Program Overview
The University of Reading's LLB Law degree provides a solid foundation in legal principles and practical experience through a combination of core modules and optional specializations. Accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board, it prepares students for a career in the legal profession. The curriculum emphasizes real-world relevance, with input from experts who actively shape law and policy. Students have the flexibility to tailor their studies based on their interests, choosing from a wide range of optional modules in areas such as commercial law, family law, and international law.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Develop your legal skills and knowledge – and build valuable, real-life legal experience – with our highly practical LLB Law. Join the University of Reading’s School of Law, where you’ll benefit from the expertise and practice of established legal scholars and enjoy a global community. We actively shape law and policy; our experts regularly contribute to international and UK policy development and law reforms, and we encourage students to learn and question the purpose and impact of laws. In the National Student Survey 2023, 90% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (90% of respondents studying in the School of Law). Shaping your degree as per your interests In the first two years of the LLB, you are provided with the foundations of legal knowledge through modules in core areas, including criminal law, contract law and public law. From your first year, you will also be able to choose from a range of specialist optional modules depending on your interests. In the final year of your degree, focus on your interests by selecting from a wide range of popular modules, including: Technology, Privacy and Internet Regulation Foundations of International Law Banking Law Commercial Law Family Law. Attend a taster day for this course Interested in this course and live in the West Midlands?
Outline:
Year 1
Compulsory modules Contract Develop a critical understanding of the key principles of contract law. You’ll learn to identify the basic structure of the common law contract as well as how to recognise and respond to a series of legal issues commonly associated with contract law. As you study, you’ll analyse reported cases and develop articulate arguments for and against particular conclusions. Criminal Law Explore the application of a range of criminal offences and defences as you learn the fundamental principles of criminal law in the English Legal System. You’ll gain an appreciation of the development of the criminal law by precedent and statutory interpretation, focusing on law in theory and practice and the need for reform. English Legal Systems and Skills Gain the relevant understanding and skills required to study law as you examine the interrelationship between law and other social and cultural elements. Additionally, you’ll develop employability skills and learn how to carry out legal research, analysis, writing, and oral presentation. Public Law 1 Study the field of constitutional law, administrative law, and protection of rights. You’ll be introduced to the essential features of the British constitution, including its legal and political institutions, and how it relates to the enactment, enforcement, and amendment of laws. Tort Develop an understanding of tort within common law tradition as you apply relevant case law, judgments, and statutes to critical analysis. Optional modules Law and Society Discover the role that law plays in modern society as you examine some of the profound changes that have taken place in society over the last 200 years. You’ll critically analyse the ways law has evolved to meet the changing needs and values of our society and assess whether the legal system has been successful at keeping pace. Research and Writing Skills Undertake work on a set topic in response to a problem scenario presented by a ‘client’. You'll develop the ability to apply legal concepts and rules to ‘real-world’ problems and learn to formulate an argument and communicate it clearly. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 2
Compulsory modules Equity and Trusts Discover the fundamental concepts of equity and examine the main principles of express, resulting and constructive trusts, and purpose trusts. EU Law Develop a thorough understanding of the main institutional and constitutional features of the legal system of the EU. You’ll gain knowledge of core principles of the internal market and citizenship in the EU legal order and develop a deep understanding of contemporary challenges and successes of the EU. Land Law Discover how rights in and over property are created, transferred, and disposed of within the frame of the law in England and Wales. You’ll consider land registration, co-ownership, leases, mortgages, and how courts enforce legal and equitable obligations in relation to land. Public Law 2 Further develop your understanding of constitutional law, administrative law and the protection of rights. You’ll rely on your existing knowledge of legal and political institutions and constitutional principles as you study judicial review of administrative action in the UK and study specific instances where human rights have been threatened. Optional modules Banking Law Cultivate your understanding of banking law in the UK as you study the banker and customer relationship, the duty of banks to maintain confidentiality, and other issues related to transactions. Research Project Cultivate your understanding of banking law in the UK as you study the banker and customer relationship, the duty of banks to maintain confidentiality, and other issues related to transactions. Legal Writing Credit Embark on a piece of assessed written work that will allow you to independently research a set topic and produce a critical essay. You’ll rely on relevant legal materials to develop a critical, original argument in response to your chosen topic. Religion and Law Study the intersectionality of law within a variety of different religions. You’ll consider how different religions have impacted the law and cultivate a critical understanding of the relationship between the two. Considering theoretical stand points, you’ll develop an enhanced knowledge of religious freedom in the English legal system and its relation to international human rights. Law of Evidence Study the modern law of evidence in criminal and civil cases and gain an appreciation of the approach taken by the courts to evidential issues. You’ll take part in practical activities and scenarios to develop an understanding of the purpose and nature of legal rules of evidence. War in Ukraine Examine the war in Ukraine as you focus on the range of legal issues that have arisen as a result of the global crisis. You’ll explore the history of Ukraine and the laws on state sovereignty, as well as the relevance of international laws and institutions on armed conflict, criminal law and human rights. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 3
Compulsory modules You must choose one of these three research-based modules: Dissertation Embark on a research journey that allows you to implement all you‘ve learned about law and legal theory. You’ll identify your own research question, conduct research, and analyse relevant law and literature to organise and articulate an extended written project. Research Writing Credit Embark on a piece of written work that allows you to independently research a selected topic and produced an extended essay. Use key research and analytical skills to develop a critical argument and format it in a conventional legal style. Writing Credit Pro Bono and Professional Practice Undertake work in an approved pro bono organisation or professional setting, developing your practical legal skills and experiencing a real-life environment that will enhance your employability skills. Optional modules Commercial Law Study the fundamental principles of commercial law through a critical examination of relevant case law, legislation, business practice, academic work, historical influence and public policy. You’ll primarily focus on the law surrounding contracts for the sale of goods, with particular reference to commercial transactions in England and Wales. Family Law Study the private area of law relating to the family and the consequences of = familial breakdown. You’ll apply the law analytically to understand the process of dissolution and how arrangements for children are made. Gender and Law Critically analyse contemporary issues relating to sex and gender in a range of legal areas. You’ll develop a deep understanding of theoretical approaches related to the study of gender and law and learn to use them as critical tools to apply a gender critique to established legal concepts and categories. International Law and Global Security Examine the role and relevance of international law to fundamental questions of global security. You’ll assess the law’s ability to respond to global security concerns as you’re exposed to a range of perspectives and roles of different actors such as states, regional organisations, NGOs and corporations. Jurisprudence Study legal and political philosophy as you tackle questions related to the law and morality. Must we obey laws just because they are law? Are unjust laws ever valid? Why are we governed by law? You’ll explore and critique a selection of theories from the
- New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250
- New international students: £22,350
