Law LLB (Hons)

From September 2021 onwards the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have implemented changes to the qualification process by introducing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE replaces the postgraduate qualification gained through completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Please see below for more information.

Information from the SRA

What is the SQE?

The SQE is the Solicitors Qualifying Examination which will be introduced on 1 September 2021, subject to final approval from the Legal Services Board.  In the future, all those wishing to qualify as a solicitor will need to pass the SQE, as well as holding a degree or equivalent qualification or experience, complete a two-year period of qualifying work experience and meet our suitability requirements. SQE1 primarily tests candidates’ functioning legal knowledge, while SQE2 tests practical legal skills.

Do you need a law degree to sit SQE1 and/or SQE2?

No. However, to be admitted as a solicitor, you will need a degree (in any subject) or equivalent in addition to passing the SQE. ‘Equivalent’ means a qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, such as:

• a level 6 or 7 apprenticeship
• a level 6 or 7 professional qualification

If you don’t have an equivalent qualification, we may be able to count experience in the workplace as equivalent.

How much will the SQE exam cost?

The estimated cost of the two stages of assessment is between £3,000 – £4,500.

SQE1 will primarily test the application of legal knowledge. The fees range estimate is £1,100 – £1,650. SQE2 will test practical legal skills. The fee range estimate is £1,900 – £2,850.

The costs are based on an estimated 35 hours of assessment, including written tests, computer-based assessments and simulations such as mock client interviews. These costs are indicative, as we continue our work with Kaplan to develop and test the assessments.

For more information, please visit the SRA website.

Get more information on transitional arrangements and the solicitors qualifying examination.

Our Law degree covers the seven foundations of legal knowledge which are required for the academic component of Bar training. On successful completion of the degree programme (with a 2:2 or above) students can progress to vocational component of Bar training.

For more information please visit the BSB website.

At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

If you join our full-time LLB Law degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a LLB Law degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for Law we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Law programme which includes a Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.

The optional placement year enables you to put into practice what you have learned on your degree and gain practical industry experience. Your Law LLB degree is extended to four years and the placement is undertaken at the end of your penultimate year, this is for one year (48 weeks) and paid. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

Where have previous Law LLB students worked during their placement year?

• Equivo
• Aspen Manor
• Howard Primary School

Hear from previous Law LLB students about their placement experience

• Drishtee Bhouvnessuree Bhowaneesing

How will I learn on the LLB Law Degree?

Our teaching includes a variety of methods underpinned by active learning. This ranges from lectures, tutorials, workshops, online learning, self-directed or collaborative study, experiential and problem-based learning. You, as the student, are at the heart of what we do. Through your participation on the LLB Law Degree, you will engage with your peers and lecturers in an interactive setting whereby you can critically engage with the syllabus.

How long is a Law degree?

You can expect to put in 200 hours of work on each module that you study throughout the LLB (Hons) Law Degree. You will normally have two hours of contact time, which could be online or face to face, per week with your tutor for each module.

Overall you will study for your degree for three years, or four if you do the integrated foundation year.

How will I be assessed on the LLB Honours Course?

This degree offers you a wide range of assessments to help you develop a diverse set of academic and professional skills.  Assessments have been carefully designed to help you build the skills you will need for the future. The skills you will acquire will not only help with preparation for entry to the legal profession but will also be highly desirable to graduate recruiters in a variety of sectors. Our mission is to produce high quality, adaptive and socially responsible graduates equipped to pursue successful careers in a variety of contexts. The assessment strategy is a combination of formative and summative assignments designed to enable you to learn and develop key academic and employability skills. These are the range of assessments that you can expect across your modules:

• Client interviews
• Essays
• Advocacy
• Commentaries on current legal issues both in a national and global context
• A range of presentations individually and in groups
• Multiple choice questions/exams/time constrained assignments

What is the learning and teaching like on the LLB Law degree?

At the University of Northampton we are committed to your learning and use this to shape our teaching of Law in the following ways:

• We appreciate that many areas of Law need context for them to be fully understood and so have shaped our course to reflect this. Our programmes are underpinned by social justice issues and we actively encourage you to explore Law in its wider context whether this is historic, social, moral or commercial.
• Our Law team prides itself on its commitment to students. Tutors are available to support you throughout your academic studies. You can get further academic support through the Learning Development Team. You will also meet with your personal tutor on a regular basis where you can discuss your academic progress and get advice on future career prospects.
• We are firmly committed to listening to students through regular drop ins, the Course Advocate system and through our termly Staff – Student Liaison Committees

Can I take a placement year?

You are encouraged to undertake a year-long placement between Stages Two and Three of your LLB course. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year you will find it invaluable experience that helps you to apply your meaning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

The Faculty of Business and Law have a dedicated Placements team who will support you through the process of taking a placement year. You can follow the Faculty of Business and Law Placements Team to hear more about their services.

Are there any extra-curricular activities?

As a law student at The University of Northampton you can engage in a wide range of extra-curricular activities including:

• Mooting, negotiating and client interviewing competitions
• Use of purpose-built Moot Room to practice and develop advocacy skill
• Street Law Projects
• Opportunities to conduct research projects as student researchers to develop your academic skills which will also be useful for if you are considering other professions
• Guest lectures from national and international speakers such as Judges and human rights advocates.
• A thriving Student Law Society which organises social and professional activities.

Our Law team has links with organisations such as Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council and Citizens Advice, allowing you to make valuable contacts and learn from their experiences.

Who are the Law team?

You will find strong support on the LLB Law course from a dedicated team of well qualified staff. A number of the University of Northampton’s Law team have published books and journal articles and some regularly deliver papers at conferences both at home and abroad.

Our teaching team includes members of the legal profession who are qualified solicitors and barristers. Other members hold Doctorate, Masters or professional qualifications and most are actively involved in legal research including environmental law and medical law underpinned by social justice. Many also take part in voluntary activities outside of work and will support you in your voluntary roles.

Who are the Student Support Team?

The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.