The programme aims to promote advanced knowledge and understanding of (i) the theory, concepts and rules of Law in their socio-economic, institutional, and historical frameworks, and (ii) the theory and practice of International Relations (“IR”). While the legal component of the programme is grounded in Scots law and the Scots legal system, students will also be made familiar with the law and legal systems of the other parts of the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the wider world. Teaching is offered in the first two years in all subjects required for professional legal practice in Scotland, and students on the programme also have the benefit of two further years of Honours level study which allow them to choose from up to forty specialist courses covering a wide range of theoretical, practical, and historical fields of study. There is an opportunity for some students to spend the first of the two Honours years studying at one of a number of overseas universities. The Honours programme places a strong emphasis on developing good written and oral skills, with opportunities to hone the latter through participation in legal ‘moots’ which reproduce a courtroom environment. Such mooting is just one of the ways in which the Law School encourages students to develop legal skills through a range of innovative learning methods. The Edinburgh Law School has been at the centre of the teaching and practice of law since its earliest days. Students following the programme have easy, local access to the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, the Supreme civil and criminal Scottish courts, the Crown Office, the Scottish Government, the Faculty of Advocates, and the Law Society of Scotland. Students will come into frequent contact with the personnel of all of these institutions, both through field trips to these institutions and through external teaching provided by personnel from these institutions on the LLB programme. The programme is designed to equip students with transferable skills to enable them to succeed in the job market. Edinburgh LLB graduates go on to have careers not only in the legal profession itself (both in Scotland, as well as elsewhere in the UK and the world), but also in banking, accountancy, broadcasting and other media, the Civil Service, politics, finance, consultancy, and the voluntary sector, amongst other professions. Significant numbers of our graduates go on to undertake postgraduate degrees, with a possible view to pursuing an academic career. In the IR component of the programme, students explore the origins and present-day contexts of international conflicts over power and resources and the processes driving states and organisations in the international system. The programme focuses on international organisations, IR theory, understanding war and conflict and the international politics of Europe, Russia, Africa and the US. IR is part of a vibrant research-led community consisting of c.30 full-time academic staff and over 400 undergraduate students. Major programme aims include equipping students with substantive knowledge of a range of approaches to international politics; enabling students to develop and apply their knowledge and skills to the understanding of the drivers of international conflict and co-operation; enabling students to develop key skills in critical thinking, conceptual analysis, research, oral and written articulation of information and argument.

After graduating you can progress to the legal professions by completing the Diploma in Legal Practice, followed by a traineeship with a legal firm, to qualify as a solicitor. You can then opt to go to the Bar, to qualify as an advocate. There are also opportunities for Scottish-qualified lawyers to practise in other jurisdictions, including other member states of the European Union. Graduates who do not choose a legal career often use their skills and experience for employment in finance, management or journalism or with international organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations.