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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

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.

This course is open to International students.

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

Book your place

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

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

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

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

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Field trips (optional)

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy. We suggest budgeting approximately £10-45 per text for this.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course, such as the BPS at a cost of approximately £31.68 per year for student membership.

Uniform (optional)

You may wish to purchase BCU branded sports kit.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

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

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. 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):

First Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:

Second Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:

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:

Final Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all of the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):

You will also choose one of the following:

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:

Download course specification

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Course Structure

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.

More information for International students

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

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

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

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 Jon

Dr 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 Sarah

Tracey 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