LLB Licence English and French Law

Applications through UCAS for 2025 entry are now closed.

Applications are open via Parcoursup (for the University of Toulouse Capitole, University of Nice Côte d'Azur & University Paris-Nanterre) and directly on the website of the University of Jean Moulin Lyon 3.

Applications via UCAS will open for October 2026 .

Our challenging and competitive course gives you the rewarding intellectual experience of discovering the richness of both the French and English legal cultures. We are one of only a few universities in the UK which put students on the right path to qualify for legal practice in both the UK and France.

Your first two years on our prestigious LLB Licence English and French Law (Double Degree) course are spent at Essex, where you take the required modules in English Law, meeting the requirements for the academic stages of training to become a solicitor or barrister in the UK. During this time in the UK you also learn French law, which is taught in French. Read about Anna Massy's experience of studying in our Double Degree.

After two years at Essex, your third year is spent at one of the following partner institutions in France, where you follow modules in French law to obtain the Licence en Droit:

• Université Paris-Nanterre
• Université Lyon III Jean Moulin
• Université Toulouse Capitole
• Université Côte d'Azur

Students will pay University of Essex tuition fees for the first and second year of study and will pay tuition fees to their French university for their third year.

Not only will you learn legal rules, but you will also consider the function of law in society, the philosophy of law, policy issues and law reform. For instance, you address the rights of consumers, family members, prisoners, householders, workers and children. You'll also cover topics including, but not limited to:

• The functions of the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial)
• UK and French constitutional law
• Law of trusts
• Principles of negligence
• Criminal liability

Why Essex?

Essex Law School has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research.

• We are in the top 20 for international outlook in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
• We are also ranked 49th for Law in THE World University Rankings by subject 2024, which is 9th in the UK.
• We’re ranked 22nd (12th in UK) for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for reduced inequalities (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024)

Our Human Rights Centre is recognised internationally. We are proud of our network of international contacts and are actively engaged in debates about the meaning of justice in the UK and beyond. We work with the United Nations and governments, human rights organisations, and corporations all over the world.

• Volunteer at the Essex Law Clinic where you can work alongside practising solicitors to offer legal advice to clients
• Join our l'Association du Double-diplôme, which organises various professional and social events
• Take part in a variety of events including conferences, careers fairs and debates
• Participate in the Oras! Mooting Competition, where judges are drawn from the Cour de cassation, UK courts, the European Court of Justice in addition to top law firms. This Mooting Competition has been created by one of our students in 2020 and keeps growing, attracting prestigious sponsors (such as the law firm ‘Reed Smith' and the Dalloz editions).
• Peer mentors guide you through your first year
• Take advantage of networking opportunities throughout the year with visiting law firms and our alumni association

Why choose a three-year Double Degree?

This three-year degree gives you more flexibility. Following France's Ministry of Education Reform in 2016, our new 3-year programme (LLB and Licence) gives you the flexibility, once completed at end of Licence 3, to select a 2-year integrated Masters course at a University in France or an LL.M. course in the UK (or abroad). The selection at master level takes place at Master 1 (at end the of Licence 3) and no longer at Master 2 (at the end of Master 1).

Under this new system the Master 1 and Master 2 must both be completed at the same University, so if you change from one degree to another at the end of Masters year 1, you will need to start a new Master's degree from the beginning. The LLB English and French Law (Licence) gives you the flexibility in choosing your masters route. We offer the largest Double Degree in the UK.

Please note that you are required to be bilingual in French and English in order to be accepted onto this course.

How to apply

If you would like to study in Toulouse, you must apply via Parcoursup to go to the University of Toulouse in your third year. This is the only way for students to join our double degree programme with Toulouse.

If you would like to study in Nanterre or Nice, you can apply to our Double Degree programme via either UCAS or Parcoursup. If you would like to study in Lyon, you can apply to our Double Degree programme via either UCAS or Lyon's internal platform (ecandidat).

We offer 10 spots via UCAS. Interviews will take place in January and February. If you get an offer to study with us on UCAS, you will be guaranteed a spot with one of our French partners (Lyon, Nanterre, or Nice), and we will do our best to accommodate your preferred choice of French university.

Students who have been accepted in the Double Degree programme via Parcoursup/ecandidat will need to fill in a UCAS or Direct Admission application (depending on the circumstances) over the summer to register at the University of Essex. Students will be contacted in due time with an explanation of the steps to follow to proceed with their registration with UCAS/Direct Admission.

Our expert staff

All of our staff for our LLB English and French Law have experience of the French and English academic systems, so they understand the benefits of a dual education and appreciate the need for a supportive environment for international students.

Dr Laure Sauve teaches French Private Law I, an introduction to law and family law, reflecting on how legal cultures shape the minds of legal practitioners.and French Private Law II (law of obligations) and has a particular research interest in French family law, building on her PhD and current research projects with Paris II, projects involving comparing family law across EU member states.

Prof Yseult Marique teaches French Private Law. Her areas of research include Regulation and administrative law, especially public-private relationships, Public contracts (procurement, enforcement, corruption), Integrity and ethics in government and business, European administrative law and comparative administrative law.

Dr Emmanuelle Lemaire also teaches French Private Law. Her areas of research include Comparative Law, Tort Law, French Law and English Law.

Dr Eugénie Duval teaches French Administrative Law and French Constitutional Law. Her areas of research include Animal Law (farm animal welfare regulations) and Constitutional Law (participatory and representative democracy).

Dr Sophie Duroy teaches French constitutional law. Her areas of research include public international law, human rights law, and intelligence and national security.

Dr. Etienne Durand teaches French Administrative Law. His areas of research include EU Market and Competition Law, Energy and Climate Law.

Professors from our partner universities in France also regularly visit to teach topical issues in French law. They are additionally available to discuss your progression in France.

"Settling into social life was easy with all the facilities and support offered by the Students’ Union. I met great people and my experience at Essex definitely had an important impact on me. I am now finishing my degree in Lyon, but I look back on my time at Essex fondly.”

Coline Castelnau, LLB English and French Law, 2018

UK entry requirements

• 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.
• French Baccalaureate: An overall mark of 14 including 12 in English in both the oral and written components and 12 in French in both the oral and written components.

If you have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

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.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, 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

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

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.

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.

• Tutorials provide the opportunity to discuss the law, apply the law to factual problems, and develop legal arguments
• Basic IT skills training is available and training in the use of LEXIS and WESTLAW (legal research tools) is also given
• You are encouraged to take part in moots (mock trials), negotiation competitions and other practical exercises
• Your third year is taught at one of three partner institutions in France

Assessment

• Virtually all modules are assessed by a combination of written examination and coursework
• Examinations are held at the end of each academic year
• Your first year marks do not count towards your final degree classification