Law with French and French Law BA

Teaching is primarily by lecture and tutorial class, but some modules are taught by discussion groups and seminars.

You will be assigned to a tutorial class for each module studied. The group, which is usually made up of no more than eight students, meets on a fortnightly basis for each module to discuss pre-arranged questions and any other problems with the tutor.

Some of the second and final-year undergraduate optional modules are taught by the seminar method. This is a method, midway between the tutorial and the lecture, involving presentations from staff and students which are discussed by the class as a whole.

Visit our open days on demand to watch pre-recorded lectures and general talks and see some of our lecturers in action.

Skillegal programme

We offer a series of optional workshops on skills such as presentation, communication and negotiation. Delivered by a range of law firms and chambers from London and the regions, the workshops are designed to be interactive and fun and to provide you with an understanding of the skills needed to become a successful lawyer. The legal profession will be looking for evidence of these skills when you apply for legal training in your penultimate year.

Legal Skills Team

The Legal Skills Team help undergraduate law students with their academic legal skills. Their aim is to ensure that every student, regardless of background or performance, has someone they can approach to discuss the development of their legal study skills.

We run a legal skills programme that caters for all students throughout the academic year and offer a variety of seminars and workshops for different year groups to address and respond to the specific needs of each.

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
  

Assessment is predominantly by written examination, although some modules are assessed only by coursework, and a few modules are assessed by a mixture of examination and coursework.

Where a module lasts for one semester, assessment is undertaken at the end of that semester. Where a module fills two semesters, assessment is at the end of the second semester, although your progress will be measured throughout the year.

Assessment methods

• Coursework
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Examinations
  

In year one, you will spend 8 to 10 hours per week in lectures taught by leading law academics. You'll have a tutorial every fortnight on Law of Contract and Public Law. In Introduction to Law and Legal Theory, you will have a one-hour seminar every other week.

You will also study optional modules outside the School of Law, which may be taught via a variety of methods. Beyond formal taught sessions, you'll be expected to engage in self-directed study, including reading case law and legislation and preparing answers to tutorial questions.

This course will equip you with a thorough knowledge of English law and encourage an appreciation of French law. You will also develop advanced language skills in French as well as cultural awareness.

Upon graduating, you can undertake further legal training to become a solicitor or barrister.

The skills you’ll acquire on a law degree from Nottingham will help pave your way to a successful career in sectors as diverse as multi-national business, politics, the media and of course law practice.

The University of Nottingham's law graduates are the 6th most highly paid in the UK above King’s College London and University College London.*

* Chambers Student law firms preferred universities study 2019.

Graduate destinations

A high proportion of our graduates go on to qualify as solicitors or barristers.

Those interested in a career outside of law use their degree in a wide variety of professions and organisations such as consultancies, business advisory services, marketing, the civil service, public relations, accountancy and campaigning.

Recent graduates have gone on to work at organisations such as Avery Dennison, BAE Systems, Clifford Chance, the London Stock Exchange, and PwC.

Average starting salary and career progression

87.4% of undergraduates from the School of Law secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,800.*

The School of Law ranked 5th in the UK for boosting graduate salaries, with graduates earning an average of £4,844 more than expected five years after graduation.**

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
** The Economist British university rankings, 2017.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).