Programme Specification and Curriculum Map for LLB (Hons)
1. Programme title
LLB (Hons)
2. Awarding institution
Middlesex University
3. Teaching institution
Middlesex University
4. Programme accredited by
Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar
Standards Board
5. Final qualification
LLB (Hons)
6. Academic year
2009-10
7. Language of study
English
8. Mode of study
Full or Part Time
9. Criteria for admission to the programme
The University’s standard entry requirement is 240 to 280 UCAS tariff points. Applicants will
normally need to be at the top end of this scale for entry onto the LLB. However, mature
applicants with relevant experience and qualifications, including access course qualifications are
also welcomed, provided they can show evidence of ability to benefit from the programme.
International students who have not been taught in the English medium must show evidence of
proven ability in English such as TOEFL grade 550 or IELTS grade 6.0.
University policies support students with disabilities apply, as described in the University
Regulations ‘Information for students with disabilities’.
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
 Provide the student with the level of knowledge and understanding of foundation
subjects of English and European Community Law and an opportunity to develop the
associated transferable intellectual and key skills that will enable the student to satisfy
the requirements set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board
for the academic stage of training.
 Provide the student with a broad academic qualification, which develops the student’s
understanding of the social, political, economic, cultural, historical and ethical context
within which law operates.
 Provide the student with specialist law modules enabling students to extend and develop
their legal knowledge and understanding in areas of personal or professional interest.
 Provide a programme of study which is relevant to the legal profession and employers in
general and lays the foundation for a successful career.
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
1
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this programme the
successful student will have knowledge and
understanding of :
1. The principal legal concepts and principles
of English and EU law, including familiarity
with their institutions and procedures.
2. The primary sources of English and EU
law: case law, legislation and other
relevant material.
3. The foundation subjects of English Law
(contract law, tort, public law, land law,
criminal law, equity & trusts and European
Community law), meeting the
requirements of the professional bodies
for exemption from the academic stage of
training.
4. The relevant social, economic, business,
historical, philosophical, ethical, and
cultural contexts within which the law
operates.
5. Detailed knowledge and understanding of
specialist areas of law beyond the
foundations of legal knowledge (selected
from topics such as employment and
discrimination law, public international law,
immigration law and human rights,
business organisations.
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will be able to:
1
2
Accurately identify and rigorously analyse
legal issues by applying knowledge of
legal principles and concepts to practical
situations and draw reasoned and
arguable conclusions supported by legal
authority.
Reflect on the values underpinning the
law.
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and understanding
through lectures, seminars and self-directed
study using a variety of resources, including
the library and OASISplus.
Lectures regularly involve interactive
exercises and opportunities for formative peer
and self assessment. The level one modules
introduce the essential building blocks of law
(A1 and A2). Lectures on compulsory
substantive law subjects are frequently used
to provide an overview or framework of the
subject matter of the module, to direct
students to further study and research and to
pose unanswered questions in relation to the
subject matter being discussed (A3).
Learning and teaching on all LAW modules
(particularly the option modules) is informed
by a critical approach which frequently
focuses on relevant aspects of the social,
economic, business, historical, philosophical,
ethical and cultural contexts within which the
law operates (A4, A5).
Assessment Method
Students’ knowledge and understanding is
assessed by summative assessment in all
modules which takes a variety of forms
including exams (some with seen
components), moot presentation and
coursework which allow the student to
demonstrate a developing and increasingly
sophisticated level of knowledge of the
relevant subjects. At level one, the principal
focus of the assessment is on the relevant
basic principles and concepts (A1, A2). At
level two, it is on knowledge of substantive
legal subjects (A3), while level three brings to
the fore the context of the law, and specialist
knowledge of optional areas of law (A4, A5).
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn cognitive skills primarily
through seminars, which are small group
discussions interspersed with exercises.
These may involve written and oral
communication which allows students to
practice the identification and analysis of legal
principles and the application of them to
problems (B1), using primary source material
(B5). Group discussions provide the
opportunity for students to develop their ability
to reflect on, evaluate and assess competing
2
3
4
5
Confidently prioritise, analyse,
discriminate between and synthesise
information.
Read critically and evaluate in order to
assess the validity of competing
arguments on legal issues.
Understand, interpret and apply the
primary source material of English and EU
law.
C. Practical skills
On completion of the programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. Undertake independent research and to
locate, retrieve, investigate and manage
information from academic sources, both
paper and electronic.
2. Locate and use the primary sources of
law.
3. Express him/herself clearly, succinctly,
accurately, analytically and grammatically
in writing.
4. Speak clearly, analytically and courteously
in oral answers/presentations.
5. Use essential electronic resources and
applications.
D. Graduate Skills
On completion of this programme, the
successful student will be able to demonstrate
skills in the following areas:
1. Personal and career development
2. Effective learning
3. Communication
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
arguments (B2-4).
Assessment Method
In particular, the assessment for Levels 1 and
2 allows students to demonstrate the
comprehension and interpretation of primary
source materials (B5) and the identification
and analysis of legal issues by requiring
students to apply knowledge of legal
principles to practical questions drawing
reasoned and arguable conclusions supported
by legal authority (B1). At level 3, particularly
the option modules, the assessment expects
students to show a critical and evaluative
approach which analyses and discriminates
between competing legal arguments and
reflects on the values underpinning the law
(B4, B2). Outcome B3 is a pervasive skill,
assessed in all modules.
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn practical skills through an
emphasis on the acquisition of the written and
oral legal skills in the level one modules (C3,
C4). The level two modules require the
students to undertake independent study in
preparation for seminars, which includes the
location and use of primary legal materials
(C2). At level 3 the seminars encourage a
reflective and critical review of information
from academic sources, including journals
(C1, C5).
Assessment Method
Students’ practical skills are assessed by
summative assessment in all modules. The
Level 1 modules expect the student to
demonstrate skill C2, a skill which underpins
later module assessment. This includes
exams and coursework, which demand clear,
succinct and accurate writing (C3); mooting
which assesses oral skill (C4), coursework
which requires a sophisticated level of
information retrieval and management, and
effective presentation using word processing
applications (C1, C5).
Teaching/learning methods
Students acquire graduate skills throughout
their study on the programme. In particular,
the level one modules lay the foundation for
many of the skills which are subsequently built
on in the specialist law modules. Seminars
encourage effective communication between
students and between tutor and student and
3
4. Teamwork
5. Information technology
6. Numeracy
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
allow students to engage in group-based
exercises (D3, D4). Increasingly, use of
information technology is fundamental to the
accessing and management of legal
resources, and this skill is reinforced at all
levels (D5). Personal and career
development introduced at level one, with the
opportunity to extend this later in the
programme through dedicated careers events.
(D1). Numeracy (at a level appropriate for
law) is incorporated in Level 1 (D6).
Assessment method
Students’ graduate skills are assessed by the
summative assessment across the
programme. The key skills D2 and D3
underpin the programme as a whole and are
assessed in all modules.
4
12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression requirements)
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
The LLB (Hons) Programme comprises four thirty-credit modules in each year. The core
modules comprise the foundations of legal knowledge required by the JASB (Joint Academic
Stage Board) of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board.
Full Time Three Year Mode
Year One
In the first year, two compulsory thirty credit year long modules are taken, English Legal System
and Legal Method, which are the building blocks of the LLB Programme. In addition, in the first
year, there are compulsory thirty credit year long law modules which introduce two of the
substantive legal subjects, Public Law and the Law of Contract.
Year Two
Three compulsory modules are taken in the second year: Tort, European Union Law and
Criminal Law. In addition students choose either Consumers and the Law or Criminal and Civil
Justice. Students are able to give their programme a distinctive character by the choice of
options in the second and third years. A choice of Consumers and the Law in the second year,
together with perhaps Employment and Discrimination Law and Business Organisations in the
third year will give it a commercial focus, whereas a choice of Criminal and Civil Justice in the
second year taken with, for example Child and Family Law and Immigration Law and Human
Rights, will shift the focus towards the relationship between the individual and the law.
Year Three
As well as the core modules in Land Law and Equity & Trusts, third year students study two level
three thirty credit law optional modules.
Full-time LLB (Hons) structure
Year One
LAW1102
English Legal
System
Year Two
LAW1104
Legal Method
LAW1106
Public Law
LAW1108
Law of Contract
LAW2101
Criminal Law
LAW2110
EU Law
LAW2105
Tort
LAW2114
Consumers and
the Law
Or
LAW2116
Criminal and Civil
Justice
LAW3103
Equity and Trusts
Optional module
(from list in section
12.2)
Optional module
(from list in section
12.2
Year Three
LAW3101
Land Law
Part Time Mode (over six years):
Year One
In the first year, two compulsory thirty credit year long modules are taken, English Legal System
and Legal Method, which are the building blocks of the LLB Programme
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
5
Year Two
Two compulsory thirty credit year long law modules which introduce two of the substantive legal
subjects, Public Law and the Law of Contract are taken in this year.
Year Three
Two further compulsory modules, Criminal Law and Tort, are studied.
Year Four
The compulsory module, EU Law is studied, together with a choice of either Consumers and the
Law or Criminal and Civil Justice.
Year Five
The final two compulsory modules, Land Law and Equity and Trusts are studied.
Year Six
The programme is completed with two optional modules.
Part –time LLB (Hons) structure (six years)
Year One
LAW1102
English Legal System
Year Two
LAW1104
Legal Method
LAW1106
Public Law
Year Three
LAW1108
Law of Contract
LAW2101
Criminal Law
Year Four
LAW2105
Tort
LAW2110
EU Law
LAW2114
Consumers and the Law
Or
LAW2116
Criminal and Civil Justice
Year Five
LAW3101
Land Law
Year Six
LAW3103
Equity and Trusts
Optional module (from list in
section 12.2)
Optional module (from list in
section 12.2)
Part Time Mode (over four years)
Year One
In the first year, two compulsory thirty credit year long modules are taken, English Legal System
and Legal Method, which are the building blocks of the LLB Programme, together with one
substantive law subject, Law of Contract.
Year Two
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
6
Three further modules, Public Law, Tort and either Consumers and the Law or Criminal and Civil
Justice are studied.
Year Three
Criminal Law, EU Law and one option are taken in Year Three.
Year Four
The final core subjects of Equity and Trusts and Land Law are studied, together with one further
option.
Part–time LLB (Hons) structure (four years)
Year One
LAW1102
English Legal
System
Year Two
LAW1104
Legal Method
LAW1108
Law of Contract
LAW1106
Public Law
LAW2105
Tort
LAW2114
Consumers and the
Law, or
LAW2116
Criminal and Civil
Justice
LAW2110
EU Law
Optional module
(from list in section
12.2)
LAW3103
Equity and Trusts
Optional module
(from list in section
12.2)
Year Three
LAW2101
Criminal Law
Year Four
LAW3101
Land Law
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
7
12.2 Levels and modules.
Level 1
COMPULSORY1
OPTIONAL 2
Students must take all of the
following:
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of
LAW1102, LAW1104, LAW1108
and LAW1106 with a minimum
grade of 16 are required to stay
on the LLB programme. These
modules are not compensatable
for progression on the LLB
programme. LAW1106 and
LAW1108 may be compensated
for transfer onto the BA Law
programme.
LAW1102 English Legal System
LAW1104 Legal Method
LAW1106
Public Law
LAW1108
Law of Contract
Level 2
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all of the
following:
Students must also choose from
the following:
LAW2101,
LAW2101 Criminal Law
LAW2105 Tort
LAW2110 EU Law
LAW2114 Consumers and the
Law
or
LAW2116 Criminal and Civil
Justice
and
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all of the
following:
LAW3103 Equity and Trusts
LAW3101 Land Law
Students must choose two level
three Law options from the list
below.
LAW3103 and
LAW3101 must be passed with a
minimum grade of 16 to
graduate with the degree of LLB
(Hons).
LAW2105,
LAW2110 must be passed with a
minimum grade of 16 to remain
on the LLB programme. These
modules are not compensatable
for progression on the LLB
programme. They may be
compensated for transfer onto
the BA Law programme.
Level 3
For an Honours Degree students
must achieve at least 360 credit
points at level 1 and above,
which must include at least 120
credit points at level 2 and above
of which 120 credit points are at
level 3 and above.
1
Compulsory modules are those that must be taken, that is, the qualification cannot be made unless these modules have been
successfully completed. Each of these modules makes a unique contribution to the learning objectives of the programme.
2
Optional modules are those from which a specified minimum number must be taken, that is, the qualification cannot be given
unless this specified minimum number of optional modules has been successfully completed. Each of the possible combinations of
optional modules will make a similarly unique contribution to the achievement of the learning objectives of the programme.
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
8
Available option modules (There is no guarantee that all options will run in any year).
LAW 3105 Business Organisations
LAW 3107 Employment and Discrimination law
LAW 3112 Immigration Law and Human Rights
LAW 3114 Medical Law
LAW 3116 Child and Family Law
LAW 3182 Public International Law
MBS 3001 Organisational Internship
MBS 3200 Learning and Self-Development in the Context of Part-Time Work
MBS 3300 Learning from Voluntary Work
MBS 3331/2 Organisational Placement
12.3 Non-compensatable modules.
Module level
Module code
Level one
LAW1102, LAW1104, LAW1106, LAW1108
Level Two
LAW2101, LAW2105, LAW2110
Level Three
LAW3101, LAW3103
13. A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules
See Curriculum Map attached.
14. Information about assessment regulations
The University’s assessment regulations which can be found at www.mdx.ac.uk/regulations
apply to the programme.
There are also special considerations concerning assessment for the LLB programme, as
follows:
The core modules Public Law, Law of Contract, Criminal Law, Tort, EU Law, Equity and Trusts
and Land Law as well as the two compulsory modules taken in the first year, English Legal
System and Legal Method, are deemed as ‘non-compensatable’ modules.
Award of LLB (Hons) degree and professional exemption:
Professional exemption is not automatic if:
 A student has gained the degree by credit transfer
 Has taken more than four years to obtain a full-time degree (or six years to obtain a parttime degree) or
 A student is condoned in a compulsory core module.
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support
Students may choose to undertake a placement year during their third year, and then return to
Middlesex for the final (fourth) year. The Placement Office provides information and guidance
on obtaining placements, but the student must be pro-active in finding a suitable placement.
Students must complete 240 credits before starting a placement and obtain the written
permission of the LLB Programme Leader. This will only be given if the placement is of
sufficient legal standing.
A placement adds an extra year onto the LLB, which has to be completed in four years unless
the student has obtained permission from the Solicitors Regulation Authority/Bar Standards
Board to exceed this limit. In any one year, a maximum of six students may do the placement
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
9
year.
16. Future careers: how the programme supports graduates’ future career development
The LLB degree is a qualifying law degree for purposes of exemption from the academic stage
of legal professional qualification under the requirements of the Joint Academic Stage Board of
the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board. However, not all graduates of the
LLB programme enter the legal profession. Many find employment in, for example, local
government and business.
17. Particular support for learning
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Law specific Induction workshop for all students within a week long induction period
Availability of weekly consultation periods with programme leader on an individual basis
Focus in Level One modules on study skills, legal writing and legal research
Availability of academic guidance from all module leaders during regular open office hours
Availability of guidance from library staff, including a dedicated Law Librarian.
Opportunities to consult Duty Advisers
Availability of computer assisted learning facilities
E-mail access to tutors
Electronically accessible generic feedback on all summative module assessments
Comprehensive information in programme and module handbooks
Facilities and equipment available to assist disabled students
Access to careers information and a careers office staffed with careers advisers with
extensive knowledge of career options in law.
Increasing use of OASISplus online system to support learning opportunities.
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
M200
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
Law
20. Reference points
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 QAA Subject Benchmark for Law
 University and School Learning and Teaching policies and strategies
 Middlesex University Learning Framework
 The Joint Statement of the Solicitors Regulation Authority for England and Wales and the Bar
Standards Board in relation to the academic stage of qualification for the legal professions
 Middlesex University Student Charter
 National Qualifications
 QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
21. Other information
Students may choose to take a year abroad in their third year, and return to Middlesex for their
final (fourth) year.
Students who fail one or more of the compulsory modules on the LLB programme will usually be
able to transfer on to the BA (Hons) Law programme.
Indicators of quality
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
10
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Law at LLB level has been taught at Middlesex for 35 years.
Throughout this time the programme has been accredited by the Law Society and Bar
Council
Students obtaining a 2.2 degree are guaranteed a place on the Legal Practice Course at the
College of Law, which is the leading national provider
A very high percentage of staff teaching on the programme are qualified as solicitors and/or
barristers in the UK and/or in other jurisdictions
A high proportion of members of staff teaching on the programme have experience of
research and/or publication in relevant fields
Members of the Law Department have received substantial research grants.
Several members of academic staff in the Law Department have been awarded University
Teaching Fellowships
There are three Professors of Law in the Law Department
A number of members of the Law Department have PhDs.
Many of the academic staff have completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Higher
Education and are members of the Higher Education Academy
LLB students from Middlesex have won two major law mooting competitions, including
winning the Commonwealth Mooting Competition for the UK. This was the first time since
the 1980s that the UK had won the Commonwealth competition.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning
A variety of sources of information are used to review and evaluate quality of standards of
learning. These include:
 Operation within a School and University framework for quality evaluation and
enhancement
 Regular monitoring of programme and module delivery
 Continuing opportunity for feedback from students during workshops and seminars
 Regular feedback from students through Boards of Study
 Feedback questionnaires completed by students at the close of each module
 Wide participation by staff in the Learning Development Forum.
 Participation by staff in external curriculum related staff development programmes
 An established programme of peer review for academic staff
 Regular discussions in academic group meetings
 Annual appraisal of academic staff
 Regular peer observation of teaching
 External Examiner moderation of assessed work, their end of year reports and our
responses to those reports
Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to
achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
11
Curriculum map for LLB (Hons)
This section shows the highest level at which programme outcomes are to be achieved by all graduates, and maps programme learning outcomes against the modules in
which they are assessed.
Programme outcomes – highest level to be achieved by all graduates
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
2
3
1
3
3
2
3
1
A5
B1
B2
B3
B4
Module Title
Module
Code
Programme outcomes
A1
A2
A3
A4
B5
C1
C2
C3
X
X
X
C4
C5
D1
D2
D3
X
X
X
D4
D5
D6
Level One
English Legal System
LAW1102
X
X
Legal Method
LAW1104
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
Public Law
LAW1106
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Law of Contract
Level Two
LAW1108
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Criminal Law
LAW2101
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Tort
LAW2105
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EU Law
LAW2110
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Consumers and the Law LAW2114
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Criminal and Civil
Justice
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
LAW2116
Level Three
Land Law
LAW3101
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Equity and Trusts
LAW3103
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Business Organisations
LAW3105
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Employment and
Discrimination Law
LAW3107
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Immigration Law and
Human Rights
LAW3112
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Medical Law
LAW3114
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Child and Family Law
LAW3116
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Public International Law
LAW3182
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
12
Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
The principal legal concepts and principles of English and EU
A1
law, including familiarity with their institutions and procedures.
The primary sources of English and EU law: case law,
A2
legislation and other relevant material.
The foundation subjects of English Law (contract law, tort,
A3
public law, land law, criminal law, equity & trusts and European
Community law);
A4
The relevant social, economic, business, historical,
philosophical, ethical, and cultural contexts within which the
law operates.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of a number of
A5
specialist areas of law beyond the foundations of legal
knowledge
Cognitive skills
Identify and analyse legal issues by applying knowledge of
B1
legal principles and concepts to practical situations and draw
reasoned and arguable conclusions supported by legal
authority
B2
Reflect on the values underpinning the law
Confidently prioritise, analyse, discriminate between and
B3
synthesise information.
Read critically and evaluate in order to assess the validity of
B4
competing arguments on legal issues.
Understand, interpret and apply the primary source material of
B5
English and EU law.
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
Practical skills
Undertake independent research and to locate, retrieve, investigate and
C1
manage information from academic sources, both paper and electronic.
Locate and use the primary sources of law.
C2
C3
Express him/herself clearly, succinctly, accurately, analytically and
grammatically in writing.
C4
Speak clearly, analytically and courteously in oral answers/presentations
C5
Use essential electronic resources and applications
Graduate Skills
Personal and career development
D1
D2
Effective learning
D3
Communication
D4
Teamwork
D5
Information technology
D6
Numeracy
13
Programme Assessment Schedule
Module
LAW1102 English Legal System
LAW 1104 Legal Method
LAW 1106 Public Law
LAW 1108 Law of Contract
LAW 2101 Criminal Law
LAW 2105 Tort
LAW 2110 EU Law
LAW 2114 Consumers and the Law
LAW 2116 Criminal and Civil Justice
LAW 3101 Land Law
LAW 3103 Equity and Trusts
LAW 3105 Business Organisations
LAW 3107 Employment and Discrimination
Law
LAW 3112 Immigration Law and Human
Rights
LAW 3114 Medical Law
LAW3116 Child and Family Law
LAW 3182 Public International Law
LLB (Hons) 2009/2010
Mode of Assessment
100% coursework, Study Skills Audit 10%,
Two 1000 word essays worth 45% each.
50% moot and 50% online submission
25% multiple choice test mid-year and 75%
examination at the end of the year
25% multiple choice test mid-year and 75%
examination at the end of the year
25% coursework mid-year and 75%
examination at the end of the year, which
includes a seen question
25% coursework mid-year and 75% unseen
examination at the end of the year.
25% coursework mid-year and 75%
examination at the end of the year which
includes a compulsory seen question
60% written coursework, 40% group oral
presentation.
75% written coursework, 25% group oral
presentation.
25% coursework mid-year and 75% unseen
examination at the end of the year.
25% coursework mid-year and 75% unseen
examination at the end of the year
100% coursework, with two pieces of written
work 4,500 words in total.
100% coursework with two pieces of written
work 4,500 words in total.
100% Coursework, including problem analysis
and essays
100% Coursework with four different pieces of
work including problem analysis and essays
100% coursework, with two pieces of written
work 4,500 words in total.
50% Coursework, 50% exam
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