Law Undergraduate programme and course information Coronavirus update: April 2020 We intend to begin the 2020-21 academic year as usual in September. This brochure reflects these intentions. We will let you know of any Why choose Law at Edinburgh? changes, and confirm start dates in our pre-arrival communications. • Established in 1707, Edinburgh Law School has been educating and training some of the world’s finest legal minds for more than Studying Law at 300 years. • We are ranked 6th in the UK and Edinburgh in the world’s top 30 universities for law in the QS World University Our Law School has a strong international Rankings by Subject 2020. reputation for research and our teaching staff • You will become part of a offer expertise across a wide range of legal fields. supportive law community and will be assigned to a LawPALS There is a vibrant student community with many group in your first year of study social, careers, and other law-related events – Edinburgh Law School’s Peer Assisted Learning Scheme throughout the year. designed to help you adapt to studying law. Our Bachelor of Laws (LLB) As a law student, you will learn about programmes will teach you the general the formal structures of our society and • During your studies you will be principles of law and how to apply the role of law in shaping society. taught by leading researchers them to specific situations and cases. from Edinburgh Law School and You will develop analytical skills Scots law practising lawyers with real world and legal research skills and learn experience. how to present an argument clearly, At Edinburgh you will study Scots law. accurately, and persuasively. Students interested in practising law • Studying in Scotland’s capital you in England or Wales need to be aware will be at the heart of Edinburgh’s legal centre, with the highest There are two facets to the study of that there are significant differences law. Firstly, it is an academic discipline, between Scots and English law. This courts in Scotland minutes away, which is studied with a view to does not preclude you from practising and you will have access to furthering modern understanding of its in other countries, and a number of some of the best academic law origins and growth, and its interaction our graduates also go on to qualify materials in Europe in our library. with related disciplines including those and practise as a lawyer in other • In year three, you may have an such as economics, politics, sociology, jurisdictions, in Europe and elsewhere opportunity to go to one of our and history. Concepts such as the around the world, in accordance partner universities in Europe, the rule of law, the independence of the with the relevant local conversion Far East, or USA. judiciary and the legal profession, and requirements and any further study access to justice for all, are at the heart required in the non-Scottish destination • You will have the opportunity of legal study. jurisdiction. to contribute to the Edinburgh Student Law Review. Managed Secondly, law has a practical aspect and written by students, it aims to which is studied with a view to Accreditation provide a forum for law students enabling you to become a practising Our LLB programmes are accredited to engage with current legal solicitor or advocate. Accurate by the Law Society of Scotland. issues and debates. problem solving and understanding You will be required to study certain • Over 90% are satisfied with the of the structures of our society which courses to graduate with a fully result from the study of law are highly quality of the programme – NSS qualifying degree. valued skills. 2018 Front cover image © http://www.nealesmith.com Our degree Studying law as part of a joint degree programmes Joint degrees are a great way to study two subjects at the same time, and Edinburgh offers many joint degrees with Law. A joint degree with law can offer Single LLB (Honours and Ordinary) many benefits: Four-year degree course Law (LLB Honours) • It shows employers that you can work across a range of disciplines. Three-year degree course Law (LLB Ordinary) • You will have the opportunity to study Two-year degree course Law (LLB Ordinary) (Graduate Entry) two subjects, have more choice with modules, as well as greater flexibility when you graduate. Joint LLB Honours • If you choose a joint degree with a modern language, law can offer real Four-year undergraduate degree Law and Accountancy (LLB Honours) insight into the structure and meaning allowing you to study law alongside Law and Business (LLB Honours) of all languages and so enhance another named academic discipline Law and Celtic (LLB Honours) language learning at a deep level. Law and Economics (LLB Honours) Law and History (LLB Honours) Note about accreditation: Our joint Law and International Relations (LLB degrees do not include all courses Honours) required to proceed to the Diploma in Law and Politics (LLB Honours) Professional Legal Practice and thereafter Law and Social Anthropology (LLB to the legal profession in Scotland. If you Honours) want to enrol in a joint programme and graduate wth a qualifying degree, you will Law and Social Policy (LLB Honours) need approval from the Law School to Law and Sociology (LLB Honours) study additional courses.
Joint LLB Honours - Modern Languages As a law student it’s fantastic to be only minutes away from Four-year undergraduate degree Law and French (LLB Honours) the Scottish Parliament and allowing you to study law alongside a Law and German (LLB Honours) Scotland’s top law courts, European language Law and Spanish (LLB Honours) “ and to be so close to the institutions where the law you Students who study a joint Law will learn about is made and and Language degree are usually applied. required to spend their third year abroad Iona Bonaventura LLB Graduate 2019 Introduction to your degree: The benefits of a four-year degree LLB Honours As a Scottish University, Edinburgh offers a flexible four-year honours degree.
The four-year degree offers a range of advantages.
Award and tutorial hours, assessment In years one and two, you can study subjects required for the degree and hours, preparation, revision, and to practice Law in Scotland, before specialising through honours options LLB honours degree (see our degree independent study. Each semester in years three and four. This allows you to develop a breadth as well as a programmes for title) you will usually be enrolled in 60 depth of knowledge, expanding your academic range and enhancing your credits. student experience. Location The four year degree offers the opportunity to study abroad – not just for University of Edinburgh Central Area Student community language learners but across all subjects, including Law.
The Law School has a vibrant and Your ‘honours’ years three and four allow you to focus on your subject Awarding body committed student community with in depth, and the fourth year dissertation – comprising a piece of a number of groups and societies The University of Edinburgh original research – represents the culmination of your degree and the for you to join including the Law demonstration of your abilities as an independent scholar. Society, the Law Students’ Council, Professional accreditation the Mooting Society, and many The added experience and intellectual depth acquired over four years is more. Edinburgh also has varied widely recognised and greatly valued by employers. The Law Society of Scotland social scene with hundreds of bars, clubs, cinemas, and music venues On completion of your four year honours degree you will be awarded an LLB. Duration throughout the city. Four years (full time) Studying abroad Academic year The Law School has a wide range of Comprises two semesters: international links and there are many opportunities for study abroad in year September to December three. We run exchange schemes January to May with partner universities in Europe, Australia, Asia, and North and South America. Living and studying abroad Time commitment can broaden your horizons, enhance This is a full time degree, yet normally your academic perspective, and help only a few hours each day will be make the most of your time as an spent in classes. Independent private undergraduate student. study – on your own or in informal study groups – is a major element in working for your degree. In general, you can expect to be doing 100 hours of study per 10 credit of course. This includes lectures, seminars, Introduction to your degree: Graduate Entry LLB
The Graduate LLB is intended for those who already hold a degree level qualification and wish to obtain an undergraduate qualification in law. It is an ideal conversion course for graduates from all disciplines and nationalities wishing to pursue a career in the law.
Award Time commitment LLB honours degree This is a full time degree, yet normally only a few hours each day will be spent in classes. Independent private Location study – on your own or in informal University of Edinburgh Central Area study groups – is a major element in working for your degree. In general, you can expect to be doing 100 hours Awarding body of study per 10 credits of course. The University of Edinburgh This includes lectures, seminars, and tutorial hours, assessment hours, preparation, revision, and Professional accreditation independent study. Each semester The Law Society of Scotland you will usually be enrolled in 60 credits. Duration Student community Two years (full time) The Law School has a vibrant and committed student community with Academic year a number of groups and societies Comprises two semesters: for you to join including the Law Society, the Law Students’ Council, September to December the Mooting Society, and many January to May more. Edinburgh also has varied social scene with hundreds of bars, clubs, cinemas, and music venues throughout the city. Detailed degree Sample first year timetable The following timetable is an example of study in year one for Honours, content Ordinary, and Grad Entry students. Semester one
The following is a year-by-year breakdown of the Law (LLB Hons) Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday degree programme, based on the current curriculum. (It does not show the typical breakdown of a joint degree). Whilst these details are 0900- Scottish Scottish Scottish accurate at the time of printing, courses do change from year to year. 0950 Legal System Legal System Legal System For the most up-to-date course listings (and course listings for joint Lecture Lecture Lecture degrees) please visit: www.ed.ac.uk/ug/23 1000- Contract & Contract & 1050 Unjustified Unjustified Enrichment Enrichment Year one Year three Lecture Lecture • Scottish Legal System*+ • Advanced Legal Writing* 1110 - • Contract and Unjustified • 100 credits of course options Contract & 1200 Enrichment*+ Unjustified • Family Law (Ordinary)*+ Enrichment • European Union Law (Ordinary) Year four Tutorial A*+ • Dissertation in Law* • Public Law of the UK and You will have the opportunity 1210- Family Law Family Law Scotland*+ 1300 to undertake independent Lecture Lecture • Critical Legal Thinking*+ research (with academic • 40 credits of course options supervision) on a topic nominated by you. The 1310- Family Law Year two allocation of topics are subject 1400 Sports & Tutorial to approval by the Dissertation Societies • Jurisprudence* Coordinator. 1410- Introduction to • Property Law (Ordinary)*+ • 80 credits of course options 1500 Criminology • Public Law and Individual • 10 credits of course options Lecture Rights*+ • Business Entities+ 1510- Introduction to • Commercial Law (Ordinary)+ 1600 Criminology • Succession and Trust Law+ Lecture • Delict*+ • Criminal Law (Ordinary)*+ 1610- Introduction to • Evidence (Ordinary)+ 1700 Criminology Tutorial
1710- Scottish Legal Passes in courses marked * are required for the award of the LLB. 1800 System Tutorial Passes in courses marked + are required for progression towards practise in Scotland. Students on the Grad LLB will only complete year one and year two of the above curriculum and must enrol on all law courses - including in optional slots. Joint degree programmes can have course variations from the typical curriculum set out above. Teaching
Support Assessment When you arrive you will be assigned In first and second year you will be a personal tutor who can offer assessed by a mix of continuous assistance and advice throughout assessment and exams. In third and your academic journey, including fourth year you will be assessed by advice on choosing your outside a mix of essays and exams. In your courses, what to do when you need final year you will conduct your own to take time out, or need advice when research and produce a 10,000 personal circumstances affect your word dissertation, with one-to-one work. supervision. The Student Support Office (SSO) also has a crucial role to play in Student voice supporting you in your degree. At university, academic problems We are committed to providing frequently get closely tied up with an outstanding experience for our non-academic, personal, or practical students and we will encourage you problems, and the SSO will be your to play an active role in ensuring first point of contact for pastoral care that your experience whilst studying matters. There are also many social, with the School and University is an welfare, health, and advisory services available to students both inside and excellent one. We engage regularly outside the University, and the SSO with elected representatives to gain can help you access these. student input on a range of matters affecting the student body and Types of teaching general academic ambience of the School. The Law Students’ Council In first and second year, teaching is your formal elected representative is mostly conducted in lectures and small group meetings called tutorials body and the School also operates a where you will have the chance Student-Staff Liaison Committee. As to discuss topics in greater detail. a student at our School we take your Lectures comprise up to 300 and views very seriously and ensure that tutorials normally comprise around 20 the student voice is represented as students. Usually you will have around successfully as possible. 20 contact hours per week. In third and fourth year the emphasis shifts to more specialised, seminar-based courses and independent study. The Careers Service
The University’s career service looks to enhance your university experience not only when you are about to leave us, but from the moment you arrive.
We seek to empower you and offer experiences that enhance and strengthen your academic development.
In an increasingly competitive employment environment, the Our services Information and advice on: University of Edinburgh offers many opportunities to future-proof and get • Information and advice drop in • Internships, placements, and ahead of the competition from the centre short holiday and term time jobs moment you begin your time with us, and opportunities – in the legal • One-to-one careers consultations and put you on the path to the career field and outwith via our online of your dreams. • CV and applications feedback; platform practice interviews • Volunteering opportunities within the university and beyond it • Careers events, workshops, • Go abroad opportunities presentations, talks, and • The Edinburgh Award – a interactions with employers, on personal development and off campus programme to enhance your • Job and internship, third sector, employability skills. law, tech, and go abroad fairs, creative and cultural festivals, …and lots of support and guidance themed careers campaigns to help you take control of your future and develop the necessary skill set for a successful future. www.ed.ac.uk/careers
Opposite page image © Stewart Bremner Edinburgh Law The Law Library Edinburgh Law School is proud to house one of Europe’s largest Law School campus Libraries. The Law Library saw one of the biggest changes as part of the School’s refurbishment project. It now occupies the entire northwest corner of Old College The Law School is based in the historic building and boasts spectacular study and reading spaces such as the Senate Room. of Old College. Law has been taught here for Students, staff and visitors can peruse the over 300 years, and with the highest courts in UK’s largest collection of European legal documents in the new facilities, or browse Scotland and the Scottish Parliament minutes the impressive collections held in the away, it is ideally placed for students of Law. octagonal bookcases that mirror the lecture theatre located directly above.
January 2019 saw the Law School return to its home at Old College after an ambitious refurbishment project that transformed the building, creating a 21st century campus for the School while preserving the history of Old College. With a completely new layout, comprising reimagined teaching, studying, and socialising spaces, the Law School now has a campus reflective of our world-class teaching and research. Get ready for Law!
In order to help you prepare for the study of law we recommend the following resources:
H MacQueen, R White and I Willock, The Scottish Legal System (5th edn, 2013) This text provides students with an introductory account of the Scottish legal system.
Reading a quality newspaper regularly is one of the best preparations for the study of law: the news is full of legal issues, many of which you will study during your degree. For further information about studying law at Edinburgh, email: [email protected]
For further information about your application, email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)131 650 3565
FAQs
Where do I find out more about what I’ll study on my degree? www.ed.ac.uk/ug/23
Where do I find out about applying or my offer? www.ed.ac.uk/apply www.ed.ac.uk/myoffer
What financial support can I apply for? www.ed.ac.uk/scholarships
What other support services do you have? www.ed.ac.uk/ugsupport
Where can I find out about accommodation? www.ed.ac.uk/accomodation
Where can I find out more about transport in and around the city? www.transportforedinburgh
What do your students think? www.ed.ac.uk/studentlife We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this handbook ©The University of Edinburgh 2020 before going to print. However No part of this publication may be reproduced please check online for the most up-to-date without written permission of the University. information: The University of Edinburgh is a chartable body, www.ed.ac.uk/ug/23 registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336