Course summary

If you have a keen interest in law and want to study the ins and outs of law and order, governance and justice and how it affects society and those in it, then our BA (Hons) Law degree provides the perfect opportunity to develop your knowledge and prepare you for a career within or outside of the legal sector. Helping you achieve your best is important to us, from our industry experienced tutors helping you find work experience to visiting courts and taking part in legal procedures, we want to make sure you are develop the areas that interest you and help you nurture the skills needed to succeed. Why study this subject? Studying law opens up a world of possibilities, whether you want to be a boardroom hotshot advising businesses while working in compliance, regulation and contracts, helping transform the charity sector by writing policy and advocating or making your mark in politics as a champion of social change. Studying a BA (Hons) in Law is a great way to gain a comprehensive understanding of the law, regulation and the legal system. It also gives you the flexibility of being able to develop your career in whatever direction you wish, whether that is within the legal sector or in another area of business or service provision. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? We have knowledgeable lecturers who draw upon their vast industry experience to ensure the course is relevant and will help you build up your legal knowledge and commercial awareness. You will be able to develop a wide range of skills, such as abstract thinking and practical problem-solving, which are relevant to a wide range of related careers. You'll have plenty of chances to visit magistrates’ courts to participate in bail applications, visit Parliament and law courts, meet guest speakers from across the legal industry, including judges, magistrates and law firms, to learn more about how you can apply your knowledge in the workplace. What will I study? In your first year we are focused on providing you with all of the building blocks you need to create a solid foundation and understanding of the concepts, theories and models of law. During your second year, you will begin to specialise in specific areas of law that interest you. You will learn to apply, analyse and evaluate the principles and theories you have learned and be able to reference and apply them to contemporary situations. In your final year, you will focus on preparing yourself for your future and career after graduation. You'll undertake a dissertation to illustrate how you have developed a depth of understanding through a combination of critical analysis and evaluation. How I will be taught and assessed? Lectures are often interactive, involving exercises and informal assessment. Seminars are small group discussions which you will need to prepare for in advance. Here you will learn to analyse legal principles and apply them to practical situations, assess competing arguments and choose between alternative approaches. Group work and moots (pretend courts) will hone your verbal arguing and presentation skills. You will be assessed through exams, moots (pretend courts), presentations and coursework. The variety of assessment methods will help test your knowledge and analysis of legal principles and different areas of law. You will also be assessed on your ability to carry out effective research, understanding, analysis and use of source materials, ability to assess competing legal arguments, and capacity to recognise potential conclusions for situations and give reasons for them. What are my career prospects? This course will help prepare you for a range of careers. Key employers and companies include:

• Commercial employers

• Small and large banks and insurance agencies

• Human resources

• In-house company and industry advisers

• Law firms

• Advocacy agencies

• The courts

• Legal advice providers

• Civil service departments.