Law with a Foundation Year - LLB (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
A law degree is an important first step into a career in law, as well as an important foundation on the route to many other careers, and Birmingham City University is a long-established provider of legal education to the Birmingham legal community and beyond....
- Level Foundation
- Study mode Full Time
- Award LLB (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject Law
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
A law degree is an important first step into a career in law, as well as an important foundation on the route to many other careers, and Birmingham City University is a long-established provider of legal education to the Birmingham legal community and beyond.
This course has been developed to enable anyone wishing to qualify as a solicitor or barrister to undertake this first, important academic stage of their career. To achieve this, the course has been designed to align with the subjects that you will need to study further in order to successfully undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), while also meeting the requirements of the Bar Standards Board for an undergraduate law degree.
What's covered in this course?
The study of law is both academic and practical, and therefore both of these are important elements in the LLB (Hons) degree at BCU. Theory and academic study are important on an LLB, but so too is the application of that knowledge, and so our LLB (Hons) degree offers plenty of opportunity for you to develop the practical lawyering skills, as well as the transferable skills enhancing your employability, that graduates will need when entering the workplace.
The different pathways on the LLB course will allow you to make decisions regarding the direction in which you want to take your studies, with named degrees in Law with American Legal Studies, Law with Business Law, and Law with Criminal Justice, as well as a broad range of optional modules ranging from more theoretical topics through to those aimed at the practical application of the law in real-world situations.
You will also have the opportunity to put those skills to practical use, both in the local community and beyond. Whether that is through our programme of placement opportunities with local providers such as Citizen’s Advice and various legal advice charities, through opportunities in the local legal community, or via BCU’s own Law Clinic, established to serve the local community from our City Centre campus, there are plenty of options available to you.
You can also apply your legal knowledge further afield, through our US internship programme which has been placing students with attorneys throughout the US for over 20 years. A professional placement year is also available, between years 2 and 3 of the degree, offering further opportunity for you to put your knowledge and skills to practical use, and thereby enhancing your CV further.
By focussing on the development of a range of transferable skills, the course employs numerous innovative assessment methods, going beyond the typical forms of written academic assessment.
You are also encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities to support your learning, with student societies such as the highly successful Mooting Society. Furthermore, you will have the ability to engage with the wider Birmingham legal community through our connections with the Birmingham Law Society, the largest regional law society in the UK.
Why Choose Us?
- We aim to give students exposure to real-world experiences. The Law Clinic offers students the chance to work on real-life legal cases with real-world clients. The clinic is open to members of the public who may not be able to access legal support for a variety of reasons. The Clinic then supports these clients with their case while offering students exposure to practice as well as the theory of the classroom. This offers a unique opportunity for students to gain this invaluable experience while they study.
- We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with the local law community in Birmingham. We aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
- Our Research Centres have a strong focus on American Law and Human Rights and allows academics and students to remain on the cutting edge of legal matters around the world and also offering consultancy and written materials.
- We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and our commitment to contribute to the city and community. As part of this commitment, we have forged strong links with local law firms across the city and many graduates end up playing valuable roles in the local law community.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 19 October 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: LLB (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 Years
- £9,250 in 2025/26
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: LLB (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 Years
- £17,690 in 2025/26
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Course in Depth
Foundation Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module has been designed to help you to develop essential academic and interpersonal skills required to be successful on the course and to help you transition into Level 4 of your LLB studies.
The module will provide you with foundational transferable skills to equip you for your future study in law and your personal and career development. You will explore some of the foundational transferable skills that are needed in order to successfully study a law degree, as well as starting a reflective process preparing you as a graduate. This module will link to Developing Legal Scholarship which you will during semester 2 and Level 4 Foundations in Professional Skills.
The module will provide an introduction to what law is and the role that it plays in society today. You will be introduced to both domestic and international legal principles and processes, in order to explore their impact on specific areas of human conduct and, how they seek to manage the coexistence of individuals. This introduction to a variety of law and legal concepts will help underpin the study of other law modules across Level 3, such as Learning the Law and Studying Successfully.
This will provide a greater appreciation of the function played by law in contemporary society. This introduction to foundational legal principles will be developed across Levels 4 and 5 of the course. It will also introduce other areas such as international human rights, international business law and alternative methods of resolving legal disputes which can be studied at a later stage of the course.
This is a core and compulsory module and is part of the Level 3 of the course. This module aims to provide you with a foundational knowledge of the law and the core research and written communication skills necessary to be a successful undergraduate law student.
The module will introduce you to several areas of the law and their socio-legal impact on individuals. This module will work in conjunction with the ‘Introduction to Law’ module with further engagement into the socio-political and legal procedures of contract, tort, criminal, public and employment law through case-studies and legal cinema. The use of legal cinema will be crucial in developing your interpretative, deductive and analytical skills whilst separating the “myths” of the law and the judicial system. This module will provide you with essential knowledge and skills, which will support your learning at Level 4.
The module aims to provide you with an introduction to aspects of legal practice and processes within the context of the English legal system.
You will be introduced to a variety of legal processes within the English legal system, and the roles of the personnel involved within Civil and Criminal litigation, including alternative dispute resolution. This knowledge will complement and enhance your studies across the semester. It also introduces concepts which will be developed further at Level 4 within Legal Systems and Law of Tort and at Level 5 in Criminal Law and Constitutional and Administrative Law.
The module builds on what you have learnt in Studying Successfully, Introduction to Law, and Learning the Law during Semester one. This module will introduce you to areas of Tort, Contract and Criminal Law which are studied in depth at Levels 4 and 5 and will equip you with transferrable skills which will help with your transition into Level 4.
During the module you will begin to appreciate the difference between primary and secondary sources of law, the different forms of primary sources, the part case law plays in the creation and development of our laws and the interpretation of legal principles. This module will foster your ability to read cases and undertake legal research which will develop your ability to engage in higher level study throughout this course.
This is a core and compulsory module and is part of Level 3. The module aims to introduce typical skills and attributes demonstrated by legal practitioners. You will begin to explore some of the key professional attributes expected of a legal practitioner such as drafting and advocacy. You will build upon many of the skills that you developed in Semester one to enhance your communication skills in the context of legal practice, enhancing the development of the transferable skills and professional attitudes to underpin successful study throughout the course.
First Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
This is a compulsory Level 4 module. The module has been designed to align with aspects of the functioning legal knowledge of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. This module aims to furnish you with the key academic and scholarly skills to enable you to flourish as a legal scholar and succeed in your studies. The module’s primary goal is to introduce you to the skillset necessary to be part of the community of knowledge and practice which is united by the use of legal thinking and knowledge.
The module provides core legal skills which will support your study throughout the degree. It will develop your ability to find, interpret, apply and understand the law and its role. It will provide you with the foundations for subsequent modules in which you solve legal problems and/or seek to explain or understand the law.
The module aims to provide you with foundational skills to equip you for your future study in law and also your future personal and career development. You will explore some of the foundational transferable skills that are needed in order to successfully study the law, as well as starting a reflective process preparing you for a future legal or other career.
The module provides foundational knowledge to support your study in Professional Skillsat Level 5 by starting your learning in a range of professional skills such as time management, independent learning and reflection. Since it is vitally important that you begin your career reflection and management early, you will also start to think about your own career development and this will be taken further in Professional Skills at level 5.
This module aims to furnish you with the key academic and scholarly skills to enable to flourish as a legal scholar and succeed in your studies. The module’s primary goal is to introduce you to the skillset necessary to be part of the community of knowledge and practice which is united by the use of legal thinking and knowledge.
The module provides core legal skills which will support your study of contract and tort law at Level 4, and in all compulsory and optional academic legal modules at Level 5 and Level 6. It will develop your ability to find, interpret, apply and understand the law and its role. It will provide you with the foundations for subsequent modules in which you solve legal problems and/or seek to explain or understand the law.
This is a compulsory module which has been designed to align with aspects of the functioning legal knowledge of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. The module will introduce theoretical considerations within the Law of Tort and its function in dispute resolution and with a focus upon concepts and principles of the Tort of Negligence.
The module builds on what you have learned in Legal Systems, Foundations of Professional Skills and Critical Thinking during Semester 1 of Level 4. You will consolidate your legal knowledge and you will be introduced to principles of dispute resolution in the context of the Law of Tort. You will identify facts and analyse legal issues, in order to identify solutions to legal problems.
This is a compulsory module which aims to provide you with an appreciation of the relevant contractual principles such as offer, acceptance and consideration that are involved when parties enter into legally binding agreements. The module provides foundational knowledge to support your study in Business Law at level 5 as it introduces the context for the formation of commercial transactions which is an important aspect of business law.
This module aligns with the LLB course’s ethos of fostering the development of your autonomy and professional attributes through a rigorous education in law. To achieve this the module content has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to communication, research, commercial awareness and problem-solving.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
The module addresses the regulation of consumer markets and the law, and the policies and institutional framework concerning the regulation of consumer markets. The module aims to balance both the theoretical and commercial aspects of both Consumer and Agency Law by showing how consumer law sets out to define and protect a consumer and the legal significance of being an agent. As a threshold idea you will be enabled to see that it attempts to re-balance the market in favour of the individual consumer. You will also see how fundamental Agency Law is to nearly every transaction that people undertake.
The module aims to provide you with knowledge of key aspects of the history of the U.S. Constitution and will provide you with the basic skills that will enable you to find U.S. legal material and conduct meaningful legal research.
The module provides foundational knowledge to support your study in ‘Federalism and the US Constitution’ at Level 5 and the ‘Individual and the US Constitution’, ‘American Legal Practice’, “American Criminal Procedure and Practice’, Human Rights in America’ and ‘Comparative Constitutional Models at Level 6. It will complement your study of the UK legal system at Level 4 and support your studies in the compulsory Constitutional and Administrative Law module at Level 5.
Global Protection of Human Rights will provide a general introduction to human rights and the essential knowledge of the human rights safeguarding mechanisms. It will introduce the theory and practice of human rights and then the regional structure of the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CE), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the African Union (AU). You will learn how to research the region’s legislation, the special procedures mechanisms, and then how to interpret the adjudication by the region’s judicial bodies.
Criminal Justice Process and Procedure aims to provide you with essential foundational knowledge of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, building upon what you have learned about the criminal justice system in English Legal Systems in Semester 1.
This module will introduce you to a range of contemporary issues in criminal justice, enabling you to develop key transferrable skills, such as legal research, written and oral communication, team-work and ability to formulate coherent, persuasive and well-reasoned arguments. This module will therefore provide essential foundational knowledge and transferrable skills to support your study in Human Rights and Criminal Justice and Crime and Punishment at Level 5, and for Advanced Criminal Law and Evidence, Proof and Argument at level 6.
The module aims to provide you with the underlying skills which are required for advocacy. The module provides foundational knowledge to support your study in Advanced Mooting at Levels 6 by considering different court structures, presentation skills and the rules of legal language and court etiquette, building upon the study of Legal Systems in Semester 1 of Level 4.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to consider how to conduct the legal research which is required for court advocacy and consider the ways in which this can be used in order to form persuasive arguments. It will also consider the ethical implications which might arise in court advocacy. It will do this by means of a rich, diverse and inclusive learning, teaching, assessment and feedback experience where you are given the opportunity to work within teams to build understanding as well as giving you the opportunity to work independently on tasks.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Second Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the legal principles and rules involved in land law and an introduction to property transactions (also known as conveyancing). You will consider how they operate in the wider social and economic context and the legal ethics of property transactions.
The module builds on the transferable skills that you developed in Professional Skills and Critical Thinking at Level 4 by developing the skills acquired. The module also provides foundational knowledge to support your study in the optional module Advanced Property.
The module aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts and principles of criminal law together with some of the criminal offences against the person and against property and some general defences.
The module builds on what you have learned in Legal Systems and Criminal Justice Process at Level 4. It also provides foundational knowledge to support subsequent Level 5 and 6 Criminal Justice pathway options by the introduction of concepts, processes and ideology.
The module aims to providing you with an opportunity to develop certain transferable skills, principally oral skills, but also written skills and professional ethics. Workshops will take place in dedicated courtroom space to foster a professional approach.
The module builds on what you have already learned in Foundations in Professional Skills at Level 4 by developing your confidence further through the practice of oral and written skills, and by recognition of the need for resilience and emotional intelligence. The module also acts as a preparation for clinical placement modules studied later at Levels 5 and 6 by equipping you with oral, written and ethical awareness.
Building on the knowledge of British political and legal institutions that you acquired in Legal Systems at Level 4, this module will allow you to explore the UK constitutional framework in greater depth, and key constitutional principles that underpin British democracy.
You will develop a critical understanding of those UK constitutional institutions and you will also conduct research into the impact of Brexit on the sovereignty of the UK Parliament and Constitution. Judicial and non-court based mechanisms of control of governmental action, such as judicial review and Parliamentary Ombudsman, will be considered and you will critically assess the case-law that forms the basis of the unwritten British constitution.
The module will provide you with a comprehensive overview of key legal principles which determine and oversee business structures carrying out economic activities. In addition to addressing the available legal channels for conducting business, the module will also focus on the formation, management and decision-making procedures in private limited companies.
This module builds on knowledge acquired in the Contract Law module at level 4 and in particular, your prior knowledge of the formation of contracts will be relevant to further discussions on commercial arrangements where business organisations are contractual parties.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
The module aims to balance both theoretical and practical elements of ADR, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration. The module provides fundamental knowledge and transferable skills used in the placement modules or clinical placement modules by providing you with workplace and dispute resolution skills.
Through participation and engagement with authentic simulations, the module will enable you to foster the development of your autonomy by working in teams, as well as developing your professional and ethical attributes through experiential learning, all of which are part of our ethos to incorporate a rigorous, liberal research and practice-informed education in law.
The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to work on real cases within a supervised setting either within Citizens Advice (CA) or at another placement provider.
If working with Citizens Advice you will start training two days per week from the July at the end of Level 4 for a period of 8 weeks and then from the start of Level 5 you will work one day per week at a CA office.
If working with another placement provider, it is likely you will start work at the beginning of Semester One of Level 5. The time is used to develop transferable skills at your placement.
This module will consider the relationship between the aims and purpose of the Criminal Justice System, the need to protect the public and fight crime with the requirement to protect the Human Rights of suspects and offenders.
The module builds on what you have learned in Legal Systems and Criminal Justice Process at Level 4 and Criminal Law at Level 5 by building upon your knowledge of the foundations of criminal law and the processes through which those charged and convicted of a criminal offences pass and their human rights at each stage. It will also provide foundational knowledge to support your study in Advanced Criminal Law and Evidence, Proof and Argument at Level 6 by the introduction of concepts, processes and ideology.
This module will examine the fast-moving field of employment law and employment-related equality law You will engage with the relevant legal rules, and you will also analyse the wider significance of these rules in reflecting and in shaping society and the economy.
This approach will facilitate a highly imaginative and contextual analysis of the law. The module is both very practical, in that employment law remains a relevant area of legal practice, and, on the other hand, is outward-looking and intensely topical, in that a day barely goes by without a major news story touching upon employment or equality issues and how these are treated in law.
The module builds on what you have learned in Criminal Law and Tort Law at Level 4 and complements your learning on Constitutional and Administrative Law at Level 5 by helping you master public, civil and criminal legal elements of the law surrounding medical treatment. This module will help you develop a critical and well-rounded approach to analysing complex medical decisions by using both legal theories as well as ethical approaches. This will enable you to independently assess a variety of legal and non-legal viewpoints and formulate reasoned positions in a clear and coherent manner.
The module aims to provide you with an understanding of domestic and commercial property law processes and transactions. You will consider how they operate in the wider social and economic context with particular consideration of planning law and commercial controls.
The module builds on what you will have learned in Property Law and Practice at Level 5 by developing and expanding upon the threshold concepts of Land Law and the introduction to conveyancing. By consideration of social and economic factors, the module also links with Business Law.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Professional Placement (optional)
In order to qualify for the award of LLB (Hons) Law with Professional Placement Year with Professional Placement Year a student must successfully complete the following module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Final Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):
The module aims to introduce the concept of equity and how it interacts with the law to create the trust by building on what you have learned in Contract Law and Land Law at Levels 4 and 5 about equitable remedies and property ownership.
This module will develop your ability to undertake independent research while critically analysing the way in which the law applies to real life scenarios. It will do this by incorporating a rich, diverse and inclusive learning environment which draws upon the knowledge which you have already gained and challenging your understanding through group work and interactive materials taking a student-led approach.
The module aims to familiarise you with the Law of the European Union, combining the study of theoretical and practical elements and the procedural and substantive foundations. The module examines and evaluates the structural organisation of the EU and the way its legal processes operate. This module contextualises the rules that derive from Europe within the legal institutional framework and also the way in which those rules affect business and wider society.
The module builds on what you have learned in Legal Systems at Level 4 and Constitutional & Administrative Law at Level 5 as it relates to the relationship between the structure of the EU and the English legal system, taking into account the UK’s status as a Third Party Country under EU Law.
You will also choose one of the following:
The module aims to provide you with an intellectually stimulating and academically rigorous education in the preparation and successful completion of a dissertation. The module will explore some of the key aspects involved in the preparation of a dissertation which will be approached through a critical examination of the current law relevant to the chosen topic and through an emphasis on how the subject of the dissertation operates in context.
American Legal Practice (ALP) is an optional module. To be eligible for this module you must average a 2:1 across Level 4 and Level 5.
ALP prepares and facilitates you to apply for an internship in law a legal organisation in the United States (US), developing your legal systems knowledge and legal practice skill-set, and supporting you to create a high quality CV and Cover Letter as part of your career planning.
*Students wishing to study this module are subject to academic requirements specified by the Module Team
This module will provide you with critical knowledge of international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. It presents an overview of the Charter of the United Nations and engages with the International Bill of Rights and associated international legislation.
The module provides a simulated crisis and humanitarian disaster wherein you will engage in a Model United Nations’ Security Council. The crisis issues include: the necessity for a sanctions regime to stop the human rights violations of genocide, torture, executions, famine, mass casualty medicine and the spread of disease, closure of schools, and border controls. To help solve the crisis, you will participate in the MUN through: (a) providing a UNSC speech; (b) engage in an alliance building activity with fellow member states, and; (c) draft a UNSC Resolution. The module will provide a critical examination of the historical and political backgrounds of the legal architecture of the UN, and how it works in practice.
Selection for the module is through application and interview.
The module aims to enhance your existing problem-solving skills, and provide you with opportunities to develop your ethical awareness and transferable employability skills through casework either in our Law Clinic, or on a pro bono placement (e.g. with Citizens Advice), in private practice, or in a clinical arbitration setting.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
You may study up to 40 credits of the following modules:
This is an optional module which introduces you to the key skills required in becoming an advocate including threshold concepts such as courtroom etiquette and roles, preparation of written submissions and oral advocacy skills. The module builds on what you have learned in Contract, Tort, Criminal and Land Lawat Levels 4 and 5 by engaging with and applying the law within a moot scenario as well being challenged on the application of key principles.
You will consider the professional attributes required for legal advocacy through a rich, diverse and inclusive learning experience which uses a range of different methods including group work and practical sessions as well as the opportunity to observe legal advocacy in practice with a courtroom visit.
Intellectual Property Law is an optional module that forms part of the Business Law pathway. The module will provide a general overview of the ways in which a person’s ideas, inventions, business reputation and creations can be protected both nationally and internationally. Intellectual property can be defined as those products of the mind to which the law grants the author/creator legal protection and hence the enhanced ability to exploit. You will examine the reasons behind intellectual property laws including a review of copyright, patents and trademarks.
The module develops knowledge from Contract Law at Level 4 and Business Law at Level 5. You will consolidate this legal knowledge and will use it to plan and progress real-world case-studies relating to the experiencing the role of a Trade Mark Attorney and carrying out a trademark search, writing a client letter as a Patent Attorney and advising on a Copyright dispute
The module aims to introduce students to the domestic, supranational and international forms of equality law. The module builds on what you have learned in Legal Systems at Level 4 by expanding on your understanding of human rights and international law and its influence on our domestic legislation and equality rights.
This module will develop your autonomy by requiring you to conduct research independently and consider the way in which the law applies in practice and its theoretical and social background. It will do this by incorporating a rich, diverse and student-centric approach to teaching. Students will engage in team work, student-led research and presentations which will help to build on scholarly and personal development by challenging ideas, beliefs and understandings.
Family Law is an optional module of the LLB and focuses upon the law relating to marriage and separation, divorce, disputes involving children, cohabitation and domestic violence.
The module will build upon your studies in Level 5 Constitutional and Administrative Law, related to European Convention of Human rights and the impact it has on family life.
The module provides a solid grounding in black letter law and an appreciation of social and policy implications that underpin and inform the legal processes related to the family. The module’s approach to learning, teaching and assessment is practice-informed as it will require you to apply the law in a practical context by constructing realistic advice to reach solutions to family law utilising realistic case-studies, enabling you to apply and consolidate knowledge.
Evidence, Proof and Argument aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the rules of criminal evidence and procedure in England and Wales. Your learning will revolve around a fictitious case studies, akin to a real-life case. The case study will provide you with a ‘practice-led’ experience in identifying and solving evidential issues that may arise in a criminal law trial, and by using authentic pre-trial documents, including witness statements, statements of proof and interview transcripts.
This is an optional module and is part of the LLB (Hons) Law pathway. The module aims to provide an opportunity to explore Immigration and Asylum Law in its social, historical and political context through real-life case studies. The module challenges you to work on your legal knowledge as well as the transferable and soft skills that you must develop to be a successful solicitor, such as communication skills, empathy and critical thinking. The module builds on what you have learned in Professional Skills and Legal Systems at Level 4, and Professional Skills at Level 5.
The module will be taught with a mixture of lectures and workshops. You will critically evaluate legal, social and political implications of immigration and asylum law through real-life case studies and use storytelling as an experiential learning and teaching method. This method allows you to explore the experiences of migrants in the struggle of inequality, racial discrimination, and stigmatisation and asks you to critically engage with their stories. By engaging in real-world legal issues, you will develop a deeper understanding of the specific role of law in society and understand the human, political and emotional issues involved in the legal matter. This approach will increase your confidence and boost your resilience in preparation for post-graduate study, legal practice and/or other highly skills graduate outcomes.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Download course specification
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Throughout your degree course you’ll be developed into a work-ready graduate, equipped with a range of intellectual, enterprising and employability skills, suitable for a wide range of positions in law and the legal services sector, from practising as a solicitor, barrister or legal executive to careers where having a forensic knowledge of law gives you an advantage.
Your degree will foster your intellectual and ethical development and encourage your personal commitment to the socially useful purpose of becoming a legal professional. It will also develop your professional behaviours through learning activities that enable you to practice, exhibit and develop confidence in legal learning and future practice.
You will also be provided with the opportunity to either undertake a live project or placement in the final year of your LLB degree. This will enable you to put into practice the specific law related and ethical skills learnt at levels 3, 4 and 5. Across our degree courses there are also a wide range of study abroad and internship opportunities available to compliment your studies.
All of our degree courses are delivered from our forward-thinking and growing School of Law at the heart of the UK’s second city. The academic staff at Birmingham City University have a range of professional practice and academic experience of law that will enhance your academic studies.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
Key employability skills are embedded within the learning and teaching, and we will provide you with additional careers development through our guest speakers, and pro bono and placement opportunities. The transferrable skills you learn will also give you the attributes needed to satisfy employers across a range of disciplines.
Our Student Law Society also provides you with the chance to interact and work with other students on legal pursuits, career enhancement and social activities, offering you support and helping you build your employability skills.
We also have our dedicated Careers Service, which provides a wide range of online and face-to-face services to help you develop your employability skills, plan your career and access the latest job opportunities. They will also help with you tailoring CVs, writing applications and interview techniques.
International
Birmingham City University is home to students from a wide number of countries studying traditional Law degree programmes and short-term international courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A legal education at Birmingham City University is widely recognised and many of our international students return to their home country to either pursue legal practice or requisite professional qualifications in their jurisdiction.
As a law student you will not only develop and refine knowledge in discrete areas of English and international law but also develop key transferable skills designed to enhance your employability profile. Many international students have travelled thousands of miles to study at Birmingham City University. We offer you an engaging and diverse study experience based in the city of Birmingham which is the second largest city in the UK.
Due to our proximity close to the legal and business district of the city we enjoy strong links with Birmingham Law Society and law firms around the West Midlands. The benefit of these links is passed directly onto you so that you can enhance your network of contacts whilst seeking relevant legal practice experience to enhance your employability profile.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £260 million on learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at the City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Law, Business and Social Sciences courses.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The facilities at the Curzon building include two bespoke Law Courtrooms, replicating a Crown court and a Magistrates court. These rooms will play a key part in your learning experience, allowing you to try your hand in mock court cases, whilst also being the venue for our Mooting and Debating Societies.
On top of this, the Curzon building houses an extensive Law library, with books covering every aspect of Law history.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Professor Jon Yorke
Professor of Human Rights and Director of the Centre for Human Rights
Jon Yorke is the Professor of Human Rights in the School of Law and the Director of the Centre for Human Rights (CHR). His qualifications include LL.B. (Hons) (BCU), LL.M. and Ph.D. (Warwick).
More about JonDr Sarah Cooper
Professor of Interdisciplinary Criminal Justice
Dr Sarah Cooper is a Professor of Interdisciplinary Criminal Justice at Birmingham City University’s College of Law, Social and Criminal Justice in the UK, where she serves as Chair of the Faculty for Business, Law and Social Sciences’ Research Degrees and Environment Committee, and Site Director for the Midlands4Cities Arts and Humanities Research...
More about SarahTracey Cooper
Director of International Recruitment and Development | Director of Staff Professional Development
Tracey Cooper is the Director of Educational and Professional Development at BCU, prior to this she held the role of LLB Programme Director for 7 years. Her teaching areas are Land Law, Contract Law and ADR. She obtained her LLB with the Open University and LLM with the University of Wolverhampton.
More about Tracey