(LLB) Bachelor of Laws
Licence English and French Law (Double Degree)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Law
LLB M123
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB, including A in French (or equivalent).
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655. Either must include Higher Level French grade 6.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
French Baccalaureate: An overall mark of 14 including 12 in English and 12 in French
A French proficiency test may be required if French is not your first language.
Please note that second year entry to this course is not possible.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Marie-Luce Paris
Associate Professor
University College Dublin
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
The course aims at engaging students in French legal writing and thinking, and at providing them with tools to learn to work effectively in French law alongside the English legal system.
- Understand the specific requirements of French constitutional law, French private Law, French law of obligation, and French administrative law.
- Appreciate current legal and societal questions.
- Be able to critically understand the four French law core modules .
- Be able to develop their legal thinking and analysis.
- Master the methodology of the dissertation juridique and commentaire d’arrêt.
- Provide students with relevant skills and learning to enable progress to professional legal training and examinations.
Students will be able to arrive in France and follow year 3 modules similarly to students having spent the two previous years in France.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Critical understanding of the four French law core modules
A2: Master the methodology of the dissertation juridique and commentaire d`arret.
A3: Critical thinking and mastering of the French legal vocabulary.
A4: Fundamental doctrines and principles of the law, and the institutions and procedures of the legal system of England and Wales and of France.
A5: Social, cultural, economic and political context in which the law develops.
A6: Some substantive areas of law in depth.
A7: The French language, particularly with respect to its use in legal matters.
A8: Those areas of law relevant for progression to professional legal training and examinations.
Learning methods
Skills A1 – A8 are acquired through lectures, large group interactive classes which encourage dialogue between the students and teacher and between the students inter se, and tutorials which allow students to work in small groups and for dynamic interaction. Students will be taught to use, present and evaluate, as the basis for a legal argument, relevant numerical or statistical information as appropriate. Students are expected to undertake independent research through directed reading to consolidate and develop what they have learned in class.
A1 and A4 are particularly acquired through the year in France
Assessment methods
Skills A1 to A8 are assessed through examinations, MCQs and coursework throughout the degree. Coursework consists of a range of assessments, including essays, problem analysis, oral presentations and practical skills applications.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Critical reading of a case and of doctrinal work.
B2: Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions with respect to English and French law.
B3: Demonstrate and exercise independence of thought.
B4: Be able to form a written and oral opinion.
B5: Apply the knowledge seen in class.
B6: Identify accurately the issue(s) which requires researching in English law and the law of France.
B7: Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources from England and France.
B8: Reason critically, identify, analyse, and solve problems in English and French law.
B9: Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance in English and French law.
B10: Produce a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic in English and French law.
B11: Make a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments with respect to English and French law.
Learning methods
Skills B1 - B8 are obtained and developed through tutorials and large group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and analysis of case material and problems (hypothetical and actual). B5 and B6 are also enabled through lectures. All skills are complemented by class-independent reading undertaken by students in the light of guidance by lecturers and tutors. Intellectual and cognitive skills are also acquired through written and oral feedback on coursework. In addition, learning is enhanced by formative assessment of Skills B1, B3. B7 and B8 in tutorials and large group interactive classes.
In tutorials, the aim would be for students to apply and/or deepen the lecture materials and to master the French legal methodology. Skills B1 - B8 are obtained and developed through tutorials and large group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and analysis of case material and problems (hypothetical and actual), and through the period abroad.
Assessment methods
Skills B1 - B8 will be assessed through coursework, and B2 - B8 through unseen examinations. B8 will also be assessed through the dissertation modules LW360.
C: Practical skills
C1: Master the French methodology.
C2: Oral speaking.
C3: Understanding and critical analysis of case law
C4: Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using both paper and electronic sources with respect to English and French law.
C5: Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts with respect to English and French law.
C6: Plan and undertake tasks in areas of law already studied, and undertake independent research in areas of law not previously studied, starting from standard legal information sources with respect to English and French law.
C7: Express themselves fluently in French with repect to legal matters.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C7 are developed through preparation for tutorials, coursework and examinations. Skills C1 and C2 are also facilitated through the provision of LEXIS and other database training. Skills C2 and C3 are developed through tutorials by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion. Skills C1 - C3 are formatively assessed in tutorials and large group interactive classes, which assessment reinforces their learning by students. Skill C3 will be acquired through compulsory dissertation modules LW304/LW360, and in researching a proposal in the second year module LW254.
Assessment methods
Skills C1 – C7 are assessed through coursework and other assessments. In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet appropriately when researching their coursework in order to find primary and secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format. Skill C3 will be assessed through compulsory dissertation modules LW304/LW360, and the research proposal submitted in the second year module LW254.
Skill C5 is obtained through unseen examinations.
Skill C7 is assessed during the period abroad.
D: Key skills
D1: Both orally and in writing, (i) work with the English language proficiently in relation to legal matters with respect to English law and the law of at least one other European country; (ii) where teaching in the partner University is in the language of that country, then the student will be able to communicate clearly and accurately in that foreign language with respect to legal matters; (iii) present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner.
D2: IT Skills: (i) Produce a word-processed essay or other text in an appropriate form and (ii) use the worldwide web, e-mail, and also some electronic information retrieval systems.
D3: Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form.
D4: Analyse a reasonably complex set of facts and apply relevant law thereto.
D5: With limited guidance, reflect on his or her own learning, and to make use of feedback.
Learning methods
Skills D1, D2 ,D4 and D5 are acquired through tutorials where students debate legal issues and problems. Skills D1 and D5 are acquired as part of the LW254 and LW304/LW360 module presentations where the presenter is required to respond appropriately to questions by other students. Skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 will be learnt throughout the degree in writing summatively assessed and formative coursework and consequent feedback, both written and that obtained in oral sessions. Skill D3 is acquired in particular in LW101 (Contract), in the context of the law of damages, in LW102 (Land Law) and LW202 (Equity and Trusts) in the context of quantification of interests, and in LW201 (Tort) in the context of probabilistic causation. Skills D6 is developed through classes on reflection and the writing of a reflective statement in the LW304/LW360 dissertation module.
Assessment methods
Skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 are assessed through coursework and skills D1, D3 and D4 are also assessed through unseen examinations. Skills D1 (oral communication) and D5 (working with others) are summatively assessed as part of the LW254 and LW304/LW360 presentations where the presenter is required to respond appropriately to questions by other students.