Triangle

Course overview

This course meets the demand from highly qualified students who wish to study law as an academic discipline, irrespective of whether they wish to pursue a career in legal practice.

You may apply at the beginning of year two to be transferred to one of the school's four-year degree courses, which incorporate a year abroad studying the law of that country. The school has partner law schools in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore and the USA.

This is highly competitive and transfer should not be assumed. For those intending to follow a legal career, the grounding in different legal systems will prove very attractive to prospective employers and, in particular, the leading international firms of solicitors.

Support

The school provides specialist advice to help you with your legal skills. The aim is to ensure that every student, regardless of background or ability, has someone they can approach to discuss their legal study skills.

We also offer optional skills workshops on presentation, communication and negotiation, delivered by a range of law firms and chambers from across the UK.

The University library houses a law collection of approximately 60,000 books, law reports series, journals and extensive electronic resources. There is also a dedicated law librarian.

Key facts


Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.

UK entry requirements
A level AAA

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Required subjects None specific; you must also take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
IB score 36

Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

How you will be assessed

Study abroad

On this course, you can apply to switch to a four-year degree and spend your third year studying abroad in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore or the USA. This is a competitive process, dependent upon satisfactory performance and subject to availability.

You will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your employability by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English; however, there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.

For those intending to follow a legal career, the grounding in different legal systems will prove very attractive to prospective employers and, in particular, the leading international firms of solicitors.

Study Abroad and the Year in Industry are subject to students meeting minimum academic requirements. Opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

Modules

In year one you will take core modules in Foundations of Tort, Law of Contract, Public Law, and Understanding Law.

Core modules

Foundations of Tort A

The module covers basic principles of the tort of negligence.

Foundations of Tort B

This module builds on Foundations of Tort A, continues the study of the tort of negligence and covers other major torts.

Law of Contract A

This module is concerned with aspects of the substantive principles of general contact law. Topics include aspects of contract formation and vitiating factors. 

Law of Contract B

The module continues the study of the substantive principles of general contract law commenced in Law of Contract A. Topics considered include certain vitiating factors, the contents of contracts, and discharge and remedies.

Public Law A

The module examines the nature of constitutionalism and the structure of the UK state. Core constitutional concepts - limitations on governmental power, the rule of law, human rights - are analysed. 

The module examines changes that have taken place in relation to the traditional notion of parliamentary sovereignty with reference to the UK's membership of the EC/EU and the incorporation of the ECHR via the Human Rights Act. Other topics covered include: devolution, the civil service, New Public Management, and judicial review (introductory). 

Public Law B

This module covers the procedures and major principles of judicial review of administrative action and fundamental aspects of civil liberties law, including the powers of the police.

Understanding Law

The module provides an introduction to the basic techniques of legal study and encourages the development of a critical approach to understanding law in its context. The module comprises two parts: 

  • Legal Method 
  • A Critical Introduction
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Wednesday 21 August 2019.

In year two you will take further core modules in Criminal Law, Land Law, and (currently) Law of the European Union, as well as optional law modules and/or modules from outside the school.

Core modules

Criminal Law

This module includes an introduction to the general principles of criminal law and the study of some offences.

Land Law

This module examines the nature of land ownership in English law, and the conceptual framework of the creation and transfer of estates and interests in land. This module also examines the principal third party interests affecting land, with particular emphasis on their creation/acquisition and their protection through changes of ownership.

Law of the European Union

This module analyses the legal order established by the European Union (EU) treaties. It considers the law governing the establishment and operation of the EU, including the methods for enforcement of EU law.  This module also considers the substantive law of the European Union. It involves a detailed examination of the law relating to the internal market, and related areas of EU law. 

Optional modules

Classical Legal Theory

This module examines the classical theoretical approaches to the nature of law as a means of formal regulation, and the limitations imposed upon its operation by practical and ethical considerations. 

Employment Law

Employment law is concerned with redressing inequalities in the contractual bargain between the employer and worker. The module is primarily concerned with individual employment law, both common law and statute, although it must be understood in the context of the law of industrial relations and standardisation at international and European levels.

In the introduction to the module the role of the Employment Tribunal and other bodies concerned with adjudication and the resolution of employment disputes will be explained. 

Family Law

This module involves a critical analysis of the law relating to spouses and cohabitants. It focuses on the definition of the family in law, on legal remedies for domestic violence, and on the regulation and legal consequences of marriage breakdown. 

Foundations of Public International Law

This module introduces the foundations and general institutional structures of public international law as a means of regulating the conduct of States.  

It will consider the sources of public international law, the basic concepts of statehood and recognition, the subjects of the international legal system, the rise of institutions and the evolution of doctrines such as jurisdiction and state responsibility. 

The Politics of State Repression

Why are human rights well protected by some states while others have a notoriously bad repression record? Understanding the conditions under which governments protect human rights is crucial for the field of international relations and policy makers alike.

This module will discuss current quantitative research on political and economic determinants of human rights. We will address the state of the art work on personal integrity rights, civil and political rights, socioeconomic rights and labour rights. The main goal is to rigorously review and assess published research and methodological approaches to identify research gaps and formulate research questions which will advance the human rights literature.

At the end of the module, you will have a clear understanding about cutting-edge quantitative human research, how to select appropriate methodological approaches and how to design your own human rights project.

Legal Issues in Health Care

This module analyses the rights of patients, in the context of treatment provision, confidentiality, and the right of free movement in the EU internal market. The module asks questions about the construction of the body, by medicine and law, and the role of the state in the provision of healthcare. 

Maritime Law

This module considers the law regarding a number of topics relating to maritime casualties and their aftermath, such as limitation of liability, collisions, salvage and oil pollution.

Instead of optional law modules, you may take up to 20 credits of modules from outside the school.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on

In year three you will take the final core module in the Law of Trusts, as well as optional law modules and/or modules from outside the school.

If selected to transfer to one of our four-year degrees, you will spend your third year at a partner law school in another country. After this, you will return to Nottingham to complete your fourth and final year of study (as described below).

Core modules

Law of Trusts

This module examines the conceptual context of trusts, and the requirements for the creation and validity of express private trusts and charitable trusts. This module also examines resulting and constructive trusts, the duties of trustees and the imposition of fiduciary liability, together with associated remedies.

Optional modules include:

Dissertation

You will explore a topic of your choice under the supervision of a member of staff. The nature and topic of the dissertation will be decided by you and the proposed supervisor. The dissertation will normally be an essay of 46 pages, exclusive of bibliography.

Intellectual Property

The module examines the rationale for intellectual property rights and their commercial importance; the national, European and wider international dimensions of the legal regulation of intellectual property rights; and the law governing the acquisition, exploitation and infringement of copyright and allied rights, including the application of copyright law in the context of modern information technology developments.

International Humanitarian Law

The module will examine the essential elements of international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict): conceptual, institutional and substantive.

The module will develop from an introduction and historical overview of international humanitarian law to an examination of the sources of the law. You will then examine the form of armed conflicts in which these laws operate, namely international and non-international armed conflict.

The remainder of the module will explore substantive rules of armed conflict, including the classification of combatants and the treatment of prisoners of war; the law of targeting and the rules relating to the use of weapons. The module will end with discussion of the implementation of enforcement of the law. Examples from the practice of armed conflicts will be considered throughout.

Issues in Company Law

This module seeks to deal with fundamental and complex issues of corporate law. In the beginning we will set 'the scene' by looking at various business mediums available while focusing on the distinction between private and public companies. 

We will examine how companies are formed, and the consequences of formation - discussing concepts such as the corporate legal personality and the corporate 'veil', and the phenomenon of the corporate group. We will also examine contractual and non-contractual liability of companies and those dealing with them; and finally we will consider various issues relating to shareholding and the share capital of companies.

Mental Health Law and Policy

This module concerns the law relating to people in the psychiatric system. Issues - including hospital admissions, treatment, competency and guardianship, and advocacy on behalf of the mad - are discussed from a variety of perspectives including patient rights, social control, and medical humanitarianism. 

Underlying the module is the question of what madness is, how it is to be responded to, and whether the existing legal provisions are sufficient or appropriate. 

Principles of Corporate Insolvency Law

Corporate insolvency gives rise to a number of fascinating and complex questions. Which assets can be claimed by the company's creditors? What should be done with them? How should the proceeds raised be distributed amongst the creditors? How should those responsible for the losses be dealt with? 

The module seeks to develop an understanding of the ways these issues are resolved by the current law. You will be expected to analyse and evaluate the law, and consideration will be paid to the real-world context in which insolvency disputes arise.

Principles of Criminal Evidence

An introduction to the major principles of criminal evidence, including: 

  • relevance and factual reasoning in criminal adjudication
  • discretionary exclusion and the concept of a fair trial
  • confessions
  • character evidence
  • hearsay
  • presumption of innocence and burdens of proof
  • witness evidence
  • examination-in-chief and cross-examination
  • special measures for vulnerable witnesses
  • privilege against self-incrimination
  • expert witnesses and scientific evidence
Social Welfare and the Law

This module will examine the law governing care in the community, welfare benefits and housing provision. 

It will have a particular focus upon the ways in which social welfare law affects the lives of specific groups of individuals such as disabled adults, adults with mental health needs and adults who have been in contact with the criminal justice system. 

The object of the module will be to place legislation and case law in their social, historical and theoretical contexts. This module does not cover children's services.

Tax Law A

This module will begin with a brief consideration of how tax law is derived and applied. The module will then consider the basic charging provisions of income tax with a particular emphasis on businesses and their employees.

Tax Law B

This module will consider the basic charging provisions of two capital taxes: capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

Instead of optional law modules, you may take up to 20 credits of modules from outside the school.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on

Law with American law

Study aspects of American law by spending your third year with the University of Texas at Austin or University of Connecticut in the USA.

Law with Australian law

Study aspects of Australian law by spending your third year with the Australian National University in Canberra, or in Sydney with the University of New South Wales or the University of Sydney.

Law with Canadian law

Study aspects of Canadian law by spending your third year with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver or University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

Law with Chinese law (Hong Kong)

Study aspects of Chinese and Hong Kong law by spending your third year with the University of Hong Kong (teaching is in English).

Law with European law

Study aspects of the relevant national law by spending your third year with one of the school's European partner institutions in Vienna (Austria), Ghent (Belgium), Prague (Czech Republic), Copenhagen (Denmark), Rovaniemi (Finland), Brest (France), Rome (Italy), Utrecht (Netherlands), Madrid (Spain) and Lund (Sweden). Teaching is in English, except for in Brest and Madrid.

Law with New Zealand law

Study aspects of New Zealand law by spending your third year with the University of Auckland or University of Canterbury.

Law with South East Asian law

Study aspects of South-East Asian law by spending your third year with the National University of Singapore (teaching is in English).

Fees and funding

UK students

£9,250
Per year

International students

£17,550*
Per year

*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students*

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £2,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

International/EU students

Our International Baccalaureate Diploma Excellence Scholarship is available for select students paying overseas fees who achieve 38 points or above in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. We also offer a range of High Achiever Prizes for students from selected countries, schools and colleges to help with the cost of tuition fees. Find out more about scholarships, fees and finance for international students.

Home students*

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

International scholarships

Careers

This course will equip you with a thorough knowledge of English law and an in-depth understanding of the areas in which you choose to specialise.

A high proportion of our graduates go on to complete legal training relevant to that of a solicitor (Legal Practice Course) or barrister (Bar Professional Training Course).

Those seeking careers outside of law use their degree to gain access to a wide variety of professions and organisations such as consultancies, business advisory services, marketing, civil service, public relations, accountancy and campaigning.

Professional recognition

Solicitors Regulation Authority

BSB

This course is recognised by the Joint Academic Stage Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board as a qualifying law degree.

Overseas practice

Law graduates from the University of Nottingham may be eligible to practise overseas including in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Singapore, where admission to the Bar (or equivalent) can be attained subject to meeting the jurisdictions' conditions.

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).

Solicitors Regulation Authority

This course is recognised by the Joint Academic Stage Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a qualifying law degree.

Bar Standards Board

This course is recognised by the Bar Standards Board.

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Important information

This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.