Degree type: LLB (Hons)
UCAS Code: M114 LLB/Law
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
The LLB is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and enables graduates, on successful completion of postgraduate training, to become solicitors. Not all law graduates want to enter professional practice and so the course provides a stimulating, rewarding and holistic approach to the study of law.
The law touches on all aspects of our lives and, more often than not, planning to avoid legal problems is more important than using the law to resolve disputes. The course also provides you with opportunities to develop a variety of transferable skills that will be highly regarded by future employers. There are also opportunities for you to combine your study of law with optional modules in the criminology and forensic science areas.
The University has a number of partner universities in other EU countries and law students will have the option of spending one or two semesters studying abroad under the auspices of the Erasmus exchange programme.
We currently have partner institutions in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Finland, with tuition in English in some centres. It is possible to spend one semester abroad and still complete all the Law Society modules required for admission to the Diploma.
The following core themes run throughout the four years of the degree.
Professional qualification – all the required elements of the Law Society of Scotland’s examinations syllabus, such as public law, criminal law, family law, obligations, property and succession, are fully covered in a clearly defined pathway through the course.
Business/commercial law – introduces you to the rights of consumers and the legal structure of business organizations and corporate governance. Specialist options within this theme include intellectual property law, communications technology law, investor protection law and employment law.
European law – a particular strength of the Law Division – you are introduced to the various European institutions of the European Union.
You will analyse the rights of free movement of people and goods across member states and you will study the implications of European integration and expansion. Specialist options within this theme include competition law, environmental law, and human rights.
Higher BBBB or BBBCC; A Level BCC; ILC (H) BBBB; UCAS Tariff 240-280 points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: A level English at Grade C or above and a pass in GCSE Maths at Grade C or above, or Higher English and Standard Grade Maths level 1 or 2, or ILC English at Honours level (Grade B) and Maths at Ordinary Level
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
Overseas
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language. The University's minimum requirements are IELTS 6.0 (with no band lower than 5.0), TOEFL CBT 223, TOEFL 563, TOEFL IBT 85 or a suitable equivalent qualification.
Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
Career
A law degree offers many exciting and varied career opportunities. After a period of postgraduate professional training, graduates may be admitted to practise as solicitors or advocates. (N.B. Holders of LLB degrees are required to complete the postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. The University does not offer this course and acceptance on to a Diploma course is competitive.)
Alternatively, law graduates may be employed by organisations such as building societies, insurance companies or other financial services institutions. They may enter business and commerce, the civil service, local government, the police force, or go on to postgraduate legal study. Law graduates may use their legal skills and knowledge to enter other fields such as politics or the media.
Professional accreditation
The University is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland to offer an LLB course which is also accredited by the Faculty of Advocates and, providing you make the appropriate choice of modules, your degree will fully satisfy their undergraduate educational requirements.
Specialist facilities
The award-winning University library houses its own collection of paper and electronic law materials. It is also home to the law library of the Faculty of Procurators and Solicitors in Dundee, which gives you access to the same case reports and learning facilities used by the local legal fraternity.
