The Ulster Law School has an excellent reputation for teaching, research, student support and student development.
The School
The School of Law seeks to achieve excellence in teaching, research and professional development. The School provides a range of LLB courses, all of which are Qualifying Law Degrees (QLDs) for the purposes of the legal professions, as well as a range of postgraduate courses. Students at Ulster have the opportunity to draw upon the expertise of an internationally recognised group of researchers. Law at Ulster was ranked 4th in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), with 82% of publications ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. The REF 2014 results also showcase the real-world impact of legal research at Ulster. In the new 'Research Impact' category, 100% of our work was scored as world-leading.
The Campus
The friendly village atmosphere of our Magee campus offers an intimate learning environment in the heart of Northern Ireland’s second city, Derry-Londonderry. Located in the North West of Northern Ireland and a short distance from County Donegal, Derry-Londonderry is ideally situated for exploring some of Ireland’s most dramatic landscapes. Ongoing investment has provided state-of-the-art teaching, research and support facilities for students and staff.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
A total of 18 law modules are studied over the course of three years. These modules include the core law modules needed for Qualifying Law Degree status.
You will undertake six modules, 3 in each semester.
Year One
Semester One
Introduction to Law– The ability to appreciate the basis of fundamental legal principles and to understand the United Kingdom legal system, its structure and organisation is generally recognised as one of the prerequisites of the study of law. This module provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to acquire that ability.
Public Law – The ability to appreciate the basis of public law, the fundamental legal principles which underpin it, to understand how government operates and how public power is exercised is generally recognised as one of the prerequisites to the study of law. The module provides a basic grounding in core study skills, as applied to the subject of law. The course helps develop those skills, by providing practical opportunities for students to practice those skills and by introducing students to the concepts of reflective and independent learning.
Irish Optional Module
Semester Two
Criminal Law – The criminal law is an important area of legal practice, a key means by which the law seeks to protect society from undesirable or harmful behaviours and, equally importantly from the student’s perspective, a useful vehicle for familiarising oneself with legal principles, study techniques and research methods. Virtually every area of law is affected to some extent by the criminal law. It is essential that students become familiar with the basic principles underlying criminal law and learn to appreciate the relationship between it and the civil law. Criminal law provides the ideal vehicle for students to study both common law and legislation, and to develop their understanding of the relationship between law in Northern Ireland and in England and Wales. In examining the principle and substance of criminal law students will also have the opportunity to develop their skills in legal reasoning and analysis.
Introduction to Property Law – Property rights in relation to land are central to the functioning of economic and political systems based on capitalism and free market economy. Consequently, it is important for the law student to understand property rights in land or real estate, their justifications, and the underlying legal principles and framework for their categorisation and regulation in Northern Ireland, and England & Wales. The study of fundamental property principles in respect of the acquisition, protection and disposition of land will directly prepare the law student for further detailed study of property law at level 2 (Land Law) and at level 3 (Equity and Trusts) as well as complementing the study of aspects of Tort, Contract and even Criminal Law.
Irish Optional Module
Year Two
Semester One
Law of Tort – The law of tort is concerned with those situations where the conduct of one or more parties threatens harm to the interests of others. It is the purpose of this branch of the law to define the obligations imposed on each member of society and to adjust those losses which must inevitably result from the ever increasing activities of those who live in a common society by providing compensation for the harm suffered by those whose interests have been invaded owing to the conduct of others. The principles which govern this part of the civil law have been developed over the past 600 years and today account for the majority of civil legal actions, thus forming an important cornerstone of the modern legal system. The relationship which this area of law bears to other areas (such as the law of contract and criminal law) is also vital to an understanding of basic legal principles and procedures. The professional legal bodies recognize the importance of this subject by requiring law school graduate entrants to have acquired a sound knowledge of the law of tort as part of their degree.
Contract Law – The law of contract occupies a central place in any comprehensive study of law. Over time a substantial body of case law and legislation has developed to cover a range of business, commercial and trading transactions. It is necessary to know clearly the elements of contract law in order to understand the difference in relevant cases between proceedings attracting contractual and tortious liability. As the production, marketing, distribution and consumption processes of goods and services are usually carried out by means of contract, this subject is central to all legal agreements. In addition law graduates will increasingly find themselves involved in the tendering, negotiation and contracting processes which will increase in importance as new markets open up and as Eastern European countries increasingly adopt market economies. The professional legal bodies recognise the importance of this subject by requiring law school graduate entrants to have acquired a sound knowledge of contract law as part of their under graduate degree.
Irish Optional Module
Semester Two
European Law – An understanding of the relationship of European Union (EU) law and national law is important to the study of law and policy within the United Kingdom. The original objective of market integration within the European Economic Community (EEC) has taken European Law beyond its initial focus of free movement within an undistorted market into many areas of national law. Students therefore need to experience working with European Law in order to appreciate the ways in which it is distinctive from common law subjects and to understand the impact it has had on domestic law and governance.
Land Law– Land, or real property as it is frequently called, has traditionally been one of the most important sources of wealth in society. More recently many elements of Land law, especially the Law of Landlord and Tenant in the business sector, have gained particular practical importance in the commercial world. It is therefore essential that the law student has a suitable grounding in the rights and liabilities recognised under Land Law, which in turn underpins the law of conveyancing and the law of succession. The practical importance is recognised by professional bodies, which require law school graduate entrants to have studied Land Law at Degree Level. This module builds on the foundations laid in Introduction to Property Law and together the two modules satisfy the requirements (in respect of property law) of the legal professions in BOTH England and Wales and in Northern Ireland.
Irish Optional Module
Year Three - You will choose 2 law modules and one Irish module in each semester
Work Placement/Study Abroad
European Legal Studies
Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS)
Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP)
OR
Optional Modules. Not all electives may run in all academic years. (Please note numbers may be capped on some final year electives).
Semester One
Equity and Trusts – This module will explore the history of equity and its maxims, the development of the trust and its various forms, uses and practical implications today. It will consider how trusts can be varied and set aside, the powers and duties of trustees and the remedies for breach of trust. It will also examine equitable doctrines such as conversion and election and survey the law relating to equitable remedies such as injunctions.
Human Rights Law - This module is designed to provide students with a sophisticated analysis of the legal structures governing human rights law and its enforcement at both domestic and international level. Increasingly, human rights standards play a role in shaping the form of international relations. At the international level, the principal documents are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR 1966) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR 1966) – collectively known as the ‘International Bill of Rights’. At a regional level, the Council of Europe’s European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (1950) now extends to 47 states. The provisions of the European Convention are strengthened by additional rights contained in additional protocols to this treaty. While the ECHR presents the most effective of regional mechanisms of human rights, other notable regional human rights treaties include the American Convention on Human Rights (1969) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981). However, in this module we will be focusing primarily on the ECHR.
Company Law - Change continues to take place with company law, at times, appearing to be in a permanent state of flux with new legislation and a constant stream of new cases. In this module students will be introduced to the body of rules and principles of law which regulate registered companies, both public and private. The module will deal with the main forms of business organisations within the UK, their management and contracting powers. This module introduces students to the body of rules and principles of law which regulate public and private companies. It is of practical significance to all those who wish to make a career in, or have dealings with, such companies.
Social Justice - An understanding of the relationship between the state and citizen, and the contractual and moral obligations of each, is the key to understanding the changing nature of the law as it relates to social justice issues. This module explores the way in which the law deals with social justice issues by providing insight into the effects of Government policies, legislation and case law on these issues. The module is centered around the theme of poverty and its relationship with other social justice themes like crime control, social control, conflict, health, and social exclusion, its impact on vulnerable groups and the treatment of these vulnerable groups, and its implications for citizenship and society.
Law, Film and Visual Culture - This module will examine the relationship of law to visual culture, and the influence that they have on each other. It will be based on critical evaluation of legal texts and provisions, and of filmic, dramatic and other visual material.
Legal Technology: Innovation and Informatics - Traditional law and technology courses have looked to the regulation of new technologies, and therefore the restrictive power of law on the use and development of new technologies (in terms of privacy, intellectual property, security). This module looks at the other side of the picture; the ways in which new technological developments will influence the future development of law, legal service provision and access to justice. For example: what are the possibilities for online dispute resolution to take on part of the burden that has traditionally devolved to either the courts or more recently tribunals? What are the implications of new informatic developments for particular levels of mundane legal work to be done by intelligent computer systems, and what will remain for human actors? What are the likely knock-on effects for the future of legal education, and for the legal professions? To what degree will future lawyers be required to be legal technologists, and what level of training will they need for this to be realised? How do new forms of technology address issues of access to justice? What does technology have to do with design thinking, and what is meant by the term ‘visual law’? In short, the module will elaborate the changing face of legal practice, give a grounding in basic concepts and technologies, investigate the opportunities and risks of the changing dynamics of law due to increasingly sophisticated informatic systems and look to the changing face of law as a result of these changes.
Semester Two
Law of Evidence – The Law of Evidence is important for anyone studying law with a view to practice. Similarly, those involved in any profession which may involve them in litigation will benefit from an understanding of how the legal system operates in examining and prioritising evidence. The module is required in Northern Ireland to attain a ‘qualifying’ law degree (that is, a degree recognised by the professional legal bodies within Northern Ireland). This module will complement other substantive law modules, particularly criminal law, both in the legal knowledge acquired and through the further development of skills of legal analysis, problem solving and critical thinking.
Dissertation – Dissertation research and writing skills are essential an integral part of legal training that would prepare law students for professional practice, which requires independent investigative research and brief writing. This module would prepare law students for this critical role.
Public International Law - Public International Law is a necessary complement to the study of virtually all domestic law modules. Every branch of municipal law is inevitably under the constraints of a growing number of obligations stemming from international law obligations. Understanding key issues of international law, including its sources, institutions and measures of enforcement, is central for any student of law. A student of law must be confident working not only with domestic statutes and case law, but also to be able to locate, interpret and apply international legal materials. Additionally, international law increasingly imposes obligations which are necessary to take into account comprehending how States and other actors interact in the international system.
Employment Law - The importance of the employment relationship between employers, employees, unions and other statutory bodies and agencies is such that a thorough knowledge of both the context and the substantive law is necessary for those involved in this area in any capacity. The module attempts to provide the basis for this knowledge and to put you in the position where you may not only have an understanding of the law both conceptually and substantively, but also be in a position to use that knowledge in the solution of problems.
Law and the Family - This module explores the ways in which the law deals with the family and with issues that arise with respect to families, including marital breakdown, domestic violence, and child abuse, as well as providing insights into the forces which share family law, thus making it less of a private area of activity than is sometimes thought.
Computer and Internet Law- The main rationale for the Computer & Internet Law module, is to teach students the principles and concepts on computer and the internet in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and selected international jurisdictions. While some of these legal concepts are traditional and familiar, others are sui generis and new regulatory innovations, especially designed to combat the social, cultural, and legal challenges posed by the widespread use of networked computers on intranet and internet. Contemporary legal problems pertaining to the use of networked computers range from unauthorised access to, and use of computing facilities; computer crimes; property rights in software and data; privacy rights in data; network neutrality; legal status of software; commercial electronic mail; unsolicited commercial electronic mail; access and free speech rights to protected data and network; to electronic surveillance and monitoring. The legal problems associated with the aforesaid issues will be discussed at lecture and seminar sessions.
Legal Practice - Clinical legal education is an excellent way of both training practitioners and achieving wider educational aims. This module is designed to allow UG Law students the opportunity to experience law in practice. Those who take the module will be given a unique opportunity to experience real life clients and to practice law in a fully operational legal office. They will gain the skills required to take a legal enquiry, interview a client, identify and research the legal issues, and advise the client on the potential outcomes available to them. Consequently, students on this module will leave with a highly relevant skill-set to their future legal careers, which will be very attractive to potential employers.
The School aims to provide a broadly ‘socio-legal’ education, with specialist teaching from academics in a variety of fields and those from previous professional practice who can provide the invaluable ‘taste’ of law-in-action. The School includes the award-winning Ulster Law Clinic, the Legal Innovation Centre and the globally recognised Transitional Justice Institute.
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Each module of study usually involves two hours of lectures plus a one hour seminar each week. In addition, students are required to undertake substantial directed independent learning. Generally, three modules are studied per semester on the full time programme.
The principal teaching methods are lecture, seminar and independent learning. Typically, lecture comprises a two-hour interactive teaching involving oral presentations by the lecturer. The seminar session is typically for one hour, and it involves interactive discussions of answers and solutions to assigned tasks. Additionally, students are expected to carry on independent study in the library and at homes.
Assessment methods range from coursework, written examination, to class presentations. Assessments are moderated and sent to external examiners. Each module handbook contains information on the assessment criteria for the module.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
BBB to include Irish
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DDD
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of DDM
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DD plus A Level B
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades BB
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite)
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades BB
120 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level. Profile to include Irish.
Grades BBBCC.
Grades CCC.
Overall profile is minimum 26 points (including 13 at higher level).
Overall profile of 65% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
Overall profile of 60 credits at distinction/merit/pass (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
English language requirements for international applicants.
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Acceptable alternative qualifications include:
Pass HND with overall Merit to include 60 distinctions in level 5 credits.
Pass HNC with overall Distinction to include 90 distinctions in level 4 credits.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University.
The professional bodies that accredit LLB degrees place restrictions on the extent to which credit can be given for study undertaken on other courses and/or at other institutions. Provided that a candidate has met the standard entrance requirements for the course, consideration will be given (subject to these restrictions) to an application to transfer or for exemption from specific modules. No transfer or exemption is possible at level 6.
In this section
Ulster graduates have gone on to study law at postgraduate level both at Ulster University and other institutions (e.g. Masters courses such as the LLM, or doctoral studies); others are now in practice as solicitors or barristers, having completed the Certificate in Professional Legal Studies. Others have pursued careers in related areas such as the business and finance sector, human resources, politics and the community sector.
To enhance the student experience, at the end of year two of undergraduate study, many students opt to participate in a number of year-long programmes, including StudyUSA, the Erasmus scheme and the International Student Exchange Programme. In participating in these schemes, student fees are paid and a small stipend provided to assist with the purchase of books and such like.
The work placement module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student’s employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Accredited by the Bar Standards Board for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree.
The qualifying law degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the purposes of satisfying the academic stage of training.
Recognised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI) for the purpose of a Qualifying Law Degree.
Prizes are sponsored by some of the foremost law firms in Northern Ireland, leading NGOs and legal publishing houses. The School believes that hard work and talent should be rewarded and, as such, the range of prizes on offer within the Law School provide an excellent means of facilitating student engagement with the legal professions and with community based organisations more broadly.
Students visit the Gaeltacht for a week in the Autumn and in the Spring each year. The cost of each course is circa £125 to cover travel, accommodation, food, activities, excursions and classes.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
