Law (LLB)
- UCAS code: M100
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Our flagship LLB Law programme is a full time, three-year course that is both challenging and stimulating.
Study foundation modules (which constitute the academic stage of training that is currently necessary to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales) together with a wide selection of exciting, optional modules that include Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, Media Law and Family Law.
In addition to the broad-based academic training we provide, studying Law at Cardiff will offer you unique opportunities to see Law in action in a social context.
We are committed to providing an outstanding teaching and learning experience that is underpinned by excellent research activity.
We are the only Russell Group University to offer both courses currently required to qualify as a barrister or solicitor – the Bar Professional Training Course and the Legal Practice Course – which means that you have the option to stay with us in Cardiff to complete your entire legal education.
Distinctive features
Pro bono schemes
We work in partnership with lawyers, charities and voluntary organisations to give you the opportunity to practise and extend your skills through a variety of pro bono schemes.
Our students have:
- helped overturn two convictions at the Court of Appeal through their work as part of the innocence project
- reclaimed thousands of pounds for individuals and/or families who have paid private nursing home fees
- provided legal support for rugby clubs and players
- supported vulnerable adults who have been arrested.
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to apply for a work placement which will be carried out in the third year of your LLB Law degree. The full-time, salaried placements will be open to you via a competitive application process which aims to replicate the graduate recruitment processes you will encounter after leaving University.
During your placement, you will undertake legal practice as a paralegal, and will perform graduate level roles.
Study abroad
We offer LLB Law students (M100) the opportunity to apply to study abroad through the medium of English. Study currently takes place in Madrid, Prague or Warsaw at one of our European partner institutions.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Law and Politics
Our vibrant student body combined with highly qualified academic staff provides the perfect environment to explore the dynamic and fast-paced fields of law, politics and international relations.
Entry requirements
AAB-ABB if all qualifications taken within 3 years. Please note that General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies will not be accepted.
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DDD-DDM
Award of the IB Diploma with 35-33 points of 666-665 at Higher Level
Other UK qualifications may also be accepted, often in lieu of A-levels, but subject requirements must be met. If you are offering non-UK qualifications, our qualification equivalences guide should allow you to calculate what kind of offer you are likely to receive.
Please be aware that this is a general guide, and that some programmes may have more detailed or specific entry requirements which will be reflected in your offer.
Find out about our Schools' admissions criteria, offer guarantee scheme, changes to programmes and translating your documents.
GCSE
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other subskills.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 22 for writing and 20 in all other subskills.
PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in writing and a minimum of 54 in all other communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: a Distinction in Writing and at least one Distinction and two Merits in other components.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
GCSE English Language Grade B or 6, or an accepted English Language equivalent
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course. If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year. Fees for the previous year were £9,000.
Students from outside the EU (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year.
Additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
In each year of the course, you will take modules to the value of 120 credits.
As well as the foundation modules required in year one, we offer a wide range of optional modules in years two and three that cover both traditional and contemporary legal subjects. This gives you flexibility to follow your interests.
The level of degree qualification that you are awarded is based on the grades you achieve in the modules that you take in years two and three.
In your second year you will have the opportunity to apply for a work placement which will be carried out in the third year of your LLB Law degree. The full-time, salaried placements will be open to you via a competitive application process which aims to replicate the graduate recruitment processes you will encounter after leaving university. During your placement, you will undertake legal practice as paralegals, and will be performing graduate level roles. You will develop both key practitioner skills such as case management, legal research and legal writing in addition to generic employability skills such as time management, team working and commercial awareness. Placements will be located in Cardiff and will count for 10% of degree classification.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2021/22 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2021.
Year one
You will study four compulsory 30 credit modules in year one, providing you with a solid base for the next two years of your degree programme.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Contract [30] | CL4301 | 30 credits |
| Criminal [30] | CL4302 | 30 credits |
| Legal Foundations [30] | CL4303 | 30 credits |
| Public Law [30] | CL4304 | 30 credits |
Year two
In year two, you will study modules amounting to 120 credits, chosen from the list of optional law subjects. Our module options are designed to give you flexibility. If you wish to obtain a qualifying Law degree, we advise you to take the 30 credit options of Tort and Land Law.
This list is reviewed on an annual basis taking into account staff resources, student demand and changes to legal practice.
Year three
In year three, you will study modules amounting to 120 credits, chosen from the list of optional law subjects. Our module options are designed to give you flexibility.
If you wish to obtain a qualifying Law degree, we advise you to take the 30 credit options of Law of the European Union and Equity and Trusts. This list is reviewed on an annual basis taking into account staff resources, student demand and changes to legal practice.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars.
Lectures take a range of forms but generally provide a broad structure for each subject, introduce key concepts, and convey relevant up-to-date information. You will also have access to recorded versions of lectures.
In tutorials and seminars you will have the opportunity to discuss particular legal themes or topics, to consolidate and get feedback on your individual learning and to develop skills in oral presentation. Communication skills are developed in tutorials, where you will make individual contributions to group study, for example by summarising a particular judgment or article for the group.
You will practise and develop legal, intellectual and presentational skills by participating in diverse learning activities, such as solving legal problems, small-group discussions, debates, moots, oral presentations, independent research tasks and written assignments. You will also enhance your team-working skills.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
17%
Guided independent study
83%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
18%
Guided independent study
82%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
19%
Guided independent study
82%
Placements
0%
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a personal tutor who will help you reflect on your performance on the course and advise you on study techniques, module selection and career planning (in conjunction with the University’s Career Service). They will also provide a first point of contact if you experience any difficulties.
An extensive programme of careers lectures and workshops is delivered within the School and an in-house Law Careers Consultant is available.
A range of staff are available to provide further support, including an academic support tutor, a pro-bono scheme co-ordinator and specialist law librarians. A member of academic staff acts as a designated Disability and Diversity Officer and ensures that reasonable adjustments are made for students with disabilities.
All modules within the Law programme make extensive use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, where you can access discussion forums and find course materials including recordings of lectures, links to related materials, multiple-choice tests, past exam papers and examples of student work from previous years.
Year 1
Written exams
88%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
13%
Year 2
Written exams
88%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
13%
Year 3
Written exams
75%
Practical exams
3%
Coursework
23%
What skills will I practise and develop?
A law degree develops your ability to organise facts and ideas in a systematic way, identifying relevant information and evaluating these to formulate advice for a client or a legal argument.
You will also:
- enhance your ability to argue in an objective, reasoned, professional manner, with due regard to authority and acceptable citation methods
- develop your ability to undertake independent learning and effectively manage your time
- enhance your team-working skills, contributing constructively and reliably
- develop your communication skills , both orally and in writing
- learn how to use subject specific electronic sources, databases and the Virtual Learning Environment to gather evidence and to research legal questions.
Careers
Career prospects
In 2016/17, 95% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.
Students who have chosen to work immediately following their degree have obtained roles as negotiators, paralegals, mortgage handlers and lawyers with law firms such as Hugh James Solicitors, Admiral Law, Eversheds LLP and NHS Wales Legal and Risk Services.
A law degree doesn’t restrict graduates to careers within the legal profession. Each year a number of law graduates enter professions as diverse as finance, sales and marketing, digital communications and recruitment.
You will have access to a dedicated Careers Consultant at the School of Law and Politics. They arrange practical employability workshops throughout the year which cover topics including writing CVs and covering letters, preparing for employer selection days and interviews, job search strategies and sourcing work.
