Business and Law MA (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Business Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code NM11 Award MA (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Central Area Start date September 2026 School Business School College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Study abroad Available Accreditation Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme This programme combines the study of business and law to prepare you for the social, political and legal challenges facing contemporary businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations.There are important connections between the law and business practices, particularly in intellectual property rights, regulation and contracts.Our programme reflects the global, dynamic climate of contemporary business and management, offering specialist courses in a wide range of business and legal subjects.Taught by world-leading industry professionals and researchers, you will develop personal and professional competencies such as:authentic leadershipethical, responsible, sustainable business behaviourentrepreneurial practicehuman resource managementeffective communicationBusiness School competency frameworkThis will enable you to work across a range of roles in contemporary business including:financestrategyinnovationmarketinghuman resource managementdata analyticsentrepreneurship How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years.A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.How long it takes to complete our degree programmes How a joint degree programme works A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers. Programme rankings You can find our programme rankings on our website.Our accreditation and rankings Programme benefits We actively engage with industry, policy makers and wider society, on our courses and through guest speakers and local, regional, national and international treks.Across a range of courses, including bespoke student consultancy projects, you will have exciting opportunities to work closely with for-profit, public and third sector organisations, developing professional experience before you graduate.The structure of our programmes means that during the early years of study, there is often the flexibility to change from one subject pathway to another.You can also participate in a large number of business societies, business events and peer-support schemes.This degree offers the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Business and Law View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Business and Law. Additional costs If you opt to study abroad in Year 3, your costs will vary depending on the country or partner university. Additional costs may include:insurancevisa requirementsaccommodationinternet accesstravelIn Year 4, you will undertake a dissertation as a compulsory assessment component. Depending on the field of study you choose, there may be costs associated with:undertaking surveystravelconducting interviews Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study Year 1 Your studies will provide an introduction to business and law. Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 You will broaden your knowledge of essential business and law subjects. Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 As you progress to the honours level, you will either start to specialise in a particular area of business and law that interests you or explore a wider range of concepts. Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 Your Management Honours Dissertation is central to Year 4. You will also choose two specialist business and two specialist law honours courses. Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Study abroad Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the global business dimension and the cultures and languages of the individual markets we deal with. Studying abroad is optional for this programme, but we encourage you to consider it. To be inspired, read stories by Edinburgh students about their experiences abroad.Student experiences abroadPartner universities A wide range of international experiences are available, including studying abroad at one of our partner universities and business schools in: AustraliaNew ZealandCanadaChinaJapanEuropeUSABusiness School partner universities (subject to change)Your choice of partner university will depend on your degree programme and availability of courses in the subject area. The benefits of studying abroad Living and studying abroad will give you the opportunity to try new things such as: learning a languagetaking on new challengesenhancing your academic perspectivevisiting new placesmeeting new peopleYour self-confidence will improve and you will develop valuable skills for the future, all of which are highly valued by employers.All Business School students have the option of studying abroad. However, you will need a strong academic performance in Year 1 (minimum first-year average 60%) to be offered a place at one of our partner universities or business schools. Teaching and assessment Teaching We embrace a variety of different teaching methods including:lecturesuse of computer laboratoriesworkshopstutorialsone-to-one meetings with course lecturers/tutors/student advisersindependent learning throughout your studies (in particular for your honours dissertation research) Assessment Courses are assessed by a diverse and innovative range of methods and often take the form of formative work. This provides you with ongoing feedback and summative assessment, on which your final course grade is achieved.Some of these assessment methods are: blogs (written and video)business planningfeasibility analysiscase study analysiscomputer-based timed assignmentsconsultancy reportsreflective journalsessaysexamspitchesportfoliosposterspresentationsindividual and group projectstechnical workshopsworkbooksthe dissertationMany of your assessments will involve:industry engagementreal case examplespractical solutions to contemporary business problemsA very small number of courses are assessed using only a single, written examination or coursework assignment. Most courses employ two or more forms of assessment, and a growing number combine both individual and group-based activities to develop subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills. Support for your studies We offer a supportive environment where you can grow and develop as an independent learner. You will be guided and supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Student Services Team who offer:enhanced course and programme guidancewellbeing, professional and academic advicestudy skills developmentWe also have an excellent peer support service to help you develop your study skills.The University offers a service called EdHelp where you can get help and advice on everything from finance to counselling, accommodation, and accessing IT and library resources.EdHelpEnvironment for learning Our Student Services Team offers an extensive range of personal and professional provisions to support you on your undergraduate journey. We provide a variety of opportunities for you to engage in co- and extra-curricular activities. Our dedicated Student Development Team can help you develop a range of essential business graduate competencies.You can find out about both teams on their sites:Student Services TeamStudent Development TeamEdinburgh AwardYou may participate in the Edinburgh Award supported by an alumni professional mentor and trained coaches: Personal and Professional Development (Year 2)Effective and Responsible Leadership (Year 3 or 4)Edinburgh Award Our academic staff You will be taught by: experienced subject-specific lecturersindustry professionalsresearch-led academicsinternationally renowned guest speakersWe have a number of leading academics who have designed and developed courses specific to their research, particularly in Years 3 and 4. Where you will study Study location The Business SchoolAll business teaching takes place across the central campus. However, you may be required to travel to the King’s Buildings (based on your course selection) if you are studying courses in science and engineering.The Law SchoolAll law teaching takes place across the central campus. The Law School has been housed in the Old College since the late 1800s and is home to the law library. Our traditional and historic home underwent a full refurbishment, completed in 2019. This transformed the building into a 21st-century home for the school while celebrating and preserving the heritage and history of Old College.The Law School is ideally placed for those studying and working in the law. It is within easy walking distance of the highest courts in Scotland and the Scottish Parliament. Academic facilities The Business SchoolThe Business School is located in a dedicated building in George Square, in the middle of the central campus.You will have access to:specialist business resources in the central Main Library (books, journals, databases)dedicated student experience and student development supportdedicated teaching labs (and associated software and databases) for specialist business analytics, business research and finance-related coursesThe Law SchoolAs a student at Edinburgh Law School, you will benefit from excellent teaching, study, and research facilities including:a law libraryspacious seminar roomsdedicated student social spaces, including a caféOur library is one of the largest law libraries in the UK. Career paths and further study Accreditation Our school and programmes are accredited by a range of world-leading business education organisations and professional bodies. We have strong links to the world of practice through:researchconsultancyteachingThis ensures that our school and programmes are: attuned to world-leading thinking and practice in business educationactively and continuously engaging with, and responding to, the needs of employersIt also ensures that you will be work-ready and prepared for entering the diverse range of globally available career opportunities post-graduation. Details of our accreditation and rankingsThis programme holds double accreditation from international ranking bodies: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) Career paths Business graduates are highly valued by employers across the world and graduates of our programmes are highly sought after by a wide range of employers. Our graduates secure employment in a diverse range of fields, the most popular being:managementconsultingfinancemarketinghuman resources Careers Service During your time as a student in the Business School and following graduation, the Careers Service will help you fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.Careers Service Further study After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Applying How to apply You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.Guidance on applying through UCAS What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)a reference How we select If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.How we select applicants When to apply 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.Search degrees that are open on the UCAS websiteKey application dates and deadlines After you apply After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at university Applying as an international student As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS. Find out more about applying through UCAS Visas and immigration If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. Applying for a visa Agents An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. Find contact details for an education agent Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities The Business School provides a range of modern spaces for students and staff, including:a caféeight lecture theatresa space for students to study and unwindLocated at the heart of the University campus, we also have ready access to state-of-the-art facilities. Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include:a student counselling servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
