LLB (Hons) Law with Politics

Core units

• Academic & Professional Practice: You will build your confidence in both academic and professional skills. This unit will cover the academic skills which will be required at degree level study and you’ll practice them throughout the unit with support from key university services including the library and study skills team. There will also be the opportunity for you to reflect on and develop your own professional skills through interactions with employers, careers services and online resources. 
• Collaborative Communication Project: The unit focuses on the centrality of communicaiton, both as a process and as a project. Through the collaborative development of a communication solution to a specific communication problem, the unit aims to promote the principles and practices of team-based iterative project work. 
• Understanding Contemporary Britain: During this unit you will be introduced to key aspects of culture and society in Britain today. You will develop an understanding of the relationship between developments in culture, politics and society in the making of modern Britain and be able to identify a number of different critical perspectives on those developments. 
• Law & Government: You will trace a case study through the United Kingdom's political and legal system, following the case study from its inception in a political party's election manifesto, through the legislative process, to how the judiciary interprets its provisions within a court of law. Building out from this case study you will develop an understanding of practical and theoretical underpinnings of politics and law. 

Core units

• Legal Skills and Systems: You will be introduced to English and Welsh Legal Skills and Systems examining the background and structures within English and Welsh Law.
• Contract Law: This unit focuses on the law of obligations and specifically the law of contract. Upon completion you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the constituent elements of contract law and the relevant principles to be able to evaluate and apply them.
• Constitutional Law: You will be introduced to the fundamental principles of UK constitutional and to the past and future relationship with the European Union as a source of domestic law. You will learn how to understand and demonstrate knowledge of constitutional law and aspects of EU law, and to apply that knowledge to a range of legal scenarios. 
• Criminal Law: You will study the core legal principles of criminal liability relating to a range of criminal offences and the substantive law of the major offences against the person and property and the partial and general defences.
• Political Ideologies in Perspective: This unit explores key themes in political thought through the lens of ideology. You will discover the major conflicts and differences on questions of state power, civil rights, freedom and equality, justice, tolerance, and democracy among rival ideologies. These include liberalism, socialism, Marxism, fascism, anarchism, feminism, and other liberation ideologies, such as LGBTIQA+ rights.  
• The Foundations of International Relations: You will be introduced to a range of different perspectives on International Relations, such as liberal, realist, Marxist, feminist, and postcolonial approaches. The challenges and crises confronting global politics, including migration, state power, diplomacy, global inequality, international conflict and cooperation, will be investigated and you will develop an understanding of key policy issues facing nations or other actors in international affairs.  

Core units

• Administrative Law: This unit helps to prepare you for your placement and final year Legal Research Project. You will gain an understanding of administrative law in the United Kingdom and learn how to demonstrate this understanding of administrative law through development of key legal skills in relation to legal research and advocacy.
• Tort Law: This unit aims to provide an academically challenging examination of the issues in the Law of Torts and an introduction to the Law of Restitution; and to develop your ability to apply the fundamental principles of these areas of Law to a wide range of situations.
• Global Capitalism & its Disconnects: Events since the global financial meltdown of 2008 have brought renewed spotlight on the workings of global capitalism and its various consequences for populations across the world. In this unit, you will explore the roots of different crises within the global economy from a variety of perspectives. You will also examine the impact of transnational, geopolitical, environmental factors in this process, as well as the implications for governments, businesses, and citizens in responding to a series of growing challenges under contemporary capitalism.   
• Land Law: This unit will provide you with knowledge regarding the estates and interests in English land law as well as how those estates and interests are defined, created, and protected. You will also develop the skill of applying that knowledge to legal problems to learn how estates and interests in land are defended.
• Human Rights Law: This unit will contribute to your understanding of the relationship of politics and law. It also provides you with knowledge of an area of UK law which is pervasive and will sharpen your understanding of the continuing importance of the common law. Expanding your awareness of the international influences on the development of UK law and dealing with important areas of overlap between law and politics and morality. 
• Politics Goes Pop: You will examine the processes of creating and developing our society and how people can engage in these processes. The unit provides a more political understanding of civil society by examining social movements in relation to civil society and its development. You will explore and critically evaluate key theoretical debates in the field, the evolution of collective action and the relationship between social movement dynamics and political change in the context of modernisation, globalisation and changes in state structures, civil society and socio-economic dynamics.

You can complete an optional (minimum) 30-week work placement in the UK or overseas which gives you the opportunity to experience legal practice and make contacts for the future. If your placement meets the necessary criteria it can count towards 20 weeks of your training contract after graduation. 

You may take a study abroad placement for up to the equivalent  of one semester (6 months) which will count towards the 30 weeks required for the placement and then complete the remainder of the 30 weeks placement working in industry.

Core units

• Dissertation: The writing of a dissertation is important to a law degree because it is a rigorous piece of independent work that will promote independent learning. The aim of the dissertation is to provide you with the opportunity to conduct research on a topic relevant to law. You will develop critical thinking and will evaluate new and existing research. In particular, the dissertation aims to develop the student’s conceptual understanding of law. 
• Law of Trusts & Estates: Equitable interests and trusts provide a dynamic source of private law rights, obligations and remedies. Recognised as the most important of equity’s creations, the trust concept is used prolifically in spheres such as pensions, tax, commerce and asset protection, both inter vivos and testamentary. This unit aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding necessary in the recognition, creation and administration of various statutory, express and implied trusts. 
• Global Governance & International Justice: You will have the opportunity to consider the differing interpretations of international relations. By focusing on primary texts (From Thucydides to the Westphalia Treaty, contemporary thinkers, and policy reports) this unit will encourage you to think about, and comment critically on the relevance of thinkers and different approaches to practices in international relations. Key concepts such as power, soft power, conflict, sovereignty, and diplomacy will be scrutinised through both key thinkers and assessed by applying them to current affairs.

Option units (choose one):

• International Law & Warfare: You are encouraged to understand theory of public international law, structures of international legal obligations and the subjects of this international legal order. You will develop a critical understanding of the subject of international criminal justice; through the study of theories, law, policies and practice and will be asked to review these theories in light of developments at international criminal justice institutions, most notably the International Criminal Court, but also within the wider framework of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 
• History & Political Struggle: International Perspectives Through Film: This unit explores how key political events, ideas and conflicts in history are represented in fiction and non-fiction film. It considers and compares varied perspectives from around the world on turning points in world affairs. You will also assess the role of national and international film movements and cultures in shaping popular histories and providing varied perspectives on political movements and moments

AND

Option units (choose one):

• Philosophy of Politics: In this unit you will explore fundamental questions about the study and practice of politics and develop an analysis of where power lies within different contexts, who have access to power and resources, which groups in society are marginalised and how can marginalisation be overcome. You will be introduced to contemporary and historical case studies that encourage a development of a thorough understanding of how power is seized, apportioned and also denied.
• Nation Branding & Public Diplomacy: The unit aims to make sense of the function that the promotional industries play within late capitalist democracy and in the context of global and national crises. It introduces you to key theoretical ideas from social and critical theory, political economy and political philosophy, and encourages you both to reflect on your personal and professional experience, and to apply ideas discussed in the unit to real world problems and examples.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

• Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
• Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
• Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
• Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
• Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider.

Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

You will begin your placement after completion of your second year of study and you must complete a minimum of 30 weeks, although most students choose to work for a full year. The placement is optional for international (non-EU/ non-UK) students. 

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Co-ordinator. 

Through timetabled sessions and one-to-one appointments, they’ll help support you in your placement search including advice on finding a placement, information and advice on all aspects of job searching and job applications, as well as ensuring your proposed placement meets the requirements of your course.

Our CareersBU service is also available throughout your time at BU, offering services like CV checking and careers fairs to meet employers.

Placement Development Advisors will support you once you have started your sandwich placement – so you will be able to maintain contact with the university throughout.

Law Firms

• Mishcon de Reya
• Fladgate
• Steele Raymond
• Trethowans
• Ellis Jones
• Footner & Ewing

Non Law Firms

• Law Debenture
• ASM
• Acumen Business Law
• Toyota
• SAP
• Citizens Advice Bureaux

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, we may be able to make you an offer through AccessBU if you meet certain criteria e.g. you have been in care or live in an area where fewer people typically progress to Higher Education. If you don't meet our published tariff, we will accept you at least 8 points below if your personal circumstances match our AccessBU criteria. 

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

As well as working for legal firms, our graduates have found success with the many UK-based and international businesses that need legal expertise. Organisations that our students have gone on to work for include JP Morgan Chase Bank, LV, Phoenix Legal Group, the Home Office, Citizens Advice Bureau, Lester Aldridge, Coles Miller Solicitors, British Gas, Moriarty Law and the Financial Ombudsman Service to name just a few.

To make sure that our courses teach you what you need to know, we’ve worked closely with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and various members of the legal profession to develop course content that reflects the industry today, regardless of your specialism. All of our law courses meet the requirements for the academic stage of legal training. You can specialise in content to prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (stage one). Alternatively you can pursue areas of law that most interest you. In addition the courses provide you with the necessary foundations to take the next step in progressing to the Bar Practice Course (BPC).

Here are some of the roles our graduates have gone on to work in:

• Solicitor
• Barrister
• Paralegal
• Legal Executive
• Legal Assistant.

• Law
• Commerce
• Finance
• Business.

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master’s degrees.

Once you are have enrolled as a student at BU, there is a wide range of help and support available, depending on your particular needs.

• Library & Learning support
• Additional Learning support
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)
• Transport and travel.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course, including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team