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Law LLB(Hons)

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    Overview

    Studying our Law LLB(Hons) course can start you off on your career journey in the field of Law, as well as provide plenty of transferrable skills that will make you stand out to potential employers, such as critical thinking, researching and interviewing.

    You’ll begin this course with modules in the seven Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK), with a variety of option modules from your second year onwards, allowing you to specialise in your chosen field and with a whole third year devoted to your own choice of modules. You can focus on creating your own pathways in Law, such as:

    • social justice
    • human rights
    • business law

    Why study Law LLB(Hons)

    You’ll be taught by both practitioners and legal academics who bring their industry and research expertise into classroom teaching.

    Our flexible course structures mean that you can wait until the end of Year 2 to decide whether you want to study on an academic course, i.e., LLB (Hons) Law or one of our practice-focused courses, i.e., Law and Practice or Master’s in Law and Practice.

    You’ll participate in national and international Moot competitions, professional mentoring scheme, the Law School challenge and law Careers Fair. In doing so, you’ll develop legal and employability skills, and network for future careers.

    In addition to specialised legal databases (i.e. Westlaw, Lexis Library) and journals (via Heinonline, Jstor), you’ll have access to over 200 law eBooks (textbooks) via Law Trove. These are all included in your course fees.

    On campus, you’ll have access to our purpose-built mock courtroom (which gives you the chance to benefit from real-life scenarios, to hone your skills), and Legal Advice Centre to apply law in practice, developing advocacy, drafting, interviewing  and researching skills. Together with the Functioning Legal Knowledge modules (Criminal Law, Contract Law, Land Law Tort, EU, Public Law), you’ll study optional modules including but not limited to:

    • Company Law
    • Commercial Law
    • Medical Law
    • Immigration and Asylum Law
    • Employment Law
    • Intellectual Property Law
    • Legal Advice Clinic
    • Equity and English Legal System

    These will prepare you not just for a career in the legal field but also in other professions, such as those in business, finance, education, public policy, and public service.

    After the second year of the course, you’ll put your knowledge and skills to the test in an optional 48-week work placement in your area of interest, in the UK or abroad.

    This course will prepare you for a variety of potentially exciting careers in a range of fields in the industry. Becoming a solicitor or a barrister is the most common path, but you could also work as a paralegal, legal assistant, or legal consultant. You can also advance to a postgraduate course to deepen your legal knowledge.

    Entry requirements

    BBB-BBC at A Level .

    120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

    Distinction in T Level .

    DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 credits achieved from any units awarded at merit.
    • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    21st Century Legal and Employability Skills

    This module aims to develop your professionalism and ability to work effectively in groups and individually to develop the following skills; legal research and referencing skills, advocacy, interviewing, presentation, effective and persuasive writing and legal drafting. It also aims to develop your understanding of your personal development of transferrable and employability skills required for successful post study employment. Overall, the module will focus on equipping you with the necessary legal and employability skills, and professionalism, which today’s graduates require to effectively develop a career following graduation.

    Contract Law

    This module explores all the foundational and fundamental aspects of the creation of a legal agreement that is, contract. It explores how a contract comes to light, how it can evolve based on the inclusion of certain terms and how the courts keep upholding underlying principles which underpin contract while balancing ideas of justice and public interest and policy. You will learn some of the key doctrines in Contract law, key debates and discussions on the underlying idea of contract law, the evolution of its principles and doctrines, the role of contract and the limits to what it can achieve.

    Criminal Law

    This module will enable you to acquire a thorough understanding of the principles of criminal liability, and how these principles are applied to specific offences. A range of offences will be considered, including homicide, offences against the person (such as assault and battery) and property offences (theft, burglary, robbery and fraud). You'll also acquire knowledge of the basis of a defendant’s liability and the skills to apply your knowledge in problem situations.

    English Legal System and Method

    The English legal system is complex, rooted in history and constantly evolving. This module introduces you to the key elements of the English legal system and also looks at the procedure to enact legislation, an analysis of the anatomy of an Act of Parliament, delegated and secondary legislation and principles of statutory interpretation. A brief history of the evolution of common law is also considered, together with an analysis of the current English court system and the continuing importance of the doctrine of precedent. In this module you'll also learn the methods and techniques necessary for using legal resources, such as cases and legislation to construct legal arguments.

    Law in Society

    This module explores the original theories of law, as well as legal theories which disprove the myth of law as inherently neutral. By exploring areas such critical race theory, feminism and/or postmodernism, this module is inspired by Woodie Guthrie: this module kills fascists. The module explores depictions of law and legal injustices in popular culture and looks at the nature of human rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the place of the individual in society.

    Public Law

    Are the powers of the government unlimited? Can the UK Parliament really ban smoking on the streets of Paris? Is the rule of law a fiction? This module provides you with an introduction to key concepts, theories and research of the legal rules which govern how the state works. Emphasis is placed on the law relating to the United Kingdom constitution, the legal framework in which the Government and Parliament operate, and the relationship of Her Majesty’s subjects to Governmental and regulatory actions and decisions. As there is no single document which you can look up and read which says ‘The UK Constitution’ on the front, this module asks you to consider the question of whether the UK has a legal or political constitution and what that means for society.

    Core modules:

    Equity and Trusts

    In this module you'll learn about equity and trusts and consider the creation and constitution of a variety of trusts, and how legal certainty and flexibility can be negotiated in the application of trust law to modern life. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the life of the trust: how it operates, by whom, and what happens when it goes wrong and how to gather evidence, assess the strength of the client’s case and deciding whether to seek equitable remedies such as specific performance or consider alternative dispute resolutions will also be examined.

    EU Law

    With Brexit dominating the news in the past few years, the knowledge of EU law has never been more relevant. This module explores the European Union working principles governing the internal market and the freedom of movement alongside legislative sources and the developments and institutions.

    Land Law

    This module provides you with knowledge of the structure of land law as it relates to England and Wales. It explores the different types of estates in land, the interests that can arise over land owned by another, the formalities for the creation and protection of estates and interests, rules relating to the transfer of land and the rights and liabilities of owners of the estates and interests.

    Law of Torts

    You'll learn about the common law of England and Wales concerning liability in tort. Particular emphasis is placed on the theoretical justifications of a duty of care, the coherence of breach of duty, as well as causation and defences. You'll also learn through an in-depth analysis, of specific torts as black letter law.

    Option modules:

    Choose two from a list of modules which may include:

    Commercial Law

    In this module, you'll have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the specialist legal principles of commercial law, within relevant aspects of their social, institutional and cultural contexts. A wide range of commercial transactions are regularly conducted by businesses who use agents and this practice has given rise to disputes about the rights and obligations of the businesses, agents and customers. You'll also learn about the body of legal principles that has emerged to provide solutions to these types of disputes and the growing reliance on alternative methods such as mediation, arbitration and the use of the Financial Ombudsman Service.

    Company Law

    In this module you'll explore the legal framework necessary for a limited company in the UK (England and Wales), including an understanding of the importance of limited liability and separate legal personality to facilitating business enterprise. You'll also have the opportunity to examine the internal workings of companies, i.e. the rights of the shareholders, the rights and obligations of the company's directors and the regulation of the company's capital and the challenges of addressing different interests within companies and the conflicting interests of shareholders and other stakeholders within and outside the company.

    Law of Evidence

    n this module you'll explore the rules of evidence as they govern both civil and criminal litigation in England and Wales. In taking this module, you'll develop a range of practical skills in applying the rules of evidence in different scenarios and have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the specialist legal principles within relevant aspects of their social, institutional and cultural contexts.

    Advocacy

    Advocacy skills are essential in legal practice, both for solicitors and barristers. Whilst it is recognised that these skills are developed and assessed at the professional level of legal education, the skills for successful mooting are highly desirable at the undergraduate level as they enhance the ability to analyse and debate legal problems. In recognition of this, a mooting module is offered to allow undergraduates to acquire and develop the skills involved. The module draws upon material from core modules of the undergraduate law courses for academic content. As a result, the module also offers undergraduates the opportunity to use learning outcomes from other modules in a more integrated manner.

    Introduction to Legal Practice

    In this module, you will familiarise yourself with the roles and responsibilities of legal professionals in England and Wales. As ethics and professional conduct will be examined across all subject areas in the Stage 1 Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), in this module you will learn about the importance of ethics in the legal profession, i.e. ability to act honestly and with integrity, and in accordance with the SRA Standards and Regulations. You will analyse hypothetical and real case scenarios based on ethical concerns to develop an in-depth understanding of the ethical concerns that a legal practitioner needs to be aware of while advising a client. This module will introduce you to the foundational skills necessary for the law practice. You will develop diverse and specific legal skills including practical legal research, legal writing, advocacy, drafting, letter writing, and commercial awareness.

    The course offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad.

    Option modules:

    Choose six from a list of modules which may include:

    Immigration and Asylum Law

    In this module you'll explore the framework of immigration control and the right of abode and consider the law relating to deportation and removal from the UK. You'll also study the law relating to claims for asylum, including separate elements of the definition of a refugee under international law. This module explores the approach to asylum claims including matters relating to credibility, sufficiency of protection and internal relocation and taking a human-rights oriented approach, looks at the context in which the law arises.

    Legal Advice Clinic

    This module is a clinical and a practical module with a client focused application of theory to practice. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the management of clients who present with a range of legal problems and the empowerment of those clients through the provision of legal advice. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your professional skills including interviewing, researching, problem solving, reflective practice, drafting and advising. This module acts as an integrative medium to support clinical learning and show the application of theory to practice.

    Medical Law and Ethics

    In this module you'll explore law and ethics in the provision and regulation of healthcare and medicine. There is a particular recognition that medical law cannot be considered as a purely national subject, and this module will adopt a comparative approach, additionally focusing on Europe and the international agenda. You'll learn how the same regulatory and ethical questions have been resolved in different jurisdictions to help the critical comprehension of the issues raised by health and social care within England and Wales, but also in the development of a critical ability to discover how law may be reformed to be more socially just.

    International Law in Practice

    International law, also known as the law of nations, is the body of principles which tell us about how international relations between different countries in the world are managed. It covers topics such as international legal personality, diplomacy, war, international human rights, international economic and trade relations and resolving disputes between states with a view to maintaining international peace and security. This module deals with some of the most controversial issues taking place in the world today and by identifying, examining and reflecting on the sources, subjects and key principles of public international law, you will understand how law works and influences individuals, people groups and states, at a global level.

    Human Rights in Practice

    This module scrutinises the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights 1998, which has incorporated the former into UK law, through a critical lens. In this context, you are introduced to the current debates within the framework of Europe’s regional human rights system, as well as constitutional questions stemming from the incorporation of an international human rights instrument into domestic statute law. In addition to familiarising themselves with the theory of human rights law, you will learn how to lodge an application with the European Court of Human Rights and formulate a human rights argument before UK courts.

    Employment Law

    Employment law regulates the legal relationship between employer and employee, as well as the various other forms of work. In this module you'll have the opportunity to examine the formation of contracts of employment, its implied terms, and termination of the relationship between employer and worker at common law and under statute. Issues of anti-discrimination law in the field of employment will also be discussed.

    Family Law

    In this module you'll explore the relationships between members of a family and how the law is applicable to the breakdown of marriage/civil partnership or the relationship of a cohabitating couple. You'll evaluate the legal provisions relating to divorce and dissolution proceedings in respect of married couples and the legal principles that apply when dividing financial assets. The terms relating to married couples and their finance will be contrasted against the lack of formality surrounding cohabiting couples and their finances on relationship breakdown. The module also consider remedies available to couples in respect of domestic abuse.

    Intellectual Property: Copyright and Related Rights

    The current use of easily accessible copyright-protected works is putting pressure on a law that effectively originates from a 19th Century construction of law with a 20th Century application in a society for whom accessing the internet was inconceivable. In this module you will explore the nature of how copyright works, together with related rights including those assigned to databases and computer programs. This module will also provide a link between legal study and application of the law in a real-world 21st Century context, focusing on memes to explore the interrelationship between copyright and other forms of law beyond Intellectual Property (IP) rights.

    OR

    Choose four 20 credit optional modules AND

    Independent Legal Research Project

    This module is an opportunity for you to conduct a research project in an area of law that relates to your personal and professional interests. In addition to guided workshops that will help develop independent research skills, you will work one-to-one with an experienced supervisor who will help you develop and implement your research ideas. This module will not only deepen your knowledge of a particular legal topic, but also help you build your practical research, writing and oral presentation skills.

    On average 21%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, workshops etc. Based on your choice of modules, assessments vary from essays and exams to reports, case notes, briefs, oral presentations, moots, skills-based, reflective learning, and clinic-based learning. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    Feedback (either written and/or verbal) is provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    *based on 22/23 programme specifications

    Further information

    The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for an honours level bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

    If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    The course offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad.

    Our Placement Office works with national and international employers to ensure excellent work experience opportunities are available to you on sandwich courses as well as giving advice in areas such as interview skills and preparing CVs and covering letters.

    Previous placement providers have included Altaf Solicitors, Ashman’s Solicitors, CEIC Centre d'estudis Cunit, Conveyancing Liability Solutions (CLS) Ltd, PPG Architectural Coatings EMEA, Ridley and Hall and Taylor Price Legal Ltd.

    The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

    You can find more information on placements here.

    My placement gave me the hands-on experience of working in a professional environment and as a result has prepared me for the next stages of my career. The placement has given me a platform to develop and gain more skills and now I am at the stage where I am very confident in my ability.

    Photo of Mavua Maluasi

    Mavua Maluasi, Assistant Underwriter, placement at CLS Risk Solutions

    What our students have to say

    Huddersfield Business School provides you with a modern, professional environment to learn and develop, located right next to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal it's in a leafy and picturesque location at the heart of the campus

    Watch our profile video to hear Josh describe why he chose to study Law at the University of Huddersfield.

    Law situated in Oastler on the top floor
    We welcome real judges to our mooting competitions
    Oastler offers teaching spaces and lecture theatre
    Students taking part in a mooting competition
    Gain real-life experience in our mock court room

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    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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