Diploma in the Common Law

How you study

You receive specially designed learning materials for each subject you have chosen to study. You will also be given access to a wealth of online resources to help you study, including the online library and a virtual learning environment.

Study materials

The study materials are designed to guide you through the syllabus for each subject and direct your reading of the prescribed textbooks, study packs and online library resources. Although all study materials are specially produced for self-directed learning, many students choose to pay for additional educational support through independent teaching institutions. The following materials are provided as part of your course fee.

Studying English law with the University of London. An introductory guide to the study of English common law. This is sent to all students who receive an offer letter and is also available online.
A subject guide for each subject you study. The guide will take you systematically through the course topics, with instructions on reading, learning activities (with feedback) and guidance on answering sample examination questions.
A study pack for each subject studied accompanies, and should be used in conjunction with, the subject guide as it contains key recommended readings for each chapter of the subject guide. The subject guide and study pack are also available online.
Learning skills for law containing advice on study skills, developing English language and legal English skills, reading cases and statutes, guidance on exam technique and performing skills activities.
Textbooks. You will receive one copy of the textbook for all Intermediate subjects and also for the Law of tort, Land law, and Law of trusts.
Student handbook. This contains a wealth of specific advice and information on the programme and the University of London International Programmes, with key dates and contact details for further support.
Regulations. Students need to be fully informed of the formal rules about syllabuses, programme structures, how to enter for examinations, marking schemes, transfers, exemptions etc., so updated Regulations are sent to all our students every year.

Online resources

You will need to have access to the Internet if you wish to study for the Diploma in the Common Law. On registration, you will be provided with a University of London student email account and a user name and password for the single sign-on student portal. You can access all of the online resources from this portal.

The Undergraduate Laws students area includes Examiners’ reports, past examination papers and reading lists.
Laws VLE. The password protected Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) provides a centralised location for accessing many resources. It hosts Laws subject pages provided by legal academics, subject guides and other course materials, discussion forums, newsletters and a discussion board. The laws VLE will also give you access to news items, Examiners' reports and past examination papers, student handbook, Regulations and reading lists.
Pre-course exercises. Offer a 'taster' so that you can try out the type of skills that you will be expected to develop as you work through the Laws programme. You are strongly advised to try these exercises as soon as possible and certainly before you enrol on the course.
Online legal research exercises. Designed to build and enhance your ability to find primary and secondary legal materials using electronic sources, and to conduct legal research generally. These are available through the Laws VLE and are a compulsory component of Common law reasoning and institutions.
Computer-marked assessments. These assessments are available for all of the Intermediate and Part 1 subjects including Jurisprudence and EU law. Although they are not a course requirement, we strongly advise you to do them as they are designed to allow you to check your progress through a topic and assist in your learning through the feedback we provide. They are available through the Laws VLE.
Online Library. Gives access to Justis.com, JSTOR, ABI/INFORM, LexisNexis Professional, Westlaw, Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, Casetrack and UK Statute Law database.
Induction day. A one-day induction held in London in late September each year to introduce new students to studying for the Diploma in Law and LLB. Prospective Diploma in the Common Law students are welcome to attend in order to find out more about the programme.
Weekend courses. There are four weekend courses held in London each year in November/December, February, March and April. Tuition is given by experienced law lecturers, many of whom write or contribute to the subject guides.

Courses at the University of London

Induction day
A one-day induction is held in London in late September each year to introduce new students to studying for the Diploma in Law, Diploma in the Common Law, and LLB. Prospective students are welcome to attend in order to find out more about the programme.

Weekend courses
There are four weekend courses held in London each year in November/December, February, March and April. Tuition is given by experienced law lecturers. These courses are intensive, with up to eight hours of lectures and tutorials each day. Each
weekend covers different topics and students are encouraged to attend all four. The courses concentrate on important areas of each subject and new developments and recent legislation.

For further information about the induction day and weekend courses please visit the Undergraduate Laws student area.