LLB (Hons) Law (part-time)

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Our part-time LLB programme offers a unique method of study. We provide textbooks, printed materials and access to pre-recorded online lectures as part of your fee. The online lectures can be watched at any time and are combined with motivational, productive question analysis and feedback at face-to-face Wednesday evening seminars, 7pm to 9.15pm. This approach provides flexible learning around full-time work, home/care responsibilities and other commitments. The weekly seminars involve stimulating and enlightening interaction with tutors, consolidating your understanding of the law, developing your study skills and growing your confidence.

Three subjects are studied each year over three 9-week terms (October to June) and you will complete your degree in four years.

We welcome students from a wide variety of backgrounds, from those who are looking for a change of career, to those who are returning to education after a long absence, to those simply looking for the challenge of studying. Our experience shows that all students bring their own valuable contribution to the programme and all can be successful in gaining an LLB, provided they demonstrate sufficient commitment.

For students that start studying on the part-time LLB, there is also the opportunity to switch to the full-time LLB programme at set times during the four-year programme, allowing you to complete your degree in less time.

For those interested in qualifying as a solicitor, our Part-time LLB provides you with thorough preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1 (SQE1), enabling you to choose the accelerated SQE1 preparation courses after graduation. Buckingham Law School graduates (LLB and LLM) also benefit from a 20% discount on the SQE1 preparation course provided by the leading professional legal educator BARBRI.

For those wishing to qualify as a barrister, our Part-time LLB satisfies the academic component of Bar training, the necessary first step to qualifying as an English barrister.

Attend a taster session

There are no formal entry requirements for mature students. Younger students are normally expected to have gained the equivalent of three grade Cs at A-level. However, all applications are fully considered and all candidates are interviewed. Motivation, work experience and, most importantly, potential are always taken into consideration.

Selection process

Whenever possible, you will be invited for an informal interview via Teams or at the University. The external relations lecturer Dr James Slater is also happy to answer any questions you may have by email (james.slater@buckingham.ac.uk) or you can contact our Admissions Team. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or get in touch via our contact form.

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.

Teaching methods

The LLB (Part-time) programme follows a traditional three-term academic year starting in October, with examinations each June. You will complete your degree in four years. Unlike our full-time students, your summers are free. In addition to pre-recorded online lectures, face-to-face teaching takes place on Wednesday evenings during term time for two 60-minute sessions, and attendance is compulsory. During these sessions, there are many opportunities to explore areas of difficulty with your tutor.

In addition to the once-a-week contact teaching hours, you will also have to make a substantial commitment to private study and seminar preparation. Rather like a distance-learning programme, you are provided with a range of materials. These include online textbooks, pre-recorded online lectures and bespoke study notes written by your tutor. You are also given access to legal databases and the library, providing access to important books and articles. It is a defining feature of our part time programme that you will be able to study at home at a time convenient to yourself, allowing time for discussion and exploration of more complex areas during the weekly seminars.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods include coursework, exam and other forms of assessment.

Preparation for work

Professional development is integrated into our curriculum and your life as a Part-time law student, providing numerous opportunities for work placements, professional mentoring and careers workshops. You will benefit from our dedicated Clinical Legal Education Manager, who is also a qualified solicitor, who manages this dimension of your studies at Buckingham Law School.

Graduate employment

Graduates from the Part-time LLB programme at Buckingham have used their law degree as a springboard to many different forms of professional success. Some use the degree to progress their careers in a wide range of professions, including management, human resources and the police force. Others use the degree to switch to a career in the law. Those graduates who now work as solicitors do so in a wide range of law firms and areas of practice, including Latham and Watkins (City of London), EMW Law (Milton Keynes) and McKeag and Co (Newcastle). Others still have started their own law firms, such as Pauline Purcell of Purcell solicitors in Milton Keynes.

What our students and alumni say

The following are insights into the experience, both on and then after the degree, of some our part-time LLB graduates. They can be read in more detail by following this link: Students’ views (part-time LLB).

• Marcos Kauffman (LLB 2016)
  The subject of law, and its impact on societies and businesses, has always fascinated me. However, due to entering the job market very young and focusing my studies on professional development around business, manufacturing and supply chain, I was unable to study law until later in my career, which brought me to the part-time LLB at Buckingham. Read Marcos’ story >>

Read more about what our current students and graduates think of the programme

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and so on. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

Tuition fees

Buckingham students from UK/EU can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Those eligible to receive the tuition fee loan may borrow enough to cover the full tuition fee for this programme^. Tuition fees  are inclusive of study materials, online textbooks and examination fees.

^ Buckingham students’ eligibility for the tuition fee loan and the amount of that loan are subject to confirmation from the Student Loan Company.

Fee increases

*The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.

We welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form or through UCAS.

If you’re interested in transferring to Buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.