LLB (Hons) Law
Kick-start your career in Law with our LLB degree options. We’re accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and recognised by the Faculty of Advocates.
Key facts
- Award LLB (Hons)
- Start date September 2023
- Duration 48 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code M114
- Study abroad opportunities
Accreditations
The Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates
Overview
If you’re planning a career in the legal profession, our LLB degree provides a well-rounded qualification that can be your first step towards becoming a Scots lawyer or entering other prestigious sectors.
The University of Stirling LLB offers in-depth knowledge and understanding of legal principles, theories, institutions and rules – as well as the wider social and political context in which law operates. You’ll benefit from the knowledge of our expert teaching staff, whose own legal research is widely published and feeds back into the LLB programme. You can also rest assured that everything you’re learning is in line with the highest professional standards, as our LLB Hons is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and recognised by the Faculty of Advocates.
There is also an opportunity to apply for a work placement in a legal organisation which will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of what professional life is like. Our LLB is a rigorous degree that develops important intellectual and personal skills. That's why our graduates are attractive to employers both in the legal profession and beyond.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The Stirling LLB is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and recognised by the Faculty of Advocates, which are the professional bodies for Scots lawyers. This means that students do not need to take any Law Society of Scotland exams to become a solicitor in Scotland.
Prizes or awards
The Law School offers several academic prizes at undergraduate and graduate level.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AAAB by the end of S5
AAABB by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
36
BTEC (Level 3)
DDD
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC / HND
Year one minimum entry - A in all graded units
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 60% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English access course
Access to Higher Education Diploma - 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3. Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
Additional information
In addition to academic qualifications, personal statements and references will also be considered. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is committed to widening access to Higher Education, and to the legal profession.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
The main aims of the LLB are to:
- provide substantial in-depth knowledge and understanding of:
- the principles, concepts, values and substantive rules of the Scottish legal system.
- the wider context within which the Scottish legal system operates.
- the main legal institutions and procedures of the Scottish legal system.
- develop problem-solving and legal research skills, as well as more general transferable intellectual skills which are of value in the practice of law and a wide range of careers.
- provide the in-depth knowledge and understanding needed to progress to further studies in law and a career as a solicitor or in multi-disciplinary areas involving law.
- provide graduates with knowledge, understanding and skills that will provide added benefit to them as individuals, to the Scottish legal profession, and to society as a whole.
- In addition to the core LLB subjects, we provide students with the opportunity to take subjects which will provide them with all the permitted exemptions from the exams required by the Faculty of Advocates should they wish to go to the Bar. (Roman Law, Private International Law, European Law)
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
Modules are delivered by face to face lectures and seminars, supplemented by podcasts. Throughout your degree you will be expected to spend a significant proportion of your week reading the material required for seminars and tutorials. You'll also undertake independent research supervised by a member of staff, presenting a dissertation on a legal topic of your own choice in your final year.
Assessment
Assessment is by examination and coursework.
Work placement opportunities
A popular feature of our LLB course is the opportunity to study a work placement module in Year 3. You’ll be placed with a prestigious law practice or law-related organisation, giving you a chance to link learning to practice and thought to action.
Study abroad
As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr Jayne Holliday, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £15,900 | £16,400 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £15,900 | £16,400 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Use our scholarship finder to find funding opportunities for Scottish-domiciled students.
EU students
Eligible students will automatically receive our automatic scholarship of up to £30k, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Choice Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can you get with an LLB Law degree?
The LLB degree is your first major step towards practising Law professionally. Our LLB graduates have gone into a range of careers, and we have alumni at law firms such as; Pinsent Masons LLP, Brodies LLP, DWF and CMS Cameron McKenna. Meanwhile, others have gone on to work in a wide range of alternate sectors, with employers including Morgan Stanley and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
Graduating with the Stirling LLB will enable students who want to become Scots lawyers to apply for entry to the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. This is offered by a number of Scottish universities, and is the next stage towards qualifying as a lawyer in Scotland. Entry to the DPLP is based on the average grade attained in the compulsory LLB subjects during first and second year. Students who want to practise law in England and Wales will have to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. For up-to-date advice on the route to qualification in Scotland, visit the Law Society of Scotland’s website.
The understanding of legal implications and obligations gained through the LLB - along with the ability to apply this knowledge in practice - is valuable in many parts of the public, private and voluntary sectors. That’s why many of our graduates choose careers outside the legal profession such as banking, insurance, accounting, management, the civil service and education.
- Begin your journey to a career in the legal profession with the University of Stirling Law: LLB.
- Do an elective work placement module in Year 3 to gain experience in a law practice or law-related organisation.
- 94.3% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, HESA).
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at Stirling and develop the attributes required by employers. We also have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and a Careers and Employability Service that work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience, and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
Your studies will equip you with skills in the following areas, plus many more:
- Reasoning and critical judgement
- Research
- Evaluation
- Analytical thinking
- Written and oral communication
- Problem-solving
Companies we work with
Ashurst LLP contributes to our Commercial Awareness in Law module which you can take as an option in second year.
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Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.