Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
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Description
Studying law is stimulating in its own right, and it’s also a smart career move. If you want to practise law professionally, a law degree is a first and necessary step – but it’s also a great asset for many other careers that are not directly related to law.
The Open University’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) is the most popular undergraduate taught law degree programme in the UK. We offer it in collaboration with The University of Law – incorporating The College of Law – the UK’s largest provider of professional legal education.
The compulsory modules of this degree course cover the seven ‘Foundations of Legal Knowledge’ – the academic subjects required for a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD). These are set by The Solicitors Regulation Authority and The Bar Standards Board (the professional legal bodies). By the end of your studies, you’ll have the legal awareness needed to understand and apply the law, together with skills of legal analysis and methods.
Fees and facts
Key facts
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Flexible, part-time study through distance learning.
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Degree
Degree
undergraduate.qualification.Q05,qualification,,degree,1 Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to that help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject. For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects. With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests. You can use a degree to: - change careers or progress your current career,
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
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Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements to study this qualification.
Career relevance and employability
Jobs directly related to law include solicitor, barrister, legal executive and paralegal. Solicitors and barristers usually work in private practice, in central or local government, commerce, industry, the armed forces or in professional bodies.
Solicitors and barristers in England and Wales need to complete three stages of training:
- Academic – a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD)
- Vocational – a Legal Practice Course (LPC). If you successfully complete our QLD, The University of Law – incorporating The College of Law, will guarantee you a place on its LPC (you need to take up this place within seven years of graduation)
- Professional – a training contract for solicitors or ‘pupillage’ for barristers.
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) can also open up many career options that are not just in the legal profession. Roles in finance, human resources, local government or general management all benefit from a legal background and from the discipline of studying a degree course. Employers recognise that studying law gives you the chance to develop yourself beyond the boundaries of your normal work environment, giving you skills and knowledge that you can readily put into practice on a daily basis in your job.
There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
Choose a pathway and register
Pathways allow you to specialise or choose particular topics that interest you. You will need to choose a pathway before registering.
We offer two routes to a law degree. The standard pathway below or if you’re already a graduate with a first degree or masters degree in any subject from a UK university (or recognised overseas university), we offer the Bachelor of Laws with Honours (graduate entry) (Q75).
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for this qualification.
If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete this qualification. This may also mean that the next start date and the maximum time limit for this qualification are different to those shown above.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and will be entitled to use the letters LLB (Hons) (Open) after your name.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the following regulations:
These regulations are also available on our Essential Documents website.
If you have a disability
Choosing the qualification that’s right for you is very important. Depending on your disability, long-term health condition, mental health disability or specific learning difficulty, you may need to consider any challenges posed by:
- the learning objectives: for example, to gain an honours degree in a language you must be physically able to speak the language
- how the modules are taught: for example, some of our science qualifications require that you complete laboratory work
- any work-based competency requirements.
Choosing the right qualification can be a complex mix of the subject requirements and the support you may need. To help you assess whether the qualification you are interested in will work for you, further advice is available from:
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study for this qualification. For most OU qualifications a Microsoft Windows (new since 2007),
Apple Mac (OS X 10.6 or later) or Linux computer should be adequate. However, some qualifications require more specific IT equipment, in which case you
will need additional software to use an Apple Mac or Linux computer. A detailed technical specification for your modules will be made available when you
register. Please note, technical specifications do change over time to match computer developments and the way we teach.
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities
we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move.
As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed
feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online
tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
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