Common Law and International Relations

Common Law is the legal tradition that underpins the legal systems of England and Wales, Scotland in part, and many jurisdictions across the former British Commonwealth, including Australia, Canada, India, and the United States. It is built around the doctrine of precedent, developing through the decisions of courts over centuries rather than through a single codified text, which gives it a distinctive flexibility and an accumulation of case law that forms the raw material of much legal education. International relations, meanwhile, examines how states and other actors behave in a world without a central government, exploring diplomacy, international law, security, trade, and the institutions that structure global affairs.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year, full-time degree combines these two disciplines in a programme that is well suited to students drawn to the legal and political dimensions of global life. You will study the foundations of common law including contract, delict, and public law alongside the theory and practice of international relations, covering international law, foreign policy, conflict, and the roles of international organisations. A year abroad is included in the four-year structure, giving you direct experience of a different institutional and cultural environment.

It is worth noting that the Common Law LLB at Glasgow is not accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and is therefore not suitable for students who wish to qualify as solicitors in Scotland. It is, however, an excellent preparation for other legal and international careers.

The two disciplines develop complementary skills. Law trains you in close textual analysis, logical argument, and the construction of reasoned positions. International relations develops your understanding of historical context, geopolitical dynamics, and the contested nature of global order.

Graduates pursue careers in international law, diplomacy, the foreign and commonwealth office, international organisations, NGOs, policy research, academia, and commercial legal practice outside Scotland. Postgraduate study in international law, international relations, or politics is a common next step.