Join our online LLM in Dispute Resolution and develop qualifications in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Prepare for a career in the non-court dispute resolution industry.
Dispute resolution is faster, less adversarial, and less public than the traditional litigation process.
Through it, organisations and individuals are increasingly choosing to resolve disputes outside of court.
Join our flexible online LLM in Dispute Resolution to earn the skills, qualifications, and connections to move into a successful career in this area.
Focused on dispute resolution
This LLM is entirely dedicated to dispute resolution methods, rather than combining dispute processes with a substantive subject.
Tailored to you
With a wide range of course options to choose from, you can tailor your qualification and specialise in the methods that interest you.
100% online or combine with in-person learning
You can choose to study for this LLM 100% online, or choose our on-campus Professional Arbitration Skills summer school in place of a dissertation.
You can also study dispute resolution fully on-campus.
Your route to Ciarb membership
We’re proud to be a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Recognised Course Provider (Ciarb RCP).
Ciarb sets the global professional and ethical standards for dispute resolution professionals. Read about Ciarb.
By successfully completing a recognised course with us, you can apply to join Ciarb at Member level.
Ciarb recognises the following courses that are part of online LLM Dispute Resolution:
- International Commercial Arbitration
- Professional Arbitration Skills
Once you have successfully passed either one of these courses, you’ll be eligible to apply to join Ciarb at Member level. You need to apply for Ciarb membership within two years of completing the course.
Why join Ciarb at Member level?
When you join Ciarb, you’ll become part of the world’s largest community of dispute resolution professionals.
Ciarb professional membership enables you to:
- build your network through Ciarb’s international and inclusive community
- develop your career, knowledge and skills through Ciarb training and events
- demonstrate your professional credibility through Ciarb’s internationally recognised postnominals
- promote yourself through Ciarb’s Member Directory, and
- keep up-to-date through Ciarb’s publications including its peer-reviewed, academic journal.
Ciarb’s membership of over 18,000 professionals is connected by over 40 active branches across 150 jurisdictions.
During your studies, you can also apply for free Ciarb Student membership.
In this LLM, you’ll cover all essential dispute resolution techniques and theories
Negotiation
You’ll learn to negotiate disputes on behalf of clients, yourself, and employers.
Mediation
You’ll graduate as a qualified mediator, better able to handle staff disagreements and difficult discussions.
Arbitration
You’ll learn to prepare for arbitration hearings, present cases in an arbitral tribunal, and take a case through to a decision as an arbitrator.
Who can join online LLM Dispute Resolution?
This distance-learning LLM is open to professionals without a law degree.
It’s ideal for any professional keen to enhance their non-court dispute resolution skills and qualifications.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for an:
- LLM (180 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), or
- start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (30 credits).
How you’ll study
Customise your learning
LLM Dispute Resolution gives you a range of course options to choose from, so you can:
- tailor your qualification to the areas of dispute resolution you’re most interested in
- choose to study either fully online or through a mix of online and on-campus courses, and
- choose how you want to complete your final year – via courses, a dissertation, or a Professional Skills Summer School.
On-campus learning
This online LLM features one optional on-campus course:
- Professional Arbitration Skills – this optional course features on-campus teaching and workshops at the University of Aberdeen in summer.
Do law differently with Professional Skills
Our online LLMs offer a practical alternative to completing a traditional dissertation.
Choose the Professional Skills route to join our on-campus summer school and learn sought-after industry skills.
Online learning
Online teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access MyAberdeen on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:
- lecture podcasts
- online tutorials
- case studies
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
Law library access
You’ll also have online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library and the Taylor Library, a dedicated resource for law students. Both have first-class collections of reference works in law and related subjects. Find out more about our libraries.
Your tutors
This course is delivered by our School of Law.
You’ll learn from a team of internationally experienced academics, lawyers, researchers, and dispute resolution specialists.
This degree is assessed online, with the exception of our on-campus course options, which feature on-campus teaching and assessments.
Hours for online courses
If you plan to study part-time, especially around full-time work, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term.
30-credit courses
- Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 15 – 20 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.
15-credit courses
- Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 8 – 10 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There may be some activities that are scheduled at fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each online course at your convenience.
Hours for optional Advanced Mediation Practice course
This is a blended course. The majority of teaching takes place online. But you will also spend three days on campus at the University of Aberdeen in late March.
Hours for optional Profession Arbitration Skills course
This is an on-campus course. It takes place at the University of Aberdeen over two weeks in June. Classes will run from 10am – 4.30pm on each day of the course timetable. You may also have to complete tasks yourself during some evenings and weekends while preparing for your Oral Jurisdiction Assessment, and sometimes for class activities.
Hours for 60-credit dissertation
A 60-credit dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.
This is around one term of full-time study.
You will dedicate a full term to your dissertation and work on it full-time.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service – including one-to-one advice sessions
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).
Access study spaces, books and journals in your area
The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.
You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Dr Patricia Živković
Patricia is the degree coordinator. She’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
Dr Annji Kinoshita-Bashforth
Annji is part of the School’s support team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhat’s it like to study for this online LLM?
Meet King Fung, an online LLM Dispute Resolution student from Hong Kong.
Rather than a traditional dissertation, King’s chosen to round out his LLM with our on-campus Professional Arbitration Skills course.
Where this will take you
Your LLM in Dispute Resolution
You’ll graduate with a respected LLM in Dispute Resolution from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same LLM qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.
Your LLM qualification will be recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities.
Careers
This degree will prepare you to pursue work in all dispute resolution disciplines.
Mediation careers
You will graduate from the LLM as a qualified mediator. Although some mediators are lawyers, many are not. This degree caters for professionals from all disciplines who want to become mediators.
- As a lawyer representing clients who may use mediation, you’ll be at an advantage understanding the techniques a mediator will use.
- Anyone in a management position will benefit from learning the principles, theories and practical techniques of mediation too.
Arbitration careers
This LLM will also help any professional enhance their career prospects in arbitration.
Arbitrators are drawn from a range of professional groups, including lawyers, engineers, surveyors, construction professionals, the financial and accounting professions and more.
- As a lawyer representing clients in an arbitral process, you need to fully understand how it differs from litigation. This degree will allow you to diversify your practice into this lucrative, growing area, especially internationally.
- Transactional lawyers and professionals need to know what is involved in arbitration too, since many commercial contracts contain a dispute resolution clause; if it is poorly drafted, this can cause considerable problems later.
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
The fees quoted above are based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our indicative costs include a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
On-campus course costs
This degree features on-campus course options. If you take an on-campus course as part of your degree, your fee covers the tuition for this.
However, it does not cover the cost of any travel, accommodation or visa you might require in order to join us on campus. You will have to pay for your own travel, accommodation and visa costs.
Learning resources
Access to all the essential books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:
- Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
- Student loans
- Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
20% Alumni discount
You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.
How discounts work
Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online law courses
Study at a university with one of the largest and most internationally experienced teams of legal experts in any European law school.
Top 5 in Scotland for Law
We’re ranked Top 5 in Scotland for Law in two league tables (Guardian University Guide 2025 and Complete University Guide 2025).
Fits around full-time work
This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off this online course.
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.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online LLM Dispute Resolution
If you do not meet these entry requirements, or are not ready to commit to a full LLM, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about our short course route to entryEntry requirements
We welcome students from around the world.
See our minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a visa to study online with us.
But if you will be joining us on campus for part of this degree, you may need to obtain a visa to do so. You will need to make your own transport, accommodation and visa arrangements to study with us here in Aberdeen. If you have a visa query, email immigration@abdn.ac.uk for advice.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.
English language tests and scores
If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept for this course or degree.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening and speaking
- 65 for reading and writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening and speaking
- 105 for reading and writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.
There is no application fee for our online degrees.
What you need to apply for this degree
- Degree transcript
- Personal statement
Apply now
Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.
You can apply to start in either September or January.
Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.
September 2025 intake
For our September 2025 intake, the application deadline is 8 September 2025.
You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 15 September 2025.
Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.
January 2026 intake
Teaching starts on 26 January 2026.
Application deadlines will be announced in due course.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
Master of Laws
180 credits
£16,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
Postgraduate Diploma
120 credits
£11,120
This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
Postgraduate Certificate
60 credits
£5,420
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- Indicative cost
- £16,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
Apply via our Applicant Portal
