International Law and Comparative Law

This innovative degree provides a unique student learning experience through the comparative study of legal cultures, institutional and intellectual expectations of law, and state and international orders. It teaches law at a conceptual level, without focusing on one specific jurisdiction, and can help develop careers across international bodies, non-profit organisations, multinational companies and arbitration.

Please note: Applicants interested in a career as a Scottish solicitor are directed towards our other LLB programmes. This degree does not qualify candidates to take the Diploma in Professional Practice with a view to entry to the Scottish legal profession.

Law is often seen from largely or purely from a particular jurisdictional or cultural standpoint. The LLB (Hons) International Law and Comparative Law programme is different.

At the outset of their studies, students become familiar with the levels at which law operates in a global context, including individual jurisdictions, states and the international order. Students then discover the ways in which cultural ideas about law cross traditional jurisdictional and state boundaries, dynamically shaping and reshaping notions of justice and legal practice in the process.

Using the tools of comparative law, students are trained to see law from a variety of different perspectives. Seeing law from such different perspectives fosters understanding and respect for the radically different assumptions of other legal traditions and cultures, enabling students to recognise and question the Euro-centric, Western assumptions that often underpin law as a form of political power.

The course ensures that students are grounded in some of the central ideas of civilian and common law traditions and given the tools to challenge the intellectual underpinnings of this contrast. Students will also see the ways in which clear understanding of differences between those traditions can facilitate powerful, transformative legal dialogues. The courses selected for the programme consider these themes in light of legal theory and black-letter law.

Graduates wishing to apply for an LLB must apply for the 2-year LLB Accelerated degree – Law Accelerated (M115) or Law with English Law Accelerated (M116). Tuition fees for the Accelerated programmes are at a separate rate. In the event that a Graduate undertakes a 4-year or 5-year LLB degree, please note that tuition fees are charged each year of study at the same rate as those set for the Accelerated programme.

Broadly, students will be asked to think of legal cultures not simply in terms of conflict resolution (e.g. courts) and procedure (e.g. legislation) but also as being shaped by factors made operational through those institutions (e.g. ideals of justice, legal methods and approaches to legal professionalisation).

The use of various forms of assessment and learning environments facilitates the development of generic transferable skills enhancing student employability.

Assessments will be conducted in a range of different ways, including the use of Multiple Choice Tests (MCTs), essays, problem questions and written exams. An additional summative assessment will contribute to the final mark in any situation where an end-of-term exam is used. Constructive and timely feedback will be given in advance of subsequent assessments.