Common Law/English Literature

Common law and English literature is a combination that invites you to examine two of the most significant bodies of text that Western culture has produced, approaching them as modes of reasoning, interpretation and expression that have more in common than they might appear. Law is a system of rules, principles and precedents expressed in language, and the practice of law depends fundamentally on the ability to read carefully, argue cogently and communicate clearly. English literature trains precisely those capacities, while also opening up questions about narrative, authority, justice and the human condition that illuminate legal thinking in unexpected ways.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year programme develops your skills in both disciplines. The Common Law LLB is designed for students who want a rigorous legal education without specifying a particular jurisdiction from the outset, offering a broad foundation in legal reasoning, constitutional principles, contract, tort and criminal law. Important to note: this programme is not accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and is not suitable for students who wish to have the option of practising law in Scotland.

Alongside this, you will study English literature across a wide historical and cultural range, developing your critical and interpretive skills through engagement with texts from different periods and traditions. A year abroad gives you the opportunity to extend your academic experience at an international partner institution.

Graduates from law and English literature programmes enter careers in legal practice, publishing, journalism, public policy, the civil service, education, arts administration and broadcasting. The combination of analytical precision and interpretive flexibility developed through the degree is valued across any professional field where complex texts and arguments must be navigated. Many graduates pursue further legal professional training, postgraduate study in law or literature, or careers in research and academia.