Student life
Studying for an undergraduate degree at the University of Edinburgh is more than just an excellent academic experience. As well as being immersed in the heart of our community in our newly refurbished, beautiful home in Old College, you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a huge range of activities alongside your studies.
The Law School is based in the University's central campus in the historic Old College building. The Law School recently underwent an extensive refurbishment transforming our premises at Old College into a 21st century home for the School, whilst celebrating and preserving the building's heritage and history.
Designed for the way you study, the new facilities include a spectacular new Law Library, spacious seminar rooms, and dedicated student social spaces at the heart of the School. Classes will take place across a range of buildings in the University's central campus including the Law School.
LawPALS is our Law Peer Assisted Learning Scheme. It aims to support the academic and social transition of first-year LLB students from their prior learning into the LLB.
The transition from school, employment, or even non-law university study to studying law at university can be daunting. We are dedicated to ensuring that you are given the support and encouragement you need during your first year of study and beyond. All first-year students are automatically guaranteed access to a wealth of experience and information from advanced LLB students (Student Leaders).
You will be assigned to a group, led by a Student Leader, which meets weekly in the first semester. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions that you wouldn't want to ask elsewhere. PALS also covers topics that match the academic timetable so you will receive guidance in getting to grips with law study, writing legal essays, mooting, and preparing for exams.
Edinburgh Law School is situated in the heart of the city of Edinburgh in the historic Old College just a few minutes' walk away from many of the city's famous attractions. Edinburgh is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world and is home to around 100,000 students. Edinburgh is a unique historical city with a lot to offer no matter what your interests.
Edinburgh has a varied social scene with hundreds of bars, clubs, cinemas, and music venues throughout the city. It is also home to 12 major annual festivals including the Film Festival, International Festival, and the Fringe Festival.
Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA)
EUSA is run for students, by students and is here to help you get the most out of your studies. Your students' association represents your interests at all levels, supports over 200 societies, runs four fantastic unions, and offers advice on just about anything. Every student at the University of Edinburgh is a member of EUSA for free.
The Law Students' Council
The Law Students' Council (LSC) is here to help you from your first day in the Law School to your last. It is made up of about 20 students from all levels of study at the Law School. The LSC represents students' views within the Law School and provides you with all the services and information you will need to help you succeed during your time here.
Visit the Law Students' Council Facebook page
The University of Edinburgh Law Society
The Law Society is one of the University's largest and most active societies. With over 1,000 active members, joining the society is a great way to make life-long friends and relax after a long day in the library.
The society organises a range of social events throughout the year, including the annual Law Ball, and also has several sports teams which play in weekly intramural fixtures. They also work with some of the top UK and international law firms to organise a variety of networking events to enable you to meet top employers in the legal sector.
Visit the University of Edinburgh Law Society Facebook page
The Graduate Law Society
The Graduate Law Society aims to provide a social and academic resource network for all of its members. They welcome all law students over the age of 21 no matter what your programme of study. They organise a range of social events and activities throughout the year and provide members with useful tools to help you succeed during your time at the School as well as guidance on how to find jobs.
Visit the Graduate Law Society Facebook page
University of Edinburgh Mooting Society
Mooting is a form of legal debate, modeled on real-life court proceedings. Every year there are two internal competitions: one just for first year students and the other for all other undergraduate and diploma students. The finals of both competitions are always held at the Court of Session and are presided over by a Senator of the College of Justice.
Mooting is great for anyone looking to brush up on their public speaking skills and legal knowledge.
Find out more about the University of Edinburgh Mooting Society on their Facebook page.
BAME Law Students' Society
A group of students who identified the need for inclusion, solidarity and a safe space for BAME students in the law school.
The society provides a space for BAME students with the hopes of seeing more in the future. We want students to come together, celebrate culture and think critically about what it means to be a BAME student and lawyer. The society is not only open to all law students, including those doing their Masters and Graduate LLB programmes, but also non-law students at the University of Edinburgh who are interested in knowing more about diversity in the legal profession and at university.
Find out more about the BAME Law Students' Society on their Facebook page.
Commercial Law Society
CLS Edinburgh is Scotland's first student-led organisation focused on commercial law. The society seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical study and experiential learning by providing a platform that facilitates learning, practical skills, and networking.
Find out more about the Commercial Law Society on their Facebook page.
CrimSoc (Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Society)
A group led by students who are passionate about providing university-wide opportunities to all students interested in exploring all aspects of criminal law and justice. The society seeks to provide useful information about both legal and non-legal careers as well as regular discussion of current topics of interest with guest speakers.
International Law Students' Society
ILSS focuses on striking down notorious barriers to the field of law and international relations. Through speakers, in-house discussions, and workshops, we seek to offer a comparative analysis of international legal issues. The society looks at similarities and differences between jurisdictions to discuss and embrace legal differences.
Find out more about the International Law Students' Society on their Facebook page.
LawTech
LawTech is a special interest group (SIG), which is part of the University of Edinburgh’s CompSoc. They are focused on the crossover between law and technology, and all the potential that includes, such as AI, Cybersecurity, IP and many more.
Find out more about LawTech on their Facebook page.
Lawyers Without Borders
The society aims to provide students with human rights career opportunities and research experience with our partner organisations and NGOs. They also run a human rights conference and panel events featuring legal representatives in the human rights law sector.
Find out more about Lawyers Without Borders - Edinburgh Division on their Facebook page.
Legal Theory Society
A society for students interested in legal theory. Aim to run events with speakers – academics and students – for students to share in their appreciation of legal theory.
Find out more about the Legal Theory Society on their Facebook page.
LGBTQ+ Law Society
A new society set up in order to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion within the law. They aim to help aspiring LGBTQ+ legal professionals break through barriers into this career in a safe, comfortable and understanding environment. This is done through events such as meet and greets with law firms, public events, and having socials where students can freely and comfortably get to know each other.
Find out more about the LGBTQ+ Law Society on their Facebook page.
Pro Bono Society
The Pro Bono Society advocates for access to justice and clinical legal education with the University of Edinburgh and beyond. The society seeks to encourage students to participate in pro bono activities to not only further their education but also help their community.
Find out more about the Pro Bono Society on their Facebook page.
Public Law Society
Events and socials for those interested in Public Law.
Women in Law Society
A society promoting gender equality which aims to lift women's voices and help career aspirations.
The Law Library
The library is one of the largest law libraries in the UK and holds the bulk of the University's law collections, specialising in Scots, UK, international, and Commonwealth law. It also houses the library of the Europa Institute, an outstanding European Documentation Centre holding a vast collection of legal, criminological, and European materials.
Find out more about the Law Library
You will also have full access to all of the University of Edinburgh's libraries and a wealth of online resources for law.
Find out more about the range of online resources you will be able to access
Accommodation
The University guarantees an offer of accommodation for all eligible undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh.
Find out more about the range of accommodation Edinburgh has to offer
Sport and exercise
The University of Edinburgh is one of the leading sports universities in the UK and has a range of world-class sports facilities.
Find out more about the University's sports facilities
Details of the full range of facilities that you will have access to as a student can be found on the University's main website.
Find out more about the range of facilities the University has to offer
As a student at the University of Edinburgh you will have access to wide range of support services.
Personal tutor
When you arrive you will be assigned a personal tutor who can offer assistance and advice throughout your academic journey, including advice on choosing your outside courses, what to do, when you need to take time out, or what to do when personal circumstances affect your work.
The Student Support Office
Based in the Law School, our Student Support Office are here to provide advice and guidance to help support you in your studies.
The Advice Place
The Advice Place provides free, impartial, and confidential information to students on a range of topics.
Find out more about the Advice Place
Disability Service
The Student Disability Service is a service which supports disabled students. They support students with dyslexia, mental health issues, and students on the autistic spectrum, as well as those who have physical and sensory impairments.
Find out more about the Student Disability Service
Student Counselling Service
The Student Counselling Service offers short term counselling and various drop-in workshops. They can also provide contact details for other organisations that will provide help and support.
Find out more about the Student Counselling Service
The Careers Service
The University's award-winning Careers Service provide advice and guidance to help you with your future career choices.
