(LLB) Bachelor of Laws
Law with History (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
LLB M1V4
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB, including one essay based subject
GCSEs: Law with Finance requires GCSE Maths grade C/4
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655, including a Higher Level essay based subject grade 5.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To provide students with a rigorous academic training in the disciplines of Law and History.
- To enable students to develop the critical, reflexive and analytical skills that are common to both disciplines.
- To maximise opportunities for graduates in terms of employment or postgraduate study by providing expertise in two fields that have many intellectual links.
- To draw on the many areas of common and converging interests shared by members of the Departments of History and Law that have hitherto not been fully exploited for the benefit of students interested in cross-disciplinary issues.
- To allow students to develop a critical awareness of the nature of Law within its social, political, philosophical, historical, and economic contexts and enable students to develop an approach to the discipline so that they are able to see each subject area as part of an integrated whole.
- To inculcate in students an awareness of the place of the Law of England and Wales in its European and international frameworks.
- Provide students with relevant skills and learning to enable progress to professional legal training and examinations.
- In addition to the Course Aims above, students on the year abroad variation of this degree will broaden their degree socially and academically, and develop an awareness of different legal systems, cultures and languages.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Fundamental doctrines and principles of the law, and the institutions and procedures of the legal system of England and Wales.
A2: Understanding of the relationship between law and history.
A3: Develop a critical understanding of law within its social and historical contexts.
A4: Critical and in depth understanding of core substantive areas of law.
A5: In-depth knowledge of different periods and areas of history.
A6: Those areas of law relevant for progression to professional legal training and examinations.
Learning methods
Skills A1 – A6 are acquired through lectures, large group interactive classes which encourage dialogue between the students and teacher and between the students inter se, and tutorials which allow students to work in small groups and for dynamic interaction. Students will be taught to use, present and evaluate, as the basis for a legal argument, relevant numerical or statistical information as appropriate. Students are expected to undertake independent research through directed reading to consolidate and develop what they have learned in class.
All skills (except A6) are similarly acquired during the study abroad year.
Assessment methods
Skills A1 to A6 are assessed through examinations, MCQs and coursework throughout the degree. Coursework consists of a range of assessments, including essays, problem analysis, oral presentations and practical skills applications.
All skills (except A6) are similarly assessed during the study abroad year.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Identify accurately the issue(s) which require researching.
B2: Apply relevant primary and secondary historical and legal sources.
B3: Reason critically, identify, analyse, and solve problems, sometimes within a comparative framework.
B4: Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.
B5: Produce a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and historical issues in relation to a topic.
B6: Make a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments.
B7: Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions.
B8: Demonstrate and exercise independence of thought.
B9: Demonstrate an awareness of theoretical contexts and frameworks for the study of law and history.
Learning methods
Skills B1 - B9 are obtained and developed through tutorials and large group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and analysis of case material and problems (hypothetical and actual). B5 and B6 are also enabled through lectures. All skills are complemented by class-independent reading undertaken by students in the light of guidance by lecturers and tutors. Intellectual and cognitive skills are also acquired through written and oral feedback on coursework. In addition, learning is enhanced by formative assessment of Skills B1, B3. B7 and B8 in tutorials and large group interactive classes.
All skills are similarly acquired during the study abroad year.
Assessment methods
Skills B1 - B9 will be assessed through coursework, and B2 - B8 through unseen examinations. B8 will also be assessed through the dissertation modules LW304/LW360.
All skills are similarly assessed during the study abroad year.
C: Practical skills
C1: Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date information relating to law and history, using both paper and electronic sources.
C2: Use and apply terminology and concepts relating to law and history.
C3: Plan and undertake tasks in areas of law and history already studied, and undertake independent research in areas of law and history not previously studied, starting from standard information sources.
C4: The use of a critical methodology in written work, employing reasoned argument to appreciate and evaluate a legal or historical text.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C4 are developed through preparation for tutorials, coursework and examinations. Skills C1 and C2 are also facilitated through the provision of LEXIS and other database training. Skills C2 and C3 are developed through tutorials by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion. Skills C1 - C3 are formatively assessed in tutorials and large group interactive classes, which assessment reinforces their learning by students. Skill C3 will be acquired through compulsory dissertation modules LW304/LW360, and in researching a proposal in the second year module LW254.
All skills are similarly acquired during the study abroad year.
Assessment methods
Skills C1 – C4 are assessed through coursework and other assessments. In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet appropriately when researching their coursework in order to find primary and secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format. Skill C3 will be assessed through compulsory dissertation modules LW304/LW360, and the research proposal submitted in the second year module LW254.
All skills are similarly assessed during the study abroad year.
D: Key skills
D1: Work with the English language proficiently in relation to legal matters and matters of history; present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner.
D2: (i) Produce a word-processed essay or other text in an appropriate form and
(ii) use the worldwide web, e-mail, and also some electronic information retrieval systems.
D3: Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form.
D4: Analyse a reasonably complex set of facts and apply relevant law and history thereto.
D5: Develop team work skills through group work within modules or the Law Clinic
D6: With limited guidance, reflect on his or her own learning, and to make use of feedback.
Learning methods
Skills D1, D2 ,D4 and D5 are acquired through tutorials where students debate legal issues and problems. Skills D1 and D5 are acquired as part of the LW254 and LW304/LW360 module presentations where the presenter is required to respond appropriately to questions by other students. Skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 will be learnt throughout the degree in writing summatively assessed and formative coursework and consequent feedback, both written and that obtained in oral sessions. Skill D3 is acquired in particular in LW101 (Contract), in the context of the law of damages, in LW102 (Land Law) and LW202 (Equity and Trusts) in the context of quantification of interests, and in LW201 (Tort) in the context of probabilistic causation. Skills D6 is developed through classes on reflection and the writing of a reflective statement in the LW304/LW360 dissertation module.
All skills are similarly acquired during the study abroad year.
Assessment methods
Skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 are assessed through coursework and skills D1, D3 and D4 are also assessed through unseen examinations. Skills D1 (oral communication) and D5 (working with others) are summatively assessed as part of the LW254 and LW304/LW360 presentations where the presenter is required to respond appropriately to questions by other students.
All skills are similarly assessed during the study abroad year.