Degree finder

Subject: Law

Why choose Law at the University of Edinburgh?

Edinburgh’s School of Law is the largest law school in Scotland and has been offering legal education for more than 300 years.
In the most recent RAE 30% of our research in Law was rated 4* world-leading, with a further 25% rated 3* internationally excellent, placing the University first in Scotland and eighth in the UK for law.
You can study in a city that is home to the Scottish Parliament and the highest civil and criminal courts in Scotland.

Find out more

Contact: College of Humanities & Social Science Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: hssug@ed.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565

Web: www.law.ed.ac.uk

Introduction

Edinburgh’s School of Law has a strong international reputation for research and offers excellent facilities for studying law, including the impressive range of legal materials available in its Law and Europa Library, which is Scotland’s largest university law library.

This degree programme teaches you the general principles of law and how to apply them to specific situations and cases. You will develop analytical skills, legal research skills and learn how to present an argument clearly, accurately and persuasively. As a law student, you will learn about the formal structures of our society and the role of law in shaping the society in which we live. You can study topics including criminal law, commercial law and human rights law in preparation for a career as a lawyer. You can also apply the skills and experience you develop to a range of different careers.

On the LLB programme you will study Scots law. Students interested in practising law in England or Wales may not benefit from studying law in Scotland as there are significant differences between English and Scots law.

What you'll study

Year 1

You will be introduced to general legal principles and legal techniques and will study core courses including Contract Law, Criminal Law, Property Law and European Union Law.

These courses are designed to cover the professional requirements of the Law Society of Scotland for entry to the legal profession. Students on the Graduate LLB will complete their studies at the end of second year.

Year 2

As year 1.

Year 3

You will have the opportunity to specialise in three law subjects, chosen from a wide range of honours courses, including Commercial Law, International Law, Property Law, Family Law and Criminology. If you are studying law with a language you will spend your third year abroad. There are also opportunities to study abroad in Europe, North America or the Far East through various exchange programmes, including the ERASMUS programme and the School of Law’s North American exchange programme. Third year is the final stage of the LLB (Ordinary) degree.

Year 4

In your fourth year you will continue your Honours study, choosing two further courses from the range of available Honours courses, in order to expand your specialist knowledge. You will also write a dissertation. This will help you develop your legal research and writing skills. This is the final year of the LLB (Hons) degree. If you are planning to enter the Scottish legal profession you will also need to complete the Diploma in Legal Practice after you graduate. You can apply for the Diploma during the final year of the LLB programme.

Learning and assessment

Most courses are taught through group teaching. Large group lectures are complemented by small study groups in tutorials in first and second year, while classes are taught by way of round-table seminars in third and fourth years. All first-year students have access to Edinburgh’s Law Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (Law PALS) and the mooting society provides you with opportunities to learn and practise courtroom skills.

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams.

Careers

After graduating you can progress to the legal professions by completing the Diploma in Legal Practice, followed by a traineeship with a legal firm, to qualify as a solicitor. You can then opt to go to the Bar, to qualify as an advocate. There are also opportunities for Scottish-qualified lawyers to practise in other jurisdictions, including other member states of the European Union. Graduates who do not choose a legal career often use their skills and experience for employment in finance, management or journalism or with international organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations.

Our facilities

Most teaching takes place in the historic Old College, located within the University’s Central Area, close to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and the Scottish Parliament building. You will have access to the School of Law’s specialist online legal research resources, the Law and Europa Library, as well as the University’s general library and computer facilities.

Study abroad

Opportunities to study abroad are available in this subject area.

With the beautiful setting of Old College and the friendly and competitive atmosphere amongst students, I have found the Law School to be an ideal place to study. The lecturers and tutors are very approachable, although they are also leaders in their fields, steeped in academia, and often scarily knowledgeable! Studies are complemented by a lively social scene in a great city. I’ve just returned from an exchange year abroad, an excellent and horizon-broadening experience.

Peter Alderdice: 4th Year, Law and German