Law - LLB (Single Honours)
| From | To | UK Fee * | International Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 2012 | 31 Aug 2013 | £7,800 | £9,000 |
* Exceptions may apply. Please see Fees and Finance for further information.
Introduction
Choosing what and where to study is probably one of the biggest decisions you ever have to make. Therefore you need to choose an institution that really cares about you and most importantly your career.
Opting to study law at Sunderland ensures not only that you will be a part of the best new university in the country for studying law (The Guardian, 2008), but also that you will have the best student experience whilst you are here (THES, 2007). Sunderland is going into its tenth year of teaching this year and is increasing year on year in popularity. The law staff are a small dedicated team with diverse professional and academic experience. Research undertaken by members of the department plays a key role in underpinning teaching and also influencing both national and international legal trends. We aim to build long-lasting relationships with our students through an informal atmosphere and open-door policy.
The Department of Law is based at the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. With a unique law court and numerous extra-curricular opportunities, students can expect a unique and rewarding learning experience. Come to Sunderland and be part of the experience; be part of the best new law department in the country.
The Structure of the LLBs:
The LL.B satisfies the academic stage of training required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. After completing this stage, a significant number of our graduates go on to successfully complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar Vocational Course (BVC). Both of these courses satisfy the vocational stage of training required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Council.
As a student at Sunderland you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree so that it complements your career ambitions. If you plan to work in the commercial sphere you may wish to select modules such as employment law, intellectual property law and company law. Alternatively, if you wish to pursue a career practising as a criminal litigator you may wish to select options such as Evidence, Organised Crime and Terrorism and Civil and Criminal Practice. We also offer a range of modules that approach law in a wider socio-legal context as we recognise that not everyone wants to pursue a career in law. Modules such as Law and Sexuality and Sports Law, amongst others, provide students with a bespoke degree and a contemporary outlook upon the law.
The LL.B at Sunderland has been designed with flexibility in mind and as a result the Paralegal Accreditation prepares students for a great alternative career in law. Paralegals undertake similar work to solicitors and can be employed as fee earners with their own client base. Students who complete a number of option modules over the course of their LL.B programme will be able to graduate with both a law degree and the NALP Diploma in Paralegal Studies, without any additional assessment.
The paralegal accreditation is a qualification in its own right and it entitles students to start work in a Paralegal role immediately after graduation.
Gain more by choosing Sunderland
We offer so much more than a qualification, we offer a complete package that will develop your practical skills, allow you to socialise in a diverse multi cultural environment as well as preparing you for a career in Law.
Course Content
Level 1
Core Modules - 120 credits
- LAW101 Legal Institutions and Methods
- LAW103 Law of Contract
- LAW113 Criminal Law
- LAW114 Constitutional and Administrative Law
Level 2
Core Modules - 60 credits
- LAW200 EU Law
- LAW202 Tort
- LAW204 Land
Option Modules: 40 credits from:
- LAW212 Practical Employment Law
- LAW216 International Law 1
- LAW219 Introduction to Intellectual Property Law
- LAW220 Company Law (TBC)
- LAW221 Mooting
- LAW223 Evidence
- LAW236 Studies in Public Law
- LAW237 Criminal Litigation
- LAW238 Civil Litigation
- LAW239 Placement Module
Level 3
Core Modules - 20 credits
- LAW302 Equity and Trusts
Option Modules: 100 Credits from:
- LAW306 Family Law
- LAW307 Dissertation
- LAW315 Evidence
- LAW317 Succession
- LAW318 Medical Law
- LAW320 Organized Crime and Terrorism
- LAW324 Legal Theory
- LAW325 Commercial Law (TBC)
- LAW326 Law and Sexuality
- LAW327 Sports Law
- LAW328 Employment Law
- LAW330 Company Law
- LAW331 Intellectual Property Law
- LAW332 Studies in Public Law
- LAW333 Coroners' Law
- LAW334 Space Law
- LAW337 Industrial Disease and Personal Injury Law
- LAW339 Placement Module
Entry Requirements
Our typical offer will be 280 points from a minimum of 2 A levels/AVCEs or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award).
We accept a maximum of 20 points from Level 3 Key Skills.
We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Mathematics and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology (or equivalent).
Access Course: We would require successful completion of a Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Access programme and that you would have a minimum of GCSE grade C Mathematics and English Language (or have obtained the equivalent as part of your course).
Scottish Highers: Our typically offer is for 280 points.
Irish Leaving Certificate: Our typical offer is for 280 points.
Mature Applicants: Tel: University Helpline (0191) 515 3000.
Direct Entry to Level 2/3: Due to Law Society requirements we do not accept transfers to Levels 2 and 3.
International Applicants: Tel: +44 (0) 191 515 3000.
Fees and Finance
The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.
Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.
For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.
Teaching and Assessment
Various different methods of assessment are used including examinations, essays, report writing, and presentations.
Work Experience
Mooting and Debating
As a student at Sunderland you will be eligible for associate membership of both the Sunderland Law Society and the MaD (Mooting and Debating) team. Using the faculty's newly constructed law court, students can develop their advocacy skills in practical surroundings. MaD develops group work skills, the skill of argument, the skill of making reasoned judgements and at the same time it is FUN!
Other benefits include the opportunity to:
- engage in fictitious legal debates
- expand your legal knowledge
- boost your confidence
- practice in a courtroom environment
- compete nationally in mooting competitions
- compete in our annual internal mooting competition, with a chance to have your name on our winner's shield, which hangs in the moot court
Career Opportunities
The LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) is recognised as a qualifying law degree that will prepare you for entry onto either a Legal Practice Course for solicitors, or a Bar Vocational Course for barristers. Some students also to choose to progress with masters such as an LLM or PhD or go into a teaching career with a PGCE. There are many paths a Law graduate could take such as:
Paralegal: A role that is often similar to that of a trainee solicitor, involving legal research, drafting, attending meetings and going to Court to take notes. Many firms now offer more of a career structure to their paralegals and require correspondingly higher qualifications, often specifying graduates who have completed the LPC.
Legal Executives carry out work very similar to that of solicitors, advising clients, preparing documents and researching. They tend to specialise more than solicitors, often in areas such as family law, crime and conveyancing. There is a route by which a qualified legal executive can qualify as a solicitor, but many legal executives find that the opportunities within their own field are sufficiently rewarding.
The Law Commission regularly advertises short-term Research Assistant posts (up to 3 years) for law graduates. Research Assistants work on proposed law reforms, identifying problems, investigating current practices and helping develop solutions. Many go on into the legal profession at the end of their term; others have used their research experience in academic careers.
Legal publishers, whether of law textbooks and reference books, legal periodicals (ranging from The Lawyer to law reports) or professional directories (such as the Chambers & Partners Directory) recruit law graduates for research and editorial work, using their legal knowledge to provide content for these publications or check it for accuracy.
Many graduates choose not to enter a legal career and you will find that employers value law graduates for the skills they have gained through their studies rather than their specific legal knowledge. These include employers in careers as diverse as central and local government, journalism, social work, banking and finance, computing, retailing and marketing.
There will be plenty of advice and inspiration available to help you choose a suitable career, including the visiting speakers programme, which operates throughout the year and includes guest speakers who are currently undertaking their LPC or BVC or who are on other postgraduate programmes (often these speakers are our own graduates), and also speakers who have progressed to their training contract.
Facilities
As a student of the Faculty of Business and Law, you will have access to some of the best learning support facilities in the higher education sector. Our libraries provide computers, printing, photocopying, and inter-library loans. Sunderland also has an extensive electronic library collection, which means you can access much of the information you need on-line. You will also benefit from access to over 500 computer workstations of the David Goldman Informatics Centre which offers the latest software packages - open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
COURTROOM
In July 2007 the Law department built a mock court to underpin the teaching of law subjects and to provide students with a dynamic learning environment. The courtroom is used in internal and external mooting competitions where students can develop advocacy skills and improve their application of knowledge of law subjects. There is nothing like standing up in court and arguing legal principles to prepare you for a legal career - at Sunderland we prepare you for this every step of the way.
*World Class Web/Design Tools*
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.
Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.
CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.
Further information is available from:
http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/
For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.
If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.
Please visit:
http://www.student-software.co.uk/