A law degree is an important first step into a career in law, as well as an important foundation on the route to many other careers, and Birmingham City University is a long-established provider of legal education to the Birmingham legal community and beyond.
This course has been developed to enable anyone wishing to qualify as a solicitor or barrister to undertake this first, important academic stage of their career. To achieve this, the course has been designed to align with the subjects that you will need to study further in order to successfully undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), while also meeting the requirements of the Bar Standards Board for an undergraduate law degree.
The study of law is both academic and practical, and therefore both of these are important elements in the LLB (Hons) degree at BCU. Theory and academic study are important on an LLB, but so too is the application of that knowledge, and so our LLB (Hons) degree offers plenty of opportunity for you to develop the practical lawyering skills, as well as the transferable skills enhancing your employability, that graduates will need when entering the workplace.
The different pathways on the LLB course will allow you to make decisions regarding the direction in which you want to take your studies, with named degrees in Law with American Legal Studies, Law with Business Law, and Law with Criminal Justice, as well as a broad range of optional modules ranging from more theoretical topics through to those aimed at the practical application of the law in real-world situations.
You will also have the opportunity to put those skills to practical use, both in the local community and beyond. Whether that is through our programme of placement opportunities with local providers such as Citizen’s Advice and various legal advice charities, through opportunities in the local legal community, or via BCU’s own Law Clinic, established to serve the local community from our City Centre campus, there are plenty of options available to you. You can also apply your legal knowledge further afield, through our US internship programme which has been placing students with attorneys throughout the US for over 20 years.
A professional placement year is also available, between years 2 and 3 of the degree, offering further opportunity for you to put your knowledge and skills to practical use, and thereby enhancing your CV further.
By focussing on the development of a range of transferable skills, the course employs numerous innovative assessment methods, going beyond the typical forms of written academic assessment.
You are also encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities to support your learning, with student societies such as the highly successful Mooting Society. Furthermore, you will have the ability to engage with the wider Birmingham legal community through our connections with the Birmingham Law Society, the largest regional law society in the UK.
Birmingham City University (BCU) welcomes around 31,000 students from 100 countries (HESA Student Record 2021/22 © Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited), making it a large and diverse place to study. The main campus is in the city centre, with additional sites located throughout Birmingham – including one of the largest jewellery schools in the world.
Check out our top reasons for choosing BCU for your future studies!
Creative specialists
BCU boasts specialist schools in Art, Architecture & Design, Jewellery, Fashion & Textiles, and Media. The University’s expertise is further showcased by their dominance in the UK subject rankings:
1st for Film Production & Photography (The Guardian 2024)
4th for Animation & Game Design (The Guardian 2024)
17th for Media & Film Studies (The Guardian 2024)
21st for Graphic Design (The Guardian 2024)
24th for Architecture (The Times 2024)
25th for Interior Design (The Guardian 2024)
29th for Product Design (The Guardian 2024)
Industry-standard facilities
BCU has invested over £400 million across its campuses and facilities – from the Parkside Building in the city centre, featuring state-of-the-art TV and radio studios, to simulated operating theatre and hospital wards at the City South Campus.
Global industry links
The BCU campus is immersed in industry and innovation, creating opportunities for students with every step. Placements are available with multinational companies such as Microsoft, Jaguar Land Rover, Cisco, and the BBC.
Professionally accredited
Many degrees have internationally recognised accreditations, such as the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). This ensures content is current and industry-relevant.
Job opportunities
All degrees incorporate work-related experience, with many offering a year-long placement and some including placements in each year of study. The on-campus employment agency also advertises paid roles at the University.
Careers support
BCU’s support doesn’t end after graduation. You can access dedicated careers advice and guidance throughout your time at the University and for up to three years after graduating.