Law SchoolStudy abroad

As a Strathclyde Law School student, you’ll have the experience to study abroad at one of our partner universities - many of our students say it's easily the best part of their degree.

Why study abroad?

  • study at one of the world’s top-ranking law schools
  • develop a comparative legal knowledge
  • gain experience living and studying in another country
  • develop confidence and independence
  • make new friends and expand your social scene
  • develop yourself in preparation for the Honours year
  • stand out from the crowd in the job market

Studying abroad is a great thing to have on your CV and it will help you develop your confidence and academic skills.

Study abroad LLB programme

LLB Law students can spend the first semester of the final year of the ordinary LLB degree overseas at one of the Law School’s partner University Law Schools.

You can either study under Erasmus+ programme or through our student exchange programme.

Erasmus +

LLB Law/LLB Clinical/LLB English Law students can take part in the Erasmus + programme. You'll spend a semester studying at one of the European Law Schools that Strathclyde Law School has an existing Erasmus + Agreement (E+) with. 

LML students have to spend a full year with one of our Erasmus partners, as this is a compulsory part of their degree (E+LML). 

Spain, France and Germany are the most popular destinations. Erasmus students are exempted from paying fees for tuition, registration, examinations and access to laboratory and library facilities at the host institution. 

Students and staff with additional special needs can receive additional funding to take part in Erasmus. 

Get further information about the Erasmus + programme.

Student exchange

The main difference between the Erasmus+ programme and the student exchange programme is exchange students don’t receive any financial assistance. Also for the University wide placement opportunities, law students will be competing with students from across the University.

This scheme is open to:

  • LLB Law students going into the third year of their degree
  • LLB Clinical Law students going into the third year of their degree
  • LML students going into the fourth year of their degree

LLB Law student

You’ll make your application during your second year of studies and must meet the following criteria:

  • you must have completed all the LLB Law compulsory classes
  • you must have an overall average of at least 55% on modules taken in the first semester of the LLB Year 2
  • if you intend to take the Diploma immediately after the LLB/LLB (Hons), you should check that you meet all the current entry requirements before starting to study abroad

LLB Clinical student

You’ll apply during your second year of LLB studies. Your placement will take place in the first semester of Year 3. You must meet the following criteria:

  • you must have taken all the LLB Law compulsory classes
  • you must have an overall average of at least 55% on modules taken in the first semester of the LLB Year 2
  • if you intend to take the Diploma immediately after the LLB/LLB (Hons), you should check that you meet all the current entry requirements before starting to study abroad
  • you must liaise with your Programme Director to make sure you meet all programme requirements while undertaking a semester abroad

LML student

You’ll apply during your third year of your LLB studies. Your placement will take place over both semesters of Year 4. You must meet the following criteria:

  • you must have taken all the LLB Law compulsory classes
  • you must have passed all your exams for the first three years
  • if you’re resitting a third year exam in August, you’ll be asked to proceed with the Erasmus application, which will be granted to you with the condition of passing the resit in August
  • if you intend to take the Diploma immediately after the LLB/LLB (Hons), you should check that you meet all the current entry requirements before starting to study abroad

Please note that you cannot finish your Law degree in your Honours year. The Board of Study will NOT allow you to take any outstanding ordinary degree classes in your Honours year.

We have a number of different partner institutions across the world where you can study. Take a look at our list of Erasmus & Exchange student placement partners.

The final decision will be made on the combination of academic record and the case put forward to that specific institution.

No, you’ll be able to select classes taught in English even in those institutions where classes are taught also in the local language.

Some partner universities will have accommodation for Erasmus + and exchange students.

If so, you’ll be notified and will need to apply through the relevant partner university accommodation office. Where partners don’t offer accommodation for exchange students, you’ll need to find this yourself.

The classes taken abroad will count towards your credit total, so you’ll need to ensure you undertake enough credits abroad to meet the University of Strathclyde regulations.

Partner universities use the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) or other schemes of working out broad equivalence of workload. One Strathclyde credit is the equivalent of 0.5 ECTS.

The classes taken abroad must not overlap with any subjects taken (or expected to be taken) at Strathclyde.

Your chosen classes must be approved by the Exchange Programme Coordinator at Strathclyde Law School. This is to ensure that the classes you take are appropriate, that you are undertaking enough credits abroad and that there is no excessive overlap with a subject you may already have studied.

Failing a class

If you fail a class abroad but have regularly attended, in exceptional circumstances, the Law School may consider waiving regulations or consider arranging a resit at Strathclyde.

In all cases, the Law School will be sympathetic and will try to accommodate any concerns you have during your semester abroad.

Applications are judged on:

  • your academic performance
  • your case as to why you want to go
  • your academic reference from an academic in the law school

  • you'll find out at the end of March, when successful students will receive a conditional offer
  • you’ll then be required to apply at the partner universities
  • at this stage, successful students will also be required to fill out a Learning Agreement which involves choosing the classes that you'll be studying abroad
  • if you receive a pass decision at the first diet of exams, you’ll receive a confirmation letter in July
  • if you have to re-sit classes in the August diet of exams you’ll not be allowed to go abroad. (However, if your first attempt is in the August diet, you may be allowed to go abroad provided that you pass the class)