Law - LLB (Hons)

About this course

About

A total of 18 law modules are studied over the course of five years. These modules include the core law modules needed for Qualifying Law Degree status.

You will undertake six modules at each level, typically two modules per semester.

Level Four

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.

Alternative Dispute Resolution – With overburdened court systems, there has been a shift in focus to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to ease that burden. The overburdened nature of the court system has led to delays in seeking justice as well as the excessive costs that have become associated with traditional methods of litigation. The disadvantages with the ‘normal’ form of dispute resolution has led to the growth of alternative methods of resolving disputes. These difficulties with litigation have made ADR more appealing to the parties but it has evolved recently to become part of the legal process. This module will explore the different forms of ADR that have become prevalent such as mediation, arbitration, conciliation and adjudication. With ADR being increasingly used throughout many aspects of the law, having an understanding of how it links into the litigation process will be beneficial from both a practical and a theoretical point of view.

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.

Administrative Law - This module seeks to explore the fundamental legal principles that underpin administrative law in the UK. This module enables you to understand how government operates and how public power is exercised. It aims to equip you with an understanding of the principles and ideas with which administrative law is concerned and to think critically about these issues.

Level Five

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.

Jurisprudence (optional) - The aim of this module is to examine the key philosophical theories pertaining to the nature and application of law. The module provides an introduction to the work of key philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Marx and legal theorists such as Bentham, Austin, Hart, Dworkin, Kelsen and Fuller with a view to providing a solid theoretical background that will enable you to place legal issues in a wider socio-political context. In addition, the module seeks to explore theoretical principles within the context of specific contemporary debates, including the nature of political obligation, capital punishment, sexual morality, animal welfare, social justice and the legitimacy of ‘rogue’ political regimes.

Public Interest Litigation (optional) - Strategic litigation of matters of significant public interest forms part of the arsenal of many campaigning organisations and a vital component of the democratic and constitutional process and considerable interest has developed in this phenomenon in a wide range of jurisdictions. Such litigation usually takes the form of court-based challenges to legislation, public policies, procedures or decisions of interest to the campaigning stakeholder organisations, with the intention of leveraging change in the administration of the impugned legislation or policy. Yet, other actors play a role in litigating in the public interest as well, and occasionally landmark public law or public interest challenges arise by chance, it seems. Public interest litigation cases often serve as a vehicle for instigating political discussion and can often play a considerable role in exploring political fissures in a society, such as attitudes to abortion or minority language rights, for example, or the limits and extent of more common rights, such as the relationship of freedom of expression and abusive speech or perhaps to the full extent of the positive obligations on states to protect rights. This module examines the process of mounting public interest litigation challenges and considers the role played by public interest litigation in the wider democratic process.

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.

Public International Law (optional) - The module will introduce core aspects of international law including the nature of the international system, the role of the United Nations, sources of international law and the role of international organisations. Students will also be introduced to core substantive areas of international law such as the law regarding the use of force, the protection of human rights, and the regulation of armed conflict. Students will also be asked to consider how international law is relevant in the domestic jurisdiction. They will examine questions such as: where does the authority of international law derive from? Who interprets the requirements of international law? And what is the limit of its authority? In this way students are encouraged to think of international law as an integral part of law in the domestic jurisdiction and to be able to distinguish the different sources of legal authority that exist.

Business and Commercial Law(optional)- Commercial law is an important subject for anyone studying law. It encompasses a number of discrete areas of business and commercial life, such as the relationship between employers and employees and particular contracts such as those for the sale of goods. Over time, a substantial body of judicial decisions and legislation has developed in these areas, a good understanding of which is necessary for anyone aiming to work in, or with, the world of business. Effective study of this subject will assist in the continuing development of your general legal skills, including problem-solving skills and analysis of common law and legislation.

Level Six

Optional Modules. Not all electives may run in all academic years. (Please note numbers may be capped on some final year electives).

Semester One

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Attendance

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, one or two modules are studied per semester on the part-time programme

Start dates

• September 2024

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Content

The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

- the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor

- the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement

- the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20).

The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars). The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Calculation of the Final Award

The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance). Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award.

The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

• the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
• the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
• the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until near the start date and may be subject to change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days of attendance will often be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

Postgraduate Masters courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be via one method or a combination e.g. examination and coursework . Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have four learning outcomes, and no more than two items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Calculation of the Final Award

The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6 (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).

Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Masters degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.

All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.

Academic profile

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.

Standard entry conditions

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.

A level

Applicants should satisfy the University General Requirements e.g.

1. Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE English Language grades A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent); and

2. Provide evidence of passes in five subjects, two of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and three at GCSE level* (grades A-C/4-9); or

3. Provide evidence of passes in four subjects, three of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and one at GCSE level* (grades A- C/4-9); or

4. Provide evidence of an approved qualification at an equivalent level such as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma or Access to Higher Education qualification or equivalent; or

5. Provide evidence, for a process of formal accreditation by the University, of learning you have gained through work or other experience.

* GCSE English Language (grades A-C/4-9) may be used as part of the GCSE requirement.

GCSE

You must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass in English Language at grade C or above (or equivalent).

English Language Requirements

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.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Exemptions and transferability

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

Careers & opportunities

Career options

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.

Professional recognition

Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI)

Recognised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI) for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

The qualifying law degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the purposes of satisfying the academic stage of training.

Bar Standards Board

Accredited by the Bar Standards Board for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree.

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Start dates

• September 2024

Contact

For more information visit

• Visit Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Visit School of Law

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