Overview

Our online LLB (Hons) Law degree provides you with a thorough academic training in the discipline of law. It enables you to develop a critical awareness of common law and legal principles, build knowledge of the UK and EU legal systems and gain the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to build a successful career in this dynamic and challenging discipline. You study a wide range of topics and develop your expertise in specific areas of law.

Law is a widely recognised and highly respected subject and the knowledge gained will open up many opportunities for you to develop your career both inside and outside the legal field.

The LLB (Hons) Law is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) approved by the relevant legal professional bodies and is the first step if you are considering practising law professionally.

This course is listed on the Solicitors Regulation Authority website as a qualifying law degree provider.

The course is also relevant if you are an international student wanting to access an English Law programme from a respected UK institution whilst living overseas.

Course structure

The LLB (Hons) Law is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 360 credits.

Level 4 modules:

• Fundamentals of Effective Learning in Law (15 credits)*
• English Legal System (15 credits)*
• Criminal Law (30 credits)*
• Constitutional and Administrative Law (30 credits)*
• Contract Law (30 credits)*

Level 5 modules:

• Public International Law (15 credits)
• Law of Tort (30 credits)*†
• Land Law (30 credits)*†
• European Union Law (30 credits)*†
• Research Methods for Legal Studies (15 credits)*

Level 6 modules:

• Equity and Trusts (30 credits)*†
• Final Year Research Project (30 credits)*

Choose two optional modules:

• Company Law (30 credits)
• Commercial Law (30 credits)
• Family Law (30 credits)
• Law of Evidence: Criminal and Civil Procedure (30 credits)
• International Trade Law (30 credits)

* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.

† These modules are compulsory and must be passed in order to achieve a Qualifying Law Degree.

Learning and assessment

Introduction

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

All of our online courses have an indicative study duration which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability. It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.

All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year. Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.

Teaching methods and style

As we are a 100% online university, we utilise a virtual learning environment instead of a traditional campus. The system tracks and manages the learning process in real-time and provides you with immediate access to your learning materials.

This learning platform allows both students and tutors to actively take part in real-time conversations and you can listen to, and view, live lectures and seminars over the internet. All courses are delivered in English only.

You are supported throughout your course by a dedicated Student Adviser and have the opportunity to regularly interact with fellow students and your tutor. To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

Assessment

We adopt an assignment-based approach to assessment instead of exams. LLB (Hons) Law assignments are based on real-life work experience and assessed by tutors on an ongoing basis.

You are always aware of your current provisional grade right from the start of the programme, allowing you to evaluate the success of your current study methods and clearly identify areas to improve.

We believe that this transparency gives you the information you need to make the most of your course. We achieve this by:

• showing your marks clearly in your gradebook, which can be viewed whenever you log onto the learning platform
• the rapid turnaround of work assessed to ensure that your gradebook is always up to date
• assessing your work throughout the module rather than waiting for end of year exams
• ensuring you have regular contact with your Student Adviser
• the simplicity and transparency in the design of our assessment criteria

We also have a policy of ensuring that work submitted by students is authentic. As well as the fact that all work is frequently assessed, we use a well-established electronic monitoring system to check for plagiarism.

On successful completion of your LLB (Hons) Law degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

Career prospects

We are dedicated to improving employability amongst our graduates. Our online courses give you the opportunity to improve your career prospects and earning potential with a mix of key skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.

Studying Law prepares you for a career in many sectors. Roles in finance, human resources, education, local and central government, the voluntary sector or management all benefit from a legal background.

The LLB (Hons) Law online is recognised as a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) in England and Wales and is the first step if you are considering practising law professionally.

To be classed as a Qualifying Law Degree, you must also complete all your degree studies in not more than six years from start to finish. The minimum standard for a QLD undertaken for the purpose of completion of the Academic Stage for qualification as a barrister is lower second class honours.

If you are applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), please check with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board to find out if this will affect the QLD status of your course.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced it will be introducing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The earliest date for introduction is September 2020. The SRA will be providing information and guidance about how to qualify in the new system so keep checking their website.

Entry requirements

1. Academic Entry Route

In order to satisfy the Academic Entry Route requirements for the LLB (Hons) Law degree you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

• Three A-levels, or equivalent; plus
• If English is not your first language, IELTS (Academic) 6.0 or equivalent.
• If you do not hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification, we require students to pass a free online English test.

You don’t need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of, or if you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

You are required to pass your initial assignment set during the first 21 days of the course in order to continue with your studies

2. Work Experience Entry Route

To apply for the LLB (Hons) Law degree via our Work Experience Entry Route you must meet the following criteria:

• GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent
• Three years’ relevant work experience; plus
• If English is not your first language, IELTS (Academic) 6.0 or equivalent
• If you do not hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification, we require students to pass a free online English test.

You don’t need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of, or if you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

You will be required to pass your initial assignment set during the first 21 days of the course in order to continue with your studies.

21-day money back guarantee

We want to give you the opportunity to experience a University of Essex Online course for a 21-day trial period. That’s why we have introduced our money back guarantee. If you start the course and decide it’s not for you during the first three weeks, you will receive a full refund.

Related courses

• CertCE Law