Two-Year LL.B. for Graduates

The accelerated LL.B. allows graduates in other disciplines to obtain a degree which will qualify them for entry to the solicitor branch of the legal profession in two years (see further below for entry as an advocate to the Faculty of Advocates).  The two-year degree is available to all applicants holding a first degree from a UK University. 

We would normally expect applicants to have an ordinary degree with merit or distinction or a 2:1 honours degree.   We realise, however, that applicants can come to us with a wide range of experience and qualifications and we are happy to discuss your individual qualifications prior to an application being made. 

Application for the two-year Degree is made through UCAS and fees are currently (2008/2009) £5,800 per annum for Home/EU applicants and £9,400 per annum for international applicants.   The Course Code is M115 and the Institution Code is G28.

Everyone admitted to the two-year degree will normally be made an annual allocation from the Faculty Second/First Degree Bursary Fund in each year of study.

The typical programme of study for graduate students is as follows:

Year 1

Principles of Property and Obligations (30 credits)
Sources and Institutions of Scots Law (40 credits)
Family Law (10 credits)
Criminal Law and Evidence (20 credits)
Option (20 credits)

Year 2

Law and Government (20 credits)
Jurisprudence (20 credits)
Property Law (40 credits)
Commercial Law (10 credits)
Business Organisations (10 credits)
Tax Law (10 credits)
European Union Law (10 credits)

The courses in bold in the table are compulsory courses for the LL.B.  Those in italics are required by the Law Society of Scotland for the solicitor branch of the legal profession.  If you wish to become an Advocate you must take two additional subjects: Roman Law of Property and Obligations and International Private Law.  The optional courses could come from within the School of Law or from other Departments in the University.  The main School of Law options are Criminal Law and Evidence, Roman Law of Property and Obligations, Public International Law and Forensic Medicine.  

As noted above, the Faculty of Advocates requires passes in Roman Law of Property and Obligations and International Private Law.  Roman Law can be fitted in as the option in first year.  It is possible to take International Private Law in second year as an additional subject.  But this leads to a very heavy workload in the first semester of second year and a decision to do this should only be taken after full discussion with your Adviser of Studies.  Alternatively, International Private Law could be taken after you have graduated, either at the same time as the Diploma in Legal Practice or later (and this is quite common for solicitors who wish to become advocates and who take this course while in practice).