Core modules
You will spend the first two years at Warwick University. In those two years you will gain a thorough grounding in English Law. At the same time you will study modules in German to allow you to continue to improve your German language skills and prepare you for the rigours of German academic study in year three.
Your third year is spent at one of our partner universities in Germany. Thorough preparation and careful supervision while you are away will ensure that you gain the maximum benefit from your year abroad.
For the fourth and final year of your studies you will return to Warwick and complete the LLB degree. You can then also take modules from other departments to reinforce your interdisciplinary skills.
In addition, on registering with the German university itself and on completion of a dissertation, some of our partner universities offer the opportunity for our students to obtain a LLM in German Law.
Year One
Tort Law
You will examine the law of civil liability for wrongfully inflicted damage or injury: the law of tort. We emphasise the processes and techniques involved in judicial (as opposed to legislative or administrative) law-making; the relevance and responsiveness of doctrines thus developed to society’s actual problems; and the policies and philosophies underlying the rules. As well as acquiring knowledge of the application of these technical areas of law, you will develop skills of legal reasoning and critical judgement, with particular reference to insurance, loss spreading, developing medical knowledge, professional standards and consumer protection. Work is undertaken independently and in debate and collaboration with your peers.
Read more about the Tort Law moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Understanding Law in Context
You will deepen your knowledge of the institutions of the English Legal System while developing the critical skills vital to succeed in a Warwick Law Degree. The Module explores 'Law in Context' as a concept and approach. You will gain a critical overview of the machinery of justice at the heart of the English legal system, become familiar with fundamental legal techniques and develop an understanding of theoretical approaches to law. You will be introduced to English legal method with a focus on developing your skills in reasoning, argumentation and research. Subjects will be taught primarily through participatory and problem-based exercises in workshops and seminars (of approximately 20-25 students) where you will have the opportunity to test and develop the fundamental legal knowledge and core skills necessary for your wider legal studies.
Read more about the Understanding Law in Context moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Law, State and the Individual
The module provides a critical overview of the institutional and theoretical aspects of the law, alongside a deeper appreciation of its relationship to state and individuals.
In giving attention to related sources of law (like Acts of Parliament, common law rules, conventions) and foundational concepts (like the legislative supremacy of Parliament, the rule of law and separation of powers), the module aims to emphasise critical reading and understanding of academic material and legal texts (cases and statutes), and also the dynamic extra-legal dimension of politics and economics that give rise to legal contestation in the first place.
Read more about the Law, State and the Individual moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Modern German Language 1
Over the year you will have four sessions in German language per week. These consist of (a) a weekly Translation class covering translation from and into German, and (b) a small language class working on Grammar. You will also have (c) one weekly Conversation and Comprehension class taught by our native-speaker LektorInnen and (d) one weekly Writing class which will introduce you to the German media, to different genres and writing styles and help you hone your own writing skills in German. In addition, you will be expected to work through exercises in the paper-based Hammer Grammar and its online version, which will be demonstrated at the first Translation Class in Week 2. You are also encouraged to explore other online and paper-based materials as directed by your tutors. In the spring term you will work in pairs on a German language topic (Media project) under the supervision of your Writing class tutor.
Read more about the Modern German Language 1 moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Note: A language competence assessment will be carried out on arrival, and you may be able to study a more advanced module based on your language competence.
Year Two
Introduction to German Law
This module prepares students on the Law with German LL.B. for their year abroad and the academic demands of Warwick’s partner universities in Germany. The module is taught in German and is available to any student with an adequate knowledge of the language. Students are introduced to the basic features of the German legal system and the German legal method. The module will cover a general overview of German law, a short introduction into constitutional law and a discussion of key concepts of German private law as laid down in the Civil Code (BGB). Throughout the themes are presented by using the specific German legal method.
Read more about the Introduction to German Law moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Criminal Law
You will develop an understanding of the general principles of criminal law and its operation within society, coupled with an awareness of the social and political forces that influence the scope of the law and its enforcement. You will encounter basic concepts of the structure of English Criminal Law, and some knowledge of procedures, theories, and scholarly debates, so as to understand and discuss legal arguments and policy. You will also gain insights as to the historical, political and social context of criminal law, so as to engage in reflections about its role in society. In your studies, you will be expected to assess and present arguments for and against in open debate and work collaboratively with your peers on specific tasks.
Read more about the Criminal Law moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Contract Law
On this module, you will learn to understand and explain the fundamental principles of contract law, one of the building blocks of the common law and which underlies commercial and consumer law. The module is designed to help you understand the nature of contract law and its key principles, to study selected topics relevant to the lifecycle of a contract (notably formation, performance, and remedies for breach), and to appreciate the wider context of contract law. You will have opportunities to study the relationship between case law and statute and to tackle specific problem-solving tasks, as well as engaging in discussions that will help you develop both your theoretical knowledge, including your understanding of the social context and function of the courts, and key legal and transferable skills.
Read more about the Contract Law moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Property Law
On this module, you will focus on the role of law in relation to the ownership, use and development of land. Starting with the basic principles of English land law, you will learn to apply these to hypothetical cases, and analyse, evaluate and critique individual cases and statutory provisions using a series of linked materials on a discrete topic. Working both independently and collaboratively, you will also acquire research skills and be able to speak and write about property law accurately and using appropriate terminology.
Read more about the Property Law moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
If you are thinking of becoming a barrister or seeking qualification as a lawyer in other jurisdictions, which recognise the Warwick law degree, you will be advised to take the Foundations of EU Law module in your second year (subject to Bar Standards Board requirements).
The new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) does not require you to complete a minimum number of core law subjects. The requirements of individual law firms regarding prior study of law will vary, and you will need to check such requirements yourself before making your module choices. Some of these are optional rather than core modules. We will provide full guidance about module choices at the relevant time.
Year Three
Year Four
In your final year you will be required to complete the Supervised Project either as a half or full module. You will also select from the range of optional modules available in the Law School.
Supervised Project
The supervised project allows you to undertake independent study to complete one of a range of outputs, building on skills you will have acquired through your degree. These may include a researched dissertation; reasoned policy briefing; a judgment from a critical perspective (e.g. feminist); or a piece of creative work about the law. The module aims to provide you with a high degree of responsibility for the learning process and will require you to manage your own learning, reflect on it critically, and seek and use constructive feedback. There is no set syllabus given that each project is individual to the student. However, general skills-based workshops will be provided to introduce you to research methods, research ethics, writing skills and project management to enable you to commence independent project work early in the term. Small group supervision meetings will be focused on substantive issues and on improving quality of the work. The length of the Supervised Project is either 6000 words (half module - 15 CATS) or 12,000 words (full module - 30 CATS).
If you are thinking of becoming a barrister or seeking qualification as a lawyer in other jurisdictions, which recognise the Warwick law degree, you will be advised to take the Law of Trusts module in your final year (subject to Bar Standards Board requirements). Otherwise, you may choose from the optional modules available.
The new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) does not require you to complete a minimum number of core law subjects. The requirements of individual law firms regarding prior study of law will vary, and you will need to check such requirements yourself before making your module choices. Some of these are optional rather than core modules. We will provide full guidance about module choices at the relevant time.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Critical Perspectives of Forced Migration
- Comparative Human Rights
- Gender, Sexuality and the Law
- Climate Change and Law
- Corporate Tax Law
- Family Law
- Crime & Punishment
- International Economic Law
- Medicine and the Law
- Law of Business Organisations
- Global Intellectual Law and Policy
- Legal Aspects of the Digital World
- Art and Cultural Heritage Law
