Law: Accelerated Graduate LLB
LLB
Introduction
The Accelerated Graduate LLB is a two-year degree which is accredited by both the Law Society of Scotland and Faculty of Advocates. Combined with further training, the Accelerated Graduate LLB provides an entry route into the legal profession in Scotland, enabling graduates to practise as Scottish solicitors or advocates.
On completion, graduates wishing to become lawyers can apply for entry to the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice course. This is the next stage in the process of qualifying as a solicitor or advocate in Scotland.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates.
Course objectives
The main objectives of the Accelerated Graduate LLB course are to:
- Develop fundamental in-depth knowledge and understanding of: the principles, concepts, values, substantive rules and development of the Scottish legal system and core areas of Scots law; the wider context within which the Scottish legal system operates; the main institutions and procedures of the Scottish legal system
- Develop intellectual rigour, independence of mind, critical thought and legal problem-solving and research skills to a highly advanced level, 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, understanding and independent research skills needed to progress to further studies in Law, or in multi-disciplinary areas involving law
- Provide our graduates with self-confidence, knowledge, understanding and skills that will provide added benefit to them as individuals, to the legal profession and to society as a whole
What makes us different?
World-class library and teaching facilities
Studying for a degree means learning in different ways; managing your own time; conducting research; mastering new computer skills. We have the facilities and advice on hand to help you do all this - and do it well.
Life at Stirling
Of the many reasons students come to Stirling, such as academic reputation and research standards, one factor is always cited: the outstanding beauty of the University's Stirling campus. View our online films to get a picture of what it's like to live and study on our beautiful campus.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
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: 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade C
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 54 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 80 with no subtest less than 17
For more information go to English language requirements
If you don’t meet the required score you may be able to register for one of our pre-sessional English courses. To register you must hold a conditional offer for your course and have an IELTS score 0.5 or 1.0 below the required standard. View our range of pre-sessional courses.
Flexible Learning
If you are interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email graduate.admissions@stir.ac.uk to discuss your course of study.
Application procedure
Applications for admission must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for both home and overseas students to UK universities. For further information please refer to the UCAS website: www.ucas.com
UCAS code M115
Fees and costs
| 2017/18 | Overseas | £11,845 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Home, EU & RUK | £5,950 |
| 2018/19 | Overseas | £12,140 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | Home, EU & RUK | £5,950 |
From 2016/7 onwards, the fees for all postgraduate taught courses are to be held at the level set upon entry.
Please note there is an additional charge should you choose to attend a graduation ceremony. View more information
Cost of Living
Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling
Payment options
Find information on paying fees by instalments
Scholarships & funding
Students on this programme are self-funding, however some funding may be available from relevant grants and trusts: please see the Law Society of Scotland website.
Structure and teaching
Structure and content
The Accelerated Graduate LLB course is a two-year degree, with two semesters in each year. You will take all of the professional modules required by the Law Society of Scotland including, amongst others, modules on sources of law, contract, delict, family law, criminal law and different aspects of business law. You also have the chance to take four Honours level subjects to develop an even deeper understanding of the law in context. We have a wide range of options, including a number of business law related subjects, Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Sports law, Competition Law, Family Law Honours options and Alternative Commercial Dispute Resolution (please note that Honours modules are subject to change and may not run annually – for full details, please contact the Programme Director).
Delivery and assessment
Teaching is delivered via a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by class tests, essays, student presentations and final examinations which take place at the end of each semester. The coursework assessment methods and format of final examinations vary according to the specific requirements of each module. Every effort is made to develop key transferable skills in the delivery of teaching and the design of assessments.
Modules
Semesters 1-4
- Students will undertake the Business of Law module (LAWU9AP) which will be taken over all four semesters.
Semester 1
- Public Law and Legal Systems
- Contract
- Delict
- Property, Trusts and Succession Law
Semester 2
- Public Law and Legal Systems (continued)
- Family Law
- Criminal Law and Evidence
- Property, Trusts and Succession Law (continued)
Semester 3
- Research Methods
- Commercial Law
- plus two option modules
Semester 4
- Jurisprudence
- Commercial Law (continued)
- plus two option modules
Recommended reading
Modes of study
Full-time: two years
Example timetable
The timetable below is a typical example, but your own timetable may be different.
|
Time |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thur |
Fri |
|
09:00 |
|
Property, Trusts and Succession |
Family Law |
|
|
|
10:00 |
Criminal law |
Property, Trusts and Succession |
Family Law |
Family Law |
Property, Trusts and Succession |
|
11:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12:00 |
Public law |
|
|
|
|
|
13:00 |
|
Criminal law |
|
|
|
|
14:00 |
|
Public law |
|
Criminal law |
|
|
15:00 |
|
Public law |
|
Criminal law |
|
|
16:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17:00 |
|
|
|
Why Stirling?
Video
REF2014
In REF2014 Stirling was placed 6th in Scotland and 45th in the UK with almost three quarters of research activity rated either world-leading or internationally excellent.
Rating
In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 70 percent of the research at the Stirling Law School was of international quality and the remainder was judged to be of at least national quality.
International Students
The University of Stirling welcomes students from around the world. Find out what studying here could be like for you .
Strengths
The course enables graduates in any subject to obtain an LLB degree in two years. The degree is professionally accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates and can enable graduates to proceed to the next stage of qualifying as a lawyer in Scotland.
In addition to your law modules, you will develop commercial awareness in a new module on the Business of Law which has been designed to enhance your employability. Spread over the duration of your degree, this module will draw on your own experience, external industry speakers and interactive seminars to enhance your business skills and develop entrepreneurship which is sought after by employers. It will culminate in a tailormade project on an area of legal business that interests you.
Our students
My first degree was in Biochemistry but my interest in studying law was sparked when I worked for a major public inquiry in Scotland after I left Canada to travel. I considered lots of different postgraduate options but the Accelerated LLB at Stirling appealed to me because the staff were so friendly and welcoming. From day one I wanted to be able to hit the ground running because it is a full-on packed programme and I felt that Stirling offered an environment that I could settle into quickly. The Law staff were always approachable and helpful which is so important when you are doing four modules a semester rather than the usual three. I enjoyed my time at the Stirling Law School and am now a fully qualified solicitor working in infrastructure, planning and litigation. There is never a dull day in the job!
Kirsten Read
Our staff
Tikus Little studied law at the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee and qualified as a solicitor in 1993, practising business law before joining the University. She has wide experience of learning and teaching, curriculum design and programme directorship while retaining strong links with the legal profession.
Careers and employability
Career opportunities
We are keen to ensure that our courses are modern and relevant to employers and our professional modules are reviewed by solicitors and advocates to ensure that they are in line with requirements of current practice. We have also set up a Law Advisory Panel comprising employers from a number of businesses, including the legal profession to tell us what employers look for in graduates so that we can best equip you for your chosen career.
The Accelerated LLB is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and by the Faculty of Advocates. In addition, a number of other professional bodies will grant exemptions from some of their exams to LLB graduates, including the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
We invite employers to regular law careers events throughout the duration of the course, including representatives from major law firms, the Government Legal Service of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Life, the In-House Lawyers Group and voluntary bodies such as CAB to advise our students on career options.
Our LLB graduates go into a wide range of careers. Those who have gone on into Scottish legal practice have gone to firms such as:
- Brodies LLP
- Balfour & Manson LLP
- ACH Shoosmiths
- CMS Cameron Mckenna
- Cowan Douglas
- DWF Biggart Baillie
- Digby Brown LLP
- Katani and Co
and are practising in all areas of law including property, criminal defence, private client, commercial and corporate law.
Graduating with a LLB does not necessarily mean that you have to progress into the legal profession. An LLB is a solid foundation upon which to base a career in a variety of different fields. Currently some of our graduates are working in roles such as:
- PR Account Executive
- Assistant Language Teacher
- Recruitment Consultant
- Tax Adviser
- Business Development Manager
- Financial Compliance Manager