The Ulster Law School has an excellent reputation for teaching, research, student support and student development.
The School
The School of Law seeks to achieve excellence in teaching, research and professional development. The School provides a range of LLB courses, all of which are Qualifying Law Degrees (QLDs) for the purposes of the legal professions, as well as a range of postgraduate courses. Students at Ulster have the opportunity to draw upon the expertise of an internationally recognised group of researchers. Law at Ulster was ranked 4th in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), with 82% of publications ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. The REF 2014 results also showcase the real-world impact of legal research at Ulster. In the new 'Research Impact' category, 100% of our work was scored as world-leading.
The Campus
Located in the heart of the vibrant Cathedral Quarter, the new campus provides a progressive learning, teaching and research environment supported by the best innovative technology, allowing us to nurture talent and innovation.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
A total of twelve law modules and six politics modules are studied over the course of three years. These modules include the core law modules needed for Qualifying Law Degree status.
You will undertake six modules per academic year, three per semester.
Year One
Semester One
Exploring Law - This module introduces you to basic legal principles and concepts and enables you to understand and appreciate the structure and organisation of the legal system of the United Kingdom (with particular reference to Northern Ireland). It also enables you to acquire certain skills, such as those of instant recall, analysis, argumentation and articulation, which will prove useful in your further studies.
Public Law - A thorough knowledge of the constitutional basis is necessary in order to appreciate the powers and responsibilities of both central and devolved government and the limit to the competences of each tier of government. An understanding of the history and evolution of the constitutional norms that shape UK legal constitutional discourse is necessary to appreciate the role of the legal system in regulating disputes between the various branches of government and between the government and the public. A deeper appreciation of UK constitutionalism can also be gleaned from a comparison with the fundamental elements of other states’ constitutions.
Introduction to Politics & Government - Being introductory, the module aims to provoke thought, challenge preconceptions and nourish inquisitive minds more so than to provide a set diet of ready-made answers. Thus, key questions arise: What is the meaning of government? Who governs? How will government be organised? What should be the responsibilities of government? What is the nature of political power? Each question, in turn, poses others concerning the meaning of democracy, justice and fairness.
Semester Two
Criminal Law - The recognition of the importance of the criminal law requires that those who study law have a detailed understanding of its basic principles. This module explores the basic principles underlying criminal law and procedure and the relationship between the role of criminal law and that of civil law. It enables you to extend your understanding of the development of the common law and legislation as sources of law.
Law of Tort - Modern societies require certain interests to be protected not just by the criminal law but by the civil law, so that persons who are injured or whose property is damaged can claim compensation or some other remedy in the courts. No person who studies our law should be ignorant of the principles which govern this part of the civil law which has been developed around the notion of a tort.
Foundations of Political Thought (optional) – The aim of this module is to introduce students to political thought at its most general. It clarifies the principles of the major ideologies of politics, identifies their implications for the practice of politics and encourages students to reflect on the significance of ideological thought in history and the present.
International Politics (optional) – This module introduces students to the study of the main theories, debates and issues relevant to understanding politics in an international context. The module covers themes such as globalisation, security, war and diplomacy and students will examine policies such as humanitarian intervention and environmental protection.
Government of the UK (optional) – This module asks some central questions relating to government in the UK and Ireland: What are the contextual parameters within which modern government functions? What is the political culture within British and Irish society and what is the role of the media? What is the appropriate spatial distribution of governmental power, i.e. the territorial dimension?
Year Two
Semester One
Contract Law - The recognition of the importance of the contractual relationship by the civil law requires that those who study law have a detailed understanding of the basic principles of contract law. This module explores the development of the principles of contract law through parliament, the courts, Europe, the business world and the professional literature.
Introduction to Property Law - This module provides students with an introduction to the key concepts of property law in both Northern Ireland and England and Wales. It will prepare students for further detailed study of property law at Level 5 (Land Law – LAW311) and at Level 6 (Equity and Trusts) as well as complementing the study of aspects of Tort, Contract and Criminal Law. Completion of this module and Land Law (LAW311) will allow students to meet the requirements of the professional bodies in respect of property law in Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
Political Thought: Text & Context (optional) - The module aims to provide students with an overview of the contribution of key thinkers and key texts to modern political self-understanding. It contributes further to the development of theoretical understanding commenced in first year and deepens students’ grasp of major political concepts.
Politics of Ireland since Partition (optional) –The basic structures of government and administration which emerged in the early 1920s are examined and their subsequent development is traced. The history of the dominant party in each jurisdiction is used as a prism to examine how the respective ruling elites dealt with challenges down the years. The history of the left and the position of women are examined as two largely excluded groups. The role of the churches in each jurisdiction is compared. The importance of a tradition of violence is explored particularly in relation to the period since 1996 and this period is related to the history of Anglo-Irish relations.
Politics in Europe (optional) -The module aims to examine the nature of the modern state and politics with particular emphasis on post-war European liberal democracies. The module seeks to examine and assess some of the main challenges to the status quo with reference to the ability of the state and mainstream forces to contend with problems of change, challenge and discontent.
Semester Two
Land Law - This module provides students with the opportunity to study the key elements of land law in respect to both Northern Ireland and England and Wales. It will prepare students for further detailed study of property law at Level 6 (Equity and Trusts) and completion of this module and Introduction to Property Law (LAW319) will allow students to meet the requirements of the professional bodies in respect of property law in Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
European Law - This module provides an overview of the constitutional principles and legal institutions of the European Union. It also introduces students to the central areas within the market integration process, namely free movement of goods and persons. After the Treaties of Amsterdam and Nice, the impact of EU law has expanded even further than before. This module examines the development of European law, the institutional structure and processes as well as the relationship between European law and national law.
British Politics and Policy - The module explores the interface between several levels of analysis, where parties, pressure groups and bureaucrats engage in a battle for resources and legitimacy at Westminster, Whitehall, Edinburg and Cardiff. The multi-level nature of British politics raises questions of relevance for the UK and its citizens: Is it leading to fragmentation or to necessary diversity? What impact will it have on the core executive of the central British state?
Year Three
Work Placement/Study Abroad
European Legal Studies
Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS)
Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP)
OR
Optional Modules: not all electives may run in all academic years. (Please note numbers may be capped on some final year electives). You will undertake two law modules and one politics module per semester.
Semester One
Equity and Trusts - This module will explore the history of equity and its maxims, the development of the trust and its various forms, uses and practical implications today. It will consider how trusts can be varied and set aside, the powers and duties of trustees and the remedies for breach of trust. It will also examine equitable doctrines such as conversion and election and survey the law relating to equitable remedies such as injunctions.
Transitional Justice - This module will provide you with an introduction to contemporary human rights issues as they impact on societies coming out of conflict. The module provides a legal and historical perspective on classic transitional justice dilemmas and looks at theoretical and concrete accommodations between notions of peace and justice in transitional societies. Critically, the module will examine transitional legal issues in a number of jurisdictions and look at the applicability of a number of central themes to the Northern Ireland transition.
Politics of Deeply Divided Societies - The politics of deeply divided societies, riven by ethnic conflict and political violence, are frequently seen as the most complex and difficult to resolve of modern political problems. Though complicated and unique, divided societies share commonalities. Most particularly, in terms of the importance of identity, sovereignty and territory, questions relating to communal access to power, and the legacy of past violence. This module applies a broad comparative lens to the study of deeply divided societies, and examines several societies divided by conflict: Sri Lanka, the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Lebanon and Israel–Palestine.
Surveillance and the Law - This module considers the rationale for conducting surveillance by agencies within the criminal justice system and the competing claims of individuals to be free from surveillance by virtue of rights such as privacy. You will explore the manner in which the law reflects the tension between these competing concerns.
Company Law - Government departments are themselves Bodies Corporate and this fact has for them far reaching legal implications. Government is also responsible for the substance of company law and its institutions, including the companies registry. This module deals with the main forms of business organisations both in the UK and EU, their management and contracting powers and procedures.
Land: Rights, Resources and Environment - This module explores the tension between the conception of land as a bundle of rights and land as a resource for the common good, with a particular focus on environmental concerns. Throughout history there has been an inherent tension between the rights of land “owners” and the broader interest of the community in how land is to be used. In the name of the community, the state has exercised some degree of control over how individuals can use land. In some extreme instances, such as under communist regimes, private property has been seized wholesale and regarded purely as a resource for the common good as opposed to being something over which a specific individual has any right. In recent times this longstanding tension between the individual and the state has been augmented by obligations agreed/imposed upon states by international law. In respect of land use the most significant developments of this nature have occurred in the fields of human rights and environmental law. The module will consider: the relationship(s) between land owners/users and the state; human rights and property law; fundamentals of environmental law; housing as a resource; planning; energy – fossil fuels and renewable sources; infrastructure; agriculture and food production; pollution and contamination; heritage and conservation; and countryside as a leisure space.
Social Justice - An understanding of the relationship between the state and citizen, and the contractual and moral obligations of each, is the key to understanding the changing nature of the law as it relates to social justice issues. This module explores the way in which the law deals with social justice issues by providing insight into the effects of Government policies, legislation and case law on these issues. The module is centred around the theme of poverty and its relationship with other social justice themes like crime control, social control, conflict, health, and social exclusion, its impact on vulnerable groups and the treatment of these vulnerable groups, and its implications for citizenship and society.
Human Rights Law - The module builds on other law modules in terms of examining fundamental principles underlying the legislative process as a whole. Through an in-depth analysis of human rights and equality protection at a range of levels, (internationally, regionally and domestically) you will have the opportunity to explore key areas of concern on both a theoretical level and through case studies on a more practical basis.
Legal Technology: Innovation and Information - Traditional law and technology courses have looked to the regulation of new technologies, and therefore the restrictive power of law on the use and development of new technologies (in terms of privacy, intellectual property, security). This module looks at the other side of the picture; the ways in which new technological developments will influence the future development of law, legal service provision and access to justice. For example: what are the possibilities for online dispute resolution to take on part of the burden that has traditionally devolved to either the courts or more recently tribunals? What are the implications of new informatic developments for particular levels of mundane legal work to be done by intelligent computer systems, and what will remain for human actors? What are the likely knock-on effects for the future of legal education, and for the legal professions? To what degree will future lawyers be required to be legal technologists, and what level of training will they need for this to be realised? How do new forms of technology address issues of access to justice? What does technology have to do with design thinking, and what is meant by the term ‘visual law’? In short, the module will elaborate the changing face of legal practice, give a grounding in basic concepts and technologies, investigate the opportunities and risks of the changing dynamics of law due to increasingly sophisticated informatic systems and look to the changing face of law as a result of these changes.
Semester Two
Dissertation - The dissertation allows you to integrate skills and knowledge and to relate these to a specific issue or issues in law through a systematic investigation and presentation of findings in a report.
Law of Evidence - The module situates discussion of the law of evidence in the context of the UK’s incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights. It gives you the opportunity to explore a number of important and controversial issues in the modern law. The module seeks to provide an understanding of the civil and criminal justice systems and to encourage you to analyse, critique and challenge current rules and practice. This module will complement other substantive law modules, particularly criminal law.
The Politics of Identity - The origins of ‘identity politics’ can be traced back to the Civil Rights movement in the USA; in the present day, identity politics encompasses (inter alia) post-colonialism, feminism, men’s movements and activism based on sexual orientation or ethnicity. The module requires students to study a broad range of literature which explores competing interpretations and explanations of social identity formation, including challenges to the idea that identities are stable and singular. The module requires students to develop their knowledge and understanding of contemporary social and political theory which they then apply to aspects of identity movements in order to gain both empirical knowledge and theoretical understanding of a central aspect of contemporary social and political life.
Medical Law - The practical importance and the complexity of medical issues requires that those who have an interest in medicine and health care and practice have a detailed understanding of the basic principles of medical law. Legal, professional and technological developments, and the increasing role of the law in health care issues, have expanded the subject matter of this area and medical law is now regarded as a subject worthy of study in its own right. The module explores the substantive legal rules relating to all aspects of medicine and health care including resource allocation, capacity, medical negligence, confidentiality, organ donation, abortion, reproductive medicine and assisted dying.
Employment Law - The importance of the employment relationship between employers, employees, unions and other statutory bodies and agencies is such that a thorough knowledge of both the context and the substantive law is necessary for those involved in this area. The module attempts to provide the basis for this knowledge and to put you in the position where you may not only have an understanding of the law both conceptually and substantively, but also be in a position to use that knowledge in the solution of problems.
Media Law - This module is designed to give you an understanding of the legal issues relevant to the practice of journalism and to the mass media in general. There has, in recent years, been a perceptible increase in demand for vocationally-orientated modules among undergraduates in Northern Ireland, and there is evidence that many law students wish to acquire specialist knowledge and skills in media-related disciplines. The module seeks to meet that demand.
Law of Armed Conflict- Armed conflict is a major feature of modern international relations that engages the armed forces of most States, including the United Kingdom and Ireland. The legitimacy of military interventions and the conduct of armed forces are topical issues that are much debated in government; and also in the courts. This module examines the role of law in armed conflict in mitigating the effects of the use of armed force, for example in regulating the conduct of hostilities and in the protection of civilians. The aim of this module is to introduce you to international law and to the various different international organisations that you will come across in the course of your studies. The focus is on enabling you to acquire an understanding of the basic principles and core rules of the relevant laws applicable in armed conflict such that you will be able to consider and explore the potential and limit of law as a protective force in armed conflict.
Law and the Family- This module explores the ways in which the law deals with the family and with issues that arise with respect to families, including marital breakdown, domestic violence, and child abuse, as well as providing insights into the forces which share family law, thus making it less of a private area of activity than is sometimes thought.
Legal Practice (UG Law Clinic) - Clinical legal education has been established for many years in countries such as Canada and the United States as an excellent way of both training practitioners and achieving wider educational aims. This module is designed to allow LLB students the opportunity to experience law in practice. Due to the exceptionally close supervisory nature of the clinical legal education experience, only a small number of students will be able to choose this module. Those who take the module will be given a unique opportunity to experience real life clients and to practice law in a fully operational legal office. They will gain the skills required to take a legal enquiry, interview a client, identify and research the legal issues, and advise the client on the potential outcomes available.
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Each module of study usually involves a weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar. In addition, students are required to undertake substantial directed independent learning. Generally, three modules are studied per semester on the full time programme.
The principal teaching methods on this course are lecture, seminar and independent learning. The lectures are largely expository but student participation in seminars in the form of question and answer sessions is encouraged. Assessment typically involves sitting an examination or submitting coursework or a combination of the two. Coursework is assessed in a variety of ways, including essays, case studies, presentations, tests and mooting.
The School aims to provide a broadly ‘socio-legal’ education, with specialist teaching from academics in a variety of fields and those from previous professional practice who can provide the invaluable ‘taste’ of law-in-action. The School includes the award-winning Ulster Law Clinic, the Legal Innovation Centre and the globally recognised Transitional Justice Institute.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.
Find out more - information about accommodation
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
Find out more - information about student wellbeing
The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
ABB
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(2012 Suite)
Award profile of D*DD
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(2016 Suite)
Award profile of DDM
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DD plus A Level Grade A
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of DD plus A Level Grade B
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma(2012 Suite)
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades AB
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate(2016 Suite)
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades AB
128 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Grades BBBBC.
Grades BBC.
Overall profile is minimum 27 points (including 13 at higher level)
Overall profile of 70% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
Overall profile of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Pass HND with overall Distinction to include 75 distinctions in level 5 credits.
Pass HNC with overall Distinction to include 105 distinctions in level 4 credits.
Successful completion of any Ulster University Foundation Degree with an average of 60% in Level 5 modules. (Entry into Year One only)
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University.
The professional bodies that accredit LLB degrees place restrictions on the extent to which credit can be given for study undertaken on other courses and/or at other institutions. Provided that a candidate has met the standard entrance requirements for the course, consideration will be given (subject to these restrictions) to an application to transfer or for exemption from specific modules. No transfer or exemption is possible at level 6.
In this section
Ulster graduates have gone on to study law at postgraduate level both at Ulster University and other institutions (e.g. Masters courses such as the LLM, or doctoral studies); others are now in practice as solicitors or barristers, having completed the Certificate in Professional Legal Studies. Others have pursued careers in related areas such as the business and finance sector, human resources, politics and the community sector.
To enhance the student experience, at the end of year two of undergraduate study, many students opt to participate in a number of year-long programmes, including StudyUSA, the Erasmus scheme and the International Student Exchange Programme. In participating in these schemes, student fees are paid and a small stipend provided to assist with the purchase of books and such like.
The work placement module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student’s employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Accredited by the Bar Standards Board for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree.
The qualifying law degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the purposes of satisfying the academic stage of training.
Recognised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI) for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree.
£4,710.00
£9,250.00
£15,840.00
Prizes are sponsored by some of the foremost law firms in Northern Ireland, leading NGOs and legal publishing houses. The School believes that hard work and talent should be rewarded and, as such, the range of prizes on offer within the Law School provide an excellent means of facilitating student engagement with the legal professions and with community based organisations more broadly.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
