The rule of law is the cornerstone of any just and fair society, and to be administered correctly it requires skilled and knowledgeable legal professionals.
LLB (Hons) Law at Lincoln has been developed to advance students’ understanding of the changing and dynamic nature of law and how it operates in practice. There is the chance to gain important practical legal skills, such as mooting, and to take part in the Lincoln Law Clinic, a pro bono law clinic that handles real cases.
The course can act as the first step towards a career in the legal profession. It provides the key skills and knowledge needed to go on and study towards qualifications as a barrister or solicitor.
How You Study
This degree enables students to progress their knowledge of substantive law and to think about law practice. Students are encouraged to build an understanding of the context of the English legal system – its origins, history, and practices – and reflect upon policy and the social, political, ethical, philosophical, and cultural contexts in which the law operates.
The course gives students the chance to choose areas of law in which they have a particular interest. It provides a range of optional modules alongside core topics. In the final year, students have the option of writing a dissertation or having their voluntary work in the student-led law clinic officially recognised by undertaking an assessed module.
Students undertaking the programme can benefit from an optional study abroad period between their second and third years. Previous students have studied in Norway, South Africa, and Japan. Limited places are available and are allocated
competitively, subject to academic criteria. Please note that students are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs when studying abroad.
Lectures
Lectures aim to provide a guide to a topic, highlighting important areas and providing information on matters that may not be readily available from other sources. The lecturer will also point out areas of difficulty where the law may be in some way problematic, contentious, unsettled, or unclear.
Seminars
Seminars are normally held once a week for each module. The seminars are designed to provide an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning. Seminars provide a forum for discussion and debate and are usually based on the preparation of an answer to a problem or a discussion topic. This approach encourages students not only to acquire legal knowledge but also to develop their understanding of problem-solving, analysis, and evaluation. The importance of careful preparation for seminars and, in particular, the reviewing and analysis of primary and secondary sources of information is stressed to students throughout. From the outset of the course, students have the opportunity to start to develop their research skills, particularly in the Legal System and Skills module.
E-seminars
Teaching and learning are enhanced through the use of E-seminars. E-seminars are currently used in the Contract Law Level One module and take place in an IT lab. Students work in small groups and are given the task to construct and present a legal argument based on the topic discussed the previous week in the lecture. Students must construct their arguments using a variety of materials, both primary and secondary sources, to be found electronically under a time constraint.
Contact Hours
Contact hours vary by course and can take many forms, including lectures, seminars, and workshops. A full-time undergraduate student should expect to undertake a minimum of 37 hours of study each week during term-time, supplementing contact hours with independent study. This is an important aspect of university-level education. As a general rule, you will be expected to spend two to three hours working independently for every hour in class.
Modules
First Year
Constitutional and Administrative Law (Core)
Contract Law (Core)
Legal Systems and Skills (Core)
Tort Law (Core)
Second Year
Criminal Law (Core)
European Union Law (Core)
Land Law (Core)
Animal Law and Ethics (Option)†
Company Law (Option)†
Environmental Law (Option)†
Financial Services Regulation (Option)†
Freedom of Expression (Option)†
Human Rights Law in a Global Context (Option)†
Human Rights Law in the UK (Option)†
Intellectual Property Law (Option)†
Intelligence and Security Law (Option)†
Jurisprudence (Option)†
Police Powers (Option)†
Sale of Goods (Option)†
Study Abroad (Option)†
Third Year
Equity and Trusts (Core)
Analysing the Policy Process (Option)†
Civil Litigation (Option)†
Consumer Law (Option)†
Employment Law (Option)†
Family Law (Option)†
Human Rights (Law) (Option)†
International Law (Option)†
Law Clinic (Option)†
Law Dissertation (Option)†
Law in Practice (Option)†
Law of Evidence (Option)†
Law of Succession (Option)†
Law of Tort (Option)†
Law Placement (Option)†
Understanding the Policy Process (Option)†
Working With Children and Families (Option)†
How You Are Assessed
A variety of assessment methods are used to test subject knowledge and understanding. Examinations include traditional unseen papers.
In addition to examinations, students are assessed by coursework which takes the form of assignments, mooting, individual and group presentations, and workbooks. Written assignments may be in the form of an in-depth case study, an essay, or writing a review. Coursework provides students with an opportunity to gauge how they are coping with various subject areas and levels of study before having to sit an examination.
These methods of assessment allow students to show how they have acquired both legal knowledge and the ability to think critically about the subject. But also, they allow the student to reflect on the feedback given for an assessed piece of work and to think of ways to improve the quality of their work before they sit an examination at the end of the academic year or attempt another piece of coursework.
The assessment regime also allows students to demonstrate the acquisition of key skills. Written assignments allow students to demonstrate their ability to select, interpret, and summarise legal sources. In addition, written assignments and examinations, enable students to show that they have developed their literacy and proficiency in the use of technical legal language, as well as having developed their ability to produce a sound argument based on coherence and logic. The development of oral skills and the ability to be persuasive is assessed through presentations and mooting.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly – usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Methods of Assessment
The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports, or dissertations; practical exams, such as presentations, performances, or observations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.
Scholarships
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
"I chose the University of Lincoln because when I visited the campus at Open Day, I knew that Lincoln would become my home. When I was greeted by a Student Ambassador, I felt like I was being greeted by a family member."
Emily Taylor, LLB Law graduate
Entry Requirements 2021-22
United Kingdom
GCE Advanced Levels: BBB
International Baccalaureate: 30 points overall
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points
Applicants will also need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and will consider applicants who have a mix of qualifications.
We also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
International
Non-UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
Teaching and Learning During Covid-19
At Lincoln, Covid-19 has encouraged us to review our practices and, as a result, to take the opportunity to find new ways to enhance the student experience. We have made changes to our teaching and learning approach and to our campus, to ensure that students and staff can enjoy a safe and positive learning experience. We will continue to follow Government guidance and work closely with the local Public Health experts as the situation progresses, and adapt our teaching and learning accordingly to keep our campus as safe as possible.
Is This Course Right For Me?
This course is suitable for students that have a definite interest in studying law and are fully committed to devoting three years towards the attainment of this degree.
It may provide students with opportunities to further develop their legal career and go on to become a solicitor or barrister, or in other areas depending on their choice of career path. An important focus of the course is to enable the personal development of each individual student.
What We Look For In Your Application
Curiosity, energy, interest, and enthusiasm for the subject of law, and commitment to successful completion of the three-year course. The study of law at A-Level is not essential.
No specific skills are required but interest and curiosity about the subject of law are important.
The course is contemporary and practical in the sense it does require a great deal of participation in seminars and problem-based learning.
Placements
The School has extensive links with the local legal profession through a professional mentoring scheme and other initiatives. Students are encouraged to obtain placements in the industry independently. Placements can range from a few weeks to a full year. Costs associated with placements are at the student’s own expense.
Study Abroad
Lincoln Law School is an internationally inclusive community of students and staff. Each year we offer the opportunity to study abroad for an academic year to students between Level 2 and 3, extending the degree programme from three to four years. There may be opportunities either through the Erasmus scheme with one of our European partners, or the Law School has a growing number of international partners, including law schools in South Africa and Japan.
Professional Practice
The aim of this course is to produce independent, enquiring, and knowledgeable graduates. Students are encouraged to develop practical legal skills by entering competitions in mooting and negotiation. These skills are practised extensively in seminars and through the student-run Law Society. In addition, there is a University pro bono law clinic, where students can give legal advice to real people in real situations, under supervision.
Facilities
Lincoln Law School is based in Bridge House on the Brayford Pool Campus. Students can access a range of dedicated facilities on campus, including breakout and seminar rooms and a moot court to practise their mooting skills.