Law LLB (Hons)

UCL (University College London)

This three-year programme combines theory and research with practical application and skills-based training. Students may also have the opportunity, after year two, to extend their studies by a year and spend part of their degree studying abroad in the USA, Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore. No previous knowledge of law is assumed or required.

Degree benefits

• You will encouraged to develop a critical understanding of how the law works and how it can be changed. You will be taught by distinguished academics who are cutting-edge researchers in their fields together with, for example, visiting academics and practitioners. Their knowledge of law and their significant experience and influence will enrich your learning.

• Transfers may be possible to the 4-year joint LLB/JD degree (where years 3 and 4 are spent at the University of Columbia, NY) or the Law with Another Legal System LLB, where year 3 is spent at the University of New South Wales in Australia, Hong Kong University or the National University of Singapore.

Your learning

During your time at UCL, you will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and tutorials with approximately 8 students. We encourage substantial student participation and class discussion in seminars and tutorials, on the basis of prepared work. Considerable emphasis is placed on small-group teaching where you will benefit from individual attention and advice.

Each week of years 1 and 2 of the programme students will have at least four x two-hour lectures and 2 small group tutorials each week of terms 1 and 2. In addition to formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and tutorials, you will have to undertake independent private study. Whilst everybody is different, we expect you to dedicate about 30 hours of private study per week. It may be more some weeks. Many students organise informal study groups and find working with colleagues helpful.

Assessment

You are required to pass written assessments each year for each of your modules. Some modules are assessed by way of presentation, for example, too.

Careers

As a law student, you will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of how the law works and how it may be changed, to sharpen your powers of reasoning, and to develop both the technical expertise to solve legal problems and the capacity to determine whether a solution is fair and just.

The wide range of skills and subjects learned throughout your degree open up many opportunities when you graduate. Many UCL Laws graduates move directly to further vocational study and train to become solicitors or barristers. Recent graduates have also chosen employment in government, political service and a range of industries. Some have selected to undertake further academic study.