Common Law LLB
Note that the Common Law LLB is not accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and is therefore not suitable for any applicant who wishes to have the option of practising law in Scotland.
Applicants should apply for either the Common Law LLB or the Scots Law LLB, not both, since we will only make an offer of a place on one LLB degree. Students wishing to practise law in Scotland (or Scotland and elsewhere) are expected to apply for the Scots Law LLB. Once admitted, transfer between programmes is not permitted by the College of Social Science regulations.
The Common Law degree is designed for those who plan to practise law in common law jurisdictions such as England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Canada. It is not suitable if you wish to enter the legal profession in Scotland. The Common Law curriculum offers intellectual depth and has a range of flexible options.
- September start
- Session dates
- Common Law LLB (Hons): M100 4 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- Joint degree options
- Study abroad available
Law at Glasgow
Which law degree is right for me?
The School of Law offers:
- Scots Law LLB: If you intend to practice in Scotland as a solicitor or advocate you should apply for the Scots Law LLB.
- Common Law LLB: If you intend to practice law in a Common Law jurisdiction such as England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, or India you should apply for the Common Law LLB.
Why study Law?
Law is a subject that is relevant to everyone because it affects all our daily lives. It is an academic discipline that attracts students who are interested in how society is regulated, what the aims of regulation should be and how successful it is in achieving them.
The University of Glasgow prides itself on developing world changers and a knowledge and understanding of law and legal systems is one of the important ways in which people can seek to make a difference. This might be through changes to legal policy or practice, or in helping people to solve everyday problems or avoid future disputes.
What kinds of skills do I need to study law?
You will need to be prepared to read a lot of material. Studying law involves reading cases, legislation, official reports and academic opinion about them. This will require you to be able to find relevant information quickly, to pick out what is important and to remember it.
Studying law is not, however, just about gathering information. It is also about analysing facts and putting them into context to be able to provide a reasoned argument about what the law is on a matter. Solving a legal problem requires close attention to detail, an excellent grasp of legal principles and appropriate legal authority, clarity of thought and the ability to think logically and communicate effectively.
Throughout our law degrees you will develop skills in research, managing information, writing, oral presentation, providing critical analysis of law and legal policy, problem solving and working independently and with others.
What kinds of opportunities does the Law School offer?
As well as benefiting from excellent teaching, our law students are able to take advantage of many other opportunities to widen their skills and experiences.These include study abroad for the whole or part of third year. We have strong links with employers and offer a number of events involving law firms and other organisations who are invited to provide information and advice. It is also possible to take part in voluntary placement schemes in the community such as in the Citizens Advice Bureau and Law Centres. We have a very long and successful tradition of competitive mooting (presenting arguments in mock trials), nationally and internationally.
About the Law School
The Law School is located in the Stair Building on the main University Campus on University Avenue, where you will find academic and administrative staff. Some classes are held here, although a wide range of teaching rooms is used across the campus. The Stair Building also houses the Sir Alexander Stone Court Room (which is used for mooting) and the Law Workshop (a study space and an additional library resource to the main library).
Programme structure
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Common Law programme is an exacting intellectual discipline and offers a thorough grounding in key areas of the law. The degree can be studied to Ordinary level, requiring three years of full-time study, or to Honours level in four years of full-time study. .
Year 1
Initially you will study the following core modules:
- Common law system & method
- Constitutional law
- Law of tort
- Criminal law of England & Wales
- Law of contract.
Year 2
In the following year, you will study core modules in:
- European Union law
- Jurisprudence
- Law & government
- Land law
- Equity & trusts
- Foundations of evidence law.
You can take option modules in years 1 and 2, covering topics such as:
- Public international law
- Roman law of property & obligations
- Commercial law
- Business organisations.
Years 3 and 4
Admission to Honours takes place at the end of the second year. If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you can choose from a wide range of individual courses available each year.
Law with Languages
There are many opportunities for you to study law with languages. Language study is an integrated part of the degree, with your language skills carefully developed during your first two years of study. This assists to prepare you for year 3, where you will study law in a partner university abroad, where teaching and learning take place in your chosen language (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
Two-year Common law LLB (Accelerated)
The Common Law LLB two-year Ordinary degree is designed for graduates who plan to practise law in a jurisdiction beyond Scotland. The Accelerated LLB allows graduates in other disciplines to obtain a Common Law Ordinary degree in two years rather than four years.
Joint degree/Law with Languages/and Accelerated students will cover some of the core modules at different stages of their degrees. There may be in some limited cases timetable clashes. We nevertheless endeavour, where we can, to avoid these or if possible, provide alternatives.
Course details
Year 1
Initially you will study:
- COMMON LAW SYSTEM AND METHOD
- CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
- LAW OF TORTS
- CRIMINAL LAW OF ENGLAND AND WALES
- LAW OF CONTRACT
Year 2
In the following year, you will study:
- EUROPEAN UNION LAW
- JURISPRUDENCE
- LAW AND GOVERNMENT
- LAND LAW
- EQUITY AND TRUSTS
- FOUNDATIONS OF EVIDENCE LAW
Students can take optional courses in Years 1 and 2 covering topics such as:
- PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
- ROMAN LAW OF PROPERTY & OBLIGATIONS 1
- COMMERCIAL LAW (COMMON LAW)
- BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Our international links
We have an extremely successful and popular study abroad programme. Traditionally, more than 60% of our Honours students in a normal year take the opportunity to spend all or part of the third year studying law in another country. Many others participate in a summer school or other academic activity abroad.
These exchange and short-term mobility options are available through our Law with Languages or Legal Studies programmes (see next page) or at English-speaking institutions across Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Students may also take part in summer schools or other short-term mobility opportunities such as the Comparative Law Project.
In all cases study abroad is integrated into the degree and does not involve an additional year of study.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
You should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award when applying for a joint honours degree programme. The higher entry requirement (where applicable) and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.
Summary of entry requirements for Common Law
SQA Higher entry requirements
- AAAAB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
- Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
- Typically offers will be made at AAAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
- Additional requirements: Higher English, Advanced Higher English or Humanities subject.
- Satisfactory completion of LNAT.
SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S6 or S6)
- MD20: ABBBB (also other target groups*)
- MD40: AAABB (ABB S5 minimum for consideration)*
- Additional requirements: Higher English, Advanced Higher English or Advanced Higher Humanities subject or Higher Mathematics at A recommended. LNAT. Successful completion of Reach or Top-Up.
* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.
A-level standard entry requirements
- AAA
- Additional requirements: A-level English or one Humanities subject. LNAT.
IB standard entry requirements
- 38 (6,6,6)
- Additional requirements: HL Humanities and SL English at 6. LNAT.
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)
- 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
PTE (Academic)
- 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%.
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
Cambridge English Qualifications
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
School Qualifications
- iGCSE English or ESOL 0522/0500, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- West African Examination Council, Senior Secondary School Certificate, English grade C6
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country
- Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country
- Masters degree from English speaking country
- Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
The flexibility of the LLB (Common Law) at Glasgow, together with the emphasis on developing the key skills required by employers and the opportunities available to study abroad and to take part in placement opportunities, means that the degree provides a sound general foundation for a range of careers. These include the Civil Service, local government, journalism, industry and commerce, international institutions, administration, banking, insurance, social work and the police service. All Glasgow law students benefit from a dedicated employability programme within the School, featuring tailored events focusing on various aspects of legal practice. These events feature a range of legal professionals from solicitors and barristers through to judges (many of whom are Glasgow graduates themselves). Law students at Glasgow may also gain real world legal experience and an opportunity to develop their skillset through legal clinical projects run via the GO Justice Initiative.
For those seeking to work as a lawyer in England and Wales, Ireland or Northern Ireland, the LLB (Common law) will provide an invaluable foundation in the academic study of law.
If you intend to become a barrister in England and Wales, the LLB (Common Law) satisfies the Bar Standards Board requirements regarding the academic component of training based on a law degree. After completing our degree, you would then undertake the ‘vocational stage’ of training, which requires completion of a postgraduate Bar course. The final step in qualifying as a barrister involves a period of full-time training for one year (‘pupillage’).
If you intend to become a solicitor, the LLB (Common law) is currently recognised for the purposes of qualifying as a solicitor in Northern Ireland (the Solicitor course at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Belfast).
If you intend to become a solicitor in England and Wales, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has introduced a new, independent, centralised assessment called the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). For law degrees starting in 2023 the requirements to become a solicitor now include:
- A degree in any subject or a qualification or experience that is equivalent to a degree, such as a solicitor apprenticeship.
- Passing the SQE 1 and SQE2 assessments
- Two years’ full time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience.
- Passing character and suitability requirements.
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
LLB (Hons)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
College of Social Sciences Deans' Award
The College of Social Sciences is offering two scholarships worth £10,000 each towards tuition fees for academically excellent students wishing to study an Undergraduate programme within the College’s programme portfolio for 2024 entry.
Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has a number of Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships available to new International and EU students for 2024 entry. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £7,000 per year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study.
EU Welcome Award
The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow.
We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the EU Welcome Award to new incoming EU students starting an undergraduate programme for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £5,000 for every year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.
Applicants that completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow and therefore eligible for the Alumni discount could be granted the EU Welcome Award as well.
RUK Excellence Scholarship
The RUK Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree new entrants who have attained academic excellence in one sitting at A Level (or equivalent).
RUK Access Bursary
The bursary supports talented students who may not be able to take their place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for the up coming academic session, ordinarily domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and paying annual tuition fees of £9,250 per annum.
James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has up to 30 undergraduate scholarships available for students of African/African-Caribbean backgrounds. The scholarship supports students who could face financial difficulties taking up their place to study at the university. The value of the scholarship is £2,000, paid in instalments for year one of undergraduate study. The scholarship is open to new applicants to the university for 2024 entry. Current students who have previously been in receipt of the award may reapply, however, preference will be given to applicants entering their first year of study.
Beaconhouse Schools
The University of Glasgow offer a 15% discount on the first year of tuition fee to students from Beaconhouse Schools and who enrol on an undergraduate programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount does not apply to Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Dentistry programmes.
Republic of Ireland (RoI) Access Bursary
Glasgow has a long and proud tradition of providing financial support to talented students who, for reasons of financial hardship, might not be able to take a place at university. Our RoI Access Bursary is part of our commitment to continue to attract and support students from a diverse range of backgrounds. For 2023 entry, the RoI bursary will be up to £2,000 for your first year of study and £1,000 for continuing years.
Payments of the RoI Access Bursary will be detailed in your Award Letter.
- The RoI Access Bursary will be awarded as a cash payment.
- The RoI Access Bursary will be paid in 10 instalments from October until July; this award is based on household income
- The RoI Access Bursary will only be awarded in years where tuition fees of £9,250 apply
Please see here for up to date information and criteria for 2024 entry.
Republic of Ireland (RoI) Excellence Scholarship
The RoI Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree entrants who have attained at Irish Higher grades H1, H1, H1, H2, H2 from the Irish Leaving Certificate for 2023 entry. Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine applicants are not eligible for this award.
Payments
- The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be processed as a cash payment.
- The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be paid in 2 instalments.
- The first payment will be in October and the second payment will be in February.
These payments will be credited to the UK bank account held on your MyCampus profile; therefore, it is vital that this is up to date at the start of the session. By submitting your bank details on the MyCampus system, you are confirming that you agree with the terms and conditions of the award.
Please see here for further information and eligibility criteria for 2024 entry.
Undergraduate Talent Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is awarding c.50 undergraduate Talent Scholarships to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2024 entry. The value of each scholarship is typically £1,500 p.a. for each year of the degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress. Talent Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University's Colleges.
Dental School students are eligible for a Talent Scholarship in their first year of study only. They are eligible for the NHS Dental Student Support Grant in the following years.
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
The University of Glasgow and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) will offer a scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK and commencing an undergraduate study in the academic year 2024-25
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation wants to fund 100 Black British students through UK universities in the next decade. More information on the Foundation can be found here.
Sanctuary Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2024/25. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.
The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.
Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.
Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2024 entry.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Applicants should apply for either the Common Law LLB or the Scots Law LLB, not both, since we will only make an offer of a place on one LLB degree. Students wishing to practise law in Scotland (or Scotland and elsewhere) are expected to apply for the Scots Law LLB. Once admitted, transfer between programmes is not permitted by the College of Social Science regulations.
With the exception of applicants to the LLB (Accelerated), applicants to all LLB degrees who do not already hold an undergraduate degree are required to take the Law National Admissions test (LNAT) by 14 February 2025.
The LNAT results of students will be taken into account in deciding whether to make offers of places on the Common Law LLB along with the entry requirements described above.
The LNAT is run by a consortium of UK universities and comprises an on-screen test (95 minutes) and essay questions (40 minutes). It is designed to assess verbal reasoning skills and command of written English. The test can be taken by applicants at centres throughout the UK and overseas.
For information on how to sit the test, together with practice papers, see lnat.ac.uk.
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 16 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 31 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Law]
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