Law with International Legal Studies LLB

This course allows you to learn about the law, both in the sense of ‘thinking like a lawyer’ and studying law as a social institution from a UK and international perspective.

As a law student you'll study key topics within the legal sector, such as contract law and criminal law, whilst also developing expertise in analysis, research and logical argument. Throughout the course you will gain a strong legal knowledge from both the UK and international perspective, with year three spent living and studying abroad at one of our International partner institutions.

A wide range of optional modules will allow you to pursue your interests in specialist legal areas such as cyberlaw, human rights law, environmental law and family law. You could also explore topics in criminal justice and criminology, such as policing or youth crime.

Throughout the course, you’ll gain diverse skills that will be valuable to you as a citizen, as well as in your professional career – whether you choose to enter the legal profession or not.

Studying in the School of Law

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Accreditation

All our LLB courses are currently accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Council*.

Exemptions

Our LLB Law with International Legal Studies is a Qualifying Law Degree*. This status means that graduation from the programme exempts you from the Common Professional Examination: the initial stage of professional qualification as a solicitor or barrister for both the Law Society of England and Wales, and the Bar Council. This shortens your professional training by one year, should you wish to practise in England and Wales.

*The Solicitors Regulation Authority is proposing changes to the system from 2021. To find out more, please visit www.sra.org.uk

Year one provides you with a firm foundation in contract and constitutional law. Our Foundations of Law module equips you with the skills to study law and gives you the chance to practice mooting. During this year you will also be introduced to the English and international legal systems as well as legal method.

Your second year of study will allow you to develop your critical understanding of legal issues and will give you the choice of a range of optional modules, allowing you to focus on a topic that suits your interests and career plans, such as financial services law, youth crime or employment law.

Year three will be spent studying abroad at one of our international partner institutions where you will have the opportunity to acquire a greater understanding of another legal tradition and the legal structures of international legal frameworks.

Your final year will give you the chance to apply your research skills to an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice, which you’ll work on with your supervisor. At the same time you will study equity and trusts and further develop your interests through optional modules.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

One of the key aims of this course is to teach you to “think like a lawyer”, but we also help you develop the transferable skills that allow you to use and apply the law in different situations.

You’ll learn through traditional methods such as lectures, tutorials, language classes and seminars, supported by materials and exercises provided online through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). In your first year, the Foundations of Law module will prepare you for the study of law and allow you to gain practical skills such as group working and mooting.

However, this is a demanding course geared towards self-motivated and independent learners, and you’ll spend most of your time in independent study doing research and preparatory reading. We have excellent library resources with over 50,000 volumes in the Law Library, in addition to extensive electronic access to legal materials and journals.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

To help you develop the variety of skills you will need in your future career, we assess modules using a range of different methods. These include seen and unseen exams, coursework, group work and oral participation e.g. in discussion groups.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking

In general we expect applicants to have two ‘traditional’ academic subjects at A-level. See our accepted A-level subjects document to see which subjects we accept. When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be AAB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ.

GCSE: We expect applicants to have a substantial number of GCSE passes at a high standard. Applicants from countries where English is not the first language will also need a grade 5/6 (B) in GCSE English language, or another appropriate English language qualification, see below.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Complete 60 credits with 45 level 3 credits at Distinction Grade.

• BTEC

  D,D alongside an A at A-level in one of our List A accepted A-level subjects document.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, D3, D3.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 overall (6,6,5 higher).

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  AAAAAA.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AAAAB overall (AA at advanced level).

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Pathways to Law

Pathways to Law provides opportunities for students from state schools in England who are interests in a career in law and who will be the first generation of their family to go to university. It offers support to students from under-represented backgrounds throughout years 12 and 13 and into university. Find out more about Pathways to Law

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £19,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

As a graduate of law there are several professional and academic pathways available to you, whether you envisage becoming a lawyer or intend to specialise in a specific area of law at postgraduate level. Graduates from our programmes have secured diverse law careers in the UK and abroad in companies such as Pinsent Masons, Eversheds, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Irwin Mitchell and Addleshaw Goddard.

As a student in the School of Law we will provide you with a host of opportunities to help boost your career prospects; from developing skills in mooting and negotiating, hearing from prospective employers at specialist talks or career fairs or taking part in career mentoring. The support you will receive at the School of Law will help you kickstart your career, whether in law or another field.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad is a compulsory part of this programme.

You’ll spend year three studying at one of our international partner universities where you will gain a greater understanding of another legal tradition as well as having the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture.

During your year abroad, you’ll complete a dossier and learning journal for the School of Law to evaluate.