Our degree programmes (LLB and BA) may be taken as Qualifying Law Degrees (excluding Politics, Philosophy & Law). If you intend to become a solicitor, a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) will exempt you from further study before you enter the vocational stage of professional training. In order to attain a QLD you must pass modules in subjects specified as the 'foundations of legal knowledge'. From 2021 a new framework for qualification as a solicitor will be introduced in which a Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination (SQE) will replace the QLD (for details see our careers blog). The new exam will be offered for the first time in 2021. However, any student who begins the process for qualifying as a solicitor by commencing a qualifying law degree by December 2021 will still be able to complete their training under the existing rules.

For aspiring barristers, in order to complete the academic component of training based on a law degree awarded in the UK/Republic of Ireland, a student must hold a degree which complies with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Law and incorporates study of the foundations of legal knowledge subjects. All our LLB and BA degrees (other than Politics, Philosophy and Law) enable you to fulfil these requirements and apply for the Bar’s vocational training element. You must also obtain at least a 2.ii degree to apply to the Bar Professional Training Course (further details of all the requirements).

Professional qualifications
Currently, a ‘qualifying’ Law degree means that you will have passed the first (academic) stage of training to enter the legal profession as a barrister or solicitor. The process by which a student qualifies as a solicitor in England and Wales is due to change in 2021. We are launching our new curriculum to coincide with these changes, building on our international reputation for teaching law ‘in context’ and providing what we believe to be the best possible preparation for our students to succeed if they choose to pursue a legal career. Consequently, we are making some exciting changes to our degrees for 2021 entry. The core and optional modules are currently undergoing approval through the University’s rigorous academic processes. As changes are approved, they will be updated on these webpages. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer. Find out more about the changes.

Up Date - August 2020
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has interrupted our plans to introduce a new curriculum in 2021. Although the changes to professional qualification are going ahead as scheduled, the Solicitors Regulation Authority have announced that all current qualifying law degree arrangements may continue for 2021 entry provided students accept offers on or before 31 August 2021 (this includes those deferring entry from 2020). We have therefore decided to maintain the existing framework of our qualifying degrees for a further year. We will continue to offer the Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects necessary for both the old and new qualification routes, making our law degree an excellent first step towards a legal career. We are also proceeding with the introduction of new modules and opportunities for practical experience in law which will benefit all those joining us in 2021. It is therefore still very important that you check the course webpages for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.