Course summary

A law degree is a great first step into a career in law, as well as an important foundation on the route to many other careers, and we are 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. 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. Theory and academic study are important on an LLB, but so too is the application of that knowledge, and so our degree offers plenty of opportunity for you to develop practical lawyering and transferable skills. You will also have the opportunity to put those skills to practical use, either through our programme of placement opportunities with providers such as Citizen’s Advice and various legal advice charities, or our opportunities in the local legal community via BCU’s own Law Clinic. Please note, although the course is designed to align with the subjects that you will need to study for the SQE, it does not specifically include preparation for the SQE1 or SQE2 assessments that are required for students wishing to qualify as a solicitor. Law with American Legal Studies pathway This programme provides a practice-based education in English law, with a selection of modules focusing on the law of the United States. Our course is delivered by a team of internationally recognised researchers and former professional practitioners, and also offers you the chance to apply to undertake an internship in the USA, gaining valuable international work experience. The course provides comprehensive coverage of both the foundations of legal knowledge, and is beneficial to students wishing to undertake further study via the SQE to become a solicitor. Professional Placement Year This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies. The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course. Please note that fees are payable during your placement year. For details, visit the course page on the Birmingham City University website.