.jpg)
Our LLB is renowned both nationally and internationally for its originality and innovative quality. In addition to the traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops, our LLB incorporates a range of exciting eLearning activities to enhance your overall learning experience. Academically rigorous, our LLB will expose you to a practical real-world application of the law. We will develop your problem solving, research and personal skills, equipping you with the academic knowledge and key transferrable skills which are in demand by employers.
Our innovative approach to legal education is demonstrated by our very successful American/UK legal placement schemes and our active Student Mooting Society.
Combining the academic with the practical, you will have the opportunity to work on ‘real’ cases with ‘real’ clients. The Legal Advice and Representation Unit option module is one example of practice-based learning, where you will have the opportunity to work in a local Citizens Advice Bureau or other provider of legal services. You will also have the opportunity to participate in an internship in the USA as part of our unique American Legal Practice option module.
We have active student-led Legal and Mooting Societies. Our Student Mooting Society is one of the most successful in England. Our students successfully enter mooting teams in a variety of prestigious national mooting competitions including the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting, Oxford University Press, English Speaking Union and the Inner Temple Inter-Varsity Competition. In the past 8 years, they have reached 5 finals of national mooting competitions in the past 8 year and have beaten 8 of the elite Russell Group of universities. They organise a range of internal mooting and social activities throughout the academic year including the School of Law Internal Mooting Competition which is sponsored by LexisNexis Butterworths.
Our first-class facilities include two mock courtrooms and a comprehensive law library (with many resources accessible online).
Our LLB is taught by an outstanding team of professional staff with extensive practice experience and a friendly, open door policy giving you all the support you need. We place our students at the centre of everything we do.
Professional Body Recognition
Our LLB is accredited by the Joint Academic Stage Board, which represents the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board of England and Wales. It is a Qualifying Law Degree, satisfying the academic stage of training if you are seeking to qualify as a solicitor or barrister of England and Wales.
It is also recognised by the Bar Council of India. However, Bar Council of India recognition stipulates that the three-year LLB can only be taken by graduates e.g. BA, BSc, BCom, BBA (any subject). Non-graduate entrants, who seek Bar Council of India recognition, will need to take our unique four-year LLB.
Many overseas legal professional bodies recognise our LLB, particularly in Commonwealth countries. If you intend to practise overseas, you should contact the local Law Society or Bar Council. The majority will require you to undertake additional training after graduating from our LLB before being authorised to practise law.
Key Facts
- Respected, recognised and offering a practical, real-world application of the law.
- All LLB (Hons) programmes are accredited by the Joint Academic Stage Board, which represents the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board of England and Wales.
- All LLB (Hons) programmes have a common first year where you study four of the compulsory modules for a qualifying law degree, before choosing a specific area of the law in your second year. Specialist routes include:
- Law with American Legal Studies
- Law with Business Law
- Law with Criminology
- Strong professional links with Birmingham Law Society (the UK’s largest Law Society outside London), and the four Inns of Court, especially Lincoln’s Inn and Inner Temple.
- Strategic partnerships with respected firms such as Challinors and Squire Sanders LLP ensure our courses are professionally relevant for today’s legal practice.
- Learn alongside an outstanding team of professional staff with extensive practice experience – an open door policy gives you the expert support you need.
Why Choose Us?
- Close individual attention and ample opportunity for your input.
- In addition to face-to-face teaching, a range of e-learning resources are available to support students learning, including a Virtual Solicitors’ Office putting the professional legal world at your fingertips.
- Employability is embedded into all our LLB programmes with compulsory skills modules in the first and second year - Skills, Process and Scholarship in the first year; and a choice of study either Professional Skills and Practice or Professional Skills and Ethics in the second year.
- Two mock law courts let you taste the atmosphere of legal cut and thrust.
- Thriving Mooting Society who:
- Organise a range of internal mooting and social activities throughout the academic year.
- Enter mooting teams in a variety of prestigious national mooting competitions including the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting, Oxford University Press, English Speaking Union and the Inner Temple Inter-Varsity Competition.
- Have reached five finals of national mooting competitions in the past eight years.
- Have beaten eight of the elite Russell Group of universities in the past eight years.
- Are sponsored by LexisNexis Butterworths for the School of Law Internal Mooting Competition.
- The School’s Centre for American Legal Studies operates the UK’s largest student internship programme to the USA – and has placed over 500 students in Federal and State Public Defender offices, private attorney offices, American University Law Schools, and law projects.
- School regularly welcomes visiting speakers from the profession; eminent guests have included Michael Edwards, a US attorney well known for his pioneering work in legal reform.
- All students joining the course in 2013 will gain one year’s membership with the Birmingham Law Society.
Download the Course Programme Specification
Entry Requirements
280 UCAS tariff points made up of:
- A minimum of 2 A-levels* or equivalent.
- Remaining points can be made up with a maximum of 2 A-levels or AS-levels (in different subjects).
- A minimum of four GCSEs or equivalent at grade C or above, at the point of application. These must include English.
- General Studies and Key Skills are not accepted as part of the points.
*Vocational A-levels will be accepted but they should be studied in combination with academic A-levels.
We recognise a range of qualifications which are detailed below. If you have a query about a qualification which is not listed here – our dedicated Course Enquiries team will happily advise you.
Many offers will be expressed using the UCAS tariff point score, but some will be expressed as grades.
| Qualification |
Requirements |
| A-level |
BBC (example grades) |
| BTEC Extended Diploma/ BTEC National Diploma |
DMM/ D*D* (in related subjects only) |
| BTEC Diploma/ BTEC National Certificate |
DD (in related subjects only) together with 1 full A-level. |
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ BTEC National Award |
D (in related subjects only) together with 2 full A-levels. |
| International Baccalaureate |
26 points |
| Access Courses |
60 credits including 45 at Level 3 and 18 at Merit or Distinction in Access to Law or a related subject. Must include English at Level 2. |
| Foundation |
Pass (average of 60 per cent) in a related subject. |
| AVCE |
Minimum of 280 UCAS points. |
| Advanced Diplomas and Progression Diplomas |
Accepted. |
| IELTS |
6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each level. |
| TOEFL |
550 (paper) 213 (computer) |
| ESOL |
Grade C at Level 2 (Certificate in English) |
India - Following changes to the English Language requirements introduced by the UKBA during 2011, we can now accept the Standard 12th CBSE with an average score of 65% as being equivalent to IELTS 6.0. We may be able to accept Standard 12th Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and the CISCE - details will appear here.
Overseas Qualifications
We welcome applications from international students with qualifications which are deemed equivalent to one of the above. For example:
Bangladesh - completion of one year of bachelor degree (any subject) average 50% from a Bangladesh public university or average 60% from a Bangladesh private university rated good by UGC
India - Bar Council of India recognition stipulates that exemptions cannot be granted and the three-year LLB can only be taken by graduates e.g. BA, BSc, BCom, BBA (any subject) average 55% (or average 50% from a five-star university)
Pakistan – completion of Bachelor of Arts / Commerce (Pass)
Sri Lanka - completion of one year of a bachelor degree (any subject) average 55%
AND
IELTS 6.0, or equivalent.
India - Following changes to the English Language requirements introduced by the UKBA during 2011, we can now accept the Standard 12th CBSE with an average score of 65% as being equivalent to IELTS 6.0. We may be able to accept Standard 12th Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and the CISCE - details will appear here.
Exemptions
Our LLB has a very flexible structure which enables us to admit you onto the LLB with maximum possible exemptions. Graduates of any discipline are exempted from one year of the LLB, enabling you to complete the course in two years (full-time).
Full exemptions for modules completed on an English LLB (including London International (External) LLB and Northumbria LLB)
One year exemption for completion of a degree (any subject) provided the degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor degree, for example:
Bangladesh - one year exemption for completion of a four-year bachelor degree (any subject) average 50% from a Bangladesh public university or average 55% from a Bangladesh private university rated good by UGC
Pakistan – one year exemption for completion of a four-year bachelor degree (professional subjects) average 55%
Sri Lanka - one year exemption for completion of a four-year degree (any subject) average 55%
Up to one year exemption for partial completion of an overseas LLB, for example:
Bangladesh - one year exemption for completion of a minimum of two years of an LLB average 50% from a Bangladesh public university or average 60% from a Bangladesh private university rated good by UGC
Sri Lanka – one year exemption for completion of a minimum of two years of a professional degree in law average 50%
See the International Section of the School of Law’s website for more information
Further information for international entry requirements can be found at Information for International Enquirers.
Application Details
FT UCAS Course Code: M1MG
Search for this course on UCAS.
To study this course part-time please apply direct to the faculty. You can Apply online or call us for an application form.
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the Making Your Application section.
International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice, or visit http://www.bcu.ac.uk/inernational/how-to-apply.
UCAS Information
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
UK, EU and international students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
You submit an application via the UCAS website with a list of up to five courses. All choices are confidential during the application process so universities and colleges considering an application cannot see your other choices. Applications must be completed by mid-January of the year that you wish to start university.
You can monitor the progress of your application using the UCAS Apply system.
Fees and Finance
|
Fees for students from the UK or EU countries?
|
|---|
| Start | Mode | Duration | Award | Fees |
|---|
| Sep 2013 | FT | 3 years | LLB (Hons) | £8,200 per year |
| Sep 2013 | PT | 4 years | LLB (Hons) | £1,025 per 15-credit module |
|
Fees for students from non-EU countries?
|
|---|
| Start | Mode | Duration | Award | Fees |
|---|
| Sep 2013 | FT | 3 years | LLB (Hons) | £10,100 per year |
The University reserves the right to increase fees broadly in line with increases in inflation, or to reflect changes in government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Additional costs
If you wish to undertake the American Legal Placement or Legal Advice and Representation optional modules you will be required to pay all costs incurred in undertaking the placement. You will be required to purchase one core textbook per module and possibly a textbook on case materials or a statute book if recommended.
Financial Options and Advice
We have deliberately tried to set fees that reflect the cost of course delivery in order to help our students avoid debt.
Full-time students won't have to pay for tuition fees until after their studies - there are government tuition fee loans available. If you are a full-time student, after leaving university you will start to pay back your loan once you are earning over £21,000 a year, at a rate of nine per cent on any income above £21,000. So if you were earning £25,000, you would pay back nine per cent of £4,000, or £30 per month.
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis offers key facts on fees, loans and grants:
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
University Approach to Employability
Expertly woven into our curriculum and work experience opportunities, and underpinned by a diligent approach to career preparation and the close involvement of professional bodies, the University views employment as one of the principal rewards for a student's ambition, application and academic achievement. It's why the University is one of the country's top 30 universities* for placing students in graduate-level employment.
Our close links with business and the professions mean that our courses are always relevant, up-to-date and meet the exact needs of the current marketplace. Wherever possible, we involve employers in planning the curriculum, while many of our lecturers come from and maintain their links with industry, ensuring they are up to speed with the latest developments.
Employability will be an integral outcome of your studies.
* Sunday Times University Guide 2012
Employment Opportunities
A degree in law not only prepares you for a career in law, but equips you with a range of transferable skills that will enable you to enter a number of professions. Many of our graduates go on to become solicitors or barristers, while others pursue other law related careers both in private or public sector organisations. Others use the skills they have developed to go into areas such as journalism, insurance and accountancy.
Qualifying as a Solicitor or Barrister of England and Wales
Solicitors provide clients with legal advice often during times of extreme stress such as arrest, divorce, moving house or bereavement. They also represent clients in corporate or commercial transactions. As a solicitor, you may work in a firm with other solicitors or set up your own practice, or you might work in central or local government, an in-house legal department, the Crown Prosecution Service or the magistrates’ courts.
Barristers are specialists in advocacy - the act of presenting cases in court under instruction from a solicitor or another designated professional. Typically, the duties of a barrister may include preparing briefs (cases) for court, presenting arguments in court, examining and cross examining witnesses and preparing legal documents. Most barristers work on a self-employed basis, from chambers, although an increasing number work in private and public organisations.
To qualify as either a solicitor or barrister of England and Wales, you must first of all complete either an LLB or GDL/CPE from a university in England and Wales.
If you wish to qualify as a solicitor, after completing the LLB or GDL/CPE you will need to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Once you have completed the LPC, you must complete a two-year training contract with a firm of solicitors. You will be qualified as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales upon completion of the two-year training contract.
If you wish to qualify as a barrister, after completing the LLB or GDL/CPE you will need to complete the Bar Professional Training Course (prior to September 2010 this was known as the Bar Vocational Course). You are “called to the Bar” once you complete the Bar Professional Training Course and are then entitled, without further training, to use the title Barrister of England and Wales. However, if you wish to practise in England and Wales you must also complete a one-year pupillage with a barristers’ chamber.
|
|
LLB (Hons)
or GDL/CPE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal Practice Course |
|
Bar Professional Training Course
(previously the Bar Vocational
Course) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two year training contract within a
solicitors’ legal practice |
|
Qualified as a Barrister of England
and Wales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified as a solicitor of the
Senior Courts of England and
Wales |
|
One year pupillage within a
Barristers’ Chambers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified as a practising Barrister of
England and Wales |
Figure: Routes to qualification as a solicitor or barrister within England and Wales
Qualification as an Overseas Lawyer
Many of our international students join the School of Law with the intention of practising law, normally in their home country.
Our LLB is recognised by many overseas legal professional bodies, particularly in Commonwealth countries, and we are very proud to be one of a select number of UK universities whose LLB is recognised by the Bar Council of India.
If you intend to practise in your home country, you should contact your local Law Society or Bar Council to ensure the LLB is recognised. The majority will require you to undertake additional training after graduation before being authorised to practise law.
Some overseas Law Societies and Bar Councils will offer exemptions from all or part of their own training requirements if you qualify as a solicitor or barrister of England and Wales. For example, the Malaysian Bar recognises both solicitors and barristers of England and Wales – to be authorised as a solicitor and advocate of Malaysia you would have to complete a pupillage in Malaysia.
Further Studies
As a graduate you will obtain a qualification that enables you to progress to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Please see the Postgraduate section. Details can be found on the postgraduate section of the website Options for further study at the University include:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC)
- LLM Corporate and Business Law
- LLM International Human Rights
- MPhil or PhD research degrees
Full Time
About KIS data
From September 2012, all universities and colleges are publishing standardised information for all undergraduate courses in the form of a Key Information Set (KIS). The KIS data is designed to meet the needs of prospective students and allow for informed decision-making when choosing a university course.
Putting our students first
We pride ourselves on our student satisfaction levels which have risen from 73 per cent to 83 per cent between 2010 and 2012. Our dedication to improving the student experience is illustrated by our award-winning student engagement, our close links with business and industry and our £180 million investment in new facilities.
Employability facts
82.4% of graduates from the School of Law who responded to our survey went into either employment and/or further study. Salaries for those entering full-time paid employment averaged £18,000. Employers hiring leavers from the School include Citizens Advice Bureau and The Legal Ombudsman, in positions such as Client Advisor and Legal Assessor.
Working with your Students’ Union
Improving student satisfaction is a priority commitment shared by both Birmingham City University and its Students’ Union. In its strategic planning, the Union has pledged to be more accessible, more relevant and provide more opportunity to engage with a diverse student community.
The Students’ Union is already a key stakeholder in supporting an excellent teaching experience at Birmingham City University, through joint projects such as the Extra Mile Teaching Awards and the Student Rep scheme, which allows students to share their ideas on how they are taught.
As Birmingham City University moves towards a two campus strategy where it can better support enhanced learning and student support facilities across a two-mile radius, the Students’ Union will also be better able to implement its commitment to improve communication and engage with its valued student membership.
Course Modules
Core Modules
You are required to complete the following core modules:
|
Level 4 (Year 1) |
|
Law of Tort |
Law of Contract |
Criminal Law |
Skills, Processes and
Scholarship |
|
Level 5 (Year 2) |
|
Public Law and Civil
Rights |
Land Law |
Professional Skills and
Ethics or Professional
Skills and Practice |
Option |
|
Level 6 (Year 3) |
|
Law of the European
Union |
Equity and Trusts |
Option |
Option |
Option Modules
The LLB (Hons) Law with Business Law is a specialised course, and therefore your range of option modules will be more limited. You must complete the following option modules:
- Commercial Law
- Company Law
- Employment Law and Practice
If you do not want to specialise, or if you prefer a greater freedom of option choice, you should elect to complete the general LLB (Hons) Law course. This will give you the flexibility to choose from any combination of option modules: two at Level 5 (Year 2) and two at Level 6 (Year 3).
You can also elect to follow one of our other specialised LLB courses (but this will limit your option choices):
- LLB (Hons) Law with American Legal Studies
- LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology
Assessment Methods
Assessment is through a combination of examinations, coursework and oral and written presentations.
Enquiries
Prospective students from the UK or EU
- Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to a range of questions about our courses and studying here.
- If you need further help, you can contact the Course Enquiries Team online by using the Course Enquiry Form.
- Alternatively, call us on +44 (0)121 331 5595.
Prospective students from non-EU countries
- International enquirers from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form.
- Alternatively, call us +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Prospectus
For an overview of our undergraduate courses and range of other information order a printed Prospectus or download a PDF of our 2014/15 Prospectus (16MB).