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Undergraduate Course
LLB (Hons) Law
(Including Foundation Year)
Now In Clearing
Overview
The details
Law (Including Foundation Year)
M101
October 2026
Full-time
What is LLB Law (including Foundation Year)?
LLB Law (including Foundation Year) is a four-year qualifying law degree designed to help you develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in undergraduate legal study.
Our LLB Law (including Foundation Year) offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competences, to study an undergraduate LLB course, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience.
The Foundation Year prepares you for degree-level study by developing your academic skills, critical thinking and understanding of the role and operation of law in society. You’ll then progress onto the three-year LLB Law degree, where you’ll explore key areas of legal study while developing the skills required for a wide range of professional careers.
Course highlights
The LLB Law (including Foundation Year) provides a supportive introduction to legal study while giving you access to the expertise, facilities and opportunities available within Essex Law School.
- Build your foundations: Develop your academic skills, legal knowledge and confidence before progressing onto the full LLB Law degree.
- Become part of Essex Law School from day one: Access Law School facilities, academics and support throughout your Foundation Year.
- Develop essential legal skills: Build your research, writing, analysis and critical thinking abilities, preparing you for further legal study.
- Learn from experts: Study alongside academics whose research contributes to legal scholarship, policy and practice.
- Prepare for your future: Develop transferable skills valued across legal, professional and public sector careers.
Who should apply
- Students who want to study law but would benefit from an additional year to develop their academic confidence and study skills.
- Learners interested in understanding how law operates, influences society and responds to contemporary challenges.
- Students who enjoy problem solving, debate, research and analysing complex issues.
- Aspiring legal professionals seeking a supportive route into a qualifying law degree.
What you'll learn
- Foundation Year: Develop university-level study skills, legal awareness, research abilities and academic confidence.
- Legal systems and principles: Understand the foundations of law and how legal systems operate.
- Legal research and analysis: Develop the ability to interpret information, evaluate arguments and construct reasoned conclusions.
- Law and society: Explore the relationship between legal systems, individuals, institutions and wider social issues.
- Professional skills: Build communication, teamwork, presentation and problem-solving skills valued by employers.
Your learning experience
- Supportive Foundation Year: Develop the skills required for successful undergraduate study through dedicated teaching and guidance.
- Law School teaching: The Law School delivers 75% of the teaching during your Foundation Year while an additional 25% is taught by the central University and will focus on preparing students’ university-level study skills.
- Access to Law School from the start: Become part of Essex Law School and benefit from access to academics, facilities and activities from your first year.
- Practical learning: Develop legal skills through research, discussion, presentations and applied learning activities.
- Progression to LLB Law: Continue onto the full undergraduate law degree after successfully completing your Foundation Year.
Why we're great
By the end of the Foundation Year students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the legal processes that occur both domestically and internationally. They will be able to identify the role law plays in society and how it changes to meet current challenges.
The Foundation Year focuses on developing students’ critical thinking skills, research skills, writing abilities and foundational understanding of the role and operation of law in society.
The Foundation Year provides students immediate access to all of the Law School’s facilities and staff members, making them a part of the Law School from the first moment they join the University of Essex.
Specialist facilities
During Foundation Year, you will have access to all the facilities that the University of Essex has to offer such as:
- Computer labs for internet research, classrooms with access to PowerPoint facilities for student presentations, AV facilities for teaching and access to web-based learning materials.
- Our new Student Skills Hub, which provides additional support in building efficient study skills.
- Our Law Common Room, available to all Law School students and staff to meet, eat, study and get involved in various Law School activities.
- The Essex Law Clinic, where students can gain practical experience by supporting members of the community with legal advice under supervision.
- The Essex Business Law Clinic, providing opportunities to engage with legal issues affecting businesses and organisations.
- The Human Rights Centre, internationally recognised for research and teaching in human rights law.
Careers and outcomes
The LLB Law (including Foundation Year) helps you develop the academic knowledge and transferable skills required for a wide range of careers. You’ll graduate with strong skills in research, communication, analysis, problem solving and critical thinking.
Graduates from law degrees pursue careers in:
- Legal practice: Solicitor, barrister, legal executive, paralegal and legal adviser roles.
- Government and public services: Civil Service, policy, regulation and public sector careers.
- Business and commerce: Compliance, contracts, governance and risk management.
- Human rights and advocacy: Legal research, campaigning and charitable organisations.
- Further study: Professional legal training, postgraduate study and specialist qualifications.
Why we're great.
- We equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed at Essex and beyond.
- You will be able to enjoy life at Essex and get started on your law student journey.
- Small class sizes allow you to work closely with your teachers and classmates.
Our expert staff
Our staff all have strong subject backgrounds and are highly skilled in their areas both as academics and practitioners.
Within Essex Law School, our internationally diverse community of staff and students gives us a breadth of cross-cultural perspectives and insights into law and justice around the world.
This community, combined with opportunities to study abroad during your time with us, ensures you graduate with a genuine worldview and a network of international contacts.
Specialist facilities
Our Essex Law School offers excellent on-campus facilities:
- Volunteer at the Essex Law Clinic where you can use your knowledge and skills to serve the community and help those most in need of legal services
- Work on key human rights projects at our Human Rights Clinic
- Participate in mooting competitions
- Test your mediation and negotiation skills in our Client Interviewing Competition
- Join our Model United Nations society, which can improve your skills of argumentation, oral presentation and research
- Network at our student-run Law Society, Human Rights Society, and Bar Society
- Peer mentors guide you through your first year
- Take advantage of networking opportunities throughout the year with visiting law firms
Your future
At Essex we don't just prepare you for the legal profession. We stimulate your desire to pursue justice and equip you with the skills and knowledge to become an agent for change, whatever career path you choose.
From the start of your course, we challenge you to think deeply, broadly and strategically about career paths. Over the first two years, alongside law subjects, you will take a career management module designed to help you identify personal strengths and goals, understand what employers (both within and outside law) are looking for and enhance your employability profile.
We also hold an annual law fair, attended by law firms and vocational qualification providers. Our graduates pursue careers in the law and in a wide range of other sectors including business and commerce, accountancy, insurance, banking, central and local government, academia, teaching, social work and the police force.
Our mantra is: be realistically ambitious. This involves understanding yourself and the rapidly changing and increasingly competitive graduate jobs market. Throughout your time at Essex, advisors in our Student Development Team, working closely with colleagues in our School, are available to help you formulate your career plan.
Course content
Course structure
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: CORE
Introduction to Law and Legal Theory
(30 CREDITS)
Do you have no previous knowledge of UK law? Want to understand the general principles of the legal system? And know how the law works in practice? Gain understanding of law and the basic legal concepts. Discuss legal issues in practical scenarios, learning to construct and defend legal arguments.
View Introduction to Law and Legal Theory on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 02: CORE
Research and Academic Skills for University
(30 CREDITS)
This module is designed to support students in their academic subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity, collaborative and reflective practices. The students are supported through the use of subject-specific materials tailored to their chosen degrees with alignment of assessments between academic subject modules and the skills module.
View Research and Academic Skills for University on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 03: CORE
Understanding Law in Context
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 04: CORE
Global Challenges and the Role of Law
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Land Law
(30 CREDITS)
Land law is a topic that affects all of us, playing a fundamental role in regulating people's rights over one of the most valuable and useful legal assets. This module is designed to provide you with a sound understanding of the key features of land law, including its underlying principles and its importance in regulating property relations in response to social policy needs. Students will learn about the distinction between personal property and land, the framework for establishing and enforcing various different interests in land.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Public Law
(30 CREDITS)
This module introduces the fundamentals of the UK constitution and the foundations of judicial review. The module explores: the nature of the constitution; the structure of governmental power; the sources of constitutional rules; and the fundamental principles underpinning the UK constitution. The module considers the functions of the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) and how they are accountable. The module examines the framework for protection of human rights in the UK and introduces the grounds of judicial review.
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Criminal Law
(30 CREDITS)
How effective is criminal law? How do you break down a criminal law statute to its component parts? And how do you then interpret it? Understand criminal law in England and Wales. Read and critically analyse judicial decisions. Assess and answer factual problems, raising issues of criminal liability.
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Contract Law
(30 CREDITS)
What are the legal consequences of contract failure? How do you calculate damages? Examine key aspects of contract law. Identify legal issues in simulated case studies and learn to construct legal arguments. Apply legal principles and precedent cases to resolve simulated legal problems. Build the numerical skills to calculate damages.
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
Career Development Learning Part 1
(0 CREDITS)
What are the main skills expected of a law graduate? And what key personal factors will inform your career choice? Get ready for the opportunities and challenges of the graduate labour market. Undertake activities, workshops and session that help you develop, building your key skills and competencies.
View Career Development Learning Part 1 on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
Essex Law Key Skills
(0 CREDITS)
Essex Law Key Skills provides an introduction to the English legal system and helps you acquire and develop a range of key skills that are important for legal studies. The module introduces you to the key sources of law and tools of practitioners in the English and Welsh legal systems, such as statutes, case law, treaties, and principles of academic writing, including research, writing and referencing skills. The module allows students to build on their legal and academic skills throughout their first year, with dedicated sessions for ensuring pastoral support.
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Tort Law
(30 CREDITS)
Who is liable for causing psychiatric harm? Or for causing economic loss? Study the foundations of negligence liability, examining further aspects of tort law. Gain experience of applying the principles of negligence liability to duty-based scenarios. Read and critically analyse judicial decisions.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Equity and Trusts
(15 CREDITS)
What is meant by breach of trust? What are the constitutional elements of a fully constituted trust? How can that trust be terminated? Study the principles governing the law of trusts. Examine the development of equity, equitable principles and equitable remedies. Analyse social and legal contexts in which trusts arise.
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Law of the European Union
(15 CREDITS)
What are the constitutional issues around the institutional structure of the EU? How has this changed with enlargement? Understand EU law to obtain a qualifying law degree. Examine the concepts of EU law and how different areas are connected. Analyse EU law within its political and socio-economic context.
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Justice
(15 CREDITS)
This module provides you with an understanding of the nature of law, its relationship with society and the question of justice itself. The module introduces you to aspects of legal theory, contextualised and explains how the authority of law may be justified, as well as providing critical perspectives on law's relationships with power, money, and socially marginalised groups. You will apply their existing understanding of legal concepts and institutions to wider debates around the effectiveness of law in delivering social justice, connecting doctrine with broader topical debates.
COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY
Career Development Skills Part 2
(0 CREDITS)
This module incorporates a range of teaching activities, workshops and panel sessions that encourage you to take ownership of your personal and professional development in order to compete in the graduate labour market. You will be able to identify, articulate and evidence your employability skills, and will develop a critical understanding of your place in the world of work.
View Career Development Skills Part 2 on our Module Directory
Teaching
Undergraduate students in Essex Law School typically attend a mix of large lectures and small group tutorials, with most modules having a lecture each week, and one hour tutorial once a fortnight.
- Basic IT skills training is available and training in the use of LEXIS and WESTLAW (legal research tools) is also given
- Your teaching consists of interactive classes, workshops and tutorials
- There will be an emphasis on learner independence, peer- and self-assessment
Assessment
- Your assessed coursework will generally consist of essays, in-class tests and individual oral presentations
- You may be required to sit exams during the third term of your academic year
Entry requirements
Clearing entry requirements
We currently have places available in Clearing across a range of our courses with most offers expected to be made at CCD - CDD (88 - 80 UCAS tariff points) or equivalent. A complete breakdown of expected Clearing entry requirements, by course, is available on our Clearing entry requirements page.
We consider each application individually and requirements may be lower for some of our courses, so please still get in touch if your grades are below those outlined.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
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.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the requirements for direct admission to this degree or the first year of a degree at Essex, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£5,760 per year
International fee
£21,500 per year
International students: The standard undergraduate degree fee for international students will apply in subsequent yearsFees will increase for each academic year of study.
If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:
Placement year
20% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Study abroad
Full year abroad
15% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Single term abroad
Standard tuition fee
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
How to apply during Clearing
Once you’ve checked that we have the right course for you, applying couldn’t be simpler. Fill in our quick and easy Clearing application form with as much detail as you can. We’ll then take a look and get back to you with a decision.
If you already hold an offer from Essex
Please don't reapply through Clearing. We'll review your existing application using our Clearing entry requirements. If you're worried about meeting your offer or would like to change course, please contact our Admissions Team on ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Interviews
We don’t require an interview for most of our courses that are available through Clearing, however there are some courses such as those in our School of Health and Social Care and East 15 Acting School where an interview (or audition) may be required. If this is something that’s required for the course you have applied for, we’ll email you with all of the details.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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