European Law
Understand the key features of the European Union, the institutional and legal framework governing the EU and its relationship with its member states.
Key facts
Overview
As a large international organisation with 27 member states, the EU plays a leading role on the global stage, with its laws applying across various areas (e.g. from commercial law to public law to human rights law). Notwithstanding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU), the EU remains the UK’s largest trading partner and its laws continue to be relevant to the UK through the operation of “assimilated law” (formerly “retained EU law”). In addition to this, the importance of EU law is recognised by the Faculty of Advocates, who require aspiring advocates to have knowledge of this subject.
This module introduces you to the core themes of EU constitutional and economic law, the complex rules of EU constitutional and economic policy, and the continuing relevance of EU law in the UK after Brexit.
This module will cover the following: the historical foundations and establishment of the EU; its institutional framework and legitimacy; legislative powers; the status and applicability of EU law; the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) (preliminary references/rulings; judicial review; infringement proceedings against member states); substantive EU law on free movement of goods, services, people, and capital; and the UK's departure from (and continued relationship with) the EU.
Entrance requirements
Completion of LLB from any Scottish Law School.
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 a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Objectives
- demonstrate an integrated knowledge of the historical development of the EU and its overall aims and objectives; a critical understanding of the sources of and applications of EU laws, the primary EU Institutions and, in particular, the judicial roles of the Court of Justice of the European Union; a detailed knowledge of how EU law affects business in key areas; a sound knowledge of assimilated law;
- critically identify, define, conceptualise and analyse complex issues;
- present written work in an appropriate formal academic style.
Structure and content
In covering the topics outlined above, the module is structured as follows:
Week 1: introduction to the historical foundations and establishment of the EU
Week 2: institutional framework and legitimacy
Week 3: sources of law and legislative powers of the EU
Week 4: status and applicability of EU law
Week 5: Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) - preliminary references/rulings
Week 6: CJEU - judicial review of EU acts
Week 7: reading week
Week 8: CJEU - infringement proceedings against member states
Week 9 and 10: free movement of goods and services
Week 10: free movement of people and capital
Week 11: Brexit and the UK's departure from (and continued relationship with) the EU
Week 12: revision class
Delivery and assessment
Weekly in person lecture (these are recorded), plus 8 one hour in person only seminars and one online exam.
1 x 2500-word Essay (weighted at 40%) and
1 x 3.5-hour online exam weighted at 60%)
Module coordinator
Employability
A pass in this module will allow you to apply for an exemption from the equivalent Faculty of Advocates exam.
What next?
Contact us
If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.
For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.