1.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Programme Title
LLB Single Honours
Department and Faculty
Department of Law
Faculty of Business, Law and Sport
Date of most recent (re)validation
26 March 2013
Date(s) when Programme Specification
revised
July 2015
Revalidation due date
Academic year 2018-19
Awarding Institution
University of Winchester
Teaching Institution (if different)
n/a
Programme also accredited by (if
relevant)
Title of Final Award
Title(s) of Exit Award(s)
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Bar Standards Board
LLB Law
Diploma of Higher Education in Law
Certificate of Higher Education in Law
Language of Study
English
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time, part-time
Mode(s) of Delivery
Taught
Intake start date(s) and number of
intakes per year
September 2013
Normal Period of Study
3 years full time; 6 years part-time
UCAS Codes
M100 LLB/Law
QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
Law
2.
One intake per year
ADMISSIONS AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Prospective students should consult the latest prospectus and/or course pages online for programme
entry requirements.
Prospective students for Taught programmes should consult the Admissions Policy for Taught
Programmes. Prospective students for Professional Doctorate programmes should consult the
Postgraduate Research Programmes Admissions Policy. Both are available on the University’s public
webpage.
3.
EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
3.1
The aims of the Programme are:
The LLB programme, taken as a Single Honours subject, is designed to meet the QAA Benchmark for law
and the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board for Qualifying Law
Degrees (as detailed in the Joint Statement). In doing so, it meets the needs of students who wish to
enter the legal profession as well as those who will choose to enter a wide range of other careers and
professions and for whom the intellectual and practical skills and abilities acquired and developed during
the programme will be appropriate.
Specifically the programme will enable students to






Acquire knowledge and understanding in the foundational subjects of English law and of other
selected areas of law
Analyse and critically evaluate legal and relevant non-legal primary and secondary materials
Develop transferable skills of research, problem solving, group working, information handling,
and independent learning
Present written and oral argument in a clear and concise manner.
Acquire specialist skills in mooting, debating and negotiating.
Recognise the impact of the learning methods on their achievement of the programme
outcomes.
Distinctive features of the Programme are:
The programme is designed to meet the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar
Standards Board for the award of a Qualifying Law Degree satisfying the academic stage of training for
those seeking to qualify as a solicitor or barrister.
The programme incorporates the legal skills of mooting, negotiating and presentation into the core
modules that constitute the Foundations of Legal Knowledge set down by the Professional Bodies in the
Joint Statement on the Completion of the Initial or Academic stage of Training.
Programme Requirement:
It is a Programme Requirement for the LLB that either the Law Dissertation module or the Independent
Learning Project module must be taken. This provision applies when students are studying at Level six.
3.2
The Learning Outcomes of the Programme are:

Level 4
Students will have:
a)
knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of English Law (including the
context of the EU)
b)
awareness of the institutions and major processes and practices of the legal system
c)
knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and principles of the law of contract
law and understanding of the sources of law
d)
begun to develop legal study skills, the skills of communication and argument, group
working skills and numeracy skills.
e)
begun to acquire skills in mooting, presentation and negotiation.
Page 2 of 15
f)

experience of word processing, e-mail, legal database research and the internet.
Level 5
Those who start as Single Honours Students will have:
a)
a sound knowledge and understanding of Criminal Law and the Law of Property
(specifically Land Law).
b)
a sound knowledge and understanding of selected optional subjects
c)
capacity for legal analysis and argument and enhanced skills of reasoning and criticism
and a developing ability of critical evaluation
d)
ability to handle moderately complex legal problem and propose solutions
e)
further developed skills in mooting, presentation and negotiation
f)
developed written and oral communication skills
Those combined honours students who transfer to single honours law at the end of year one will
have:

a)
a sound knowledge and understanding of the Law of Tort, Public Law, the Law of Property
(specifically Land Law), and Criminal Law
b)
capacity for legal analysis and argument and enhanced skills of reasoning and criticism
and a developing ability of critical evaluation
c)
ability to handle moderately complex legal problem and propose solutions
d)
further developed skills in mooting, presentation and negotiation
e)
developed written and oral communication skills
Level 6
Those who start as Single Honours Students will have:
3.3
a)
a sound and detailed knowledge and understanding of EU Law and Law of Trusts and
Equity
b)
a sound and detailed knowledge and understanding of selected optional subjects
c)
a developed ability of critical evaluation
d)
ability to handle complex legal problems and propose solutions
e)
advanced skills in legal analysis and argument
f)
advanced specialist skills in mooting, presentation and negotiation
g)
managed a major piece of independent work
h)
advanced skills in written and oral communication
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate the following
skills of:
Page 3 of 15
A.
Knowledge and Understanding
1) the principal features of the English legal system
2) the concepts, rules and values of the English legal system
3) the main institutions and procedures of the English legal system
4) the foundational subjects of English law
5) the social, political and economic context to law
6) current developments in the areas of law studied
7) selected subjects in depth
8) the principal methods of legal research
B.
Intellectual and Cognitive Skills
1) demonstrate ability to apply knowledge to complex problems and produce defensible
conclusions supported by legal authority
2) synthesise and evaluate information from primary and secondary sources
3) identify within a problem the issues requiring research
4) critically assess the merits of competing arguments
5) determine the relevance and ranking of legal issues
C.
Skills and other Attributes
1) compile information from a number of sources such as law reports, statutes and other
relevant material
2) work independently and as part of a team
3) conduct independent legal research
4) make effective use of legal terminology
5) identify, find and retrieve standard legal materials in hard copy and electronic form
6) communicate complex material and argument orally and in writing
7) apply numeracy skills
8) critically reflect on learning and development
9) competence in use of IT systems including e-mail, electronic data base retrieval systems
and word processing.
10) meet deadlines and work within word limits
A grid mapping the Modules to the Programme/Level Learning Outcome is provided in Appendix 1.
Learning for the Workplace: the programme addresses the graduate employability skills of students in
the following ways:
a) providing that transferable skills such as team work, presentation techniques and practise, and
research skills are embedded across the programme.
b) providing that vocational and transferable skills such as negation techniques, advocacy
techniques, and legal research skills are embedded across the programme.
Page 4 of 15
c) Providing a semester long employability aspect to the Legal Systems and Methods module.
d) Providing a dedicated member of staff as Law Employability Co-Ordinator.
e) Providing CV workshops as an optional provision.
f)
Providing a Law Careers’ Learning Network site.
g) Securing mini-pupillage (work experience) prizes for internal skills competitions.
4.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, LEVELS, MODULES, CREDIT AND AWARDS
This section outlines the levels of study, modules and credits required for each programme (where there
is more than one) and for final and exit awards.
Module choice:
The table below shows the subjects which must be undertaken in a given year and a range of optional
subjects which may be taken. Subjects marked with an * are required to be taken. Subjects marked with
an ** indicate subjects required to be taken by those students who transfer to single honours law at the
end of their first year as joint honours students. The remaining subjects are optional choices up to a
maximum of 120 credits per year in total. Not every optional subject will be offered as a choice every
year. Prior to the point in the academic year when students make their choices for the forthcoming year
– the programme team plan which options to offer. The options chosen will reflect the academic
expertise and research interests of the academic team in combination with an assessment of how many
options to offer to ensure the optimum experience for students (viability based on numbers, nature of
the options etc.).
Qualifying Law Degree Options – Part-Time Single Honours
Minimum time = 5 years
Maximum time = 8 years
Example assuming 50% of full time
Level 4
Y1
Y2
Y3
Y4
Y5
Y6
Legal
Systems and
Methods
30CATS.
(Core)
Public Law
30CATS
(Core)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Criminal
law
30CATS
(Core)
Options
60 CATS
N/A
N/A
Law of
Contract
30 CATS
(Core)
Level 5
N/A
Law of
Torts
30CATS
(Core)
N/A
Property
Page 5 of 15
Law
30CATS
(Core)
Level 6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
EU 15CATS
Options
(Mandatory) 30CATS
Dissertation
Trusts &
Equity
30CATS
15CATS
(Core)
(Mandatory)
Or
Options
Option 15
45CATS
CATS
Option 15
(7.5 ECTS)
Independent
Research
Project
15 CATS
(Mandatory)
LLB Single Honours Programme Full-Time
Module code and title
Credits
Core
Mand
Option
Comments
(eg pre/co-requisites)
30
S
-
-
30
S
-
-
Public Law
30
S
-
-
Tort Law
30
S
-
-
Delivered over 2
semesters
Delivered over 2
semesters
Delivered over 2
semesters
Delivered over 2
semesters
Exit award: Cert HE
Level 5
Tort Law
Public Law
Criminal Law
30
30
30
s
s
s
-
-
Property Law
30
s
-
-
Company Law
Employment Law 1
Employment Law 2
Criminal Justice
Sport and the Law
Commercial Law
Human Rights
30
15
15
15
15
15
15
-
-
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
Level 4
Legal Systems and
Methods
Law of Contract
Page 6 of 15
If not taken at level 4
If not taken at level 4
Delivered over 2
semesters
Delivered over 2
semesters
Media Law
Medical Law
Penology and Prison
Law
Philosophy of Law
The above are
indicative and will not
always run as options.
15
15
15
-
-
s
s
s
15
-
-
s
15
15
30
-
s
s
-
s
Advocacy
Family Law
Child Law
Medical Law
Mental Health Law
Alternative Dispute
Resolution
Commercial Law
Criminal Law
Criminal Justice
Current Legal
Problems
Employment Law 1
Employment Law 2
Law of Evidence
Human Rights
Independent Research
Project
15
15
15
15
15
15
-
-
s
s
s
s
s
s
15
30
15
15
s
S
S
-
s
-
15
15
30
15
15
S
s
-
-
s
s
s
Information Law
Legal Ethics and Risk
Management
Intellectual Property
Law
Media Law
Penology and Prison
Law
Philosophy of Law
Sport and the Law
Technology and
Cyberlaw
Wills and Succession
Winchester: Law,
15
15
-
-
S
S
15
-
-
S
15
15
-
-
S
S
15
15
15
-
-
S
S
S
15
15
-
-
S
s
Level 6
EU law
Trusts and Equity Law
Dissertation
Exit award: Dip HE
Page 7 of 15
Programme Requirement
that this module or the
Independent Research
Project must be taken.
If not taken at Level 5
Programme Requirement
that this module or the
Law Dissertation must be
taken.
Landscape and History
The above are
indicative and will not
always run as options.
Glossary
Core = modules must be taken and passed
Mandatory = modules must be taken but may be eligible for compensation
Optional = modules may be selected by students, subject to availability
5.
LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
5.1
Means of delivery:
The standard pattern of deliver is set out below. This is not intended to be prescriptive, particularly in
the context of optional modules where the norm of three hours per week of contact time can be used in
a variety of ways appropriate to the achievement of the module outcomes. At level six in the elective
subjects, the norm is two hour sessions to be delivered as befits the individual subject. This reflects the
focus on an independent learning culture at level six.
Standard pattern:
Large Group Sessions (LGS) (e.g. lectures, visiting speakers) - Two hours per week per module. (Court
visits may replace LGS in some instances.)
Small Group Sessions (SGS) (e.g. seminars, moots, presentations, negotiation exercises) – One hour per
week per module.
Tutor access: Students have access to subject tutors by means of appointment for one-to-one support
and by email communication.
These delivery methods are identified in the Key Information Set (KIS) Activity Types as follows:
Lecture, Seminar, Tutorial, Practical classes and workshops, Guided independent study.
Additional information, which complements this, is available via the Unistats ‘widget’ on the University’s
individual course pages (applicable only for undergraduate programmes).
5.2
Types of assessment employed:
The diversity of learning activity is reflected in a range of assessment techniques employed across the
programme. Some emphasis is given to unseen examination as a method of assessment in the
Foundation modules recognising the importance of the foundation knowledge required by the
Professional Bodies and the accepted value of this method in any event. Nonetheless, in all modules
including the core modules other assessment methods are employed to complement examinations and
these include assessed moots, coursework essays and problems, negotiation exercises and debates.
Formative assessments are created across the year groups to avoid over-burdening the students to the
detriment of the overall learning experience. The distribution of assessments, including formative
assessment, across programme levels is determined before commencement of each academic year, in
order to ensure module and programme learning outcomes are met and workloads managed.
Skills based assessment methods
Use will be made of presentation, mooting and negotiation as assessment throughout the Law
programme. These methods offer students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate:
Page 8 of 15
a) knowledge and understanding
b) analysis, synthesis, critical thinking and evaluation
c) legal research skills
d) communication and literacy skills
e) teamwork and IT skills
The methods will be introduced at Level four. Students will be supported in developing their skills
initially through small group sessions within the Legal Systems and Method Module and will utilise those
skills through appropriate assessment in this and other modules. An incremental approach will be taken
to the development of students’ ability to use these skills in this context. Assessment will be based on
the technical aspects of the particular method (e.g. the skill of negotiation) and on ability to use the
method to demonstrate knowledge and understanding as well as the range of cognitive, legal and
transferable skills set out above. Numerous opportunities to practice these skills will be provided
through workshops and through extra-curricular student-run societies.
Examination: Time constrained unseen examinations are an established and validated approach to the
assessment of knowledge and understanding and their application in written form. This form of
summative assessment permits an evaluation of a candidate’s knowledge and understanding and ability
to apply substantive law. (KIS: Written exam)
Essay: Written assessment subject to word limits and time deadlines assesses application of knowledge
and avoids any tendency for rote learning. The approach incorporates both discursive argument and
problem based assessment. At Level 6 there is scope for students to develop individual topics, thereby
facilitating and emphasising independent learning. (KIS: Written assignment)
Problem question: A problem question will require the submission of a written piece of work in line with
the word limit appropriate for the level of study. It will require students to analyse a complex ‘real life’
scenario and/or to consider the law in the context of current problems and issues. It will require
students to demonstrate analytical skills, a sophisticated ability to apply the relevant law to the facts or
issue in question, and to adapt written communication methods appropriately. (KIS: Written assignment)
Moot: An oral and a written submission on two different aspects of a fictitious legal case is a means of
assessment that assesses knowledge, application and ability to construct and defend an argument. (KIS:
written assignment, oral assessment and presentation)
Negotiation: Focuses on a transaction or dispute based problem. Negotiation exercises are assessed
having regard to a candidate’s ability to research issues, produce a written plan of the legal issues and
their application, role play a negotiation with a fellow student and complete a self-evaluation. Students
are independently assessed. (KIS: written assignment, oral assessment and presentation)
Presentation: An oral presentation of a researched project with the requirement to communicate and
display knowledge and understanding of a topic. Visual representation of material and communication
aids may also be involved, for example, PowerPoint, graphs and media clips. (KIS: oral assessment and
presentation)
Mediation: An oral role-play in which students will work together to actively assist parties in a
disagreement to work towards a resolution. (KIS: oral assessment and presentation)
The interests of students with protected characteristics will be taken into consideration and reasonable
adjustments to assessments will be made provided that these do not compromise academic standards as
expressed through the learning outcomes.
A grid detailing the assessments by module is included in Appendix 2.
Page 9 of 15
The interests of students with protected characteristics will be taken into consideration and reasonable
adjustments to assessments will be made provided that these do not compromise academic standards as
expressed through the learning outcomes.
6.
6.1
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT
Mechanisms for review and evaluation:
Quality assurance and enhancement at Module Level
Students provide feedback to module tutors through Module Evaluation Forms, reviews and other
responses. The tutor collates the evaluation forms and produces a response for discussion at Programme
Committee. The response identifies good practice and proposes remedies for any points of concern. The
response is made available to students at the next running of the module.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Programme Level
The Programme Committee evaluates the success of the programme, paying particular attention to
student feedback and student representatives. Minutes from the Programme Committee and the
External Examiners report will inform the Annual Programme Evaluation which is submitted for approval
to the Faculty Academic Development Committee. Issues for attention are identified and included in the
action plan for the following year.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Department Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Department for discussion and to draw out
department objectives.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Faculty Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Faculty Academic Development Committee which
has oversight of learning development in the Faculty, including via the Peer Observation of Teaching.
Quality assurance and enhancement at University Level
The quality of the programme is monitored by an External Examiner appointed by the University’s
Senate Academic Development Committee. The External Examiner’s Report is distributed to the ViceChancellor, First Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Director of Academic Quality and Development, the Faculty
Dean and Faculty Head of Quality. A summary of all external examiner reports is received at Senate
Academic Development Committee. An annual audit of Faculties is conducted by Senate Academic
Development Committee.
Quality assurance and enhancement for Staff
The quality of learning and teaching is supported by the Peer Observation of Teaching and Staff
Development, by Staff Development and Review, by attendance at conferences and curriculum-focused
staff development, by external involvement such as external examining and by involvement in research
and knowledge exchange activities.
6.2 Indicators of Quality and Standards
External Examiner Report(s)
Annual Monitoring process
Student feedback including the National Student Survey or Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey
Student representation at Faculty level and University level committees
Programme Revalidation
Higher Education Review
Page 10 of 15
7.
THE REGULATORY & POLICY FRAMEWORK
7.1
The programme conforms fully with the University’s Academic Regulations for Taught
Programmes
7.2
No exemptions from the Academic Regulations are required
Programme Level Attendance Regulations apply and details will appear in the Programme Handbook and
on the Learning Network.
7.3
External PSRB Accreditation
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Bar Standards Board
7.4
Engagement with UK Quality Code and Subject Benchmarks
Validation and Revalidation assure the University of the Programme’s continued engagement with FHEQ
and appropriate consideration of subject benchmarks. Between validations external examiners assure
the University that this engagement remains active and evident.
7.5
Engagement with Work Based Learning and Placements Approved Procedures
N/A
Page 11 of 15
Appendix 1:
Grid mapping Modules to Programme/Level Learning Outcomes
Restate the Learning Outcomes then use the column numbering accordingly.
LOa subject knowledge at a level appropriate to the level of study
LOb criticism, understanding and analysis of concepts, principles and sources appropriate to the
level of study
LOc skills in mooting, presentation and negotiation appropriate to the level of study
LOd written and oral communication skills appropriate to the level of study
LOe ability to handle legal problems of complexity appropriate to the level of study and propose
solutions
LOf managed a major piece of independent work
LOg developed the ability of critical evaluation
LOh developed numeracy and research skills appropriate to the level of study
LOa
LOb
LOc
LOd
LOe
LOf
LOg
LOh
Legal Systems
and Methods
X
X
X
X
X
X
Law of Contract
X
X
X
X
X
X
Public Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
Tort Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
Criminal Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
Law
Dissertation
X
X
X
X
X
X
Independent
Research
Project
X
X
X
X
X
X
Intellectual
Property
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Mental Health
Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Advocacy
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Evidence
X
X
X
X
X
X
Commercial Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
Philosophy of
Law
X
X
X
X
X
Penology and
Prison Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 12 of 15
Media Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Medical Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Legal Ethics and
Risk
Management
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Information Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Company Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Alternative
Dispute
Resolution
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Human Rights
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Employment
Law 1
X
X
X
X
X
X
Employment
Two
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Child Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Family Law
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Current Legal
Problems
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Wills and
Succession
X
X
X
X
X
X
Winchester
Law: Law,
Landscape and
History
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 13 of 15
X
Appendix 2
Grid mapping Assessments
Assessment choice:
Exam
Report
Practical
Skills
Assessment
Dissertation
Written
assessment
Oral
Assessment
and
Presentation
The table below indicates the typical range of assessments that may be undertaken in a given year.
The module descriptors allow for some choice year-on-year between assessment types. Prior to the
commencement of each year the programme team decide which type of assessment will run in
which module. This meeting will focus on the nature of the law in a particular subject area at that
time and the range of assessment types experienced by the student over the life of their degree. The
aim of the meeting is to ensure that the students have experienced the whole range of skills based
assessment types by the end of their degree experience.
Legal Systems and
Methods*
Possible
50%
50%
Law of Contract*
Possible
50%
50%
Public Law*
Possible
50%
50%
Tort Law*
Possible
50%
50%
Criminal Law
Possible
50%
50%
Law Dissertation
100%
Independent Research
Project
100%
Intellectual Property
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Mental Health Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Advocacy
40%
50%
Evidence
50% or
100%
Possible
50%
Commercial Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Philosophy of Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Penology and Prison
Possible
Possible
Possible
Page 14 of 15
10%
Law
100%
100%
100%
Media Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Medical Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Legal Ethics and Risk
Management
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Information Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Company Law
Possible
50%
Possible
50%
Possible
50%
Alternative Dispute
Resolution
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Human Rights
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Employment Law 1
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Employment Two
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Child Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Family Law
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Current Legal
Problems
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Wills and Succession
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Winchester Law: Law,
Landscape and
History
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Possible
100%
Page 15 of 15
Possible
50%