Law (Graduate Entry) (LLB)

Introducing LLB Law (Graduate Entry)

The Graduate LLB is a two-year programme for those who already have a degree-level qualification and wish to get an undergraduate qualification in law.

The Graduate LLB is designed to prepare you for entry to the Scottish legal profession. You will build the ideal foundation for further professional study in law. This usually means going on to take the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (known as Professional Education and Training stage 1, or PEAT 1).

In accordance with the requirements of the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates, we will ensure you gain the legal skills and knowledge needed for a future as either a solicitor or as an advocate in the Scottish legal profession.

This is a qualifying degree for professional practice in Scotland. A number of graduates also go on to qualify and practise law in other jurisdictions. These graduates must comply with the local conversion requirements and complete any further study non-Scottish jurisdictions require.

Find out more about LLB Law (Graduate Entry)

Start your extraordinary journey with Edinburgh Law School

A UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. For further information please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Admissions Office.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Admissions Office

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

After graduating you can progress to the legal profession in Scotland by completing the Diploma in Professional 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. This requires a period of 'devilling' under the supervision and direction of a practising advocate.

Careers outside Scotland

This programme is intended as a qualifying degree for professional practice in Scotland.

However, a number of graduates also go on to qualify and practise law in other jurisdictions, in Europe and elsewhere. To do this, you must comply with the local conversion requirements and complete any further study non-Scottish jurisdictions require.

Non-legal careers

Graduates who do not choose a legal career often use their skills and experience for employment in areas such as:

• finance
• management
• journalism

Our graduates have also worked with international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union.