Top Scottish Law Schools: Where To Study?

what is the best university for law in scotland

There are several universities in Scotland that offer law programmes. The University of Edinburgh ranks second in Scotland and seventh in the UK for law, with 80% of its graduates leaving with a 2:1 award or higher. The University of Aberdeen is ranked third in Scotland and tenth in the UK for its law programmes, with 96% of graduates finding employment within six months of graduation. The University of Dundee ranks fourth in Scotland and 16th in the UK, while the University of Strathclyde ranks fifth in Scotland and 24th in the UK. The University of Glasgow is another option, offering courses in Scots Law and Common Law, as well as joint honours options.

Characteristics Values
Top-ranked university for law in Scotland University of Glasgow
Ranked second in Scotland University of Edinburgh
Ranked third in Scotland University of Aberdeen
Ranked fourth in Scotland University of Dundee
Ranked fifth in Scotland University of Strathclyde

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University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in the UK, founded in 1451. It is a Russell Group University and has been ranked 8th best law school in the UK by The Guardian University League Tables in 2025. The University of Glasgow Law School is renowned for its excellent research, teaching and student experience.

The School of Law offers a range of programmes in Scots Law and Common Law, including options to study law with a language or another subject. Undergraduate students can study either Scots Law LLB or Common Law LLB. The Common Law course is suitable for students who want to practice law in common law jurisdictions such as England, Wales or the US. The Scots Law course is designed for students who want to become a solicitor or advocate in Scotland. The University also offers scholarships and funding for law students.

Glasgow is regarded as one of the world's top student destinations due to its exciting cultural attractions, architecture, shopping and events. The Glasgow Open Justice initiative gives Law students opportunities to use their legal knowledge and skills to make a difference in society by undertaking work experience and placements. Students can also take part in the Go Justice Challenge, which develops students’ analytical, research and oral and written communication skills.

The University of Glasgow Law School has a rigorous admissions process. Applicants are required to take the LNAT, or the Law National Aptitude Test, which tests students’ comprehension, reasoning, and interpretation skills, as well as their ability to argue a compelling case. The University is looking for well-rounded applicants who can demonstrate a passion for Law.

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University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh's Law School has been educating and training some of the world's finest legal minds for over 300 years. Founded in 1707, the same year Queen Anne established the Chair of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations, to which Charles Erskine was appointed, marking the formal start of the Faculty of Law. By 1722, the University had four Professors of Law, and classes in Civil Law, Scots Law and History. The Faculty of Law moved to the historic Old College, the original site of the University, in 1789, and in 1830 there were over 200 students attending the Scots Law class alone.

Edinburgh Law School has been ranked highly in recent years, including 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 10th in the UK by The Guardian in 2022, and 17th in the world and 6th in the UK for law in the QS World University Rankings by Subject: Law & Legal Studies in 2023. The School offers a four-year Global Law LLB (Hons) programme, which provides students with the flexibility to study a range of subjects outside their chosen degree programme in the first two years.

Edinburgh Law School is located in Scotland's capital, with the highest courts in Scotland just a five-minute walk away. The School has a range of student groups and societies, including the University Mooting Society, which runs internal and external competitions for students to develop their oral legal argument skills, and the Law Students' Council, which represents students. The School also offers a Postgraduate Students' Research Committee for doctoral-level students and a Graduate Law Students' Society.

Edinburgh Law School's academic staff are experts in their field and are passionate and supportive in their teaching. The School has several notable current and former members, including the current Regius Professor Neil Walker, Lord President Reid Professor of Law Alexandra Braun, Professor of European Union Law Niamh Nic Shuibhne, and the academic and novelist Professor Sir Alexander McCall Smith.

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University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen School of Law has been consistently ranked among the top 10 law schools in the United Kingdom. The Complete University Guide league rankings placed Aberdeen at 6th in the UK in 2021, while The Times ranked it 7th in 2019. The School of Law at the University has a rich history, dating back to the establishment of King's College, Aberdeen in 1495. From 1505 onwards, King's College endowed two professors of law, one for Canon law and another for Civil Law. Over the years, the School has changed locations, and it now resides in the Taylor Building at King's College campus, which is named after Professor Thomas Murray Taylor, a Scottish advocate and Vice-Chancellor of the University.

The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in law, including LLB, LLM, and research degrees. The LLB programme provides a flexible curriculum that enables students to study a variety of courses, including Criminal Law, Foundations of Private Law, Legal System, Contract Law, Property Law, and Public International Law. The University also offers accelerated LLB programmes for graduates, which can be completed in two years. Undergraduate students at Aberdeen have the opportunity to participate in student-led initiatives such as mock legal debating, the Law Society, and the Aberdeen Student Law Review, a student-led journal that publishes their work.

In addition to its undergraduate programmes, the University of Aberdeen offers a varied selection of postgraduate and research options. The LLM programmes can be pursued through different modes of study, including online programmes and short courses. The School of Law also has a strong focus on research, with expertise in various legal fields. The School achieved impressive results in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, submitting the third-highest number of legal research staff in Scotland.

The University of Aberdeen School of Law provides a global experience and excellent teaching, with a vibrant international community and highly active student societies. The School also offers excellent employment prospects, with graduates sought after by employers in legal professions as well as other fields such as business, politics, media, finance, and government service. The beautiful campus and great facilities for learning, sports, and leisure further enhance the student experience at the University of Aberdeen School of Law.

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University of Dundee

The University of Dundee offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate law courses. Dundee Law School provides an inclusive and friendly environment for students to develop their legal skills and prepare for their future careers. The academics, many of whom are leaders in their fields, challenge and support students throughout their studies.

Undergraduate law students at Dundee can study an LLB with Languages, which offers the opportunity to study Scots or English Law with French or Spanish. There is also an LLB Law with Energy Law, where the final year of undergraduate study focuses on developing expertise in this commercial field. Dundee also offers an accelerated two-year LLB for graduates with an undergraduate degree in any subject. This covers all the subjects required by the relevant Law Societies and allows students to take modules in additional subjects to suit their interests.

Postgraduate students can study an LLM Law (General), where they can choose modules from a full portfolio to make their own bespoke Masters. There is also the option to study for a specialist LLM, concentrating on areas such as international commercial and corporate law, environmental law, or business and human rights law. There is also an MSc by research or PhD in law available.

Dundee's law students are encouraged to join one of the University's Law societies, such as the Dundee University Law Society or the Dundee International Law Society. The University's Mooting Society provides training and practice in advocacy, with members participating in national and international competitions, including at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

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University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, has a dedicated Law School offering a range of courses. The school provides a postgraduate programme in Law, which requires a qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice or Professional Legal Practice from a Scottish university. The LL.M. programme can be customised to meet students' career goals, with options including International Business Law, Digital Law, Dispute Resolution, and Human Rights. The tuition fee for UK residents is 11,900 GBP.

The University of Strathclyde also has a Law Clinic, which provides legal advice and services to those in Glasgow and the surrounding areas. The clinic is run by volunteer law students under the supervision of qualified staff. The clinic offers an online service, initial advice clinics, and an advice and representation service. The online service provides written guidance within 15 working days, while the initial advice clinics are held every second Wednesday evening via Zoom or phone. The advice and representation service can involve reviewing documents, providing ongoing advice, and writing letters or representing clients.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Edinburgh is ranked second in Scotland and 7th in the UK for law. The University of Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in Scotland and 10th in the UK for law, while the University of Dundee is ranked 4th in Scotland and 16th in the UK.

Undergraduate law degrees in Scotland typically take four years to complete, while graduate entry courses take two years.

The University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Aberdeen all offer LLB degrees. The University of Glasgow offers a four-year undergraduate LLB course and a two-year graduate entry LLB course. The University of Edinburgh offers an LLB degree as a standalone subject or as part of a joint honours program.

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