PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS 30 JUNE. THIS IS NOT A JANUARY DEADLINE COURSE.

The LLB degree in law is the pathway into the legal profession in Scotland.  For those students who already hold a degree it is possible to undertake the Graduate LLB (Ord) which takes two years to complete. This makes it a very attractive conversion course for graduates from all disciplines who wish to pursue a career as a lawyer.

The University of Edinburgh's two-year Law degree consists of courses in a wide range of subjects from contract law to criminal law and property law to public law. These subjects (known as the professional practice subjects) are required for the award of the LLB (Ord) degree and by the Law Society of Scotland for entry to the legal profession in Scotland.  All of the courses required to practice as a solicitor in Scotland have been accredited by the Law Society of Scotland.

Teaching on the degree programme is carried out through lectures and tutorials. Assessment typically takes place in December and April/May of each year by way of exam, together with assessed essays and, in at least one course, an assessed mooting exercise.  You can find out more about the first year courses and types of assessment by clicking here.

At Edinburgh Law School you will benefit from excellent teaching and facilities located in the University’s historic Old College, not far from law courts, The Scottish Parliament and The Scottish Government. The Law School has close links with the profession.

Applications for the Graduate LLB should be made through the UCAS Apply system.  We do not deal with applications here in the School of Law and any questions regarding admissions or the application process should be directed to the College of Humanities and Social Science Undergraduate Admissions office at hssug@ed.ac.uk

Read more about entry qualifications for the Accelerated LLB.
Click here to enter 'UCAS Apply'. 

Students with a good degree in any discipline can apply for entry to the Accelerated LLB. The minimum entry requirement is a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent. In addition, there may be specific entry requirements for International students.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ADMISSIONS ARE NOT DEALT WITH IN THE SCHOOL OF LAW AND ALL ADMISSIONS/APPLICATION ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO HSSUG@ED.AC.UK

FAQ section available here.

Students on the Graduate LLB learn alongside students on the four-year LLB (Honours) programme which provides an excellent opportunity to meet and work with a wide range of students from different backgrounds, who will doubtless be your colleagues in the profession in the future.

Over the years, students on the Accelerated LLB have come from a wide range of fields. Students on the programme have degrees in a broad variety of disciplines, including History, English Literature, Economics, Oriental Studies, Zoology, Music, Biology, Archaeology, and Computer Science. Some have spent several years in industry before deciding to convert to law, and have joined us from a huge range of sectors.  What all our LLB students have in common is a commitment to academic excellence and the desire to aim high.

The Accelerated LLB (Ord) is popular with students whose first degree was obtained in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK or European Union but also with those whose first degree was obtained overseas.  In recent years, students have joined us from many different countries, including Canada, the United States, Ireland, and Greece. Wherever you obtained your undergraduate degree, Edinburgh's Graduate LLB offers you the chance to obtain a professionally recognised degree in only two years as well as the experience of life in Scotland's capital - one of Europe’s most attractive and pleasant cities.

There are plenty of opportunities for socialising in and around Edinburgh Law School, including a variety of social events and many law-related societies. Of particular interest are the Mature Law Students Society and the Mooting Society. These offer the chance to get to know your fellow students as well as helping you find your feet in a new discipline and, in the case of the Mooting Society, develop essential skills for legal practice. The University of Edinburgh has numerous societies, student venues, sporting facilities and other facilities that you will be able to use.

A Scottish lawyer will practise as a solicitor, an Advocate or a Solicitor Advocate.  The terms solicitor and lawyer in Scotland are almost interchangeable. Solicitors provide legal advice and drafting expertise, and may conduct minor litigation. Advocates (or barristers as they are known in England) have rights of audience and will plead cases in the courts, as well as undertaking opinion work.

In Scotland, entry as a solicitor is regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, and most students complete an LLB degree (either Honours or Ordinary), followed by a one year Diploma in Legal Practice. After this, students commence a two year traineeship with a firm of solicitors or a public sector organisation, such as the Scottish Government or Procurator Fiscal service.*

For applicants who already hold a degree, the typical conversion pathway to qualify as a solicitor is:

Admission as an advocate (barrister) normally follows on from this route; the Faculty of Advocates can advise on its admission requirements.

*Please note that a new route to qualification comes in from September 2011.  Broadly-speaking, the changes you will notice at this stage will be in the names of the steps to qualification.  The LLB degree becomes known as the Foundation Programme, the Diploma in Legal Practice becomes Professional Education and Training 1 (PEAT 1) and the traineeship becomes PEAT 2.

The 2-year degree at Edinburgh offers the opportunity to study a breadth of subjects in a friendly and welcoming environment. Edinburgh graduates are held in high regard by employers and this was clear during the traineeship interview period when a significant number of our cohort gained places at leading law firms.

My attraction to the degree programme was not only the academic credentials of the University but also the structure of the course itself. Instead of the mandatory three years at North American universities, I am able to complete my law degree within two, allowing me to begin my career in law earlier. And to help you get started, the Law School, in association with the Careers Service at the University, helps you at every step of the way by organising career fairs, application seminars and the like. I have never felt alone and it is nice to know that the University is assisting me in finding the job that I want. Furthermore, studying Scots law exposes me not only to the law of Scotland, but also the foundations of continental European law and English Common Law. This opens up future career options here in Europe or in Canada. I would definitely recommend this degree programme for any North American students looking to study in a fantastic programme at a great university.

Quentin Bregg, LLB (Ord) Graduate 2008 (first degree in History from the University of Victoria, BC, Canada).

The majority of our graduates from the 2-year degree go on to practise as lawyers, either in Scotland or England. With an LLB degree, you are on your way to a professional qualification as a solicitor, which is recognised around the world and offers exciting career opportunities both in Scotland and worldwide.

However, as this programme is not merely a conversion course but instead a fully accredited Law degree, it can open many doors and not just in the field of law. With an LLB degree, our graduates pursue careers in a wide range of areas, including investment banking, stock broking, accounting, government, politics, non-governmental organisations, and management consultancy. Other popular career paths include information technology, postgraduate research, teaching, and academia.

Whichever route you take, the Edinburgh LLB is an internationally respected qualification, from a university ranking highly in Europe, and indeed the World.

To receive further information about the Graduate LLB (Ord) Degree for Graduate Students, please click to request your free copy of the University of Edinburgh Undergraduate Prospectus 2012 Entry.

Contact the Graduate LLB Programme Director, Miss Lindsay Kelly  PLEASE NOTE THAT ADMISSIONS ARE NOT DEALT WITH IN THE SCHOOL OF LAW AND ALL ADMISSIONS/APPLICATION ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO HSSUG@ED.AC.UK

Please click to find out how to apply to the University of Edinburgh, as well as to find information on fees, finance, accommodation and more.