LLB Law (Graduate Entry)

The Graduate LLB programme follows the regular Ordinary LLB degree pattern for Years 1 and 2. However, all compulsory courses listed below are required for the award of the Graduate LLB (Ordinary) and for progression towards legal practice in Scotland.

The Law Society of Scotland requires that you take 240 credits of law subjects in order to obtain a qualifying degree.

Therefore, all courses taken on the Graduate LLB (Ordinary) must be law courses if you wish to obtain a qualifying degree for legal practice.

Year 1

In Year 1 you will be introduced to general legal principles and legal techniques.

You will study compulsory courses including:

• Scottish Legal System
• Critical Legal Thinking
• Family Law
• Public Law of the UK and Scotland
• Contract Law
• European Union Law

You will also choose a selection of law optional courses.

Year 2

You will build on the skills and knowledge obtained in Year 1 with a selection of compulsory courses including:

• Property Law
• Jurisprudence
• Public Law and Individual Rights
• Business Entities
• Commercial Law
• Succession and Trust Law
• Delict
• Evidence
• Criminal Law

You will also take one law optional course.

This is the final year of study for the LLB Law (Graduate Entry).

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

The Law School has been housed in the Old College since the late 1800s. 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.

As a student at Edinburgh Law School, you will benefit from excellent teaching, study, and research facilities.

Designed for the way you study, the new features include:

• a law library
• spacious seminar rooms
• dedicated student social spaces, including a café

Our library is one of the largest law libraries in the UK.

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.

How will I learn?

Large group lectures are complemented by small tutorial groups.

All Year 1 students have access to Edinburgh's Law Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (LawPALS).

The Mooting Society also provides you with opportunities to learn and practise courtroom skills.

How will I be assessed?

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

After graduating you can progress to the legal profession in Scotland by completing the Diploma in Professional 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. This requires a period of 'devilling' under the supervision and direction of a practising advocate.

Careers outside Scotland

This programme is intended as a qualifying degree for professional practice in Scotland.

However, a number of graduates also go on to qualify and practise law in other jurisdictions, in Europe and elsewhere. To do this, you must comply with the local conversion requirements and complete any further study non-Scottish jurisdictions require.

Non-legal careers

Graduates who do not choose a legal career often use their skills and experience for employment in areas such as:

• finance
• management
• journalism

Our graduates have also worked with international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. For further information please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Admissions Office.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Admissions Office

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for LLB Law (Graduate Entry)

Additional costs

On some courses, you will be encouraged to buy additional learning materials for assessments.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Have a query about undergraduate study?
• Send an enquiry