Law

The study of law is the study of the rules that govern how societies organise themselves, resolve disputes, and define the rights and responsibilities of individuals, organisations, and the state. The undergraduate law degree is both the foundation for a professional legal career and one of the most rigorous intellectual disciplines available, training you to analyse complex situations precisely, construct arguments under conditions of genuine uncertainty, and communicate findings with clarity. These capacities are valued far beyond legal practice.

At Birkbeck, the LLB prepares you for a career in legal practice while also equipping you with the transferable skills and specialist knowledge needed for a broad range of other professional pursuits. The distinctive feature of Birkbeck is its evening teaching model, meaning the programme is studied part-time and is genuinely accessible to those working or managing other commitments alongside their legal education. This makes it a real route into law for adult learners who could not access a conventional full-time degree.

You will study the foundational areas of English law, including contract, tort, criminal, constitutional, and European law, developing rigorous legal analysis skills and the ability to research and evaluate legal arguments across a range of contexts. The typical entry tariff is 72 points.

Graduation from the LLB is the foundation for professional legal qualification through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or the Bar Standards Board pathway for barristers. Many Birkbeck graduates enter legal practice, while others move into the civil service, compliance, business, education, journalism, and management, where the analytical skills of legal training are consistently in demand. Postgraduate study in law or related disciplines is also available for those who want to specialise in particular areas of legal practice or pursue academic research.