Direct answer
The University of Aberdeen’s official page for the 2026/27 academic year details the LLM programme previously titled International Trade Law under its current designation as Maritime Law. For Chinese applicants, the University sets a general minimum degree requirement of a 2:2 honours degree in Law or a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification. Specific grade equivalencies for China are not listed on the programme page and require a live check using the country selector tool on the University’s website. The page confirms English language requirements, tuition fees, and an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship for eligible self-funded international students.
Programme overview
The LLM programme is offered as a 12-month full-time or 24-month part-time on-campus degree. Start months are September or January. The curriculum covers carriage of goods by sea, marine insurance, international law of the sea, international regulation of shipping, and maritime liabilities. Students also complete a 10,000-word dissertation on a maritime law topic.
Degree qualification requirement
The University states that entry normally requires a 2:2 honours degree in Law or another related discipline, or an equivalent qualification. The page provides a country selector tool for applicants to view specific entry requirements for their country or territory. The official evidence does not display the China-specific equivalency on the programme page itself; applicants must select China from the dropdown list to view the relevant criteria. The information is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry.
English language requirements
All postgraduate taught applicants must demonstrate English fluency. The minimum accepted scores for this degree are:
- IELTS Academic: Overall 6.5, with Listening 5.5, Reading 6.0, Speaking 5.5, Writing 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 90, with Listening 17, Reading 21, Speaking 20, Writing 21
- PTE Academic: Overall 62, with Listening 59, Reading 59, Speaking 59, Writing 59
- Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: Overall 176, with Listening 162, Reading 169, Speaking 162, Writing 169
Document requirements
Applicants must supply a full degree transcript showing all subjects and marks, with an official English translation if the original is not in English. A detailed personal statement explaining the applicant’s motivation for this particular programme is also required. Applicants who have not yet completed their current degree can apply and provide the degree certificate at a later date.
Tuition fees and international scholarship
For the 2026/27 academic year, the published international tuition fee is £23,000. The University states that self-funded international students receive an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, reducing the fee to £15,000. The £15,000 figure includes the scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply. UK students pay £11,900, and University of Aberdeen graduates are eligible for an Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship that reduces their fee to £7,000.
Programme structure and assessment
Teaching is organised on a modular basis. Compulsory courses include Shipping Law and Marine Insurance, Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship, and an online orientation course. Students select optional courses to the value of 60 credit points, with at least 30 credit points drawn from a specified list that includes International Trade and Finance Law and International Commercial Arbitration. Assessment methods include written examinations, individual and group oral presentations, essays, and a 10,000-word dissertation submitted at the end of August.
FAQ
What is the minimum degree classification for Chinese applicants?
The programme page lists a general requirement of a 2:2 honours degree in Law or a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification. The exact Chinese grade equivalency is not shown on the page; applicants must use the country selector tool on the University’s website to check the specific requirement for China.
Does the £8,000 scholarship apply automatically?
The page states that all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship. The published international fee of £15,000 already includes this scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply, and applicants should review the scholarship page for eligibility details.
Can I apply if I have not yet finished my undergraduate degree?
Yes. The University confirms that applicants who have not yet completed their current programme of study can still apply and may provide their degree certificate at a later date.
What English language tests are accepted?
The University accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency. Minimum sub-score requirements vary by test type and are listed on the programme page.
Is the LLM International Trade Law a separate programme from Maritime Law?
The official page is titled Maritime Law and describes the degree as an LLM covering international trade law topics such as carriage of goods by sea and international trade finance. The programme previously appeared under the name International Trade Law, and the current page represents the University’s offering in this area.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn from the University of Aberdeen’s official postgraduate programme page for Maritime Law, which covers the LLM previously listed as International Trade Law. For the most current details, including country-specific entry requirements, visit the programme page at abdn.ac.uk.
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