Law

Course overview

Successful lawyers need more than legal knowledge. Our law degree at Aston University’s Law School has been designed with modern legal practice in mind, including real-world examples and practical opportunities.

With a focus on the business of law, the future of law, and the law of business, the course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the foundations of legal knowledge necessary to succeed in any legal career. Whether you are looking for a career as a solicitor or barrister or are looking to go into a business role after graduation, this course will give you the knowledge and understanding of law and commerce needed to do so.

Practically minded and future focused, our close links with Aston Business School and a strong network of employer links will help you put theory into practice. With employability at the heart of what we do, our course is designed to enable you as an individual to achieve your own personal goals.

"I chose Aston University because I wanted to attend a campus-based university which was in a thriving city. The opportunity to do a placement year really appealed to me. This made Aston more attractive than other universities as I knew this would be an opportunity to develop my commercial awareness and practical skills during my degree."

Olivia Lloyd

LLB (Hons) Law

Trainee solicitor, Hugh James

Why Law at Aston University?

Excellent prospects

Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)

Safe in our hands

Law at Aston University was ranked top 25 for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2023)

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Work ready

We prepare students for a diverse range of careers in law, business and other industries

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Secure your future

Obtain an industry recognised law degree

More than just a law school

At Aston Law School, our students experience much more than just the lecture theatre. Our course offers a number of practical elements such as courtroom visits and our inbuilt placement year. Gain the knowledge industry is asking for.

Rodwell's story

Rodwell takes you through his experience studying at Aston University and how it helped him find a career as a solicitor in the City.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

LLB (Hons) Law

Our LLB (Hons) Law degree at Aston University prepares you for a diverse range of careers in law and other industries. From intellectual property to corporate governance and commercial law, you have a wide range of options at your fingertips from day one.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. Many of Aston Law School's academics are qualified lawyers with a background in corporate law and are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise.

What you will provide
You will provide us with a willingness to problem-solve and work towards an answer. You will be passionate about studying law, have a strong reason for doing so, and have a keen eye for detail.

What skills we teach
We will teach you how to identify issues, interpret information, think creatively and critically, and problem solve. You will then learn how to provide solutions and advise clients through legal and business scenarios.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. The opportunity to undertake a study placement with one of our international partner institutions is also available if you would prefer.

The placement year is optional for LLB (Hons) Law students.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Law graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: IBM, Hilton Worldwide, NatWest, Hays Legal, Shoosmiths, Irwin Mitchell and Capita.

How you will learn

Aston Law School follows Aston University’s blended learning approach, which consists of a mix of in person (on campus learning), together with online learning.

The applied nature of the course means that you will experience a range of interactive teaching methods, including but not limited to, practical exercises, workshops, small group sessions, guest lectures and group working. This is all supported by a virtual learning environment.

Mooting and presentations are used to develop advocacy skills and problem-solving exercises are used extensively to help apply legal knowledge to real life situations. You will have the opportunity to contribute to a pro-bono law clinic, or you can choose to carry out an integrated placement year.

What you will learn

By doing this degree you will gain more than legal knowledge, you will also develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, together with essential professional and interpersonal skills. This will enhance your employability and prepare you for a wide range of careers.

First year

The first year is designed to provide you with the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge of law, with an emphasis on supporting you in your transition into undergraduate study. You will study Legal Systems and Skills, Liability in Crime and Tort and be introduced to Contract and Property. You will explore the Law of Business and Business Concepts and the Future of Law.

Second year

The second year builds on knowledge and skills with the aim of challenging you to think more deeply and creatively. You will explore Law in an Applied Context and Public Law and Regulation. You will also study aspects of Commercial Contracts as well as Land Law. You will also have the opportunity to choose from optional modules such as Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Medical Law.

Placement year

The placement year is optional for LLB (Hons) Law students. While we recognise the significant employability benefits that come with opting for a placement year, it's important to highlight that for this programme it's entirely your choice. Aston University graduates are renowned for their employability, and we highly recommend considering a placement year. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Placement stories

Final year

In your final year, you will study Legal Project Management: Business Law in Practice, which will introduce you to the core outcomes of the SQE examinations with a particular focus on business organisations. You will also explore optional modules of your choice, including Emerging Technologies, AI and the law, Data Protection and Sports Law.

Professional accreditation

Subject to completion of the requisite optional modules in your final year, the course meets the requirements of the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for the academic component of training for barristers. As an Aston University Law graduate you can therefore proceed directly to the Bar Training Course should you wish to do so. You will also be well positioned for the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination with our range of optional modules.

My placement year at DAC Beachcroft LLP

LLB (Hons) Law student Robyn Hateley spent her placement year at DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Discover Robyn's journey

Course objectives

Equips you with the skills required for the understanding and application of law in respect of the English legal system. This will include a thorough introduction to key legal principles providing you with access to a variety of pathways suited to your career preferences.
Provides the opportunity to study the foundation subjects as prescribed by the professional bodies which underpin legal practice.
Develops your ability to work both independently and collaboratively, innovatively, critically and reflectively, and with a variety of sources relevant to law and business.
Provides you with key analytical, research and other transferable academic skills to promote lifelong learning and personal development.
Ensures relevance in a constantly evolving employment environment by maintaining, enhancing and engaging you with relevant legal, professional and business links, including the development of your knowledge of ethical principles and values.
Develops and enhances your employability for a variety of graduate roles.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Legal System and Skills	30
Liability in Crime and Tort	30
Introduction to Contract and Property	30
Law of Business and Business Concepts	15
The Future of Law: Introduction to Technology and its Regulation	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Present a detailed knowledge of the principal features of the English Legal System, its institutions, and procedures together with the law within the modules indicated.
Interpret a variety of data sources, including primary and secondary material related to the studied modules which form the foundations of legal research.
Communicate and evaluate relevant issues with regard to legal doctrine, policy, society and ethics.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Law in an Applied Context (incorporating work experience)	30
Public Law and Regulation	30
Commercial Contracts and Practices	15
Land Law	15
Total	90

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Dispute Resolution	15
Intellectual Property and the Internet	15
Medical Law and Ethics	15
Employment Law	15
Commercial Law	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Enquire critically as to the operation and application of the rules, principles and concepts studied within the modules.
Analyse critically primary and secondary material relating to the studied modules through legal research.
Reflect critically upon and communicate the importance and development of employability skills to your graduate aspirations.
Understand the appropriateness and application of different approaches to legal problem solving.

Placement year modules

The placement year is optional for LLB (Hons) Law students.

If you opt for an integrated placement year, you will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Identify and analyse, using academic theory and/or techniques, an issue or process relevant for the placement organisation.
Recommend appropriate actions for the placement organisation.
Evaluate the use of academic theories and/or techniques in analysing issues, processes, and supporting recommendations.
Reflect upon you own learning, plan and implement strategies to build upon this learning.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Legal Project Management: Business Law in Practice	30

You will choose 90 credits from the following optional modules:*

Legal Practice Pathway**

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Criminal Law	15
Equity and Trusts	15
European Union Law	15

Other optional modules

Module Title	Credits
Commercial Property Law	15
Wills, Probate and Private Client	15
Business Ethics	15
Competition Law	15
Data Protection Law	15
Emerging Technologies, AI and Law	15
Family Law: Adult Relationships	15
Family Law: Child Law	15
International Commercial Law	15
International Human Rights Law	15
The Internet and the Law	15
Law Dissertation	30
Fraud, Bribery and Corruption	30
Product, Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship	30
Sports Law	15
Islamic Finance	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

**Students must choose all modules comprised in the Legal Practice Pathway to satisfy the requirements of the BSB to progress directly on to the Bar Training Course. Students who do not choose all of these modules will not satisfy the aforementioned requirements and therefore may be precluded from further vocational training or may be required to undertake further study to pursue such vocational training.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Communicate a systematic and conceptual approach to the rules, principles and concepts studied within the modules and their operation.
Deploy advanced research and analysis of primary and secondary material relating to the studied modules.
Identify and where relevant appreciate ambiguity and uncertainty relating to relevant issues with regard to legal doctrine, policy, society and ethics as appropriate to the studied modules.
Identify, analyse and critically apply principles, rules and concepts with regard to realistic factual matrices in order to provide advice and/or solutions.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (standard offer)
BBC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
BBC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma - DDD (standard offer)

BTEC Extended Diploma - DDM (contextual offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

31 points overall in the IB diploma with 5, 5, 5 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

5 GCSE grades A*/9 – C/4 to include:

GCSE Maths – grade C/4
GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£18,250
During placement year:	£2,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

At Aston Law School, we pride ourselves on our use of authentic assessment methods in addition to traditional forms of assessment. Consequently, whilst some modules are assessed by takeaway exams and coursework, others adopt ‘real world’ approaches to assessment, providing you with the opportunity to enhance your CV and employability skills within the supported context of assessment. Methods of assessment currently adopted include:

•   Letters of Advice
•   Interviews with supervisors
•   Legal Blog writing
•   Group presentations and pitches
•   Academic Posters

We aim to make the course as interactive and student focused as possible.

Career prospects

Our close links with local law firms, businesses, industries and social enterprises, as well as extra-curricular opportunities and the option to undertake a placement year, means that Law at Aston University has a high employability focus.

This degree is ideal for those who want to become a solicitor or barrister and has been designed to help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful legal practitioner. However, a degree in law also provides an excellent foundation for other careers where legal knowledge is important, including taxation, human resource management, accountancy, regulation and compliance.

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

Our recent graduates were successful in finding graduate roles such as:

Negotiations case handler
Corporate client accounts support
Trainee solicitor
Cyber security consultant
Litigation consultant
Immigration paralegal
Trainee tax consultant

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Shoosmiths LLP, Rolls-Royce, Pinsent Masons, Hilton Worldwide, IBM, Irwen Mitchell and Citizens Advice.

Following in my father's footsteps

LLB (Hons) Law graduate, Cory Crutchley, shares his experience studying at Aston Law School and gives advice to future students.

Discover Cory's story

Our graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why study law?

Our LLB (Hons) Law programme at Aston Law School has been designed with modern legal practice in mind, and offers a breadth of practical experiences and real-world opportunities to bring the theoretical learning to life.

This law degree will prepare you for the legal profession but also develop transferable skills to suit roles that require legal knowledge within business.

What opportunities are there on the Law degree at Aston University?

You could choose to undertake your third year on an integrated placement.

The programme provides plenty of real-world examples and case studies, opportunities to work within teams and demonstrate your understanding in a number of ways. All of this brings what you learn in lectures to life whilst developing skills that will benefit you in whatever career path you choose.

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham