The Extended Degree in Law is designed as a preparatory year to enable you to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills you need to progress to the first year of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) course. The initial year of the Extended Degree course will prepare you for the demands of Level 4 study by introducing them to a number of core legal subjects.
In order to progress onto the LLB programme, students need to pass all modules (120 credits) and pass with an overall average of 50%.
The expert tutorial support and knowledge that you'll develop in areas such as constitutional law and legal drafting will also prepare you for careers in related areas such as in public services, local government and the civil service.
You'll gain confidence and improve your study, practical and theoretical skills that'll ensure that you stand out to employers.
Progression to the 2-year LLB programme is acceptable with an average grade of 60% or above, and/or on the advice of the programme leader for the extended degree with the agreement of the 2-year LLB programme leader.
Find the programme specification and course fact sheet on the University of Hertfordshire website here
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Entry Criteria
48 UCAS points including a Grade C/4 in GCSE English and D in GCSE Maths
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What will I study?
In studying this degree, you will be introduced to a variety of legal skills such as interviewing and advising, advocacy, legal research and writing. You will also be introduced to more traditional core modules such as contact law and criminal law. Combined, these skills will prepare you for further legal studies.
Compulsory Modules
• Principles of the English Legal System (15 crediits): This module is designed to introduce students to research skills and the structure of the civil and criminal branches of the English legal System and the professional ethics of the legal professions. The content will provide an overview of sources of law in the UK; classification of law and the UK court system; what is case law; judicial precedent and concepts of statutory interpretation; legal and academic research skills for finding and reading cases and research skills.
• Contract Law (15 crediits): This module considers the rules governing contract law and the importance of effective contracts in a commercial setting; the essential requirements of contracts: Offer and acceptance; consideration; intention to create legal relations; contractual terms (general and specific); exclusion clauses; vitiating factors; discharge of contract and remedies.
• Human Rights (15 crediits): This module considers the role and obligations of the State with regard to protecting basic human rights and that by becoming parties to international treaties. States assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. It considers that human rights simultaneously entail both rights and obligations from duty bearers and rights owners.
• Criminal Law (30 crediits): This module considers the general principles of criminal liability in England and Wales: actus reus; mens rea; denials of an offence, general defences; inchoate offences; parties to a crime; and some of the most serious criminal offences (such as murder, manslaughter, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences and property offences). It also examines the social and legal constructions of crime and how these have varied historically and in different social contexts. This course will provide a basic introduction to the law and help you not only understand it but also enable you to weigh up arguments and consider the implications in a legal context.
• Advocacy and Legal Drafting (30 crediits): This module introduces students to the key practical legal skills of research, negotiation, and advocacy. Students will undertake a variety of practical, skills-based exercises that will enable them to put their skills of advocacy and drafting into practice.
• Law of Torts (15 crediits): This module considers the law relating to torts and appreciates that the classification of torts may determine the remedies available for alleged breaches that may give rise to civil liability. A close examination of the tort of the two different types of civil claims for defamation and the claimant requirements to make a successful claim. The procedure to be followed in taking court action in respect of a defamation allegation, the type of claim, defences, privilege, and remedies will be explored. -
Future Prospects
This one-year degree will provide a gateway to enable you to pursue studies on a Law-based degree at the University of Hertfordhsire, and help you realise career aspirations of working within the legal sector.
Progression to the 2-year LLB programme is acceptable with an average grade of 60% or above, and/or on the advice of the programme leader for the extended degree with the agreement of the 2-year LLB programme leader. Read more here