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LLB (Hons) - Law (Integrated Foundation Year)

Study at the North West's Top Law School according to the Guardian League Tables 2022.

Our course is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and The Bar Standards Board, and hence will facilitate your journey to becoming a solicitor or a barrister, or a broader range of careers.

You'll learn about the law and legal skills such as how to interview clients. You’ll take part in mock court cases (civil and criminal) and work on real-life legal problems.

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Recognised by:

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Law (Integrated Foundation Year) cover image

Course Overview

You’ll gain a strong foundation in legal knowledge and skills relevant to careers in the legal profession and many other areas of employment. There is a focus on work experience and professional mentors, thanks to our industry links.

Public speaking events, mock trials, and student competitions will further boost your skills. Throughout, you’ll be taught by tutors with experience of working in law, who will provide the support and knowledge to ensure you stay on track.

On this course you will...

Have access to our law team consisting of former practising solicitors and barristers with national and international experience.
Have access to the criminal courts for mock trials, presided over by real judges.
You’ll have the option to do a placement in a local law firm or legal service provider so you get work-based learning.
Be able to use our connection with local law firms and legal service providers and strong working relationship with Solicitors Regulator Authority and the Law Society.
Have opportunities to use your academic skills practically via our Street Law project, in which you research and advise on real legal issues to clients in our local community.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Fusehill Street
Institute: Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
UCAS CodeM101
Delivery StyleIn-person
Course DurationFull-time: 4 Years
Start DateSeptember 2023
September 2024

For 2023 entry, apply using the UCAS Hub
AwardLLB (Hons)
More information Programme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Fusehill Street
All

Minimum entry requirements

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | Year

£13,575

International | Year

WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY

Despite my earlier hang-ups about my academic ability, I will be leaving the University of Cumbria with a first-class degree, as winner of the Sweet & Maxwell Law Prize. I also received subject excellence and contribution to law awards along the way. Work-wise, I have finished my long stint in restaurant and bar work and I now work at Butterworths Solicitors as a Legal Adviser handling civil litigation claims.

Matt Wardle

I was reluctant at first because my understanding was that university entry requirements were strict and that without A-levels and great GCSEs, I’d have no chance, especially in law. I finally made the decision to get in touch and Ann Thanaraj, the head of the law faculty who invited me in for an interview...

Matt Wardle
In the three years I studied there, I was able to take part in mooting (mock court trials) competitions, organise a mooting competition, organise a national law conference and a law ball. I was also able to volunteer outside of my degree at Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden, which gave me the best practical experiences alongside the academic aspect of the degree.

Dan Abel, LLB (Hons) Law

Dan, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire was the first in his family to move away from home for university.

Read Dan's Story
After leaving university with a First Class Honours Degree, I went on to complete my LLM Legal Practice (Barristers) and achieved a Distinction. I am proud to say, I now have my dream job and work as a County Court Advocate representing claimants or defendants in county courts throughout the North West.

Read Chloe's Story

Course Structure

What you will learn

On this course, you will gain a strong foundation in legal knowledge and skills relevant to careers in the legal profession and many other areas of employment. There is a focus on work experience and professional mentors, thanks to our industry links.

Public speaking events, mock trials, and student competitions will further boost your skills. Throughout, you’ll be taught by tutors with experience of working in law, who will provide the support and knowledge to ensure you stay on track.
* Note that optional modules will run subject to student numbers'

Year one

The integrated foundation year provides the opportunity for you to settle into university life and the gain confidence and skills you need to succeed in Law through participating in a supportive academic, personal and professional development programme.

The foundation year modules will serve to provide you with an excellent grounding in a range of law and social science subject areas including sociology, criminology, law, psychology, policing, and investigation that complements the three years of legal education which will follow; they also provide students with knowledge that goes beyond the classroom environment.

Essential University Skills 1
Develop the academic and professional skills required for effective learning and successful progression through your chosen course.
Contemporary Issues and the Media
Explore a range of contemporary issues through the lens of the media that relates to your subject area.
Introduction to Policing, Criminology and Law
Gain a basic understanding of the English and Welsh Legal and Criminal Justice system, and Criminology as a discipline.
Essential University Skills 2
Further develop the skills acquired in Essential University Skills 1.
Families, Communities & the Criminal Justice System
Gain an understanding into the psychological and societal risk factors and pre-cursors to criminality.
Professional Practice in the Community
Develop your awareness of community groups and activities to help your understanding of society.

Year two

Level 4 will support the application of a systematic approach to the acquisition of knowledge, underpinning concepts and principles, and deploy a range of subject specific, cognitive, and transferable skills. Modules will encourage the evaluation of different approaches to solving well-defined problems and the communication of solutions.

You will develop the ability to identify and discuss the relationship between personal and workplace experience and findings from books and journals and other data drawn from the field of study.

Legal Skills
Develop a range of general and subject specific study skills designed to provide a sound foundation for legal study.
English and Comparative Legal Systems
Enhance your knowledge of the central characteristics of the English legal system.
Practical Contract Law
Understand the general principles of contract law.
Law of Torts
Acquire subject-specific knowledge and the skills required for effective ‘common law method’ and research.
Citizen and State
Develop an understanding of the legal structures of the UK government, the State and the relationship between the citizen, the State and the law.
Persuasive Presentation and Courtroom Skills
Build your confidence in persuasive presentation and courtroom skills.

Year three

At Level 5, you will explore key concepts and theories within and outside the context in which they were first studied. Continuing on from Level 4, you will demonstrate an understanding and apply theory in practice, taking on responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes. Throughout the year, you will reflect on your personal development and workplace experience in conjunction with recent scholarship and current statutory regulations.

Lawyering and Dispute Resolution in a Digital Age
Undertake hands-on lawyering and dispute resolution experience with technology using a Virtual Law Clinic.
Criminal Law
Develop a critical and analytical understanding of the principles and policies of the criminal law.
Land Law
Develop a practical knowledge and understanding of the foundation concepts relating to estates and interests in land, and the fundamental principles relating to the acquisition and creation of rights in land.
Equity and Trusts
Develop an understanding for the dynamics of the law of equity and trusts, alongside an awareness of the value of the trust in modern society and the manners in which trusts are applied.
Law of the European Union
Develop an understanding for the dynamics of the law of equity and trusts, alongside an awareness of the value of the trust in modern society and the manners in which trusts are applied.
Law of Criminal Evidence (optional)
Learn to understand the principles and policies of Criminal Evidence and analyse a series of important and controversial issues in the modern law.
Human Rights (optional)
An introduction to the concept of human rights and the way in which human rights are protected in the UK under the European Convention of Human Rights.
Family Law (optional)
An introduction to the laws governing marriage, divorce, cohabitation and children, both in the public and private law arenas.

Year four

At Level 6, your studies will aim to build upon the personal development undertaken in previous years. You will critically review, consolidate and extend a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, evaluating concepts and evidence from a range of resources. Modules will aim to encourage the communication of solutions, arguments and ideas clearly and in a variety of forms, especially when exercising judgement in a range of situations, to improve workplace practices.

Law Dissertation
Conduct a sustained, in depth, and independent research project to produce a dissertation upon a topic of your choice.
Business Awareness and Employment Practice
Critically analyse contemporary business and employment law issues to stay up-to-date on daily happenings and developments in the business and commercial world.
Law in Action
An introduction to clinical legal work to see law operating in practice.
Medical Law and Ethics (optional)
Gain a firm grounding in the principles of medical law and ethics, and its practical application in the practice of modern healthcare.
Human Rights (optional)
An introduction to the concept of human rights.
Law Placement (optional)
Acquire first-hand experience of work in a legal environment.
Law of Criminal Evidence (optional)
Examine the fundamental principles of the Law of Criminal Evidence and analyse in depth a series of important and controversial issues in the modern law.
Family Law (optional)
An introduction to the laws governing marriage, divorce, cohabitation and children, both in the public and private law arenas.
Intellectual Property and Media Law (optional)
Explore contemporary developments in the law of intellectual property and media law, through an in-depth examination of the domestic, European and international law.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

As a student at the University of Cumbria, you are part of an inclusive learning community that recognises diversity. Students will have opportunities to learn by interacting with others in a collegiate, facilitative and dynamic learning environment.

Teaching and student support will afford equal opportunities for you to optimise your potential and develop autonomy. We seek to create a stimulating and innovative community of learners, whether on campus, remotely, on placement, or in the workplace. Facilitated by our expert practitioner staff, you will experience a learning environment that is well equipped, flexible, and stimulating.

Though out your foundation year transferable skills are a priority. Modules utilise the full range of UoC digital resources and learning technology where suitable. For example, through the University's virtual learning environment, Blackboard and Virtual Law Clinic. Vocational practice opportunities form an essential part of the programme and encourage you to make meaningful links between theoretical concepts and real-world environments.

During the foundation year, you will learn alongside students from across the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership. Modules may be delivered by multiple tutors to ensure you receive specialist insight into each topic. Additionally, guest speakers from local industries and organisations may give talks regarding their role, practice, and community.

The programme assumes no prior legal knowledge, study, or experience.

Instead, tutors will support you in the development of foundational skills, values, and attitudes regarding personal and social responsibility and your ability to think independently.

Learning materials will be supplied before class so that tutors may spend contact hours deepening your understanding of these materials through discussions and problem-solving activities.

How you will be assessed

Whether graded or not, assessments are an integral part of learning. This programme aims to deliver engaging and challenging opportunities to demonstrate your learning.

In your foundation year, you will be introduced to a variety of assessment types you may encounter across your degree. Knowledge will be tested formally in seminars, workshops, and individual or group tasks. Whereas, summative assessments aim to build on formative assessments at set times throughout the year. Deadlines and assessment outlines will be supplied by tutors and available to view on Blackboard.

At level 4, you will create a reflective portfolio to aid in personal development. Tutors will regularly give feedback on the contents of this portfolio throughout the year and prior to submission. This portfolio will then be used throughout levels 5 and 6 as a place for further reflection.

Formative assessments may include legal research, presentations, teamwork, and critical analysis through essays and reports, research proposals, poster and oral presentations, moots, multiple-choice tests, mock trials, and written examinations.

There is a strong emphasis on group working across the foundation year through class activities and assessments with students having the opportunity to do group presentations and investigations and to set up and run an event or social enterprise.

Overview

40 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: B

T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course.

Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass.

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP

Scottish Highers: 40 UCAS Tariff Points.

Irish LC Highers: 40 UCAS Tariff Points.

Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this course. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

For 2023 entry, our contextual data and information we use in our offer making will be broadened to include applicants that are estranged from their parents, have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Successful participation and completion of our Future Teachers Scheme will also receive an offer lower within the tariff range.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

Please note: International fees will be £8,565 (22/23 entry fees) for foundation year study.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some textbooks. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books and Journals

The University library holds copies of core texts (including some as ebooks accessible online). It is recommended that students purchase their own copies of textbooks. Please note that recommended textbooks are updated annually and these change to reflect modern approaches and updates in the law. To give you a rough estimate of what you may be spending, please see below for costing: In the first year, approximately £175 - approximately £35 per textbook each, there will be 5 modules. In the second year, approximately £30 per textbook each, there will be 6 modules. In the third year, approximately £40 per textbook each, there will be 5 modules.

Stationery

Students will incur costs for stationery and printing and other basic materials whilst on course and should budget accordingly. Where specifics are required they will be detailed below but items denoted are an outline rather than indicative list. Stationery for your own personal use (pens, papers and folders, etc.) Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £10 - £20 per year for these.

Clothing and Equipment

No special equipment is required beyond your enthusiasm and commitment. Computers – fixed and laptops – loaded with the software (Microsoft Office365, Adobe Acrobat, Internet Explorer, etc.) you will require, are available at various locations across the campus for your use. You have a Terabyte (1TB) of storage in your UoCOneDrive - which equates to tens of thousands of files You may wish to purchase a USB Flash Drive for your own peace of mind and suitable drives (32Mb / 64Mb) are available for £7 - £15.

Other

Certain events arise during the academic year for which additional fees are charged to cover expenses. Student participation is optional, though is recommended. These include - membership of the Student Law Society (currently £5); attendance at the annual Law Ball (up to £25); trips to law enforcement and legislative branches of the legal system outside of Carlisle will incur a subsidised travel/accommodation rate.

Stay Focused. Go Far.

First in the North West for Law according to the Guardian league tables.

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Location
Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus
The Fusehill Street campus has been the setting of life-saving treatments since World War I. Now, it's home to world changers, life-savers, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs with access to high-quality facilities and innovative thinking.
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LLB (Hons) - Law (Integrated Foundation Year)