BA

Law

BA Law Code M103

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Key Facts

M103

  • UCAS Tariff

    128 - 104

  • Course Length

    3 Year

Further details on entry requirements

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Join us in the Department of Law & Criminology at Aberystwyth University on our traditional BA Law degree.

This degree will give you the opportunity to examine the law, how it functions, and the relationship between law, justice and society.

As well as studying the foundational legal subjects, you will also have the opportunity to tailor your degree according to your own interests, choosing from a wide range of optional modules covering contemporary and specialist areas of law.

If you want a rewarding career as a legal professional, this degree will provide you with a good start on that journey.

Course Overview

Why study Law at Aberystwyth University?

  • It is a practical law degree designed to meet employer needs and taught by experienced legal professionals and academics.
  • Upon completion, you will be eligible to continue vocational training on the Legal Practice Course (LPC), or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
  • Successful completion of particular modules will grant you exemption from certain professional examinations.
  • Taught by professionals who are active for large organisations eg GRETA, the Youth Justice Board, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  • Excellent social and professional opportunities, visits to Law Fairs and Inns of Court in London.
  • Option to do a work placement module in different areas of law.
  • Option to study abroad in the second year at one of our many partner universities in Europe, USA, Canada and Australia.
  • Option to participate in our national and international competing Mooting Society, in order to develop your key advocacy and litigation skills. We also offer a Welsh medium Mooting competition for students who wish to moot through the medium of Welsh.
Our Staff

Department of Law and Criminology lecturers are mostly either qualified to PHD level or have professional experience and qualifications as practicing lawyers. Many staff also have a PGCE (Higher Education).

Modules

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Contract Law LC13820 20
Criminal Law * LC10520 20
Legal Skills and Research * LC10420 20
Legal and Criminal Justice Systems * LC10120 20
Tort LC11120 20
Introduction to Criminology * LC12220 20
Law in Action LC13220 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
European Law LC20720 20
Public Law LC20620 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Commercial Law LC26220 20
Crime & Punishment in Historical Perspective LC23020 20
Criminal Justice and the Penal System LC26320 20
Critical Perspectives on Imprisonment LC22020 20
Environmental Law LC27720 20
Equity and Trusts LC24920 20
Family and Child Law LC26420 20
Human Rights LC25220 20
Intellectual Property Law LC28620 20
International Law LC26920 20
Introduction to Criminology LC22220 20
Labour Law LC26820 20
Land Law LC24820 20
Medicine Ethics and the Law LC26720 20
Police, Policing and Society LC21020 20
Principles of Evidence LC26520 20
Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour LC28120 20
Psychology and Crime LC24020 20
Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders LC29120 20
Youth Crime and Justice LC26120 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Your BA Law opens up a range of exciting opportunities for you. You will be a strong candidate for training to become a barrister or a solicitor.

Your BA Law offers you the possibility to succeed in many different areas including criminology, financial management, business, human resources, international relations, journalism and education.

Your future is important to us and our degrees will equip you with the following:

  • the confidence in selecting and deploying the most appropriate range of legal methodologies
  • the ability to write and communicate with a range of audiences, evaluating and organizing information
  • the ability to gather, assimilate and interpret a wealth of legal information quickly and accurately
  • the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
  • effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • the ability to work independently
  • time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
  • self-motivation and self-reliance
  • team-work, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement
  • research skills.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer. 

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

Course Content

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.

During your first year:

  • you will receive core training in a number of subjects eg Contract law and Tort Law, which must be studied and passed for exemption from the first stage of professional law examinations
  • you will explore the structure and development of the English and Welsh Legal system
  • you will study the relationship of the judicial precedent and the court system
  • you will analyse the process of creating legislation and how its interpreted by judges.

The second and third year you may be introduced to:

  • Criminal Law
  • EU Law
  • Public Law
  • Equity and the Law of Trusts Land Law.

You will also be able to tailor your study through careful selection from a range of elective modules.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars which are innovating and high quality allowing you to realise your potential.

In your lectures, you will be introduced to key concepts and relevant up to date information. You will also have access to recorded versions of lectures.

Our tutorials and seminars are an opportunity for you to discuss particular legal themes or topics, to evaluate and obtain feedback on your individual learning whilst at the same time improving your construction of legal arguments. 

You will be assessed through essays, exams, study logs or portfolios and oral presentations including mooting exercises.

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your time at the Aberystwyth Law School. Your personal tutor will be the key contact when you have issues or queries.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance, and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.

Student Testimonials

Law is a challenging subject which stretches me each and every day and that is exactly why I enjoy it! Thanks to both the brilliant staff and the extensive resources available to students, the challenge remains one which I’ve never felt was out of my grasp. Aberystwyth itself is a great town, ideal for a variety of students. It has something to offer for everyone, and I know of no better place to make close friends. The town is very relaxed and welcoming, and when it is sunny there is no place in the UK I’d rather be. Andrew James Hall

The combination of a brilliant course with a beautiful town is perfect. I have loved studying Law at Aberystwyth over the past 3 years. Although it has been hard work and exhausting, it has been thrilling and challenging as well. All the lecturers, tutors and staff are fantastically friendly and helpful and care about the department and the way modules are taught. The Law library houses everything you need for your degree, so you don’t need to go far. Law attracts so many different personalities and students from different backgrounds and spending 3 years with them is great. The modules offer great choice. William Pryce

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 128 - 104

A Levels ABB-BCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-28

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma. Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits, and offers can vary. If you are studying a qualification not listed on this page, please get in touch with the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further advice. For further information, contact ug-admissions@aber.ac.uk

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