Law LLB(Hons)

Course structure

In your first year you will share modules with the other law degrees before taking more specialised options in your second year.

You can choose to take a paid placement year at the end of your second year before coming back to complete your final year studies, which gives you essential experience and improves your employability and skills.

In your final year you have a range of options to choose from to help widen your knowledge while focusing on some key subjects of your choice.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. If you apply to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 1

Our law degrees share the same first year modules, introducing you to the different aspects of law, such as legal research skills and courtroom procedures.

Modules

Core modules

• Law of Torts

  This module will provide you with a detailed knowledge of a number of torts including common law negligence, breach of statutory duty, protection against interference with the person, protection of property interests, protection of reputation and remedies associated with these torts. Where relevant, reference will be made to policy issues and human rights principles – both of which impact on the development of a number of torts.

• Public Law

  Public law is a subject of great topical interest, which is in a constant process of evolution and cannot be fully understood without reference to the UK’s political history and its social and cultural development.

  This module will provide you with a good understanding of constitutional legal principles, the major features of the UK’s constitution, civil rights, judicial review and an awareness of significant changes and developments in the subject.

• Legal Systems, Skills and Methods

  This key module is the foundation for all the other law modules and introduces two essential areas: (a) the way legal institutions in the UK operate and how the law is made; and (b) the legal skills lawyers need including clear communication skills, legal writing and referencing, oral presentation, problem-solving and analytical thinking. The knowledge and skills acquired in this module are essential to all other areas of academic development. 

• Contract Law

  This module covers the formation, content, viability and discharge of contracts and remedies available for breach of contract. You will explore the concepts and legal principles in a political, social and economic context, and develop an understanding of the relationship of statutory and European Union sources of law with the common law.

• Law, Society and Ethics

  This module introduces the essentials of legal ethics and the fundamentals of the legal profession. You will develop an appreciation of legal ethics to law and society, and its implications, and explore the role of the legal profession in supporting democracy and protecting justice and the rule of law.

Options*

• Human Rights Law

  This module will provide you with an in depth knowledge of contemporary issues in human rights law with a particular focus on social justice and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You'll examine key national, regional and international human rights documents and contemporary human rights issues.

• Criminal Justice and Theory

  This module introduces the main institutions and agencies constituting the criminal justice system in England and Wales. You will also explore some of the key debates and theories in relation to crime, justice and punishment. You will develop an understanding of the history and development of criminology as a discrete discipline, and how this fits within the wider study of law and justice.

• Business Project for Lawyers

  In this module you will apply business and project management skills to deliver a practical and applied business project. You'll create a business plan, a project plan and a marketing plan that includes a digital presence, demonstrating a clear understanding of market dynamics, financial structures and HRM employment strategies. You will develop quantitative, research, project, team working and professional business skills.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2 

From your second year, through the module choices you make, you can either continue along a broad law degree route or specialise and graduate with a degree in Law with Business or Law with Criminology.

The mooting module will help develop your advocacy skills in a mock courtroom and you may also have the opportunity to take part in national mooting competitions. Gain experience by taking advantage of work shadowing opportunities, which could include judges and law firm partners.

Modules

• Criminal Law
• The Art of Advocacy
• European Union Law
• Law of Organisations

Options*

• Environmental Law, Sustainability and Justice
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Animal Welfare and the Law
• Human Rights and Business
• Media and Sports Law
• Clinical and Legal Ethics

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

The year's paid work placement is a part of the course highly valued by employers. It gives you the chance to apply your learning to real-life situations and challenges, to meet and network with potential employers, and gain real work experience before you graduate.

On your placement, you will complete a project for the business you are working at. This contributes to your degree, replacing your dissertation, and, depending on the topic you choose, could provide valuable insight for your placement employer.

Our dedicated placements and employability team will support you throughout Read more about our placement years.

Nowadays you can’t just have a first-class degree, you’ve got to have extra … The opportunity to spend a whole year is incredible and every law firm I’ve had work experience with since has been really impressed by it.

Final year

In your final year, core modules further deepen your knowledge and understanding. You will also be able to tailor the course to the subjects you are most interested in through option modules.

There’s also the opportunity to gain qualifying work experience towards your Legal Practice Course by working in our Pro Bono Legal Clinic

Modules

• Equity and Trusts
• Land Law

Options*

One from:

• Legal Research Project
• Law Dissertation
• Justice and Practice – Community Legal Clinic

Two from:

• Family Law and Family Justice
• The Innocence Programme
• Criminal Evidence
• Commercial Law
• Healthcare Law and Ethics
• International Law and Socio-economic Development
• Comparative Law and International Justice
• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Litigation
• Domestic and Sexual Abuse
• Employment Law (if not taken in year 2)
• Intellectual Property Law (if not taken in year 2)

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Law societies 

Student Law Society

The Student Law Society is a thriving community of over 150 law students. With support from the Students’ Union, it organises an exciting schedule of social and educational events.

Members have recently enjoyed visits to Lewes Crown Court, Brighton Magistrates Court and the Houses of Parliament. Social events have included paintballing, go-karting, surfing, a Christmas Ball at the Brighton Hilton Metropole, and a trip with law students from other universities to Amsterdam.

Through initiatives such as these, the society provides excellent opportunities for personal development and for networking with other students interested in a career in law.

Student Mooting Society

The Mooting Society has a fast-growing membership of over 120 students. The society provides workshops, guest speakers, socials, trips and competitions to help build members' confidence and adversarial skills that are increasingly essential in any career path in the legal sector.

The objective of the mooting competitions is to develop the research and advocacy skills of future practitioners. Students argue both sides of a fictitious legal case in a court room setting in front of a panel of judges.

Course leader

Jack Thompson

Jack is a Principal Lecturer in Law and course leader on our LLB Law and LLB Law with Business degrees. 

Jack is the joint module leader of Law of Torts, and leads the Healthcare Law and Ethics module. 

Jack has an LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Westminster and an LLM in Legal Aspects of Medical Practice from Cardiff University. He has a PhD in Reproductive Medicine and Jurisprudence from the University of Westminster. 

He's also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has a PgCert in Higher Education from the University of Westminster. 

Jack's research is concerned with the role of rights and autonomy within bioethics. He's recently published research on the theory of rights, law and morality, and sexual ethics. His research interests include jurisprudence, Law of Tort, medical law, and mental health law. 

Find out more about your course leader. 

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton