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Law and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Birkbeck, University of London

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: University of London

Law and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish)

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

Our LLB in Law and Language is a specialist course that allows you to study towards a career in legal practice while developing proficiency in a language. In an ever-globalising world and workplace, this combination of legal skills and language proficiency gives you access to unique opportunities for work and further study. Alongside the main law curriculum, comprising the seven foundations of legal knowledge and taught in the Birkbeck Law School, you will pursue study in the language of your choice in our School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication. Starting at the level that suits you, you will be able to choose to study one of the following languages:

  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Spanish.
Not only will you attain a good level of competence in your chosen language, you will also have a chance to learn about the culture of the language-speaking area, choosing from a range of modules covering fields such as literature, film, history, visual culture and philosophy. You will also have the chance to study a number of cross-cultural modules which will allow you to explore specific themes across a variety of language-speaking areas. The law curriculum for this LLB Law and Language is taught by internationally renowned researchers and includes not only the foundations of legal knowledge, but specialist option modules from a broad range of topics. This course satisfies the first stage of professional qualification laid down by the Bar Standards Board. It also provides a foundation for the Functioning Legal Knowledge tested on the Single Qualifying Exam (Part One) set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Teaching on this LLB Law and Language is flexible to respond to the needs of our students - many of our law modules offer classes in the daytime or evening, on campus or online. If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. This course has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening. Some daytime and online teaching is available, depending on the modules you choose. Highlights
  • Birkbeck is a leading international centre for world-class legal teaching, research and scholarship. You will be taught by field-leading academic staff, alongside experienced solicitors, barristers and judges from across the legal sector.
  • Your language modules will be taught by specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence that prides itself on research-led teaching in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, making it an outstanding multidisciplinary department.
  • You will have access to a huge range of careers support including Birkbeck's Careers Service, Birkbeck Talent and Birkbeck Futures. This comprehensive support links our students and recent graduates with top UK employers and offers you help with job applications, interviews and career planning.
  • You will be able to take part in our Legal Practice Conversation series, in which lawyers and Birkbeck graduates discuss their work and offer advice to students looking to pursue a law career. Recent speakers have discussed the Pfizer/AstraZeneca takeover bid, international human rights, sports law, and litigation brought on behalf of veterans of the 1950s nuclear testing programme on Christmas Island.
Careers and employability As well as gaining proficiency in a language, this degree provides you with a broad range of transferable skills and knowledge of the English legal system that will be relevant within a diverse range of jobs. Our law graduates follow successful careers in the following:
  • barrister
  • solicitor
  • paralegal and legal assistant
  • advocate
  • policy researcher.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Law modules are assessed, depending on the module, via independent research essays, problem scenario essays, seen and unseen exams, workbooks, group work, oral presentations, reflective journals and creative and critical thinking exercises. Language modules are assessed through a variety of exercises testing skills in writing, reading, speaking and listening, including short coursework assignments, in-class written tests and oral and listening comprehension tests.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. ALTERNATIVE ENTRY ROUTES Successful completion of the Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Studies with a minimum mark of 50% guarantees entry to the LLB with optional credit for a first-year module. Our Certificate of Higher Education in Criminology also allows entry to Year 1 of this degree.

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests

Institutions Own Test (IOT)

You will need to complete a written exercise in reasoning and analysis and attend an admissions event.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £7145 Year 1
Northern Ireland £7145 Year 1
Scotland £7145 Year 1
Wales £7145 Year 1
International £13545 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Law and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS