Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

The course is recommended for you if you're planning a professional career in the legal field, progressing to study law in depth following the HND, or if you are interested in consolidating your career in a related field.

The course will consist of lectures, tutorials, practical based tasks such as mock trials and the presentation of evidence under court conditions. You'll consider numerous common aspects of life and how the law affects individuals every day when facing problems in business, relationships, employment and the courts.

Emphasis is placed on developing both your academic and vocational skills to equip you to progress into employment or further study. You'll be introduced to notions of equality, society, discrimination, prejudice and the rule of law.

The HND Legal Services is an excellent foundation course in law that, at the end of the two years of study, provides a recognised professional qualification for an application to enter the Scottish paralegal profession.

The course is full-time covering at least 3 days per week and addresses a broad range of legal topics including business law, private and public law, employment law, criminal law, Sheriff Court procedure and corporate law.

If you are thinking of studying Law but not ready to commit to a full time course or still at school and want to increase your knowledge of Criminal Law we have a distance learning Certificate in Criminal Law and Procedure.  There are no formal entry requirements and no attendance required at college so you can learn in your own time.

Read more about legal services and a Career in Law.

This course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Two Highers at Grade C or above in relevant* subjects including English; OR
• NC/NQ at SCQF level 6 in Legal or Business related subject; OR
• NPA Legal Studies and Higher English at Grade C or above; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

*relevant subjects include Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Studies, Psychology or a Science subject.

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

Year one:

• Scottish Criminal Law.
• Legal Research Techniques.
• Scottish Legal System.
• Commercial Law.
• Scots Private Law.
• Legal Ethics and Cash Handling in the Legal Office Environment.
• Scottish Criminal Procedure.
• Sheriff Court Civil Procedures.
• Communication - Analysing and Presenting Complex Information.
• Legal Services.
• Property Law.
• Consumer Law.

Year two:

• Law and the Communication Industries.
• Sheriff Court Procedure for Divorce and Dissolution of Civil Partnerships.
• Individual Employment Relations: Law.
• Conveyancing.
• Legal Services.
• Accounting and Tax for Executries.
• Bankruptcy and Diligence.
• Environmental Land Law.
• Company Law.
• Executry Law and Practice.
• An Introduction to the European Union.
• Legal Aid in Scotland.

After the course

Careers

On successful completion of your HND you can enter a related field, working as a trainee paralegal or as part of an in-house legal team. You can find employment with local authorities, the Sheriff Court, or Procurator Fiscal office.

There are also opportunities for you in the Banking and Insurance Sectors, and a number of graduates have joined Police Scotland.

Continuing Study

UWS, Glasgow Caledonian University and Napier University offer entry at year two or three in specific courses including Business with Law.

On successful completion of your HND you may apply for LLB courses.  As a guide - completion of the HND will not guarantee a place on an LLB.  Minimum requirements have been AAB grades as well as a good personal reference.

GCU Pathways BA (Hons) Risk Management - Pathway students enrol on the undergraduate BA (Hons) Risk Management at Glasgow Caledonian University. In the first two years, they study the HND Legal Services at Glasgow City College with the opportunity to progress to year three of the degree.