Choosing the Right Degree Scheme

The different degree schemes (LLB and BA Law) share the fact that each is recognised by both branches of the legal profession as a 'qualifying' law degree and, as such, provide exemption from the first stage of the solicitors' and barristers' professional examinations, provided that certain 'core' modules are taken and passed. The key difference between the LLB and BA Law degrees is that the BA Law degree provides the opportunity to study a 'minor' subject other than law alongside the legal subjects.  Each of the schemes has been carefully devised to ensure that in the first year, students, who generally have no prior knowledge of the law, receive a thorough introduction to basic principles and methodology and are able to establish a sound foundation on which to build in the later years. For example, in the Legal Process module, students are trained in the use of the law library and gain experience in relation to 'traditional' and computerised legal information retrieval systems.

A number of the 'core' subjects for professional purposes are studied in the first year; these are subjects which are fundamental to an understanding of the different branches of the law. The second and final years allow students to cover the remaining 'core' subjects and to choose from a wide range of modules. In this way, students can put together a 'package' which is attractive to them. For example, some students veer towards the commercial and business subjects such as company law, commercial law, intellectual property law and corporate governance, while others find their niche in the 'social policy' subjects such as family law, child law, welfare law and medicine, ethics and the law.

The more popular combinations may also be available as one of our 'themed' LLB schemes. We are pleased to be able to offer this kind of choice while at the same time being satisfied that all the necessary analytical foundations have been carefully laid.