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Top reasons to study at Brighton Law School

• Practice-led learning – build applied legal skills and gain work experience in our pro bono legal clinic.
• Subject streams – led by our legal experts, you can develop your understanding of Human Rights Law, Criminal Law and Practice, Commercial Law, and Legal Practice.
• Employability – we prepare you for practice through academic, professional and public engagement, plus classroom, assessment and extracurricular activities.
• Customisable degree – a variety of option modules means you can customise your studies to your interests and career aspirations.
• Collaboration between staff and students – our passionate teaching team works with our students and the legal profession to ensure that our degrees are tailored to what works for students and for employers.
• Access to specialist law databases – access to Oxford Law Trove which contains more than 200 law textbooks relevant to our Law modules.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. If you apply to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through .

Year 1

Our law degrees share the same first year modules, introducing you to the different aspects of law, such as legal research skills and courtroom procedures.

Modules

• Public Law

  Public law is a subject of great topical interest, which is in a constant process of evolution and cannot be fully understood without reference to the UK’s political history and its social and cultural development.

  This module will provide you with a good understanding of constitutional legal principles, the major features of the UK’s constitution, civil rights, judicial review and an awareness of significant changes and developments in the subject.

• Legal Systems, Skills and Methods

  This key module is the foundation for all the other law modules and introduces two essential areas: (a) the way legal institutions in the UK operate and how the law is made; and (b) the legal skills lawyers need including clear communication skills, legal writing and referencing, oral presentation, problem-solving and analytical thinking. The knowledge and skills acquired in this module are essential to all other areas of academic development. 

• Law of Torts

  This module will provide you with a detailed knowledge of a number of torts including common law negligence, breach of statutory duty, protection against interference with the person, protection of property interests, protection of reputation and remedies associated with these torts. Where relevant, reference will be made to policy issues and human rights principles – both of which impact on the development of a number of torts.

• Professional Legal Practice 1

  This module introduces professional legal practice, legal ethics and professional responsibility. You will explore the nature and purpose of professional conduct rules and related questions of regulation and enforcement, including potential conflicts of interest, legal privilege and questions of confidentiality, responsibilities to the court and client and how these may be negotiated, obligations that come with being in a position of trust, and wider issues of access to justice. 

• Contract Law

  This module covers the formation, content, viability and discharge of contracts and remedies available for breach of contract. You will explore the concepts and legal principles in a political, social and economic context, and develop an understanding of the relationship of statutory and European Union sources of law with the common law.

• Business Law and Practice

  This module introduces business law and practice in England and Wales. You will explore the various forms of business vehicles, looking at the legal, regulatory, commercial and tax consequences of each. You'll look at governance, conduct, financing and constitution of businesses as well as elements of employment law, alongside the law of private acquisitions and the insolvency regimes of England and Wales. 

Year 2 

From your second year, you will start to expand your practical capabilities for business and legal environments, providing you with expertise in legal and business issues that may be applied in commercial, marketing, human resources and business start-up contexts. The mooting module, for example, will help develop your advocacy skills in a mock courtroom.

You may also have the opportunity to take part in national mooting competitions and take advantage of work shadowing opportunities, which could include judges and law firm partners. 

Modules

• Professional Legal Practice 2

  On this practical module you'll develop your legal skills in interviewing, negotiating, advocacy, research, case analysis, writing and drafting within the scope of one of the foundations of legal knowledge. You'll work in a team of two on a paper skeleton argument and present the argument as an advocate, which will involve researching and analysing the relevant law contained in a moot problem on behalf of either the appellant or respondent.

• Criminal Law

  This module enables you to develop an appreciation of this signficant area of the law. You'll explore the general principles of criminal liability, defences which may be available and consider individual offences.

• Equity and Trusts

  This module is a detailed exploration of the law of trusts and equitable principles. You'll gain the knowledge to evaluate the role of trusts and equitable remedies in the modern world and to critically review legal issues and recent developments in the subject.

• European Union Law

  The module introduces the European Union through its development, structure and activities: as a legal system in its own right but also rooted in international law. You'll examine the EU as a relationship between its member states, who confer power onto the EU, and the people of member states who are able to use EU law. Both procedural and substantive law are considered, particularly in light of the five freedoms (Goods, Services, Establishment, Capital, and People) and its policies.

• Land Law

  In this module you'll examine the major principles of land law and their relationship with equity and trusts and family law. You'll also explore cross-cutting themes within land law, such as the meaning of land and property, gender and the family home, human rights, and the balancing of private and commercial interests. This encourages you to critically reflect upon the significance of land law across legal, social and commercial contexts.

• Contemporary Issues in Commercial Law

  This module introduces contemporary issues and debates in commercial law. Through exploring these issues you'll develop the ability to examine the legal, commercial, financial and regulatory issues that affect commercial transactions in developed and emerging economies. You'll also consider the impact of the economic climate, political and social environment, and the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDGs) in the Global South. 

Placement year

The year's paid work placement is a vital part of the course. It gives you the chance to apply your learning to real-life situations and challenges, to meet and network with potential employers, and have opportunities to get real work experience before you graduate. This is something that employers value highly.

On your placement, you will complete a business project. This project contributes to your degree and, depending on the topic you choose, could provide valuable insight for your placement employer.

Our LLB students have completed placements at the Home Office, House of Lords, Acumen Business Law, Alfred James & Co Solicitors, Devonshires Solicitors and Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors. It is also possible to undertake a placement year abroad.

Our dedicated placements and employability team will support you throughout. Read more about our placement years.

Final year

In your final year, you'll choose six option modules from a big range of subjects, including project modules, enabling you to focus on topics that really interest you and that fit with your career aspirations.

Options*

• Legal Research Project

  This module is an opportunity to apply your new and existing knowledge of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects to a practical, law-oriented problem or issue. You'll extend your experience of in-depth legal research along with your analysis and critical evaluation skills.

• Intellectual Property Law

  This module introduces you to intellectual property. You'll develop an understanding of the nature of property and ownership, and the law related to patents, design rights, trade marks, copyright and other forms of intellectual property. You'll also gain a practical understanding of how intellectual property relates to objects and by discussion with non-law students whose studies need them to be aware of their intellectual property rights.

• Equity and Trusts

  This module will give you an in-depth understanding of the law of trusts and equitable principles and remedies. It enables you to claim exemption for this subject before proceeding to professional examinations (subject to other general requirements).

• Wills and the Administration of Estates

  This module introduces the legal and procedural issues relating to drafting a will and administering an estate. You'll develop a solid understanding of the law of succession and the legal mechanisms for the transfer of property after someone dies. You'll explore the differences between the law of wills, where there is a valid will, and the law of intestacy, where there is no will. You'll be able to apply the law to the administration of an estate including issues of taxation.

• Property Law and Practice

  This module will give you a detailed and practical understanding of the law of property and practice of property transactions. You'll learn how to deal with both registered and unregistered land, and consider all types of tenure including freehold, leasehold and commonhold. Case studies will illustrate property transactions from commercial leases to private mortgages. 

• Human Rights and Business

  How to ensure human rights are effectively protected and how to legally remedy past human rights violations are controversial questions. This module examines the gap in human rights protection and how the human rights legal regime has been built around state responsibility, leaving big businesses out. What should be done when businesses rather than state authorities appear responsible in practice for breaching human rights law? Is accountability possible, and what form should it take?

• Environmental Law, Sustainability and Justice

  In this module, you'll learn about the principles that form the basis of legal protection of the environment, both internationally and domestically. You'll explore how policies and human rights have shaped these laws. You'll also examine how environmental governance works, with a focus on the role of social movements and civil society groups.

• Animal Welfare and the Law

  This module focuses on the law relating to animal rights and welfare, and introduces national and international animal welfare legislation, along with global attitudes to animal welfare. You will explore contemporary debates, philosophical and theoretical perspectives, and animal rights as a social justice movement. 

• Media and Sports Law

  This module is an opportunity to explore the role of law in the media and in sport. You'll explore each subject separately and topics that you'll consider include how expressing oneself through different media has legal consequences, including censorship, privacy and confidentiality, decision-making by sporting bodies, regulation in sport, courts and arbitration in sport and criminal violence in sport. Putting theory into practice, the assessments for this module involve writing blog posts themed around sports law and recording a podcast.

• International Law and Socio-economic Development

  On this module you'll consider the relationship between international law and development and how this relationship shapes the practice of each. You'll examine how international regulation of economic activity in multilateral institutions has expanded, and use that information to think about  the effectiveness of international law in achieving development policy objectives in the Global South.

• Family Law and Family Justice

  Gain an insight into the nature of family law. This will include developing a critical understanding of the legal principles that relate to the formation and breakdown of adult relationships including financial orders, the role of parenthood, children and the law, and the welfare of a child along with the intervention of the state, domestic violence and family property.

• The Innocence Project

  The Innocence Project (IP) is a student-led project focusing on the study of alleged wrongful criminal convictions, with a view to referral back to the Court of Appeal via the Criminal Cases Review Commission. You'll have opportunities to get involved in investigating real criminal cases, supervised by the staff director and working with a practising lawyer.

• Criminal Evidence

  This module introduces the rules and practice of criminal evidence in England and Wales. It centres on the core rules and principles governing the admission, exclusion and presentation of evidence in the criminal proceedings. You'll gain a critical perspective on the law of evidence and practical skills needed to apply the law to complex factual scenarios.

• Commercial Law

  This module enables you to develop an understanding of both domestic commercial law and key aspects of commercial law as it operates internationally. You'll explore issues including the rights and duties that arise from the supply of goods in the UK and the legal problems that occur in an international contract for the sale of goods.

• Healthcare Law and Ethics

  On this module you'll consider the relationship between the healthcare profession, law and ethics and how the interplay shapes the practice of each. You will explore the ways in which the law regulates the medical profession and how developing technologies challenge our understanding of ethics and legal theory. You'll also examine the law that governs how society behaves in relation to its development and theoretical background.

• Comparative Law and International Justice

  This module encourages you to think about the law beyond England and Wales, using comparative approaches to explore different aspects of international law and justice.

• Employment Law

  This module introduces the areas of employment legislation and the employment law system and enables you to understand and evaluate the employment relationship. You'll cover an overview of the influence of EU law as well as the nature of English contracts, and become familiar with the major sources of employment law.

• Domestic and Sexual Abuse

  This module introduces you to law, theory, policy and practice on domestic and sexual abuse (DSA). The legal aspects of the module will explore the law within the criminal and the family justice systems. You'll explore theoretical approaches to DSA to support your understanding of these behaviours, and also consider the criminal justice system's response to DSA. Putting DSA into context in current policy and practice allows you to explore approaches to dealing with DSA.

• Criminal Litigation and Procedure

  This module enables you to gain a systematic understanding of the criminal court procedure in England and Wales. You'll explore police powers, case analysis, evidence and inferences from silence, and key procedural issues including bail, allocation of trial and committal proceedings. You'll also have an opportunity to practice your advocacy skills in the context of a criminal case. 

• Dispute Resolution and Litigation

  On this module you will develop an understanding of the civil court procedure in England and Wales, including the nature and jurisdiction of the County Court and the High Court. You'll be introduced to case analysis, mechanisms for dispute resolution, pre-trial preparations and pre-action protocols.

• Land Law

  Land is the foundation of life and society, making land law relevant to us all. You'll gain a detailed understanding of the major principles of land law and their relationship with equity and trusts and family law. You'll also explore cross-cutting themes within land law, such as the meaning of land and property, gender and the family home, human rights and the balancing of private and commercial interests.

• Law and Fintech

  The module explores the role of law in regulating technological innovations. You'll be able to analyse and evaluate evolving technological innovations and assess their impact on the law. You will examine the challenges of regulating technological innovations and cyberspace as they develop, and how the law addresses them. You'll consider regulatory theories in the context of a borderless online environment. 

• Justice and Practice – Community Legal Clinic

  This module is an opportunity to gain practical experience of legal work in the community. You'll receive initial training in issues including ethics, client care and confidentiality. Experience can include interviewing clients, case analysis, practical legal research, file management, legal writing for lay and professional audiences, simulation of management tasks in a law firm and collaborative working with both peers and supervisors.

• Law Dissertation

  The dissertation is your opportunity to undertake a piece of in-depth independent research on a law topic that interests you. Developing this piece of work will further develop your analytical and critical skills, and you'll be able to demonstrate and apply the skills you have learned on your degree.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Law societies 

Student Law Society

The Student Law Society is a thriving community of over 150 law students. With support from the Students’ Union, it organises an exciting schedule of social and educational events.

Members have recently enjoyed visits to Lewes Crown Court, Brighton Magistrates Court and the Houses of Parliament. Social events have included paintballing, go-karting, surfing, a Christmas Ball at the Brighton Hilton Metropole, and a trip with law students from other universities to Amsterdam.

Through initiatives such as these, the society provides excellent opportunities for personal development and for networking with other students interested in a career in law.

Student Mooting Society

The Mooting Society has a fast-growing membership of over 120 students. The society provides workshops, guest speakers, socials, trips and competitions to help build members' confidence and adversarial skills that are increasingly essential in any career path in the legal sector.

The objective of the mooting competitions is to develop the research and advocacy skills of future practitioners. Students argue both sides of a fictitious legal case in a courtroom setting in front of a panel of judges.

Course leaders

Dr Jack Thompson

Jack is a Principal Lecturer in Law and course leader on our LLB Law and LLB Law with Business degrees. 

Jack is the joint module leader of Law of Torts, and leads the Healthcare Law and Ethics module. 

Jack has an LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Westminster and an LLM in Legal Aspects of Medical Practice from Cardiff University. He has a PhD in Reproductive Medicine and Jurisprudence from the University of Westminster. 

He's also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has a PGCert in Higher Education from the University of Westminster. 

Jack's research is concerned with the role of rights and autonomy within bioethics. He's recently published research on the theory of rights, law and morality, and sexual ethics. His research interests include jurisprudence, Law of Tort, medical law, and mental health law. 

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Jo Smith

Jo is a senior lecturer and course leader on our Law with Criminology degree. She also provides support for the Law LLB course.

She leads our Criminal Law and Family Law modules and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Institute, with a PGCert in Higher Education from the University of Surrey. 

Jo completed her PhD looking at feminist women's experiences of online misogyny at the University of Surrey in 2019. She has subsequently published several book chapters on her PhD, looking at bystander experiences of online misogyny, activist responses to online abuse, and policing hate.

She's presented her research at a number of national and international conferences, and contributed to Law Commission reviews of online abuse and hate crime. Her current research projects look at domestic and sexual violence, and LGBTQI+ life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jo is a qualified solicitor and has worked in criminal law since 2008, with experience in family law and civil liberties law too.

She's worked as a legal advisor for Rights of Women since 2014, and has also been involved in activism and campaigning around women's rights, domestic and sexual abuse, and LGBTQI+ rights. Jo is a board member of Stop Hate UK, of the British Society of Criminology, and a member of the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region, ARU steering committee for a project on gender diversity in the justice system.

Jo's always happy to talk about her experiences in law, and uses her practical experience to shape her teaching.

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Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £2,280 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Fee information for this course for 2025 entry will be updated here no later than December 2024.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and (pdf) for more on Ï㽶ֱ²¥ tuition fees.

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