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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
This course will provide you with a knowledge of English and EU law, as well as key communication and research skills. You will study a range of optional units taught by experts in their fields, in addition to the core subjects required by the Law Society and Bar Council. Optional units include areas such as public international law, advocacy, aviation law, company law, e-Commerce, criminal evidence, arbitration and family law.
The University's Law Society works closely with local solicitors and barristers' chambers to enable you to observe and learn directly from professionals in the field. The University Law Society also publishes its own magazine which you may choose to become involved with, submitting articles and reports. Being a member of the Law Society will help you further your legal career by working with local solicitors and barristers and enjoying the opportunities to network, as well as attending the many Law Society events which encourage friendship and peer support.
To help enhance your communications skills you may take part in the challenge of the University's public speaking competition and enter in 'moots' - simulated trials designed to test your legal reasoning.
This course will give you an exemption from the academic stage of training for a career as a barrister or solicitor.
As a graduate of this course you will be prepared for a wide range of careers from solicitor to barrister, as well as work in commercial companies, local authorities, central government, the civil service, the police, banks, financial institutions and international organisations such as the EU. You will also be well-placed to pursue postgraduate study. Completion of the LLB allows for entry to the taught LLM at our Luton campus or postgraduate degrees by research.
During the course you will:
Areas of study you may cover on this course include:
The assessment strategy for the LLB has been carefully designed to try to ensure the utmost participation by you in the learning process. This is principally achieved by putting you at the centre of the learning and assessment strategy. You will be expected to attend all classes.
Careful thought has been given to ensure a spread of assessment types. Individual assessments can take the form of essays, presentations, projects, oral presentations, electronic tests and group work. Most units have at least two assessment points containing different types of assessment. We feel that this is the best way to assess both the breadth and the depth of your knowledge.
You will be given detailed feedback on all your work, both written and oral. In all cases this will be in the form of a written feedback sheet, which you should read carefully and, if necessary, discuss further with your tutor. It is your responsibility to follow up any recommendations within the feedback although you can always seek advice from your tutor.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Understand the nature, function and purpose of law and the legal system generally, particularly in England, Wales and the European Communities.
2. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the essential principles and doctrines which pervade English Law.
3. Critically evaluate the role and efficacy of law in its modern social, economic and commercial / business environment.
4. Study independently, with thought and critical analysis.
5. Work effectively within a group as an active and productive member.
6. Communicate fluently both orally and in writing.
7. Initiate and lead projects autonomously.
8. Apply specialist knowledge in an area of law to suit your interests or career aspirations.
9. Continue to the next stage of professional training to become a barrister or solicitor having gained exemption from the first academic stage of the legal professional qualification.
10. Competently use information technology facilities in a legal and numerical context.
University of Bedfordshire Level Descriptors
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Law (see attached)
The LL.B. degree develops knowledge and understanding of legal principles and the legal process. You will engage with a wide range of legal material including cases, statutes and academic articles which will help you develop an understanding of the rules and principles. You will learn to apply this knowledge to different factual scenarios and, using established principles, provide solutions to problem scenarios. At the same time, you will develop critical thinking skills which will enable you to evaluate contemporary legal issues and suggest possible ways in which the law could be reformed.
Law offers you both a traditional and innovative learning experience. By undertaking a combination of substantive law and skills-based units, you will develop an awareness of the place and function of law in a social context, together with an ability to express yourself in both written and oral communication.
As part of this course you will undertake certain compulsory units which will allow you to go on to become a solicitor or barrister should you so wish. In addition, you will have the chance to study specialist optional units of academic interest which help develop your chosen areas of legal knowledge.
By undertaking this course you will:
You will undergo an induction programme in your first term both within the School and at University Level to introduce you to the key features of the course and the University generally. On arrival, you will be appointed a personal tutor who is a member of the academic Law School staff. Your personal tutor will monitor your academic progress and offer support should you have any personal problems during the three years of your degree.
You will also have access to the Corporate Academic Advisory Service within the University as well as other central services provided by the University such as student counsellors and the Student Union. You will be told about these services in greater detail in the `Legal Education and Practice unit which you will be taking in your first year.
All members of the Law School staff post office hours outside their rooms when they are available to meet students.
You will also have access to the Student Services within the University as well as other central services provided by the University such as student counsellors and the Student Union. You will be told about these services in greater detail in the Legal Education and Practice unit which you will be taking in your first year.
All members of the Law School staff post office hours outside their rooms when they are available to meet students.
Team working is an important aspect of the study of Law and throughout your time as a student you will constantly be expected to work in groups of varying sizes and to consider the skills needed in order to operate effectively in this context. One of the most important elements of team work is an understanding of the level of dependency involved in the process of collaborating with others, and the attendant responsibility required by each individual member of the team. You will develop an understanding of working in collaboration with others and issues of responsibility, trust, and flexibility in the Legal Communication in your first year.
This will be developed further in level two in Land Law where you will be required to work with others in preparation for a group assignment. Mooting is a team activity should you decide to participate in it.
The Law School adopts the philosophy of SOAR, the University of Bedfordshires student-centred process of integrating personal, academic and career development. SOAR is an acronym representing the dynamic relationships between Self, Opportunity, Aspirations, and Results.
The development of self-awareness is an integral part of the personal tutoring system in which you will reflect on your academic performance with your personal tutor at various points throughout your studies. At level one you will undertake the unit Legal Education and Practice in which you will be made aware of opportunities to develop yourself and your career. In this unit, you will learn about the Universitys Centre for Personal and Career Development, and be made aware of a number of support services they can offer, such as information on careers and postgraduate studies, one-to-one careers advisory sessions, on-line tools to develop your career management skills, help with CVs, testing, and interviews, opportunities for volunteering and work placements, and job searches. Your personal tutor will also discuss potential career opportunities with you during regular personal tutorials, and advise you on how to best prepare yourself for your chosen career within the structure of the degree as part of Personal Development Planning. Subject specific information on training, work placements, and job opportunities will be regularly placed on BREO. In addition, you will be invited to a careers fair in your second and third years.
The Law School has close links with the Citizens Advice Bureau and local law firms who offer work experience to our students.
The course also offers you ample opportunities to generate, clarify, test, decide and implement aspirations, both for the present and the future. Throughout the degree you will have to plan and manage your academic studies. This will help you to identify goals, to put them into practice, and to assess the outcomes.
Finally, you will be encouraged to demonstrate skills and results. The course teaches you vital skills in oral and written communication. You will be encouraged to document your work through a progress report portfolio.
On completing this course, you are likely to progress into the following areas:
Further study:
Additional:
UCAS Tariff Score of 160 or greater, University Access Qualification, BTEC, a new Advanced Diploma or equivalent such as an Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers or an International Baccalaureate (28 to 30 points).
A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
The general requirement is one of the following:
Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.
Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.
Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section
APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.
Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `
The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.
We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
The course offers a wide range of learning and teaching strategies. Law is predominantly taught in a classroom environment through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. You will be encouraged to participate fully in class discussions by preparing questions beforehand. In addition, you will be expected to organise meetings with other students to prepare for group presentations and you will have an opportunity to take part in a moot (a mock trial) either as part of the team for the appellant or the respondent. You may also take part in field trips to the local courts.
Tutors will make extensive use of BREO, the Universitys electronic learning environment, as a means of disseminating important information and you will be expected to make full use of the learning resources centres electronic and online research facilities.
The law team is committed to encouraging independent study and learning. It is, however, recognised that individual students have different needs and skills, and the teaching team are and will continue to adopt a considerable diversity of teaching practices.
These diverse teaching strategies have been selected in order to:
There is an emphasis on tutor-led learning at level one, moving towards a greater degree of self-directed learning at level two, culminating in a self-managed research project at level three (Law in Action unit). At level one you will focus on the reading and the comprehension of legal materials. You will also be exploring different methods of studying through a combination of lectures, tutorials, written and oral presentations and skill-based workshops. At level two you will build on your knowledge and skills with a greater focus on analysis and critical evaluation. You will also further develop your group-based skills by undertaking a group project in Land Law. At level three, you will have greater autonomy in selecting which units you wish to undertake and you will develop your independent study and oral presentation skills further by undertaking a 4,500 word project which you will present orally.
Communication
To help with the development of this you will participate in a range of activities requiring you to communicate both in writing and orally Throughout your studies you will:
At each level you will engage with all of these activities, however, the scope and complexity of the tasks given to you will increase throughout the three years of your degree. In your first year, you will present research informally in tutor-led seminars and you will give a group presentation (Legal Communications). At Level two, you will be required to undertake a group written assignment (Land Law) and you may participate in the Mooting option. In your final year, you will undertake an extensive research project as part of which you will give an oral presentation (Law in Action).
The complexity of written assignments will increase over the three years, culminating in a final self-managed written research project.
Information Literacy
To help with the development of this at level one you will be introduced to the use of BREO and library resources in the unit Legal Education and Practice. You will learn to use the library catalogue, electronic databases, and search engines for the purposes of legal research. All your units will make use of BREO in the posting of resources and course announcements.
In level two you will be required to work more independently and confidently with the library and technical resources at your disposal. You will be expected to use advanced search techniques to source material above and beyond the unit reading lists. You will provide annotated bibliographies for essays and be familiar with a range of research resources appropriate to the study you are undertaking.
At level three you will plan and submit a project on a topic to be agreed with your tutor (Law in Action). You will have to undertake a comprehensive bibliographical search using databases, library catalogues, and other resource materials, and understand how to access material (books and journal articles) not held by the library in hard copy.
Research and Evaluation
To help with the development of this you will undertake a range of research tasks in relation to your academic and practical knowledge. Research underpins most teaching and learning activities and certainly all forms of assessment. This is most obvious in coursework assignments, group assignments, presentations and the creation of portfolios, where your ability to undertake and evaluate research in response to a given question and to evidence this research in writing forms an essential part of the assessment process.
At level one you will write several coursework assignments, in-house tests and examination papers. Coursework, with the consequent feedback, in particular, allows you to improve and develop your research and evaluation skills.
As the complexity and scope of assignments increases in level two, you will be expected to work more independently as a researcher, and you will begin to formulate questions and fields of enquiry in relation to the evaluation of your work as an academic and practitioner.
At level three you will undertake an independent research project on a topic agreed with your tutor. Your research will be ongoing throughout the year and you will be expected to be able to source relevant material quickly, assess and synthesise your findings, and apply your research to your work.
Creativity and Critical Thinking
To help with the development of this you will be encourage to `master the language of law, including legal terms and principles. You will be encouraged to do this at level one in the Legal Communication unit. Your skills in this area will be further developed by discussing legal problems in tutorials, seminars and workshops. At level two you will be introduced to conflicting academic and judicial opinion and you will participate in a group assignment which will concentrate on critical analysis.
At level three you will be further encouraged to think creatively when devising a topic for your final year research project. You will be expected to evaluate the law in the context of a contemporary issue.
Throughout the three years on your Law degree you will be encouraged to manage your learning in collaboration with tutors, support services and peers.
Verbal and written feedback on your work is a regular feature of the course and this will occur within tutorials, seminars, workshops and at assessment points. You will be encouraged to respond to feedback given on your work and reflect on your work. After all assessments you will be given detailed written or verbal feedback on your individual performance. You will be encouraged to discuss your work in relation to the relevant assessment criteria. In written work you will be given detailed written feedback and the opportunity of discussing this with the tutor concerned. Tutors will be explicit where they feel that you would benefit from the range of services offered by Professional and Academic Development (PAD).
At level one the development of study skills in research, reading, and writing will be embedded into Legal Education and Practice and Legal Communications. Further support in study skills and IT will be available from PAD.
On arrival at the university you will be allocated a personal tutor who will meet regularly with you throughout your studies. These sessions will allow you to consider ways in which you can improve your skills through taking advantage of the services offered by Professional and Academic Development (PAD). Your personal tutor will offer further support and guidance during levels two and three.
In your first year of study you will be introduced to the use of Progress Files through meetings with your personal tutor. The Progress File is a document charting your development as a student; it is made up of several parts:
Professional attitudes, values and standards are prerequisite for successful academic performance and for managing your transition from University into employment. At University you are part of a learning community that emulates professional standards, and therefore, requires you to adopt appropriate professional attitudes and behaviour. Most importantly, you need `to drive your learning in a responsible and proactive manner.
Remember that you `are doing your learning and that nobody will do it for you. In order to develop an appropriate professional attitude we expect you to:
The development of professional attitudes, values and standards is central to your study of Law. Consequently the Legal Education and Practice unit will introduce you to the Schools professional code of conduct and it will form part of the portfolio in this unit. Thereafter, in each successive year, you will be reminded of the code at induction and at lectures for your core units. At level one the code will be monitored through the portfolio and in levels two and three, it will monitored by conduct in lectures and field committees. Breaches of the code will be reported to the Field Chair and the Head of Department.
