PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

FOR TAUGHT PROGRAMMES AT ALL LEVELS

Name of Programme: / LLB (Hons) Law (including integrated foundation year)
Final award (BSc, MA etc): / LLB (Hons)
Awarding institution/body: / University of Buckingham / Teaching institution: / University of Buckingham
School of Study: / Foundation and Study Skills/Law / Parent Department: (the department responsible for the administration of the programme) / Foundation and Study Skills/Law
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from Buckingham, e.g placements) / 3 years / Method of study: Fulltime/Part-time/Other / Full-Time
Framework for
Higher Education
Qualifications
(FHEQ) Level
(see Guidance notes, section
D – External Reference
Points) / Level 6 / Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS) (see Guidance notes, section D – External Reference Points) / Law
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable): / Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board.
Criteria for admission to the programme: / Satisfactory completion of grade 12, IELTS score of 6.0 plus evidence of genuine intellectual capacity. / Cohort(s) to which this
programme
specification is applicable:(e.g.from 2012 intake onwards) / From 2014 intake onwards
UCAS Code / M200
Summary of Programme
The Buckingham LLB degree allows students to become confident, competent lawyers, able to practise almost anywhere in the world. With an English ‘qualifying law degree’ from Buckingham a student will be recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (formerly the Law Society) and the Bar Standards Board as qualified to be exempt from the academic stage of training for entry into the legal profession. Every LLB programme at Buckingham (whether single honours or combined honours) provides our graduates with this qualification.
The 3 year LLB is designed for students who need an extra introduction to enable them to study at undergraduate level. The first year of the programme gives a foundation to the more specialist subjects delivered in years two and three.
Educational Aims of the Programme

The programme aims to provide:

During the first year core modules are studied which will train students to become independent learners equipped to continue their studies in years two and three. The programme aims to develop in students the ability to construct and communicate logical arguments clearly; to help students acquire and practice strategies for effective reading and for academic vocabulary development; to provide opportunities for students to develop IT skills; to train students in language awareness; to encourage students to develop general study skills, particularly including the ability to learn independently using a variety of source materials; to stimulate engagement and participation in the learning process; to encourage students to become autonomous learners. Students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge of academic subjects related to their future study.

In years two and three, the programme aims to meet the requirements of a qualifying law degree & offer the opportunity for study of specialist subjects in law. It also aims to develop the skills necessary to analyse and evaluate complex legal problems and issues. It will give students the opportunity to examine and discuss aspects of law and practise a number of key skills that will be useful to employers both inside and outside the traditional practice of law. It aims to foster intellectual self-confidence and stimulate intellectual inquiry through pro-active teaching and seminar discussions.

Programme Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:
Year 1:
1.Use English effectively for academic study
2.Demonstrate the use of sources of information
3.Demonstrate a knowledge of the structures, functions, processes and cultures pertaining to a range of social organisations,
4.Demonstrate a knowledge of the external environment within which organizations operate, including the / Teaching/Learning Strategy
The use of small group tutorials or seminars is central to the Buckingham’s learning and teaching strategy to accomplish all intended learning outcomes;
Students are taught in a combination of structured lectures, seminars and tutorials in all core subjects and required law option subjects.
Teaching is supported by the use of module texts and journal articles. The use of IT is embedded in the curriculum. Understanding is reinforced by support from tutors in formative feedback across all modules.
political, social, economic and technological contexts at both national and international levels
5.Obtain a basic foundation of the knowledge required to undertake study
at a higher level in their chosen academic specialisation
In Years 2 and 3 students will acquire:
6.Knowledge and understanding of the principal institutional features & procedures of the legal system of England & Wales and of the European Union;
7.Knowledge and understanding of the concepts and values of the legal system of England and Wales and, where appropriate, the European Union
8.Knowledge, when appropriate in-depth, and understanding of the core legal subjects;
9.Knowledge, when appropriate in-depth, and understanding of certain legal subjects (options) beyond the core subjects. / Assessment Strategy:
Students are formally assessed by completing individual assignments, presentations, individual projects and group projects. Knowledge and understanding is also tested through unseen written examinations in most modules.
Weightings (course / project work to examinations) vary from module to module and will be made explicit to students on each module specification document.
Cognitive skills:
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:
1.identify and analyse legal issues & assess the validity of different legal arguments;
2.identify and analyse legal doctrines & principles and assess their validity and merit;
3.find analysed solutions to new complex problems;
4.apply legal principles to factual scenarios in order to generate the legal resolution of various issues raised in those scenarios;
5.think critically about various legal arguments and doctrines and also various legally related issues;
6.evaluate the merit of different arguments and to understand their implications for legal problems. / Teaching/Learning Strategy:
The principles are discussed in the module texts, lectures and seminars, with many examples given to aid understanding of the processes involved. The students are also provided with practical activities to develop cognitive skills, utilising case study materials and computer software.
Assessment Strategy:
Cognitive skills in all areas are assessed by coursework, examinations, projects & presentations.
Assignments are designed to require the skills of analysis, evaluation and integration.
The Individual Research Project in the first year is an extended opportunity for students to further develop and be assessed on these skills
Practical skills (subject specific):
1.Ability to apply knowledge to a range of problem situations in a way that is analytical;
2.Ability to provide a critical evaluation of unresolved problems in the law;
3.Ability to present a concise, logical argument avoiding irrelevance, both orally and in writing, and to use legal terminology correctly;
4.Ability to present written work in a correct format and follow an appropriate style in written work;
5.Ability to identify, use and be up-to-date with primary and secondary legal resources, both in hard copy and electronic form (databases);
6.Ability to conduct legal research to an appropriate level with regard to essay and problem questions;
7.Ability to access and assimilate information from a variety of sources;
8.Ability to act independently in planning and managing tasks;
9.Ability to make use of feedback on student’s work and to reflect on own learning;
10.Ability to engage in an academic debate, both in writing and orally;
11.Ability to read and comprehend complex legal works;
12.Ability to explain legal ideas clearly, both in the written and oral form;
13.Ability to use information technology for legal writing and research and sending information. / Teaching/Learning Strategy:
Students will be exposed to a variety of workshops and practical exercises helping to develop IT skills. They will be encouraged to use Moodle and other online resources to aid learning and develop IT skills.They will be required to write and present assignments both as individuals and in groups, prepare spreadsheets and worksheets, use Word and Excel and learn the basics of file management. Other computer software packages will also be introduced.
Students will be given the opportunity to apply knowledge to solve practical problem.
In years 2 and 3 small group tutorials will take place every week involving an exploration of essay and problem questions and encouragement of open debate in tutorials.
There will be written assignments with feedback from tutors.
Students will take part in Mooting and negotiation exercises.
Assessment Strategy:
In year 1 there will be a combination of coursework, projects, presentations, practical computing examinations and written examinations.
In year 2 Introduction to Legal Studies and Legal Skills and Procedure will be examined by a combination of assessed written work and tests. The other modules will be examined by examination only.
In year 3 all modules will be assessed by an essay and a final examination.
In some cases it may be possible for a student to substitute a dissertation with the permission of the Dean.
Transferable skills (generic):On successful completion of the programme, students should have acquired:
1.Data management skills
2.Communication skills
3.Leadership and team-building skills
4.Time management skills
5.Decision-making and problem-solving
skills
6.Life-long learning skills / Teaching/Learning Strategy:
Data management skills are fully integrated throughout the programme. Role-play exercises, case studies, and individual and group presentations facilitate the development of communication, interpersonal skills, time management and team working.
Assessment Strategy:
Assessment of skills 1-6 is via written coursework, individual and group presentations and examinations.
External Reference Points
The following reference points were used in designing the programme
•The European Qualifications’ Framework for Lifelong Learning
( ;
•How to Use Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria by David Gosling and Jenny Moon. Published by SEEC. (
•Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
( Relevant Subject Benchmark Statement(s)
(
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental or programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by the University of Buckingham and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Director(s) Name(s):
Date of Production: / 2017
Date approved by School
Learning and Teaching
Committee
Date approved by School Board of Study
Date approved by University
Learning and Teaching
Committee

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

September Entry Extended

SINGLE HONOURS
Term / YEAR ONE
1
Winter / English and Study
Skills [3]
(10 Units) / Life and Institutions [3] (10 Units) / Essential Computing
Skills [3]
(10 Units) / Critical Thinking [3] (10 Units)
EXAMINATION
2
Spring / English for
Academic Studies
[3] (10 Units) / International Studies [3] (10 Units) / The English Legal
System [3]
(10 Units) / Legal Writing and
Research [3]
(10 Units)
EXAMINATION
3
Summer / Research Skills [3] (10 Units) / Current Affairs [3] (10 Units) / Introduction to the Law of Contract and Tort [3] (10 Units) / Law and Policy of the European Union [3] (10 Units)
EXAMINATION
Term / YEAR TWO
4
Summer / Introduction to Legal Studies 1 [4] (15 Units) / Law of Contract [4] (30 Units) / Criminal Law [4] (30 Units)
5
Autumn / European Union Law 1 [4] (15 Units)
THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
6
Winter / Legal Skills and Procedure [5] (15 Units) / Constitutional and
Administrative Law [5]
(30 Units) / Law of Torts [5] (30 Units)
7
Spring / European Union Law 2 [5] (15 Units)
THE PART I EXAMINATION
YEAR THREE
8
Summer / Law of Trusts [6] (30 Units) / Two of: #
Contemporary Issues in Human Rights [6] (30 Units)
Criminology [6] (30 Units)
Employment Law [6] (30 Units)
Family Law [6] (30 Units)
Jurisprudence [6] (30 Units)
Law of Evidence [6] (30 Units)
9
Autumn
THE PART II, STAGE I, EXAMINATION
10
Winter / Land Law [6] (30 Units) / Two of: #
Commercial Law [6] (30 Units)
Company Law [6] (30 Units)
Intellectual Property Law [6] (30 Units)
International Law [6] (30 Units)
11
Spring / Sex, Gender and Minorities in the Legal Process [6] (30 Units)
Medical Law and Ethics [6] (30 Units)
THE PART II, STAGE II, EXAMINATION

January Entry Extended

SINGLE HONOURS
Term / YEAR ONE
1
Winter / English and Study
Skills [3]
(10 Units) / Life and Institutions [3] (10 Units) / Essential Computing
Skills [3]
(10 Units) / Critical Thinking [3] (10 Units)
EXAMINATION
2
Spring / English for Academic
Studies [3]
(10 Units) / International Studies [3] (10 Units) / The English Legal
System [3]
(10 Units) / Legal Writing and
Research [3]
(10 Units)
EXAMINATION
3
Summer / Introduction to the Law and Policy of the
Research Skills [3] Current Affairs [3]
Law of Contract and European Union [3]
(10 Units) (10 Units)
Tort [3] (10 Units) (10 Units)
EXAMINATION
YEAR TWO
4
Autumn / Introduction to Legal Studies 1 [4] (15 Units) / European Union Law 1 [4] (15 Units) / Optional Interest or Skills
Course [4]
(15 Units)
5
Winter / Law of Torts [5] (30 Units) / Constitutional and
Administrative Law [5]
(30 Units) / Optional Interest or Skills
Course [4]
(15 Units)
6
Spring / Optional Interest or Skills
Course [4]
(15 Units)
THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
7
Summer / Law of Contract [5] (30 Units) / Criminal Law [5] (30 Units) / Legal Skills and Procedure [5] (15 Units)
8
Autumn / European Union Law 2 [5] (15 Units)
THE PART I EXAMINATION
YEAR THREE
9
Winter / Land Law [6] (30 Units) / Two of: #
Commercial Law [6] (30 Units)
Company Law [6] (30 Units)
Intellectual Property Law [6] (30 Units)
International Law [6] (30 Units)
Sex, Gender and Minorities in the Legal Process [6] (30 Units) Medical Law and Ethics [6] (30 Units)
10
Spring
THE PART II, STAGE I, EXAMINATION
11
Summer / Law of Trusts [6] (30 Units) / Two of: #
Contemporary Issues in Human Rights [6] (30 Units)
Criminology [6] (30 Units)
Employment Law [6] (30 Units)
Family Law [6] (30 Units)
Jurisprudence [6] (30 Units)
Law of Evidence [6] (30 Units)
12
Autumn
THE PART II, STAGE II, EXAMINATION

# Dissertation:

In terms 8 and 9 a dissertation may be substituted for one Part 2 law option, if:

i) two tutors are prepared to confirm that the candidate is capable of independent research and is potentially of a good 2:1 standard; ii) a further tutor agrees to act as a supervisor and the topic of the dissertation is agreed with that tutor.