The University of Law

The University of Law, formerly the College of Law, is a private teaching university in England which specialises in providing legal education. The Open University is affiliated with the institution, meaning that the University runs a number of distance learning programmes, including the Open University's LLB degree programme. However, given the nature of the subject, students require significant amounts of teaching and need to be enrolled at one of the 8 centres, in seven different locations, across the UK.

  

Background and History

The University of Law is the UK's oldest specialist provider of legal education and training. Formally established as The College of Law by the Law Society in the 1960s, the University's roots in the profession stretch back over 100 years.The institution has remained at the heart of legal education ever since, developing a national presence as the acknowledged leader in innovative, professional legal education for prospective lawyers and professional development training for those already qualified. Over the years, the college worked with virtually every UK law firm to help meet their training and development needs, thus developing strong links with the industry. In 2006, the college became the first independent institution to be granted degree awarding powers, leading to the development of professionally-focused Bachelor and Master of Laws degree programmes. Then, in 2012, the institution was granted the full university title and changed its name from The College of Law to The University of Law.

Location and Accessibility

The University of Law has easily accessible centres in:- Birmingham (B18 6AQ) - Bristol (BS1 6HG) - Chester (CH3 7AB) - Guildford (GU3 1HA) - London Bloomsbury (WC1E 7DE) - London Moorgate (EC1Y 8HQ) - Manchester (M1 4HJ) - York (YO23 2GA). For detailed directions to each of the centres, please visit the University website.

What's on Offer

The University offers courses at Undergraduate and Postgraduate Level, as well as in-house Professional Development courses. Qualifications on offer include:- The Graduate Diploma in Law, the Bar Professional Training Course, the Legal Practice Course, the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and the Master of Laws (LL.M). In 2013, the University introduced a new two-year LLB law degree, which focuses on boosting employment prospects and professional legal skills over a shorter period of time. The programme runs at the Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, London Bloomsbury and York centres.

Entry Requirements

To be considered for a place at the university to study the Undergraduate LL.B (Hons) Law degree you must have achieved:- Three A-levels at grades ABB (320 UCAS points) or equivalent. At Postgraduate level, to be accepted on to the LL.M, applicants must have academically achieved:- A UK undergraduate degree or international equivalent, it is also recommend that non-law graduates have a basic grounding in common law.

University Accommodation

While the centres are not campus-based and therefore do not have on-site student accommodation, the different centres guarantee an offer of accommodation to all first year LL.B students who have accepted their offer of a place and made the university their firm choice.  

Private Accommodation

This reserved accommodation is provided in conjunction with some of the UK's leading student accommodation providers, who pride themselves on ensuring that students have a safe, comfortable place to live while studying. Not only that, but by staying in University-nominated accommodation you'll get to meet students studying at universities across the city, as well as live with your fellow LL.B students. To find out more about the accommodation on offer, follow the link at the top of the page.

Faculies and Departments

Being a specialist institution, the University has only one faculty. The benefit of this is that it has unrivalled experience of training students for legal careers. Through the employment of more than 500 tutors across eight centres, there is substantial experience of working in practice for students to benefit from whether this be as a solicitor or barrister. Many of the staff combine their teaching work at The University of Law with continuing work with law firms or as in-house lawyers.

Tuition Fees

Notably, fees for international students are the same as for those from the UK. Course fees include tuition, text books, interactive manuals, course materials, learning resources and all first attempt examinations and assessments. Undergraduate- 3 year LL.B: £6,000 per year- 2 year accelerated LL.B: £9,000 per year Postgraduate- 1 year LL.M LPC: £13,300  

Financial Support

The University offers eligible students considerable financial support in their studies, with scholarships available.

Academic Facilities

All of the university's centres have modern, well-equipped facilities designed to provide a comfortable and stimulating learning environment. Due to the specialist nature of the centres, each campus benefits from its own library, fully stocked with textbooks, journals, encyclopaedias, law reports and statute books.  

Other on-site Amenities

In addition, the centres offer state-of-the-art IT suites, with high ratios of networked PCs to students and widely available Wi-Fi internet access. Furthermore, all of the centres are located in cities where nearby food and drink vendors are always close by.  

Social and Medical Care

As well as all the social activities, clubs and societies going on at the University centres, students will also hold free associate membership of your centre's local university students' union. This means that students have access to all the facilities, clubs, societies, events and employability programmes that your local students union offers, as well as providing the opportunity to meet other students studying at universities across the city. The centres also provide support and guidance if help is needed while you are studying. Each centre has a confidential counselling service and learning support team, and students have the opportunity to register with a local GP during the first term. Each centre's Student Services team is also on hand to give advice on a wide range of issues.

What's on in the Area

Wherever you're studying, the cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, London Bloomsbury, Manchester and York have lots to offer to keep you entertained, from cinemas, galleries and theatres, to live music, shopping and restaurants. And don't forget the many social events that are organised for and by University students. Freshers' Week kicks things off in September with a variety of events to help you get to know your fellow LL.B and University of Law students, including quizzes, comedy nights, city tours and, of course, the Freshers fair and party.  

Moving On

Such is the vocational delivery of all of the courses provided by the University centres, it is not surprising that graduates go on to enjoy successful careers.

In 2012, a University of Law scholarship fund of circa £400,000 per year was established. Alumni of The University of Law include: Cherie Blair - QC Barrister and Lord Widgery - Judge and Former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. The University works closely with over 90 of the top 100 UK law firms, and four out of five of the top global firms.

Is the University of Law the right place for you?

If you are driven to succeed in the legal sector, the University can offer you a great network to start from, with specialist teaching and the 2 year fast-track course.