UNIVERSITY of Bradfordschool of Managementprogramme Title: LLB/Law

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of ManagementProgramme title: LLB/Law:

Introduction

This LLB accredited qualifying law degree (QLD) has been designed specifically to enable you to study all the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge subject areas and receive training in the skill of legal research. Upon successful completion of all the assessment and examinations requirements for the LLB award you will be eligible to apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority or Bar Standards Board for exemption from the academic stage of training if you wish to become a Solicitor or Barrister. This exemption will enable you to proceed to a second stage of training which includes a period of postgraduate study followed by practical training. Study of this approved programme is further enhanced through learning opportunities which will enable you to develop a clear understanding of the context in which diverse legal practices operate in society. In particular, you will appreciate the important interface between business and other societal activities and legal processes which aim to develop and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Law. Bradford University Law School is a constituent part of Bradford University School of Management which, in turn, is a School of the University of Bradford.

The programme learning outcomes have been developed with reference to the nationally agreed subject benchmark statement for Law published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, at and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to ensure that you will have demonstrated:

• An understanding of the fundamental doctrines and principles which underpin the law of England and Wales and Europe;
• A basic knowledge of the sources of that law, and how it is made and developed; of the institutions within which that law is administered and the personnel who practise that law;
• An appreciation of the social and other pressures that shape the development of the law of England and Wales and Europe;
• The intellectual and practical skills needed to research the law on specific matters and to analyse both statute and case law, to apply it in the solution of legal problems and to communicate – both in writing and orally – the results of such work; and
• The ability to reflect on the fundamental social concepts such as justice, liberty and rights, and the contributions that the law makes to the advancement of those principles.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme you will be able to:

LO1use knowledge of a wide range of legal frameworks, concepts, principles and rules governing British and European legal institutions and processes;

LO2apply that knowledge to contrasting legal perspectives and complexities in order to provide relevant and appropriate conclusions;

LO3understand the role that law plays in society and recognise the relationships between legal professional requirements and business or civil activities and agreements.

LO4apply legal skills and principles to practical scenarios in order to inform reasoned judgement and discriminate between the legally relevant and irrelevant;

LO5identify and evaluate contemporary legal controversies and problems that arise from a variety of business and social sources and appreciate their importance;

LO6use legal language, identify, research and gather the latest legal information using a variety of primary and secondary sources in order to evaluate and synthesise arguments and evidence.

LO7act independently, to learn and apply critical thought and awareness through self management and reflection;

LO8communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing through the development of negotiation and interviewing skills and use of a wide range of ICT applications;

LO9handle and solve legal problems through the analysis and integration of legal knowledge and understanding within rapidly changing legal circumstances;

LO10identify, develop and reflect on your personal and professional development skills to improve your performance as a learner;

LO11develop and value professional competences in order to make a significant future contribution to the advancement of society and citizenship.

From day one you will be expected to start to gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the underlying legal theories and principles and their application in a primary business context. As you progress throughout the programme, you will be expected to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes through assessment and legal training aimed to help you improve your performance and broaden and deepen your in-depth learning. Law has an increasing influence over many aspects of business and social activities and you should be able to demonstrate critical, analytical skills to respect law in a business and societal context.

Curriculum

The map of your studies is outlined below. Each Stage of an Honours degree programme comprises two semesters with 60 credits being studied in each semester. Within your programme structure you are required to study specific modules (core*) that satisfy the requirements of the JASB pertaining to the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects areas and include research skills. These Seven Foundationsare:

• Law of Contract

• Constitutional and Administrative Law

• Law of the European Union

• Law of Tort

• Principles of Criminal Liability

• Principles of Equity and Trusts

• Principles of Land Law

You must obtain 40% in the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge subject areas which total 11 modules, identified below asCore*. Optional modules are also available to you during your period of study. The programme has been designed to enable you to develop your learning in areas of particular interest, subject to timetabling restrictions being met.

Stage 1 – FHEQ Level 4

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 4 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education.

Stage 2 – FHEQ Level 5

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 5 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education.

Stage 3 – FHEQ Level 6

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

You will experience a wide range of teaching and assessment methodologies designed to support your learning and achieve the learning outcomes of the programme. These include a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, case studies and scenarios, group discussions, guest speakers, mooting sessions and role play. Assessment is integrated with teaching to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. They will include seen and unseen examinations, essays, programme work (group and individual) portfolios and presentations (group and individual).

Emphasis is placed on the feedback function of formative assessment as part of the learning, teaching and assessment strategy as a whole with all modules containing opportunities for formative assessment. Tutorials on the LLB encourage student involvement in the learning process and are designed to encourage participation, discussion and reflection. The tutorial sessions are designed to provide a forum for both student input and a measurement of progression.

In addition you will be provided with opportunities to develop both personal and specific legal skills at each stage of the programme. Legal Skills in Stage 1 introduces you to everyday working practices to acquire a broad knowledge base of legal contexts and develop and reflect on your skills as a learner and Legal Research in Stage 2 enables you to generate ideas through the analysis of legal concepts and case studies. The Dissertation and other optional modules in Stage 3 provide you with an opportunity to transfer and apply research and autonomy through critical study.

Assessment Regulations

Whilst this Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the link below there are 2 waiver exceptions to these regulations which can are below:

Waiver:

The JASB’s accepted pass mark for a qualifying law degree is 40%. In order to continue your studies for a qualifying law degree and if you intend to qualify as a Solicitor or Barrister, you must obtain 40% in the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge subject areas totalling 11 modules. These are identified in the Curriculum and markedCore*.

To satisfy the JASB’s requirements, be eligible for a classified Honours award and in order to pass and proceed from each stage to the next, as well as satisfying University Regulations for progression, you must achieve at least 40% in the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge subject areas totalling 11 modules. Compensation in one of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge subject areas is permitted if you achieve a minimum of 35%.

The University’s normal regulation allowing students to carry 20 credits at 35% and 100 credits at 40% across all modules DOES NOT APPLY to this programme of due to the pass marks required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The maximum number of attempts which is permitted for you to pass the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge at the minimum pass mark of 40% within a qualifying law degree is normally three.

If you complete Stage One successfully, you are eligible for a Certificate of Higher Education; if you complete Stage Two successfully, you are eligible for a Diploma of Higher Education; if you complete Stage Three successfully you are eligible to receive the LLB award with, if appropriate under current JASB regulations, QLD status. However, if you do not meet the assessment regulations outlined above for progression and award you will not be able to proceed to the next stage of the LLB programme and will have to transfer to an alternative award (BA in Legal Studies Honours or Ordinary) to complete your programme of study provided you are eligible to progress under University Regulations.

The JASB will not accept graduates onto the Legal Practice Programme or Bar Professional Training Programme (with a minimum of a lower second class honours degree for the BPTC) unless they have achieved a law qualifying degree or have passed appropriate components of the Common Professional Examination or Postgraduate Diploma in Law.

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modulescontained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact the programme leader before you apply to discuss these.

A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be 300 points with GCSE English at Grade C or above. If your first language is other than English – a recognised English language qualification is required, for example a score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an overall band of 6.5 in the International Language Testing Service (IELTS). Other qualifications may be acceptable and these can be checked on request. However, applications are welcome from mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) and candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience. On completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day when you will have the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.

The JASB recognises exemptions for Accredited Prior Learning (APL) should you have already passed law papers in the examinations of certain professional bodies, for example, Legal Executives or the Council of Licensed Conveyancers. However, it does not recognise or accept Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) for the purpose of exemption from the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects. You may be permitted by the School of Management to import specific academic credit for APL up to a maximum limit of 50% (subject to current JASB regulations which take precedence) of the balance of the award for which the student wishes to be registered consistent with the University’s Regulations which can be accessed on the University’s website.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students.

Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.

Student PC clusters can be found in both our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our journals are available online (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and programme-related materials this way.

Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.

The Law Library is well stocked with primary and secondary printed legal resources which range from law reports and statutes to journals and textbooks. You will also have access to a wide range of electronic legal resources including the two main subscription databases, Westlaw and Lexis Library, which provide online access to case-law, statutes, journal articles and commentary. These electronic resources are available for students both on and off campus as is access to the University’s virtual learning environment.

Within the Management & Law Library there are 85 formal study spaces, plus a further 65 “soft study” spaces with casual seating and tables suitable for journal browsing and group work, plus 10 “laptop bar” study spaces. Adjacent to the Library, in the PC cluster area (Room 1.15), there are a further 32 computer work/study places. All students are supplied with a computer username and password which enables them to access these PCs. There are a further six computer work/study places in the Library itself and the entire building is wireless-enabled, allowing students to login to the University network wherever students choose to work with their own laptop computers.