Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB)

Learners who are awarded the LLB will have demonstrated their competence in each of the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• The concepts, values, rules and principles of the legal system of England and Wales, and some awareness of the powers exercised by the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales,
• A range of areas of substantive law of England and Wales and their impact on individuals and society,
• The social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law,
• The effect of technology on the law.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Ask and answer appropriate questions about law and legal systems, identifying gaps in your knowledge,
• Combine and criticise various sources of legal authority, identify their merits and shortcomings, and make a reasoned choice between them,
• Apply legal principles and authority to develop reasoned answers to questions,
• Recognise ambiguity, and deal with uncertainty in law.

Practical and professional skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Conduct independent legal research,
• Identify, retrieve and evaluate legal information from a range of electronic and other sources,
• Communicate clear, relevant and accurate legal information in language appropriate to the intended audience,
• Acknowledge the sources of information you have used, in a style appropriate to the task.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Communicate relevant ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing,
• Work with a range of textual, numerical and statistical data,
• Reflect on your learning and development, making effective use of feedback, and demonstrating a willingness to acknowledge and correct errors,
• Collaborate effectively with others, including negotiating, undertaking and performing agreed tasks.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll start Stage 1 with an introduction to criminal law and the criminal justice system, followed by tort law and civil justice.
• At Stage 2, you’ll build your knowledge of contract law and public law then choose two modules to focus on aspects of law that are of particular interest.
• Finally, in Stage 3, your modules will be determined by whether you choose the Academic law degree route, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination route or the Foundations of Legal Knowledge route.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Criminal law and the courts (W111)
• Civil justice and tort law (W112)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Public law (W211)
• Contract law (W212)

You’ll also study two of the following:

• Business and employment law (W240)
• Evidence law (W250)
• Family law (W230)
• International, environmental and space law (W260)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

To conclude your degree, you’ll have the flexibility to tailor your study to suit your career aspirations. This could be to:

• Gain a law degree as an academic degree
• Complete the foundations of legal knowledge needed to become a barrister in England and Wales or a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland
• Study a range of the law and practice areas prescribed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for SQE1 in an authentic simulated practice context.

You'll start in October with W311 on the Academic degree route and the Foundations of Legal Knowledge route. The SQE route starts with either W321 or an optional module.

Foundations of Legal Knowledge Route

You’ll start with the following:

• Trusts law (W311)

You'll study the following:

• European Union law (W330)
• Land law (W312)

You’ll also study one of the following:

• Exploring legal boundaries (W350)
• Justice in action (W360)
• Law, society and culture (W340)

Academic Law Degree route

You’ll start with the following:

• Trusts law (W311)

You’ll also study three of the following:

• European Union law (W330)
• Exploring legal boundaries (W350)
• Justice in action (W360)
• Law, society and culture (W340)
• Land law (W312)

Solicitors Qualifying Examination route

You’ll start with the following:

• SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)

You'll study the following:

• SQE: property and private client law (W322)
• SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)

You’ll also study one of the following:

• European Union law (W330)
• Justice in action (W360)
• Law, society and culture (W340)
• Trusts law (W311)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

As independent learners, law graduates have developed literacy, communication, presentation, numeracy, cognitive and organisational skills, and can apply an academically coherent methodology to current debates in law. This is excellent preparation for a career as a legal professional and is also an asset for many careers such as roles in finance, commerce, human resources, education, local and central government, the voluntary sector or management.

Career relevance

Studying law opens up many career options, whether in law or law-related fields, including solicitor, barrister, legal executive and paralegal. Solicitors and barristers usually work in private practice, in central or local government, commerce, industry, the armed forces or in professional bodies.

In England and Wales

Becoming a Barrister

If you wish to become a barrister, you require a degree which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge (contract law, tort law, public law, criminal law, trusts law, land law and European Union law). This will exempt you from the academic stage of training and you can progress to the required professional training. However, for intending barristers, a minimum honours degree classification of 2:2 is required.

There are strict time limits for those wishing to become a barrister and you must complete your law degree within six years.

If you are claiming credit that is not a complete degree then this will impact the time limit because you must complete all studies towards your law degree within six years and that includes your credit transfer study. If exceptional circumstances prevent you from completing the degree within these timescales you can apply for an extension, which is typically one further year. If you don’t intend to become a barrister, the six-year time limit does not apply.

There is a further period of professional training required, followed by practical work experience, before becoming qualified to practice as a barrister.

Becoming a Solicitor

If you wish to become a solicitor, you do not require a law degree. Your degree can be in any subject. You’ll have to pass both parts of the national Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority character and suitability requirements. You'll also need to have two years of qualifying work experience.

In Northern Ireland

If you wish to become a barrister or solicitor, you will require a degree which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge and evidence law. This will exempt you from the academic stage of training and you can progress to the required professional training. For intending barristers, a minimum honours degree classification of 2:1 is required.

There are strict time limits for those wishing to become a barrister or solicitor. Please see the Application Booklet for the Institute of Professional Legal Practice at The Queens University of Belfast. If you don’t intend to become a barrister or solicitor, the six-year time limit does not apply.

There is a further period of professional training required, followed by practical work experience, before admission as a solicitor.

Other careers

The knowledge and skills you will gain from studying this degree are recognised and highly respected by employers outside the legal profession. Roles in finance, human resources, local government or general management all benefit from a legal background and from the discipline of studying law.

Other relevant jobs include Citizens Advice Bureau caseworker, Crown Prosecution Service caseworker, magistrates’ court legal adviser, court reporter or administrator, licensed conveyancer, patent attorney, trademark agent, teacher, or lecturer in law.

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.