Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Our world-class LLB is of international standing. It has been the first step in the careers of thousands of practising lawyers around the world.

Develop a critical awareness of the common law legal tradition and apply problem-solving skills to a range of legal and non-legal settings.

How you study

Local teaching support

Our programmes are designed to be studied independently, but if you would like to attend classes, you can enrol at one of our approved local teaching centres around the world and benefit from local study support and the facilities of a campus-style environment.

To receive teaching support, you must apply directly to an approved teaching centre. Centres may set earlier deadlines than the programme deadlines listed above.

Study materials

We will send you study materials developed by academics from the Laws consortium. These include:

• Module guides, your key starting point in your studies, providing an outline of the subject and indicating the boundaries and areas of study.
• Statute books provided for all modules where they are permitted in the examination.

Online support

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:

• The Laws Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) enables access to programme materials, resources, and audio and video lectures.
• Online Induction follows each module registration deadline. The VLE, study and skills support, the Online library, plus sessions for each Level 4 module are covered. With each session, you can ask direct questions to the UG Laws team and academics for clarification or information.
• Discussion forums for each module, where you can share perspectives with fellow students from all over the world, and a Director’s forum for academic queries.
• Online Library provides access to over 100 million academic electronic items comprising E-books, E-journals, conference proceedings, etc. In addition, students can request items which are not held in the library via the library's Inter-Library loans service with the British Library. Access more than 10 legal databases, including Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw and other valued materials.
• Senate House Library provides free reference access for all registered distance and flexible learning students.
• Lecture Plus: for some modules, you can view a recorded lecture and engage afterwards in a dedicated discussion forum.
• Formative assessment: for some modules, you have an opportunity to receive feedback on how you are performing against the criteria applied by examiners.
• Multimedia module guides: for each module these guides use multimedia resources to breakdown the topics in each chapter of the module guide.

Face-to-face study support

• The London Study Support event - receive direct academic guidance from a University of London-approved tutor in several modules. Usually, in November, it focuses on the core content of the first half of each module guide. An overview of key module topics, learning activities and how to plan your studies over the academic year is included.
• The London Revision event takes place annually in March. Focus is on revision for examinations, an overview of core topics within the module plus guidance about what examiners expect in exam answers.

Assessment

All modules (except the Dissertation) are assessed entirely by written examination. These are held in May/June and October at local examination centres around the world. You can sit a maximum of two modules in the October session.

Our examinations are set and marked by academics appointed as examiners. They reflect the same standards as those who study on-campus at the University of London Law Schools.

Programme structure

Our LLB is divided into routes. Your choice will depend upon a number of factors:

• Do you wish to study for a Qualifying Law Degree (where the majority of your modules are pre-set), or a Non-Qualifying Degree (which allows you more choice)?
• Do you hold a degree that makes you eligible for Graduate Entry? (Study 9 modules to complete, instead of the usual 12.)

Standard Entry LLB

• As a Standard Entry student, you must register for the Legal system and method in your first year of study.
• You must be registered for a minimum of one module and a maximum of four modules in your first year of study. The maximum number of modules you may be registered for in any subsequent year is four, and exceptionally five in your final year of study.

Graduate Entry LLB

• If you have already completed the first degree then you may be eligible for the Graduate Entry LLB. This means that you will only have to study nine modules rather than 12 to complete the LLB. Eligibility for Graduate Entry is at the discretion of the University.
• You must be registered for a minimum of one module and a maximum of four modules in your first year of study. The maximum number of modules you may be registered for in any subsequent year is five.

Entry requirements

To register for the LLB, you will usually be aged 17+ by the date of registration and satisfy the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Each application is considered on an individual basis. If you do not have the standard requirements, our Admissions Panel will consider factors such as alternative or incomplete qualifications (e.g. diplomas/degrees) and relevant work experience.

CertHE Common Law

If you are not eligible for the LLB, you may be able to study the CertHE Common Law and progress to the LLB. This programme must be studied at an approved local teaching centre.

Graduate entry route

For graduate entry, you will need an acceptable undergraduate degree rather than a professional qualification.

You must also complete our short online course, Introduction to English law, in your first year of study.

English Language requirements

You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case.

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need Adobe Flash Player to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.

Career opportunities

The University of London was the first to offer a degree in English Law in the 1890s, and continues to offer the security of an internationally recognised 'gold standard'.

Upon graduation, you will join a distinguished group of solicitors, barristers and judges from all over the world who began their careers with a University of London LLB.

What do employers think of our graduates?

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching centre.

Natasha decided to follow in her father's footsteps and enrol for an LLB with the University of London.