Common Law/Gaelic

The combination of Common Law and Scottish Gaelic at the University of Glasgow is an unusual and intellectually rich pairing that brings together legal study with the language and cultural tradition of one of Scotland's indigenous tongues. Common Law study here provides a grounding in legal systems and traditions that is broader than Scots law alone, examining legal principles, theory and comparative legal systems in ways that develop analytical and argumentative skills applicable across jurisdictions and contexts. It is important to note that the Common Law LLB is not accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and is not suitable for students who wish to practise law in Scotland.

Gaelic brings to the combination centuries of literary and oral tradition, a living linguistic heritage and a cultural perspective on Scotland's past and present that is distinct from the English-language mainstream. This four-year full-time degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to develop either your legal or linguistic knowledge in an international academic environment. Throughout the programme you will develop your command of Scottish Gaelic alongside rigorous legal reasoning, textual analysis and the construction of sustained arguments about law and legal systems.

Graduates from this combination bring an unusual breadth to careers in cultural organisations, language policy, heritage, broadcasting in Gaelic, education, research and the voluntary sector. Those who wish to pursue legal careers outside Scotland may find that the Common Law LLB provides a useful foundation, though further professional qualification will typically be required. The combination of legal analytical skills and Gaelic language proficiency is genuinely distinctive and opens doors in settings where both are valued, particularly in the range of Scottish public and cultural institutions committed to supporting the Gaelic language.