Course specification and structure
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UDLAWZFY - BA (Hons) Law (including foundation year)

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Arts Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Arts, Preparatory Diploma, Preparatory Certificate
Total credits for course 480
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Subject Area Law
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 4 YEARS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The BA (Hons) Law degree is designed for students who wish to study law, without restricting their choice of modules to those dictated by the requirements of a Qualifying Law degree. It is a popular course for those students who wish to study law, but who do not intend to pursue a career as either a solicitor or a barrister.

The course, which is delivered by highly qualified academics and practitioners, has been devised with reference to the Subject Benchmark Statement for Law developed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. The subject specific knowledge and skills, cognitive abilities and non-subject specific skills outlined in the benchmark statement are referenced in the relevant sections of this course document.

The course provides a rigorous programme covering a wide range of legal issues and interests.

The Teaching and Learning strategy of the BA degree is designed to ensure that the following key outcomes are achieved:


• To comply with – or improve on – the benchmarks set out by the Quality Assurance Agency;
• To encourage the acquisition and understanding of knowledge by students, engendering an enthusiasm for the subject and life-skills learning, including the progression from surface learning to deep learning;
• To facilitate students in developing independent skills and responsibilities for their own learning;
• Incrementally to strengthen the subject specific knowledge and practical legal skills gained by students, to ensure that they are equipped to thrive successfully in the professional workplace.

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
This degree draws on the reputation of the Guildhall School of Business and Law for pedagogical innovation, as well as utilising traditional teaching methods. The latter includes a mixture of lectures, seminars, and workshops. Within this, a combination of whole group, small group, student-led and tutor-led teaching occurs. This can include face-to-face teaching and discussion, but there is also an increasing emphasis on the use of blended learning opportunities.


Apart from being excellent pedagogic practice, our emphasis on blended learning – and on a complementary wide range of assessment techniques – is particularly appropriate to enable our diverse student population to achieve their goals and aspirations without prejudice to their cultural, social or educational backgrounds, or to their need to engage in paid employment during their studies.

Lectures
• Introduce students to legal rules and concepts.

Seminars/ Workshops
• Enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the matters introduced in the lectures.
• Enable students to lead and contribute to discussion and debate on contemporary issues within the relevant legal field.
• Develop skills of critical analysis, problem solving and synthesis of legal materials.

Independent Study
• Develop skills in research and analysis of primary and secondary sources, using both the traditional library, the e-library and the professional legal databases.

Virtual Learning

• Although the course is not by distance-learning, and physical attendance at the university is a requirement for the lectures and seminars, we facilitate the students as much as possible to study at their own pace in their own time away from the campus.

Experiential Learning
• Students are encouraged to experience work-related practice both through the formal curriculum and through extra-curricular activities.

Skills Training
• Transferable skills pervade every module, including those identified in the QAA Subject Benchmark for Law. These include both practical and intellectual skills, as specified in the Course Learning Outcomes.

Course aims

The course aims:

• To deliver an academically rigorous legal education.

• To provide a wide range of optional modules in addition to the legal foundation subjects to allow students to pursue and develop their own interests.

• To develop a detailed understanding of legal rules, their contexts and application, as well as developing transferable skills in communication, independent research, teamwork and public speaking.

• To enable students to acquire the legal and transferable skills set out in the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Law.

• To enhance the employability of students, including those who do not intend to practise as a barrister or solicitor, but who wish to enter other employment where legal knowledge is useful.

• To acquaint students with a range of employment avenues, both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

• To develop the students’ skills of independent legal research, analysis and presentation.

• To develop students’ facility of critical thinking through taught provision and independent research.

• To develop and instil ways of thinking that are intrinsic to the study of law. These include an appreciation of the complexity of legal concepts, ethics, rules and an awareness of the importance of principles of justice and the rule of law.

• To assist students in evaluating their learning and embedding personal development in their professional practice in research/project activities.

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
(mapped against the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Law, November 2019)

Learning Outcome 1: Our graduates will have the confidence needed to take leadership decisions in challenging situations. (QAA i, ii, vi, vii, viii and xi)

Learning Outcome 2: Our graduates will possess the necessary communication skills that will help them adopt a global and multicultural perspective in their professional context. (QAA xi and xii)

Learning Outcome 3: Our graduates will be cognisant of the effects of the social and environmental effects of their decision, and will remain active citizens of the places they live and work. (QAA iii, iv, viii and xii)

Learning Outcome 4: Our graduates will demonstrate application of creative thinking skills to practical problems, and possess the analytical and organizational skills to translate creative ideas to operational solutions. (QAA i, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, x and xi)

Learning Outcome 5: Our graduates will have sufficient knowledge in the core discipline areas included in their courses of study. (QAA iii, iv and v)

APPENDIX

QAA: Subject Benchmark Statement for Law: November 2019

A law student's skills and qualities of mind

2.4: A graduate of law with honours has demonstrated:

i intellectual independence, including the ability to ask and answer cogent questions about law and legal systems, identify gaps in their own knowledge and acquire new knowledge, and engage in critical analysis and evaluation

ii self-management, including an ability to reflect on their own learning, make effective use of feedback, a willingness to acknowledge and correct errors and an ability to work collaboratively

iii awareness of principles and values of law and justice, and of ethics

iv knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, values, principles and rules of public and private laws within an institutional, social, national and global context

v study in depth and context of substantive areas of law

vi ability to conduct self-directed research, including accurate identification of issue(s) which require researching, retrieval and evaluation of accurate, current and relevant information from a range of appropriate sources, including primary legal sources

vii ability to work with a range of data, including textual, numerical and statistical

viii ability to recognise ambiguity and deal with uncertainty in law

ix ability to produce a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues, presentation of a reasoned choice between alternative solutions and critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments

x ability to apply knowledge and understanding to offer evidenced conclusions, addressing complex actual or hypothetical problems

xi ability to communicate both orally and in writing, in relation to legal matters, including an ability to listen and respond to written and oral stimuli, including questions and instructions

xii engagement with their own personal and professional development, and academic integrity.

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Subject Benchmark Statement (Law) November 2019

Assessment strategy

The range of assessment methods to be employed on this course reflects the range of skills required by the discipline of law and the standards expected. They will include examinations (unseen, part-seen and wholly seen), essays and problem question coursework, oral presentations, advocacy, independent research papers, on-line tests, multiple-choice tests, projects, research exercises and oral assessments. An assessment strategy has been designed to ensure a reasonable spread of contributory summative assessment.

In line with our policy on facilitating formative feedback and feedforward to students, the assessment strategy is designed to provide formative feedback on a piece of contributing summary assessment before another summative component is due to be submitted. At Level 4, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their learning process and engagement through the completion of a formative assessment in week 7. Module assessment is thus varied and generally does not comprise 100% written examinations/in-class tests, unless this is required by professional bodies.

Students are encouraged to work in teams, as this enables students to learn from each other and to develop important teamwork skills.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

Students are able to experience the legal environment through the compulsory work-related learning elements at Level 4 and Level 6 of their course programme, as well as throughout the course by way of extra-curricular activities.

At Level 4, there will be work-related learning assessments as part of the Legal Method module, including the writing of CV’s suitable for the legal sector; and practice in the making of applications for jobs, work experience, internships and mini-pupillages.

At Level 6, students will undertake accredited work-related learning as part of the core Civil Law and Practice module, in conjunction with the pro bono clinic, which will also be available throughout their course at all levels as an extra-curricular activity.

Where possible, through the dedicated placements and careers teams, students will be supported in finding suitable opportunities which can be either be a placement, part-time role or ’live’ project for an external organisation untaken within the university.

The suitability of the opportunities will be assessed by the responsible staff on an individual basis. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for opportunities and engage with the relevant university personnel who will assist them in gaining a suitable role.

Course specific regulations

The course shall conform to both framework and University Academic Regulations.

Modules required for interim awards

Certificate in Higher Education
All Level 4 cores

Diploma in Higher Education
All Level 4 cores + all Level 5 cores + 2 level 5 options.

Degree without Honours
All Level 4 cores + all Level 5 cores + 30 credits at Level 5 + at least 60 credits from Level 6 modules

Degree with Honours
All Level 4 cores + all Level 5 cores + a further 30 credits at Level 5 + all Level 6 cores + further modules providing a total of 120 credits at Level 6

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Reflective learning and personal development planning are introduced and developed through the Legal System and Legal Method modules at Level 4 and is further developed and articulated through the core modules at all levels.

Further opportunity for reflective learning is presented in specific modules including Civil Law and Practice (which will operate in tandem with the Pro Bono clinic), and in the Dissertation and Law Research Essay modules.

Independent and self-managed learning is introduced at Level 4 and encouraged and developed at all levels of the course.

Students are encouraged to engage in their own learning around the subject including engagement in extra-curricular activities, such as mooting, pro bono work and the Mansfield Student Law Society.

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

Law graduates are employable not only in the law, but also in a variety of highly skilled and analytical roles in, for example, business, finance, education, public policy, public service and social services in the UK and internationally.

Throughout the degree, students will have the opportunity to gain relevant experience while studying though legal work placements, mooting and pro bono opportunities. Students studying this course are also eligible to join the Law Mentoring Programme, where students are paired with postgraduate London Met mentors in order to obtain support in relation to personal and professional development, selecting career paths, acquiring work experience and commercial awareness, and writing CVs and covering letters.


As part of the programme, participants are able to attend interactive careers workshops, postgraduate ‘taster’ sessions, and networking events, attended by students, London Met staff, and legal professionals, as well as our annual ‘Get Into Law’ day, where students are given the opportunity to hear from, and to question, a panel of legal professionals about their careers and how to get ahead in the legal profession.


Employability skills are also developed through extracurricular activities including presentations and events organised by the Mansfield Student Law Society and the careers service, together with work experience and networking with other students.


Career management is encouraged through reference to the relevant professional bodies, work experience and careers advice. Guidance and feedback from an individual personal development profile is provided to prepare students for a professional career. Our online vacancy system, Prospects Net illustrates opportunities for part-time, full-time, vacation and voluntary work.

Career opportunities

This degree will help you to enter a variety of non-law professions such as politics, business, law commission, insurance, banking, civil service, local authorities, journalism and media.

The course is not designed to comply with the requirements of the Joint Academic Stage Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board for the completion of the Academic Stage of training for the legal profession.

You can also consider alternative careers involving law which do not require approval of JASB, such as paralegal, patent lawyers or licensed conveyancers. Students who wish to be considered for Year 2 of the LLB programme may apply to the course leader at the end of Year 1. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the course leader.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • at least one A level (or a minimum of 40 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC/Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
  • GCSE English Language at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2019/20 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 30 Sep 2019 Last validation date 30 Sep 2019  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes
Route code LAWZFY

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 03 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
IF3050 Critical Thinking Core 15 NORTH AUT WED PM
          NORTH AUT TUE PM
          NORTH AUT TUE AM
          NORTH AUT MON PM
          NORTH AUT THU AM
IF3058 Reflecting on Self and Society Core 15 NORTH AUT THU AM
          NORTH AUT WED PM
          NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH AUT TUE PM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
          NORTH AUT MON AM
          NORTH AUT TUE AM
IF3059 Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay Core 15 NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
          NORTH SPR TUE PM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR MON PM
          NORTH SPR MON AM
IF3060 Researching Discrimination Core 15 NORTH AUT WED PM
          NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH AUT TUE PM
          NORTH AUT MON PM
          NORTH AUT MON AM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
IF3061 Researching Inequality Core 15 NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH SPR THU PM
IF3063 Media, Crime and 'Race' Core 15 NORTH AUT THU AM
          NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH AUT TUE PM
          NORTH AUT TUE AM
          NORTH AUT MON PM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
          NORTH AUT MON AM
IF3072 Fundamentals of UK Law Core 15 NORTH SPR FRI AM
IF3073 Interventions for Change Core 15 NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR TUE PM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR MON PM
          NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH SPR THU PM

Stage 1 Level 03 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
IF3050 Critical Thinking Core 15        
IF3058 Reflecting on Self and Society Core 15        
IF3059 Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay Core 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
          NORTH SPR TUE PM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR MON PM
          NORTH SPR MON AM
IF3060 Researching Discrimination Core 15        
IF3061 Researching Inequality Core 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR MON AM
IF3063 Media, Crime and 'Race' Core 15        
IF3072 Fundamentals of UK Law Core 15 NORTH SPR FRI AM
IF3073 Interventions for Change Core 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR TUE PM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR MON PM
          NORTH SPR MON AM

Stage 2 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
LL4050 Contract I Core 15 NORTH AUT WED AM
LL4051 Administrative Law Core 15 NORTH AUT FRI AM
LL4052 Land Law I Core 15 NORTH AUT THU AM
LL4053 English Legal System Core 15 NORTH AUT TUE AM
LL4054 Law of Tort I Core 15 NORTH SPR THU AM
LL4055 Constitutional Law Core 15 NORTH SPR WED AM
LL4056 Legal Method Core 15 NORTH SPR TUE AM
LL4057 Criminal Law I Core 15 NORTH SPR FRI AM

Stage 3 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
LL5054 Law of Tort II Core 15 NORTH AUT THU AM
LL5055 Criminal Law II Core 15 NORTH AUT TUE PM
LL5056 Contract Law II Core 15 NORTH AUT MON AM
LL5050 Medical Law Option 15 NORTH SPR TUE AM
LL5052 Law of Evidence Option 15 NORTH AUT FRI AM
LL5053 Law of Advocacy and Mooting Option 15 NORTH SPR FRI AM
LL5057 Employment Law Option 15 NORTH AUT MON PM
LL5058 Consumer Rights Law Option 15 NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH AUT TUE AM
LL5059 Land Law II Option 15 NORTH SPR MON PM
LL5061 Law of the European Union I Option 15 NORTH SPR FRI PM
LL5P50 Legal Research Methods Option 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
XK0000 Extension of Knowledge Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA  

Stage 4 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
LL6062 Criminal Litigation Core 15 NORTH SPR FRI AM
LL6W52 Civil Law and Practice Core 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
LL6050 Jurisprudence Option 15 NORTH SPR MON AM
LL6051 Environmental Law Option 15 NORTH AUT TUE AM
LL6053 Landlord and Tenant Law Option 15        
LL6054 Penal Policy Option 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
LL6057 Law of Evidence Option 15 NORTH AUT FRI AM
LL6058 Entertainment Law Option 15 NORTH SPR WED AM
LL6059 Family Law Option 15 NORTH SPR MON PM
LL6061 Law of the European Union II Option 15 NORTH SPR TUE PM
LL6063 Company Law Option 15 NORTH AUT THU AM
LL6064 Public International Law Option 15 NORTH SPR THU AM
LL6065 Child Law Option 15 NORTH AUT MON PM
LL6066 International Trade Law Option 15 NORTH SPR WED PM
LL6067 Law of Immigration and Asylum Option 15 NORTH AUT WED AM
LL6068 Civil Liberties and Human Rights Option 15 NORTH AUT TUE AM
LL6P55 Law Dissertation Option 15 NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH AUT MON AM
LL6P58 Law Research Essay Option 15 NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH AUT MON AM