTS:
  • 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each individual component.
  • TOEFL: 90 overall, with at least 21 in each individual component.
  • Cambridge English: 176 overall, with at least 162 in each individual component.
  • PTE Academic: 62 overall, with at least 59 in each individual component.
  • Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may be considered for entry through the University of Aberdeen's Short Course route.
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