LLB Law

Compulsory modules

Year 1

• Contract: Develop a critical understanding of the key principles of contract law. You’ll learn to identify the basic structure of the common law contract as well as how to recognise and respond to a series of legal issues commonly associated with contract law. As you study, you’ll analyse reported cases and develop articulate arguments for and against particular conclusions.
• Criminal Law: Explore the application of a range of criminal offences and defences as you learn the fundamental principles of criminal law in the English Legal System. You’ll gain an appreciation of the development of criminal law by precedent and statutory interpretation, focusing on law in theory and practice and the need for reform.
• English Legal Systems and Skills: Gain the relevant understanding and skills required to study law as you examine the interrelationship between law and other social and cultural elements. Additionally, you’ll develop employability skills and learn how to carry out legal research, analysis, writing, and oral presentation.
• Public Law 1: Study the field of constitutional law, administrative law, and protection of rights. You’ll be introduced to the essential features of the British constitution, including its legal and political institutions, and how it relates to the enactment, enforcement, and amendment of laws.
• Tort: Develop an understanding of tort within common law tradition as you apply relevant case law, judgments, and statutes to critical analysis. You’ll learn to identify the basic structure of tort and its fundamental principles.

Year 2

• Equity and Trusts: Discover the fundamental concepts of equity and examine the main principles of express, resulting and constructive trusts, and purpose trusts. You’ll learn to apply the principles to fact situations, defending your arguments with critical analysis and relevant materials.
• EU Law: Develop a thorough understanding of the main institutional and constitutional features of the legal system of the EU. You’ll gain knowledge of core principles of the internal market and citizenship in the EU legal order and develop a deep understanding of contemporary challenges and successes of the EU.
• Land Law: Discover how rights in and over property are created, transferred, and disposed of within the frame of the law in England and Wales. You’ll consider land registration, co-ownership, leases, mortgages, and how courts enforce legal and equitable obligations in relation to land.
• Public Law 2: Further develop your understanding of constitutional law, administrative law and the protection of rights. You’ll rely on your existing knowledge of legal and political institutions and constitutional principles as you study judicial review of administrative action in the UK and study specific instances where human rights have been threatened.

Year 3

You must choose one of these three research-based modules:

• Dissertation: Embark on a research journey that allows you to implement all you‘ve learned about law and legal theory. You’ll identify your own research question, conduct research, and analyse relevant law and literature to organise and articulate an extended written project.
• Research Writing Credit: Embark on a piece of written work that allows you to independently research a selected topic and produce an extended essay. Use key research and analytical skills to develop a critical argument and format it in a conventional legal style.
• Writing Credit Pro Bono and Professional Practice: Undertake work in an approved pro bono organisation or professional setting, developing your practical legal skills and experiencing a real-life environment that will enhance your employability skills.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

We place great importance on employability and careers.

Our dedicated work experience programme provides you with opportunities to explore potential career paths, gain valuable practical insight, and strengthen your future job applications. In the past, students have completed work experience with Thames Valley and City law firms (London), barristers, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations, and in-house legal counsel.

A work experience bursary is available to ensure placements are accessible to everyone.

Alongside our dedicated careers advisor, we will provide help with CV writing, placement applications and interview techniques. We host regular commercial awareness workshops and other career-orientated events, including employer visits, alumni conversations, and career talks, which feature practitioners from a range of fields discussing their work.

Your degree aims to equip you with a range of transferable skills and knowledge needed to succeed in any career of your choice. You can choose to take professional exams after graduation, and work as a solicitor or barrister.

Outside law, our graduates are successful in accountancy firms, local government, finance, marketing, and in a wide variety of other fields. Past graduates have worked with global corporations, national and European businesses, as barristers in chambers, and for the Crown Prosecution Service.