Studying the LLB
Thinking of studying the LLB
Before choosing to study an LLB degree, you should be aware that
acceptance by a university law faculty does not guarantee a place
in the vocational post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice or future
employment in the legal profession. However, a law degree is well
respected and can be used as a stepping stone to many careers.
We understand that choosing your university course
and which university to study at are some of the biggest
decisions you will ever make. The choices you make now will shape
your future, so you need to be armed with as much information as
possible to make the right decision.
Applying to study the LLB
Admission requirements to the LLB are high, typically four A
grades and one B at Higher. The only preferred subject is English.
Students with a background in science and those who have studied
modern languages and/or history, geography and modern studies are
equally acceptable.
The LLB can be studied as an ordinary degree over three years or
an honours degree over four years. If you already have a degree,
you can apply to undertake a two-year accelerated degree.
Prospective students should be aware that a law degree from an
English university will not form part of the qualification process
in Scotland. Nor will a Scottish law degree be recognised by the
Law Society of England and Wales as part of their qualification
process.
Ten universities in Scotland are accredited by the Society
to offer the LLB and applications are made through the Universities and
Colleges Admission Service (UCAS). The table below outlines the
ten univerisities offering the LLB in Scotland, and the various
options available within each LLB. Please note -
this table is a guide only - the Society strongly recommends
contacting the universities to discuss course options, and there
may be changes to the courses as outlined below - always check with
the individual universities.
If you wish to study law at university, you should make every
effort to attend open days at the universities. This will help you
make more informed decision about where you wish to study. More
detailed information about the content of the LLB degree can be
obtained from the law schools at each of the universities and you
can follow the links to each of them in the table above.
We also thinks it's vital that you know what it's like to study
law so you can make an informed decision about whether the LLB is
right for you. The Society has produced a suite of podcasts to
provide you with more information about studying the LLB. Listen to
our careers podcasts or read the transcripts on our recruitment
site lawscotjobs.co.uk.
During the LLB:
If you started studying the LLB before 2011/2012, or are
a first year student at the University of Edinburgh or Glasgow
Caledonian University you should read the following information
carefully:
At university, there are compulsory professional subjects for
anybody who wishes to enter the legal profession. These subjects
reflect the requirements of the syllabus for the Society's professional
exams.
It is important that students are aware that from the first day
of their LLB degree that the exam grades will count. Entry to
the later stage of training (the Diploma in Legal Practice or
professional education and training stage 1 - PEAT 1) is based on
performance in the first sitting of the core or professional
subjects studied at the LLB (usually taken in the first two years
of undergraduate study).
It should also be noted that gaining a place on, or successful
completion of, an LLB degree does NOT guarantee a place on the
Diploma in Legal Practice course/PEAT 1,
a training contract, or future employment in the legal
profession in Scotland.
If you have started studying the LLB in 2011/2012 and
are NOT a student at
the University of Edinburgh or Glasgow Caledonian University please
read the following information:
The Law Society of Scotland prescribes a number of outcomes that
need to be completed during the law degree in order to become a
solicitor in Scotland. Many of the subjects you will sit over
the first two, or in some cases, three years will cover
those outcomes.
We strongly advise you to speak to your university adviser
to confirm what those subjects are. Entry to the Diploma has
traditionally been competitive in the past and universities
offering the Diploma will decide on entry by looking at your marks
in those required subjects.
Your marks in these subjects will also determine who will
receive funding for the Diploma in the future (if this is available
when you come to take the Diploma). The best advice we can offer is
to check which subjects are required, and work hard to ensure you
do as well as possible from the word go in your law degree. Your
performance in your exams now will have an impact on your future if
you wish to be a solicitor so the best thing you can do is work
hard and perform to the best of your abilities.
Completing the LLB
The legal graduate recruitment market has shifted towards very
early recruitment of trainees - often two years in advance of
starting a traineeship - so securing a traineeship often comes
before securing a place on the Diploma in Legal Practice
course/PEAT 1. Also, closing dates for traineeship opportunities
have often passed by the time the law fairs commence. To ensure you
don't miss out on any deadlines, make sure you check closing dates
for traineeships during the LLB.
Visit www.lawscotjobs.co.uk/traineeships for more
information on the recruitment process, careers advice and
available traineeships.