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Studying Law with the University of London understanding the learning experience
This document outlines the Undergraduate Laws Programme's commitment to you. It also provides
you with information about the sorts of things you should consider in deciding whether to study law
with us, your responsibilities as a student, and to provide you with a check list for success. We hope
that the questions and answers below help you to make an informed decision.
There are three sections:
Thinking about studying.
The learning experience and quality assurance.
Achieving your career goals.
1. Thinking about studying
Where can I find information about the Laws programmes?
Where can I find more detailed information about the programmes?
Can I attend an open day?
How do I know this course is right for me?
What is expected of me?
Things to consider before making your decision
2. The learning experience and quality assurance
What kind of study support can I expect once I enrol on the course?
What sort of materials will I receive from the University?
How much time should I devote per week to my studies?
Are there opportunities to be taught by University of London academics?
What additional expenses should I expect?
How will I be assessed?
How do I choose supplementary support from a local institution?
How important is internet access?
What contact might I expect with my fellow students?
What provision do you make for students with Special Needs?
How does the University quality assure its law programmes?
Where can I find more information about the quality of the programmes?
How can I be confident of the quality of these programmes?
3. Achieving your career goals
What level of knowledge can I expect to achieve after I complete the programme?
What transferable skills can I expect to obtain in completing the programme?
Will I qualify to practice law?
Using law in other professions
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Where can I find information about the Laws programmes?
Your main sources for information about the Undergraduate Laws Programmes
are the prospectus and the website. The prospectus contains information about
the degree structure, the syllabus, key dates, entrance requirements, application
and registration process, fees, credit transfer and more. You can download a
copy from our website (see Useful links opposite) or contact our Information
Centre: +44 (0)20 7862 8360 or use our online form.
Useful links:
Website
Prospectus
Subject list
Useful Contacts
Where can I find more detailed information about the programmes?
You can also download the Regulations and Programme Specification from our
website (see Useful links opposite). This document provides a detailed
breakdown of the rules and regulations that govern your studies with the
University of London International Programmes. It also contains full descriptions
of the programmes, the admission requirements, and details of the intended
outcomes for the programmes, i.e. what knowledge and skills you can be
expected to acquire through completing these programmes; the learning,
teaching and assessment methods used on the programmes; and our quality
assurance mechanisms.
Regulations and
Programme
Specification
Can I attend an open day?
Towards the end of September each year (and for an additional fee), non-
registered students can attend an Induction Day to find out more about the
programme and talk to University of London staff about administrative and
academic matters.
University of London staff also regularly attend open days held by the
institutions that support our students around the world. Information about
forthcoming events can be found on our website.
Induction day
Events
How do I know this course is right for me?
Distance learning is not for everyone. Studying with the University of London
International Programmes demands high motivation and self-study skills. You
should take time to consider the information provided in this document and on
our website. Staff at the University are available to talk with you about the
programmes, the challenges they pose and the skills you will need. Other useful
insights on the sort of experience you may expect can be found in our student
handbook, which provides an overview of the academic year and a range of
practical and academic advice for students, or our sample study guides.
The Laws programme has also developed an online e-Induction which is an
easy, interactive, step-by-step guide to the resources provided by the University
and introduces prospective students to studying Law with the University of
London. It shows you how to use the materials and illustrates, in an interactive
way, how they are integrated in the process of learning.
Pre-course exercises have also been devised as a taster to encourage you to
consider the type of skills you will be expected to develop as you go through the
laws programme but, more importantly, they are meant to be a fun introduction
into the study of law.
Useful contacts
Sample study
guides
Student
handbooks
e-Induction
Pre-course
exercises
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What is expected of me?
Distance learning courses have traditionally involved working on your own from
a set of guided study packs, at your own pace and in your own time. This can be
a tough and lonely approach to study, but may be the only way you can combine
academic study with your work and/or family commitments.
Unless you have undertaken a distance learning programme before, most of
your experience will have been in a directly taught environment, and you will
have been used to immediate feedback from your teacher and peers on your
contribution. As a distance learner, unless you are studying with support from an
institution, you will study alone.
If peer feedback is important to you, you might want to consider either forming a
study group, or obtaining support from a local institution. It is very important to
be aware that we do not give individual feedback on student assessment
performance. You will therefore need to pay careful attention to the materials
and information we provide to guide you in understanding what is required in
order to pass each subject.
To succeed you will need to have strong organisational, literacy, intellectual and
research skills. For more information on the skills required please see the
programme specification.
Useful links:
Things to consider before making your decision
Before embarking on a programme of study with us, it is important that:
The course you choose suits your needs and lifestyle.
You find out as much as you can about the course and its requirements
before committing yourself.
You have adequate financial resources to support your study.
You know the standards and skills that are required of you.
You understand the time commitment demanded by the programme.
The information provided in the next section is designed to help you in
considering these five issues.
What kind of study support can I expect once I enrol on the course?
As this is a distance learning programme, it is very important to understand that
you will not have access to a University of London tutor. Instead, we support
your learning through a range of specially developed learning materials, as well
as an online library and our Virtual Learning Environment.
It is also very important to understand what we mean by distance learning.
We mean a learning environment where we give you direction on what and how
to study, and we provide you with the resources, or with the information on how
to access the resources, to enable you to acquire the knowledge and to develop
the skills identified in the programme outcomes.
In addition, you can attend weekend revision courses arranged both in London
and regionally around the world, undertake computer marked assessments, or
attend a course of study at a local institution recognised by the University of
London. Diploma in Law students must be registered at an independent
teaching institution specifically granted Diploma-teaching status by the
University.
Weekend and
Regional Revision
courses
Directory of
Institutions
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What sort of materials will I receive from the University?
Your studies are based mainly upon our study guides, which have been
specially written by subject experts for students studying at a distance. The
guides (samples of which are provided on our website) are supported by a
range of other materials, including a variety of textbooks, past examination
papers and Chief Examiners reports, Statute books, and subject-specific
newsletters containing updates on recent developments in law. You will receive
many of these materials in hardcopy, but all materials are available on the
Virtual Learning Environment. The links opposite and the e-Induction provide
more information on the materials you will receive.
Useful links:
Sample guides
How you study
e-Induction
Are there any opportunities to be taught by University of London
academics?
At extra cost, you have the opportunity to attend weekend revision courses held
in London, or regional revision courses hosted around the world. Further
information is available on our website. Annual revision courses for our students
are held at the University of Cambridge. Lectures are given by experienced
members of the University of Cambridge Faculty of Law as well as distinguished
visiting tutors.
Weekend and
Regional Revision
courses
Cambridge
Revision Course
How much time should I devote per week to my studies?
As a guideline, you need to dedicate at least 30 hours per week for
approximately 38 weeks of the year if you intend to complete the maximum of
four subjects in any one year. However, we strongly recommend that, unless
you are receiving supplementary support on a full-time basis at an institution,
you take the slower route of three subjects per year.
What additional expenses should I expect?
Books: Although we strive to provide you with most essential readings, we
recommend that you read as widely and in depth as possible and as such
suggest that you budget 300 for additional reading. You can find guidance on
recommended reading in the Introductory booklist, downloadable via our
website.
Examinations: Examination centres in many countries levy additional charges
for you to sit examinations. You should contact your local examination authority
for details for contact details of examination centres worldwide please see
Exam centres in Useful links opposite.
Supporting Institutions: You may choose to attend an institution to receive
supplementary tuition. Over 70 institutions around the world are formally
recognised by the University as offering support for students of the University of
London International Programmes. Diploma in Law students must attend a
diploma teaching institution, but for all other students attendance at an institution
is not required to complete your studies. You should contact the institutions
directly for details of their charges.
Revision courses: If you choose to attend a London weekend or regional
revision course, information on prices will be made available on our website.
Booklist
Exam centres
Directory of
institutions
How will I be assessed?
For all subjects (with the exception of the LLB final-year Dissertation option and
one component of Common Law Reasoning and Institutions), assessment is by
an unseen, three-hour written examination at the end of each stage of study.
Examinations are held in May/J une at local centres in over 180 different
countries as well as in London. Examinations are marked by University of
Past examination
papers
Examinations
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London approved academics and is assessed in line with our published
guidance. You can find more information about examinations on our website
and in the Programme Specification document.
Beyond a grade, we do not provide any individual feedback to students on their
examination performance.
Useful links:
How do I choose supplementary support from a local institution?
Unless you are a Diploma in Law student, attendance on a course of study at a
recognised institution is entirely optional. Our programmes have been designed
in order that you may successfully study independently. As we are aware that
many students benefit from receiving a course of tuition or support from an
institution, we have introduced a formal scheme of recognition (known as the
Institutions Quality Framework) for teaching institutions. The framework is
designed not only to develop and enhance our relationships with recognised
institutions, but also to provide clear guidance to students in their choice of an
institution.
Do read the advice and guidance provided to assist you in deciding if support
from an institution is right for you (see Advice and check list opposite).
Please note that in some countries and jurisdictions, recognition of your
qualification is dependent upon attendance at an institution.
About Institutions
Advice and check
list
How important is internet access?
Access to the internet is a requirement for entrance because it is an increasingly
vital feature of studying with the University of London International Programmes.
As a laws student, a range of materials and exercises can only be accessed via
the Laws Virtual Learning Environment. If, for some reason, you only have
limited access to the internet, please contact the Laws Office directly and we will
make reasonable efforts to accommodate your requirements. Please see also
provision for students with Special Needs.
Email the ULP
What contact might I expect with my fellow students?
To introduce a beneficial element of interaction for those students not attending
an institution, the University hosts discussion forums via its student VLE, which
students are strongly encouraged to participate in. Students can also join our
Facebook to network with other students and keep updated on all latest
developments to the programme.
Once you have graduated you will be encouraged to join our thriving alumni
community.
UoL Facebook
Alumni relations
What provision do you make for students with Special Needs?
The University has a panel that considers applications from students for special
examination arrangements. The aim of the panel is to ensure that a student with
a disability is neither advantaged nor disadvantaged when compared with other
students.
You can request a copy of the University of Londons full disability statement.
Please refer to the Admissions contact details on page 38 of the prospectus, or
download it from our website, by following the link opposite.
Disability
statement
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How does the University quality assure its law programmes?
The programme of study is developed and approved by the Consortium of
Colleges of the University of London. Learning materials are written and
examinations are set and marked by academic staff employed or chosen by the
Consortium Colleges who are required to apply the Universitys academic
standards.
Useful links:
Where can I find more information about the quality of the
programmes?
The University of London has implemented a range of internal measures to
make sure that the LLB programme is of the highest possible quality. These
include a formal annual programme review process, periodic programme
reviews, extensive student feedback mechanisms, external scrutiny of
examinations and materials production processes, and a student representative
system providing a formal framework for obtaining and producing collective
student feedback. You can read more about all of these mechanisms and
processes by following the links opposite.
Quality Assurance
Schedules
Guidelines for
Examinations
Programme
Specifications and
Regulations
How can I be confident of the quality of these programmes?
The University of London International Programmes was subject to an
Institutional Audit by the UK Quality Assurance Authority (QAA) in May 2011, for
which we received the judgment of 'confidence', the highest level of judgment
that can be awarded.
QAA report 2011
What level of knowledge can I expect to obtain in completing the
programme?
In addition to substantive law, you will acquire the ability to deal with complex
legal issues creatively and systematically, be able to make sound judgements
and appropriate decisions on complex legal situations, and to formulate
coherent and persuasive interpretations and arguments. You will also learn how
to communicate conclusions to legal and non-legal audiences. Full details of the
programme outcomes may be found in the programme specification document.
Programme
Specifications and
Regulations
What transferable skills can I expect to obtain after I complete the
programme?
You will be able to use problem-solving skills in a range of situations and
communicate effectively and fluently. You will also obtain skills necessary to
discuss complex issues in a written context, and have a capacity to handle ideas
and scrutinise information in critical, evaluative and analytical ways.
You will be able to manage your own learning (including working effectively to
deadlines); organise information; assimilate and evaluate competing arguments;
be open minded; and exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
Will I qualify to practice law?
The University of London LLB programme provides you with the opportunity to
acquire a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD). By obtaining a Qualifying Law Degree,
you will fulfil the requirements of academic stage of legal training required by the
Solicitors Regulatory Authority and Bar Council of England and Wales. The QLD
requires you to have passed the eight Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects
in no more than three attempts and within six years. In addition, you must
About QLD
J oint statement on
the academic
stage of legal
training
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successfully complete the Law Skills Portfolio in your final year.
However, if youre planning to be a lawyer in another country (including
Scotland), you will have to find out specific requirements of the legal
professional bodies in the jurisdiction where you hope to practice. We strongly
advise you to contact the appropriate legal professional body to find out if the
University of London LLB by distance learning satisfies their entry requirements
for entry into the legal profession.
Useful links:
Using law in other professions
While many students may wish to obtain the LLB in order to enter the legal
profession, we strongly recommend that you keep your options open. In
obtaining the LLB, you will have acquired a range of knowledge and skills that
are relevant and highly valued in a range of occupations and professions apart
from the legal profession. For example, many law graduates enter the
commercial or financial professions, local or central government service,
international or intergovernmental organisations. Graduates have also entered
the third sector, working for aid, development or environmental organisations.
For some examples of the sorts of career paths that University of London LLB
graduates have followed, please see the testimonials linked opposite.
UK testimonial
ROI testimonial
Malaysia
testimonial
Trinidad
testimonial
Mauritius
testimonial
And finally
Although undoubtedly demanding, we believe if you do decide to study with us
then you will find the programmes extremely interesting and rewarding. In
achieving the LLB by distance learning you will have achieved not only a gold
standard degree, but you will join an illustrious group of University of London
alumni, some of whom have gone on to achieve great success and standing in
their chosen professions.
About the University of London International Programmes
The University of London International Programmes has been offering degree
programmes by distance learning for over 150 years. Unlike most modern
universities, which offer degrees based on teaching as well as examining
students, our traditional model was purely exam based this meant that our
students could sit exams anywhere in the world and were not required to attend
classes. Accordingly, many students who were unable to attend a course of
study at the University could achieve a highly valued University of London
degree by studying in their own countries, at their own pace, and structuring
their studies around their busy working or family lives.
About the Laws Consortium
The LLB is supported and developed by the following constituent Colleges of the
University of London: University College London, the London School of
Economics and Political Science, Kings College London, Queen Mary, Birkbeck
and the School of Oriental and African Studies. All of these Colleges are
involved in the maintenance, development, quality assurance and assessment
of the Laws programme. The University of London LLB degree has a global
reputation, is recognised as a qualifying law degree for professional purposes in
England and Wales, and is also recognised in a number of other jurisdictions
around the world. We currently have some 16,000 law students in over 100
countries on the programme.
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