Course summary

The Common Law degree is designed for those who plan to practise law in common law jurisdictions such as England & 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. Why study this course at the University of Glasgow? 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. 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). 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 & commerce, international institutions, administration, banking, insurance, social work and the police service. All Glasgow law students benefit from a dedicated employability programme, 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 & 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 & 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 administers an independent, centralised assessment called the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). This includes: A degree in any subject or a qualification or experience that is equivalent to a degree, such as a solicitor apprenticeship. Passing the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments. Two years’ full time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience. Passing character and suitability requirements. The LLB (Common Law) is also a recognised degree in Northern Ireland and is foundational for those seeking entry to the legal profession in a range of other jurisdictions such as Canada. To qualify for legal practice, you must pass additional examinations in the appropriate legal system before proceeding to professional training and qualification. These requirements will vary according to the intended jurisdiction for professional practice.