At the University of Edinburgh, there are two main types of undergraduate law degree: the LL.B. Honours degree which lasts for four years, and the two year LL.B. Ordinary degree (which is identical to the first two years of the LL.B. Honours degree).

For those studying at university for the first time, the degree you will be taking will be the four year LL.B. Honours degree. In the first two years of the degree you will study all of the law courses you need to get a general introduction to law, and which will prepare you for a career as a lawyer in Scotland, enabling you to apply, should you so wish, for further professional training.

Having passed all these 'core' courses (such as Criminal Law, European Community Law, and Property Law), you then have the opportunity in your third and fourth years to choose from a wide range of courses, such as Intellectual Property Law, Commercial Law, Media Law, Human Rights Law, and Criminology, and can study these specialist courses in greater depth. In addition, you will be able to write a dissertation on a law topic that really interests you - an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in legal research and writing. As an alternative to the LL.B. in Law, it is also possible to study Law alongside one of a number of other subjects (for example Law and French, or Law and Politics) thus allowing you to study other subjects at university level and to graduate with a joint Honours degree.

The LLB degree is a very flexible one. All students can, in consultation with their Director of Studies, arrange a programme of courses specifically tailored to their individual requirements.

Core Courses

1st Year
Legal Reasoning and Legal System
Contract and Unjustified Enrichment
Family Law Ordinary
Public Law of the UK and Scotland
Delict Ordinary
Further Courses

2nd Year
Jurisprudence
Property Law Ordinary 1
Property Law Ordinary 2
Business Entities
Commercial Law Ordinary
Public Law and Individual Rights
Criminal Law Ordinary
European Community Law A
Taxation Ordinary
Evidence
Trusts and Succession Ordinary

In your third and fourth years you will choose a number elective courses from the list of available honours options.  In your fourth year you will also complete a dissertation. 

 For further information on the courses offered please see here.