Not only will you be challenged to understand the law, but you will also be encouraged to apply it and to develop your professional skills. The School of Law is particularly proud of its long tradition of providing students with legal work placements as part of their study and of its links with the local legal profession.

Factfile

Degrees

 Degree Programmes

Degrees

 Degree Programmes

 Our Degrees

Our programmes invite you to consider the law’s impact on society and its challenges. Having been introduced to legal topics in lectures, you will conduct in-depth research and analysis and then discuss your understanding and evaluation of each topic during tutorials. In doing so, you will not only acquire a critical understanding of the law but will also begin to develop those essential skills of use as solicitors and barristers or in any other high calibre professional career.

On our single honours programme your studies will be focused on domestic and EU law. If you study one of our combined programmes you will investigate in greater depth the relationship between law and another discipline. The Law with International Studies programme allows students to examine the relationship between law and political thought, particularly international politics, while Law with Criminology combines the study of the law in this jurisdiction with various sociological approaches to the subject.

Combined honours students are taught and assessed alongside those on the single honours programme. All our programmes are Qualifying Law Degrees (QLD). These involve studying and passing the seven foundation subjects: Public Law, Criminal Law, Contract, Tort, Land Law, Equity and Trusts, and EU Law. A QLD allows you to proceed directly to the next stage of training as a solicitor or barrister. Being located in Guildford, we are close to the major legal institutions located in London.

LLB (Hons) Law (M100)

The single honours programme focuses study on law and will allow you to cover the widest range of legal subject areas. You will gain a deep understanding of the main areas of legal knowledge, namely laws regulating private relationships, relationships with the state and relationships with property respectively. 

At Level 1, the Legal Skills foundation module will introduce you to both the fundamental concepts of law that inform and influence the way in which laws are made, and also to the ways in which law students and legal scholars identify, analyse and criticise those laws. Throughout this module you will examine the complicated process by which both cases decided by the higher courts and enactments of the Houses of Parliament become ‘the law’.

You are encouraged, therefore, to look critically at the law-making process itself. The legal skills developed during this module are reinforced by teaching and assessment on other modules throughout your legal studies. The Criminal Law module analyses the general principles of English criminal law, the substance of criminal offences and the nature of criminal liability. Contract Law, Public Law and Property Law 1 (Land Law) complete the modules studied in the first year. 

At Level 2, you will analyse the substantive law of the European Union and in particular the European Community pillar. The Tort Law module considers the law concerning tortiously inflicted harm in several areas of Tort, including: negligence, occupiers’ liability, economic loss, psychiatric injury, vicarious liability, trespass to the person, nuisance and defamation.

Property Law 2 (Equity and Trusts) examines the contribution made by Equity to civil law in counterpoint to the common law. In addition to the Foundation Legal Subjects, students may select a law option from a variety of modules which usually vary from year to year. 

You may opt to undertake a placement year in your third year, which will give you the opportunity to gain legally relevant work experience either in the United Kingdom, Europe or North America. At Level 3, you will have the opportunity to study a number of optional legal subjects.

LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology (M1M9)

This programme combines the expertise of the School of Law with the internationally recognised research and teaching strengths of the University’s Department of Sociology. The programme allows you to develop a critical understanding of the law and legal principles at a theoretical level whilst also studying advanced areas of criminology. 

As well as equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary to proceed to professional legal qualifications as a solicitor or barrister and to engage critically with the key principles of law in core subjects, the programme will give you an awareness of current issues in criminology in terms of debates surrounding criminal justice, social control and the role of the police.

At Level 1, you will study Criminal Law, Contract Law, Public Law and Legal Skills. For the Criminology element of their programme, modules on Crime and Society and Criminal Justice Systems are taken. At Level 2, subjects comprise EU Law, Tort Law and Property Law 1 (Land Law), with the Criminology elements comprising Criminological Theories and one sociology option from a range available from the Sociology Department. 

You may undertake one of our highly successful professional training placements during the third year of your studies, although this is not compulsory. At Level 3, you will study Property Law 2 (Equity and Trusts) and one Law option, with the Criminology elements comprising two modules: Critical Engagement and one other Criminology module.

LLB (Hons) Law with International Studies (M1T9)

The International Studies pathway will offer you the opportunity to combine the study of core law subjects with the study of international politics to develop a political perspective on law as a body of rules.

At Level 1, you will undertake the Legal Skills foundation module and study Contract Law, Criminal Law and Public Law alongside single honours Law students. For the International Studies element of this programme, you will undertake modules on Politics and International Relations, and Contemporary International History. 

At Level 2, subjects include Tort Law, EU Law and Property Law 1 (Land Law), with the International Studies element comprising The International System and The Idea of Europe.

An optional part of the programme is a placement year, which takes place after the completion of Level 2 studies, combining the chance to study abroad (in universities where the language of instruction is English) with opportunities to undertake legally relevant work either in the United Kingdom, Europe or North America.

At Level 3, you will complete the qualifying law degree by undertaking Equity and Trusts and a dissertation, and will select optional modules from a range of political and legal subjects. 

Other degrees you may be interested in:

Criminology and Sociology
Politics

Programme

 Programme Overview

All of our Law programmes focus on the law of England and Wales as affected by European and international law. Programmes include optional placement opportunities and all are Qualifying Law Degrees, required for progression to further training as either a solicitor or a barrister. You will be schooled in the core elements of legal understanding. These include law as it regulates the functions of the state (that is, EU Law, Public Law and Criminal Law), as it regulates relations between private individuals (Contract Law and Tort Law) or as it regulates the ownership and
control of land and other property (Land Law and Equity and Trusts). Students will also have further opportunities to study legal subjects of interest to them during their time at Surrey.

Whilst you will spend a considerable amount of time identifying current legal rules and principles, our law degrees are a far cry from the memorisation of dry legal detail. In addition to learning what law is, you will be expected to debate about it and to analyse its application to given situations. 

Your legal training will involve the systematic application of the law through the discussion and analysis of problem questions. It will also require you to analyse the law from a critical perspective through the writing of essays and other theoretical papers. You will therefore be expected to place law in its social, moral and political context.

 Programme Structure

Professional Training

Our Law programmes offer a third year on placement. Students on the Law with International Studies programme have the opportunity to spend a year on placement, usually split into two sections. The first half of the year is an academic placement at one of a number of universities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden or Finland. There you will study either legal or legal/political subjects and all teaching is in English.

The second half of the placement year is spent working either in the UK or abroad (currently in Brussels, New York and Canada). Most work placements are paid. You will have the opportunity to undertake placement work in a variety of contexts including solicitors’ offices, local authority legal departments, non-governmental organisations and corporations. 

However, there is some scope for tailoring your placement to your own individual needs and interests. You will return energised and focused on your final year of study and equipped with a broader range of professional skills and abilities. 

The professional training year is also optionally available on the single honours Law programme, and Law and Criminology. These students usually choose to do work placements, but may also choose a study placement in the EU, the US or Australia.

Why Surrey?

 Key reasons to study Law 2012 at Surrey

• Opportunities for legal work placements and academic exchanges as part of the programme of study
• Close links to the College of Law in Guildford and local legal professionals
• Collaboration with the Surrey Law Centre, giving students hands-on experience through placement and volunteering opportunities
• Teaching staff with strong professional experience
• Expert guest speakers contribute to the learning experience
• The award-winning Student Law Society provides extracurricular activities including mooting and debating
• All programmes are Qualifying Law Degrees

Careers

 Top for Jobs

Our graduates include numerous solicitors and barristers as well as lecturers in law, legal translators, a legal business manager in a huge international corporation, an assistant to a Member of Parliament and even the first black woman to become a High Court judge in the UK. Recent graduates have entered employment in roles such as:

• Surrey Law Centre – Legal Assistant
• Northamptonshire Police – Intelligence Support Officer
• Fragomen LLP – Legal Support
• Citizens Advice Bureau – Trainee Adviser
• Crown Office Row Chambers – Pupil Barrister
• Clifford Chance – Trainee Solicitor
• Eversheds – Trainee Solicitor
• Russo-British Chamber of Commerce – Legal Editor

 Career Opportunities

Each year many former students take up permanent employment with prestigious employers who have included Electricité de France, Clifford Chance, Eversheds, and other firms of solicitors, sets of barristers’ chambers and legal departments of large companies. 

We offer a varied programme of careers sessions which provide advice and guidance on what you should do to develop a suitable career path. As part of this aim, the School, in combination with our Student Law Society, runs a variety of events, competitions and activities, such as mooting and client interviewing, that are not only enjoyable and rewarding but will also enhance your employability and introduce you to local and regional solicitors, barristers and other legal professionals. 

The School also has close links with the College of Law in Guildford and cooperates with the College in a number of career development activities..

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Teaching

For our core Law subjects, teaching consists of weekly lectures and tutorials in groups of 12 to 15 students. Tutorials are weekly in the first year and fortnightly in the second year. You will carry out extensive research into the law in preparation for tutorials, using lecture content as guidance. During the tutorial you will engage in discussion,
using legal sources as the basis of your answers and presentations.

Facilities

The School benefits from the substantial support of the University in the provision of its teaching and research activities. As a result of an active programme in building and development, teaching is conducted in a variety of high-quality learning environments, and students have the benefit of access to a broad range of both paper and electronic library resources, as well as state-of-the-art online learning support.

Assessment

Each core module is assessed by a combination of coursework (weighted at 20 per cent) and written examination (weighted at 80 per cent). Optional modules may be assessed in a variety of ways. Written examinations are generally three hours long and require students to answer three or four questions out of nine posed on the paper. Questions include a combination of problem-based and essay questions that also form the content of tutorials and seminars. Students are marked on their ability not simply to identify the relevant law but to apply it in a logical manner. They are required to identify inconsistencies in the law and to question and critique the theoretical underpinnings of particular laws and of law in general. 

School of Law

The School of Law offers a considerable range of subject areas both to aspiring legal professionals as well as to those interested in further academic study or other well-regarded professional careers. 

Offering a blend of traditional and innovative methods of legal education and looking at subject areas from both conventional and critical perspectives, Law programmes at Surrey provide a depth and a wealth of understanding of law in its national, European and international contexts. The School continues to build upon its traditions in legal education and to offer new and exciting teaching and research opportunities

Recognising the growing importance of continuing legal education to the professional legal community and working in law-related areas, programmes at Surrey are delivered in a variety of ways and reflect a range of needs that cater for those who are looking for both part-time and full-time learning opportunities. The School continues to provide excellent opportunities both for career development and for study of the legal issues of the twenty-first century.

Teaching Staff

As well as our range of undergraduate and postgraduate Qualifying Law Degrees, we also offer programmes at postgraduate level in a number of specialist areas, and this is reflected in the expertise and varied interests of our teaching staff. 

The School draws upon the breadth of experience of its members of staff in devising and running imaginative programmes of study at all levels. Many members of staff are qualified solicitors or barristers and have qualifications in teaching in Higher Education. Teaching includes the use of large group sessions, tutorials, seminars and online teaching. 

In addition to its academically focused and energetic teaching staff, the School benefits from a vibrant student community, and active pastoral and learning support is provided to all students.

Research

The School has a strong commitment to scholarship and research, and also offers a PhD doctoral research degree programme. Research and the development of research ideas is a key part of the School’s ethos. 

Research activity covers the range of fields of legal study, and there are several research groups:

• Combating Corruption in International Business 
• The Corporate and Commercial Law Group
• The Environmental Regulatory Research Group
• The Surrey European Law Unit 
• The Surrey International Law Centre 

These research groups represent the greatest concentration of research output within the School but there are also active researchers in criminal law and criminal justice, employment law, family law, medical law and public law (including US constitutional law). Research activity covers both theoretical research in selected fields and initiation and implementation of funded research projects. The School’s researchers use their research output to inform and develop their teaching and to enhance the experience of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Location

The School of Law is to be found on the University of Surrey’s attractive campus which is located in Guildford. Situated in the South East of England, the University benefits from its location in a safe but lively and pleasant city, while also being only 40 minutes away from London. Law students can therefore benefit from Guildford’s relaxed atmosphere, while also being fully able to enjoy the possibilities of London as one of the world’s leading legal centres. The School plays an active part in the local legal community, and has forged strong links with local legal professionals and other local legal educators such as the College of Law. Students at Surrey undertake a range of voluntary and pro bono activities in the Surrey area.