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Home » Find a Course » Undergraduate » LLB and Diploma in Law

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Diploma in Law

Is this programme for me?

This programme is for you if:

• You want to obtain an LLB degree of international standing which has provided the first step on a career route for many thousands of practising lawyers worldwide.
• You wish to develop a critical awareness of the common law legal tradition and be able to apply analytical and problem-solving skills in a range of legal and non-legal settings.
• You would like to enhance key skills of communication, information literacy, analysis and argument.

Note: if you intend to practise as a lawyer, barrister or solicitor, we strongly recommend that you check on the requirements of the professional body in the jurisdiction in which you wish to practise before committing yourself to the degree.

Programme aims and values

The Laws Programme is committed to:

• Promoting independent learning
  We support you in developing your capacity to manage your own learning.
• Providing a wealth of resources
  With our Online Library and Laws Virtual Learning Environment, you have a resource-rich learning environment in which to develop your legal research skills.
• Offering expert guidance in law
  Our study materials are informed by current research and scholarship and engage with contemporary legal issues. Students are offered the opportunity not only to know the law but to understand it.
• Developing ‘transferable’ intellectual skills
  You have many opportunities to develop analytical and problem-solving skills and learn how to construct arguments.
• Enabling you to develop critical awareness
  Learn how to stand back and consider the ‘bigger picture’, develop an awareness of the context of law, nationally and globally.
• Understanding the language of law
  Learning how to use legal discourse is crucial for success. Being able to communicate effectively is a vital skill.

About your learning experience

Further information about the sort of experience you can expect if you study with us on the Laws progamme is available at 'Studying Law with the University of London – understanding the learning experience' [pdf: 7pgs, 334KB].

LLB: Jurisprudence and legal theory– The Egyptian Revolution and the law

Jurisprudence and legal theory is a key module for the LLB, and has general relevance to law-making in times of change. Watch Dr Adam Geary's video discussing how Jurisprudence can inform the legal implications of events in Egypt in 2011.

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Programme summaries

The LLB degree consists of 12 courses when taken through Scheme A, B or F. Applicants who already have an undergraduate degree acceptable to the University may complete the LLB in two years through the nine-course Graduate Entry Route A, B or F.

The Diploma in Law consists of four courses. It is a qualification in its own right and also provides an entry route to the LLB. Successful completion of the Diploma gains credit for the first four subjects of the LLB degree. The Diploma must be studied at an institution which has been recognised by the University for teaching this Diploma, a list of which can be found on the Directory of Institutions. A number of British universities recognise the Diploma as an entry qualification for becoming a second-year, campus-based LLB student.

Prestige and career progression

In a world where degree providers are proliferating, the University of London LLB offers the security of an internationally recognised 'gold standard' established for over 100 years. The University of London was the first to offer a degree in English Law, in the 1890s. Upon graduation you will be joining a distinguished group of solicitors, barristers and judges around the world who began their careers by obtaining their law degree through the University of London International Programmes. The academic direction of the LLB and Diploma in Law is provided by a Consortium of outstanding University of London Law Schools: Birkbeck, King's, LSE, Queen Mary, SOAS and UCL.

Flexible study at a reasonable cost

You have 3-8 years to complete the LLB (or a minimum of 2 years on the Graduate Entry Route) and 1-5 years to complete the Diploma. The total fees payable to the University range from £2,522 on Graduate Entry Route A, to £3,968 on LLB Scheme B. For the Diploma in Law, the total fee payable to the University is £1,363 (you will also need to pay fees to the teaching institution). Details of fees payable to the University are provided on the fees page.Please note these figures do not reflect any annual fee increase and assume completion in the minimum study period permitted.

Study materials

Your study materials include Studying Law; Subject guides; Textbooks; Statute books; Study packs, including key readings (CD format); Student handbook (first year students only); Regulations; Laws VLE access. You will need to provide some additional textbooks, so before you register for the programme we do advise you to consider the facilities available to you locally, and how accessible books are likely to be.

Study support and online resources

You can either study the LLB independently at a pace that suits you, or enrol for additional classes at a local institution either full time or part time, and benefit from the more formalized support this provides.

Note: additional information about the following resources is made available from the 'current students' area of our website.

• Laws VLE The password protected Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) provides a centralised location for accessing many resources. It hosts Law subject pages provided by legal academics, subject guides, discussion forums and facilities for you to set up your own profile page.
• 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
• 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.
• Online Library Gives access to Justis.com, JSTOR, ABI/INFORM, Lexis® Library, Westlaw, Academic Search Complete, Business Search Premier, and Casetrack.
• 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 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.
• You will also have access to news items, Examiners' reports and past exam papers, student handbook, subject guides, Regulations and reading lists.

Summary of key dates

LLB application deadline	17 September (non-EU) 17 October (EU) in the year before you intend to sit your first exams
LLB registration deadline	30 November
Diploma in Law registration deadline	31 October
Exams take place	May/June

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