The LLB with Foundation year is an integrated foundation course. If you aspire to a career in law, the foundation year is designed to provide a strong grounding in both subject knowledge and skills.

If you pass the foundation year, you automatically progress to the Northumbria LLB undergraduate honours degree.

In the Foundation Year you study five semester long modules and one-year long module where you will develop your knowledge of the theory and practice of law. You will also have an opportunity to learn effective academic writing, analysis skills, interpersonal communication, and the ability to work in teams. The main attribute you need to bring is curiosity.

Our modules encourage you to look at contemporary legal issues and events, exploring how the law works. During your modules, you will consider ethical issues and learn analytical skills while being encouraged to build your creative, critical, and independent thinking.

On successfully completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to the LLB (Hons) programme, which is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in legal principles. The degree programme includes study of the 7 foundations of legal knowledge which are required for a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), the first stage of legal education for those who might want to pursue a career as a barrister.The LLB degree course will provide you with the relevant skills and knowledge to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.The foundations of legal knowledge are Constitutional and Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Crime, Equity and Trusts, EU, Land, and Tort. On the LLB you can choose from a wide range of options (including working in the Student Law Office).

Successful completion of the foundation year qualifies you to join:

• Law LLB (Hons) – with the optional routes in MLaw and MLawExempting (Bar Course) at the end of year 2.

Over 95% of students studying Law at Northumbria thought staff were good at explaining things (NSS, 2023).

How will I learn during this Law foundation year course?

In the Foundation year, you will develop legal knowledge and skills that prepare you for the first year of the degree.  

The teaching at Northumbria Law School emphasises practical learning and uses interactive teaching approaches, lectures and small group sessions. Web-based materials, lecture recordings, electronic reading lists and online support also enhance your learning experience. The modules you will study are Law and Society, Law and Ethics, Law in Action (Criminal Law and Civil Law) Academic Practice and Lives, Trials and the Law.

There are a variety of assessment formats including examinations, coursework, portfolios, presentations, and a project. You will be supported in your studies by a comprehensive programme of lectures and workshops, feedback during teaching sessions, group work, access to library resources, and technology. In addition to the module team, you will be allocated a personal guidance tutor.

Who teaches the Law foundation year course?

You will be taught by world-class academics, and experienced legal practitioners who bring their practical professional legal knowledge into the classroom.

Our Law School staff are active researchers, publishing articles and textbooks on many legal topics. We have expertise in a range of areas, including an international reputation in the fields of clinical legal education, evidence, and criminal justice .

The quality and expertise of our staff has been recognised through a wide variety of awards and nominations including:

• Attorney General's Award
• Law Teacher of the Year Award
• Northern Law Awards
• Student Led Teaching Awards

Where will I study during my time at Northumbria?

Northumbria Law School is based in City Campus East, located on a purpose built £70 million, multi-award-winning development in central Newcastle. Our modern building has excellent teaching facilities, including lecture theatres, classrooms, and IT hubs, which make for an inviting workspace. There are a variety of collaborative working zones, where you can work with your fellow students on group projects.

We also have a courtroom where we can stage mock trials, so you can experience a courtroom environment. Our law library contains leading practitioner texts so you can see how the law works in practice

How is research brought into teaching throughout my degree?  

Our academics are at the cutting edge of current legal issues, which enhances your learning experience, giving you the very latest understanding of key legal issues.

We regularly host lectures focusing on our Research Interest Groups and Signature Areas. These include The Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies, Legal Education and Professional Skills and Law and Society.

Alongside this, we have hosted public lectures delivered by leading public figures such as Professor Lorna Dawson CBE (Head of Forensic Soil Science at The James Hutton Institute), The Right Hon Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill CVO (Justice of the Supreme Court), The Right Hon Lord Mackay of Clashfern (Former Lord Chancellor or Great Britain and Lord Advocate (Senior Law Officer) of Scotland) and Professor David Ormerod QC (Law Commissioner for Criminal Law and Evidence).

At the Law School, you will be introduced to a variety of research techniques. For example, in later years of legal study you will be required to find, read, and interpret a range of materials to use the law to solve problems.

How does this course prepare me for my future career?  

You will benefit from extensive careers support throughout your course to help you plan your career and promote your professional development. You will have an opportunity to attend lectures by a variety of legal professionals and take part in competitions to win legal work experience.

You are encouraged to participate in voluntary activities such as mooting, mentoring, judicial shadowing, and the Law School has several student-led societies including the Grey Society, the Mock Trail Society, Legal History and more, for which you can also get involved.

When you pass the Foundation year, you automatically progress to first year of the LLB (Hons) programme. On completion of the LLB (Hons) you will graduate with the attributes needed to succeed in the legal services sector with a range of academic and professional transferable skills, such as research, public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork and commercial awareness, qualities highly regarded by both legal and non-legal employers. Our range of optional modules on the LLB (Hons) allow you to develop areas of specialism tailored to your career aspirations.