Legal Studies in the United Kingdom

12 days London, Oxford & Edinburgh

Legal Studies

The Legal Studies Faculty-Led Program in the UK offers students a unique opportunity to explore constitutional history, jurisprudence, and distinct legal systems across London, Oxford, and Edinburgh, tracing the evolution of legislative and judicial governance in England and Scotland.

Over 12 days and 11 nights, participants will engage with leading universities and core judicial institutions, gaining an international perspective on legal philosophy, criminal justice, and comparative constitutional frameworks. The program blends academic seminars, high-level institutional visits, and cultural immersion for a comprehensive study abroad experience.

Through expert lectures and courtroom observation, students will examine real-world legal mechanisms alongside academic theory. Highlights include a guided tour of the UK Supreme Court exploring the separation of powers under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, a visit to the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) to observe England’s most serious criminal prosecutions, and a lecture on legal positivism and natural law theory at the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Law. In Edinburgh, students will visit the Scottish Parliament Building and Edinburgh Castle to study the legacy of the Acts of Union and Scotland’s distinct legal system, followed by a comparative lecture on UK and US legal education at the University of Edinburgh’s Law School.

Beyond the courtroom and classroom, students will enjoy guided walking tours of London and Oxford, a visit to the British Museum, a sculpt-and-sip class in Edinburgh, and traditional British dining throughout the journey.

Itinerary
Learning Outcomes
Support for Faculty

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from the USA
Flight

Depart from the USA on an overnight flight to London.

Overnight

London.
Day 2: Arrival in London
Morning

Arrive in London and make your own way to the hotel. Meet your TLAC group leader in the lobby of the hotel for check in. Transit passes will be distributed.

Remainder of the day

Free day to rest after arrival.

Overnight

London.
Day 3: London: Walking tour and Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Morning

Guided walking tour of the city. Students will discover London on foot with a guide that will show them both iconic sights and lesser-known corners that even many Londoners miss.

Noon

Lunch break.

Afternoon

Guided tour of The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Students here will also learn about the separation of powers established by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

Evening

Welcome dinner at Rules.

overnight

London.
Day 4: London: British Museum and Central Criminal Court
Morning

Visit to The British Museum, a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture. Its permanent collection of eight million works is the largest in the world. It documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.

Noon

Lunch break.

Afternoon

Guided tour of the Central Criminal Court. The Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, is the crown court responsible for prosecuting the most severe criminal offenses—including murder, terrorism, and high-value fraud—in England and Wales. Operating from a historic site in London, this high-throughput judicial institution features active courtrooms where traditional barristers present cases before judges and citizen juries.

Overnight

London.
Day 5: London: Free day

Students will have a free day to explore the city.

Overnight

London.
Day 6: From London to Oxford.
Morning

Check out previous accommodations.

Departing by train from London to Oxford.

Noon

Lunch break.

Afternoon

Check in new accommodations.

Walking tour of the city, discovering the rich history and culture of Oxford.

Overnight

Oxford.
Day 7: Oxford: University of Oxford
Morning

Visit to the University of Oxford (Faculty of Law) where students will attend a lecture focused on legal philosophy, tracing the evolution of legal positivism and natural law theories.

Noon

Lunch break.

Afternoon

Technical visit to Oxford University Innovation. Oxford University Innovation Limited (OUI) is a British technology transfer and consultancy company created to manage the research and development of university spin-offs.

Overnight

Oxford.
Day 8: Oxford to Edinburgh
Morning

Check-out previous accommodation.

Depart by train from Oxford to Edinburgh.

Check in at the new accommodation.

Noon

Lunch break.

Remainder of the day

Free time.

Overnight

Edinburgh.
Day 9: Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament Building and Edinburgh Castle
Morning

Guided visit to the Scottish Parliament Building. It is the house of Scottish Democracy.

Noon

Lunch break.

Afternoon

Guided visit of the Edinburgh Castle. It is a historic fortress that dominates the skyline of Scotland's capital from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. It stands as a monument to Scottish sovereignty, highlighting the history of the Acts of Union 1707 and the preservation of Scotland’s distinct, independent legal system. The complex houses royal apartments, military garrisons, and the Honours of Scotland, providing tangible context on how medieval royal authority evolved into modern constitutional governance.

Overnight

Edinburgh.
Day 10: Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh
Morning

Visit to the University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh Law School). Here students will have a lecture about the differences in legal education and legal metrics between the UK and the US.

Noon

Free lunch break.

Afternoon

Sculpt and sip class in Edinburgh.

Evening

Farewell dinner at Society Bar & Kitchen.

Overnight

Edinburgh.
Day 11: Edinburgh
Free day

Free day to explore the city or the cities near Edinburgh (Glasgow, Falkirk…)

Overnight

Edinburgh.
Day 12: Edinburgh: Free day

Students depart individually from Edinburgh. Must checkout of accommodations by 10am.

Learning Outcomes

Constitutional History & Judicial Governance
Comparative Legal Systems (UK & US)
Legal Philosophy & Jurisprudence
Real-World Courtroom Observation
Criminal Justice & Legislative Processes
Global Perspectives on Law & Sovereignty
Cultural & Historical Context of Legal Tradition

Support for Faculty

At The Learning Abroad Co., we collaborate with faculty to design custom programs that align with their academic vision. We provide comprehensive support in curriculum development, logistics and resources for promoting and recruiting students for these unique global learning experiences.

Online faculty-led program website for consultation by faculty and students pre- and during the trip
Expertise from the local team who developed the program proposal
Collaborative planning for a unique and customized program
Feedback forms for continuous evaluation
Pre-departure webinar

Contact Information

We would be delighted to work with you to facilitate a rich experience for your group in the UK. If you would like to discuss any of the details in this proposal please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Julia Lynes
[email protected]
+1 (561)-528-0852

What’s Included

Housing
- Students and faculty will be housed in 3-star hotel accommodation with daily breakfast included.
- Students will share rooms: 2 students per room, each with a separate bed. Each room has its own bathroom.
- The faculty will be provided with private bedrooms with bathrooms.
Meals
- Breakfast in the hotels is included daily.
- Two group meals are included as part of the program: a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner.
Transport
- Students will primarily explore destinations on foot. All other transit is completed by the use of public transportation, which is included in the program fee. Local transit cards are provided where necessary.
On-Site Support
- A TLAC team member in the UK will be assigned to your group for the duration of the program.
- A 24-hour emergency contact number will be provided for support throughout the stay.

Contact Information

We would be delighted to work with you to facilitate a rich experience for your group in the UK. If you would like to discuss any of the details in this proposal please do not hesitate to contact us.