LLB (Hons)

Law

M100

Winchester has been central to the English legal system for at least 1,000 years. Choose to study here and you will be following in a long, historic tradition. It was King Alfred who established English law-making and its ideology as a distinctive system which would have a major influence on the common law of later medieval England. Even today, The Domesday Book, a cornerstone legal document compiled in Winchester, is still valid as evidence of title to land.

Royal Courts of Justice Image

Course overview

Law continues to provide the framework for modern society, impacting on all our lives. As a law student at Winchester you build a thorough knowledge of previous case law to enable you to explore questions at the core of the world we live in. From the protection of life and liberty to international relationships, law provides the mechanism for change employed by governments around the world.

Studying for a law degree with us is an intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking experience. The programme encourages you to develop an enquiring and critical attitude to law, learn to think logically and communicate clearly. You become proficient in vital skills such as legal research, negotiation and mooting - presenting a legal argument to defeat an opponent in court. Mooting brings law alive and you may find yourself discussing a wide range of topics from discrimination in the workplace to third-party rights when downloading music from the internet.

These skills are invaluable as teaching techniques to help develop successful law graduates. The emphasis on skills-based learning is a core component of the programme and forms a key element in the assessment pattern.

This programme is ideal if you are interested in becoming a practising solicitor or barrister. It also suits those seeking a flexible qualification with a solid foundation in law that leads to a wide-range of careers in both the public and private sectors.

The LLB at Winchester is ideally suited for students aspiring to become solicitors or barristers. Students study the seven ‘Foundations of Legal Knowledge’ subjects which are required by the Bar Standards Board and also form an excellent knowledge base for those going on to study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations 1 & 2. 

University of Winchester Pathways to Law Programme

The Pathways to Law programme runs for the first time from September 2023. The pathway is an opportunity for prospective law students to engage in a series of practical and informative sessions delivered by academics and legal professionals at the Faculty of Law, Crime and Justice.

Participants in the Pathways to Law are eligible to receive reduced contextual offers on the following University of Winchester courses:

- LLB (Hons) Law
- BA (Hons) Law with Criminology
- BA (Hons) Law with Psychology

Eligibility for the programme
The programme is open to all home/ Islands Year 12 and Year 13 students.

Programme activities include:
•    Lectures and seminar activities based on a variety of legal topics
•    Experience of practical legal exercises including mooting, client interviewing and negotiation
•    Career guidance and advice from legal and policing professionals
•    Optional interview experience with the Dean of Faculty or Head of Department

All activities are delivered live at the University of Winchester. Some activities are also delivered virtually.

For more information on the pathways programme and how to apply, register your interest here

Please click here for the Pathways to Law - Privacy Notice

University of Winchester Legal Advice Centre

At Winchester every law student has the chance to get involved in our University Legal Advice Centre. 

After relevant training, you will be able to help qualified lawyers in our pro bono Family Law appointments. While all legal advice will be given by the lawyers, you will have an important practical role in assisting the lawyer for example by meeting real clients, and sitting in on and making notes of the client interviews.

Getting involved in the Centre provides a number of benefits for students:

•    a chance to learn from observing and assisting specialist qualified lawyers

•    an opportunity to practise client handling skills and note taking skills

•    a boost to student confidence and resilience skills

•    a chance to build contacts with local lawyers and other legal professionals

•    an introduction to important professional principles such as client confidentiality and professional ethics

•    adds valuable work experience to your CV to enhance your employability

•    a chance to make a difference to your local community

What you need to know

Course start date

September

Location

On campus, Winchester

Course length

  • 3 years full-time
  • 6 years part-time

Apply

M100

Typical offer

112-120 points

Fees

From £9,250 pa

Course features

  • Join a long tradition of legal history in the city of Winchester
  • Develop real-world professional skills from practical assessments such as mooting and negotiation
  • Gain an impressive range of other transferable skills that will prepare you for future employment in both legal and non-legal working environments
  • Benefit from small numbers in tutorials, which allow for rewarding discussions and debates and closer interaction with our expert staff
  • An ideal foundation for students going on to study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations 1 & 2
  • Covers all the Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects required by the Bar Standards Board

Course details

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.                      

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.

Independent learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
  • Teaching, learning and assessment: 276 hours
  • Independent learning: 924 hours
Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
  • Teaching, learning and assessment: 276 hours
  • Independent learning: 924 hours
Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
  • Teaching, learning and assessment: 216 hours
  • Independent learning: 984 hours

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course. 

Location

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.

Teaching hours

All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.

Assessment

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:

Year 1 (Level 4)*:
  • 12% coursework
  • 50% written exams
  • 38% practical exams
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
  • 75% coursework
  • 13% written exams
  • 12% practical exams
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
  • 62% coursework
  • 13% written exams
  • 25% practical exams

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Further information

For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures

Modules

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

Modules

The English Legal System and Academic Legal Skills

This module introduces students to the structure and operation of the institutions and processes of the English legal system. It will consider at the primary and secondary sources of English law and how the law is interpreted. In addition, the module will allow students to develop a theoretical understanding of a number of foundation academic legal skills used in the study and practice of law.

Introduction to English Legal Process and Practical Legal Skills

This module introduces students to the civil and criminal justice systems in England and Wales. Students will gain an insight into the role of judges, the legal professions and lay participation in the legal system. In addition, the module will allow students to develop a theoretical understanding of a number of foundation practical legal skills used in the study and practice of law.

Law of Contract – Formation and Terms

The Law of Contract deals with multi-million-pound deals, such as shipbuilding down to the purchase of a cup of tea. It concerns how agreements are made and become binding, impediments to agreement being reached, what obligations are created and who they affect. This module is an introduction to the law of Contract and its social and economic impact.

Law of Contract – Problems and Remedies

This module builds on the understanding gained in the module, Law of Contract - Foundations and Terms and explores the problems which can arise during the formation and performance of a contract and how the common law and statute has developed to remedy these issues. This module will also explore how a contract can be terminated, and the remedies which are available for breach of contract, as well as their practical consequences.

Introduction to Public Law

This module explores core issues relating to the UK constitution, such as the role of parliament and the monarchy within a parliamentary democracy. We will examine the balance of power between parliament and the courts, as well as the powers of government and its limitations. The module introduces students to the legal and political sources of the British constitution, the relationship of the State towards its citizens and to other States, and to the scope of the courts to review government action. 

Public Law: Judicial Review and Human Rights

This module continues to explore the constitutional role of the courts in examining the actions of government, as well as the steps a petitioner must take when asking a court review the legality of government action. We will examine the legal analysis used by the courts in the process of judicial review of the government. This module will encourage you to examine the individual human rights afforded to citizens, as well as the protections provided by the common law.

Foundations of the Law of Tort

A ‘tort’ is a civil wrong against protected interests such as the physical integrity of the person, land and property, reputation and economic interests. This module introduces some foundations of the of torts. It considers key principles of selected torts and considers their historical development. This module will examine the interactions between law and public policy, as well as the social and philosophical foundations of the law of torts more broadly.

Further Principles of Tort

This module follows on from the Foundations of the Law of Torts module and aims to further develop the knowledge and skills already gained.  This module studies a range of different torts, each varying in nature and possessing unique complexity. This could include those relating to physical integrity of the person, land and property, reputation and economic interests.  The key principles of various selected torts and their historical development are explored including reflections on the social and public policy implications, as well as the philosophical or social foundations of each tort studied.

Modules

Criminal Law - Principles and Personal Offences

The criminal law provides citizens with a framework set of rules for conducting day to day activities. Under the criminal law, those people who have been found to fail to comply to these rules are punished. The state – through legislation and common law – uses its power to uphold these rules and award punishments to those who offend. The criminal law covers a wide range of behaviours that vary in severity and regularity. This module focuses on the fundamental principles of criminal law. It explores key offences against the person, including non-fatal offences against the person, homicide, and sexual offences, and examines legal and moral issues relating to these offences.

Criminal Law - Property Related Offences

The criminal law provides citizens with a framework set of rules for conducting day to day activities. Under the criminal law, those people who have been found to fail to comply to these rules are punished. The state – through legislation and common law – uses its power to uphold these rules and award punishments to those who offend. The criminal law covers a wide range of behaviours that vary in severity and regularity. This module focuses on the fundamental principles of criminal law. It also explores key offences against property, including theft, criminal damage, burglary, robbery and fraud, and examines legal and moral issues relating to these offences.

Equity and Trusts Law

To begin with, this module requires an appreciation of the historical development of Equity as a key means of understanding our current system of courts, and how equitable principles and remedies continue to play a crucial role in our justice system. Students will be encouraged to consider a broad range of important themes, such as conscionability, fairness and justice, as well as Equity’s fundamental intention to promote flexibility in the application of the law. Much of this module will focus on the Trust, and how it operates in practice. The trustee, appointed to carry out the trust instrument, is bound by their duty to uphold the terms of the trust, and this module will explore the potential for serious breaches, and the consequences which arise as a result.   

Land Law

Land Law deals with one of society’s most valuable assets. Land is recognised as essential to the realisation and pursuit of a good life. It is therefore crucial to understand and evaluate key concepts such as relativity of title and safeguarding legal and equitable interests in land. During this module, students will gain understanding of the principles which underpin this area of law, as well as how it has developed and changed over time.

Optional Modules
  • Employment Law - 15 Credits
  • Equality Law - 15 Credits
  • Medical Law - 15 Credits
  • Human Rights Law - 15 Credits
  • Sports and the Law - 15 Credits
  • Criminal Justice - 15 Credits
  • Evidence Law - 15 Credits
  • Company Law – The Corporate Body - 15 Credits
  • Company Law – Corporate Governance - 15 Credits
  • Immigration Law and Policy - 15 Credits
  • Volunteering for Law Students - 15 Credits
  • Study Abroad - 30 Credits

Modules

Dissertation

Students will need to choose either Dissertation OR Independent Research Project

 

The Law Dissertation module provides students with an opportunity to research an area of law which is of particular interest. Students will be assigned supervisor who will help to guide and support them as they focus their research question on a specific area of law.

Students are expected to meet with their supervisor and work with them to formulate a working title and structure, with a view to producing a coherent and detailed dissertation which critically analyses a particular legal issue. This will require researching a range of primary and/or secondary legal sources and materials in order to engage with the required depth of analysis and evaluation.

Independent Research Project

Students will need to choose either Dissertation OR Independent Research Project

 

The Independent Research Project module provides students with an opportunity to undertake an independent study, with the support of an assigned supervisor. This will facilitate the in-depth critical analysis of an area of law which is of interest to the student.

Students are expected to meet with their supervisor and work with them to formulate a working title and structure, with a view to producing a coherent research project on a particular legal issue. This will require engaging in a critical analysis of primary and/or secondary legal sources and materials.

European Union Law

Firstly, we will look at the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union with particular reference to the preliminary ruling procedure and the ability of the European Commission to act in their role as Guardian of the Treaties. Then we will proceed to analyse the application of case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union dealing specifically with issues relating to the free movement of goods within the internal market. We will analyse both fiscal and non-fiscal barriers to the free movement of goods. Then we will turn our attention to the free movement of workers within the European Union and the advantages associated with being a citizen of the European Union. Our discussion will involve interpretation of treaty provisions and EU Directives as well as application of relevant case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union. 

Optional Modules
  • Criminal Law – Principles of Personal Offences - 15 Credits
  • Criminal Law – Property Related Offences - 15 Credits
  • Current Legislative Problems - 15 Credits
  • Evidence Law - 15 Credits
  • Advocacy - 15 Credits
  • Technology and Cyberlaw - 15 Credits
  • Philosophy of Law - 15 Credits
  • Child Law and Policy - 15 Credits
  • Mental Health Law - 15 Credits
  • Intellectual Property Law - 15 Credits
  • Criminal Justice - 15 Credits
  • Employment Law - 15 Credits
  • Equality Law - 15 Credits
  • Human Rights Law - 15 Credits
  • Medical Law - 15 Credits
  • Sports and the Law - 15 Credits
  • Family Law - 15 Credits
  • Comparative Public Law - 15 Credits
  • Company Law – The Corporate Body - 15 Credits
  • European and International Labour Law - 15 Credits
  • International Criminal Law - 15 Credits
  • Immigration Law and Policy - 15 Credits
  • Environmental Law and Policy - 15 Credits
  • Employment Law in the Workplace - 15 Credits
  • Advanced Equity and Trusts Law - 15 Credits

Entry requirements

112-120 points

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

A-Levels: BBC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)

BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications

International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4

T Level: Merit in a T Level

Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE is required:

GCSEs in English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.

International points required

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

  • IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
  • We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International Apply Pages.

 

2024 Course Tuition Fees

  UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland 

International

Year 1 £9,250 £16,700
Year 2 £9,250 £16,700
Year 3 £9,250 £16,700
Total £27,750 £50,100
Optional Sandwich Year* £1,850 £3,340
Total with Sandwich Year £29,600 £53,440

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2024, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.

Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.

* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

Additional Costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Optional

Formal wear: Students may be expected to dress formally for oral assessments. Costs will vary depending on the student's existing wardrobe. Cost £0 - £50. 

Mandatory

Core texts: Law students are expected to purchase core texts for almost all law modules and some modules also require the purchase of statute books. This could amount to approximately £800 over the course of the degree for single honours depending on module selection. Cost £800 across 3 years of study.

Printing and Binding: The University is pleased to offer our students a printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 125 A4 (black and white) pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.

Course specific bursaries/scholarships

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates may choose to go on to the vocational stage of training which is required before beginning to practice law either as a solicitor or a barrister. Others enter a wide range of careers in the private and public sectors.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.

Pre-approved for a Masters

University of Winchester students studying Bachelor Honours degrees are pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible students must apply by the end of March in their final year and meet the entry requirements of their chosen Masters degree.

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