Law (Philosophy, Politics and Law Pathway) LLB (Hons) - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
LLB (Hons) Law (Philosophy, Politics and Law Pathway)
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| Ord | Law (Philosophy, Politics and Law Pathway) |
| DipHE | Law |
| CertHE | Law |
Professional recognition
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
The qualifying law degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the purposes of satisfying the academic stage of training.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | ULA22027 | 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | ULA22035 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Surrey Law School
Programme Leader
TAGGART Christopher (Law)
Date of production/revision of spec
14/11/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- To develop and deepen students' interest and understanding of Law, in its national and international, social, political and cultural context
- To provide opportunities and assistance to enable students to develop a sound foundational understanding and experience of key practical and professional legal skills (e.g., negotiation, interviewing, debating, advocacy, presentation skills)
- To produce graduates with well-developed legal research skills and the ability to source, assess and incorporate a wide range of (analogue and digital) legal materials to marshal written and oral legal arguments
- To facilitate students' engagement in life-long learning, study and enquiry
- To assist students in developing critical writing and presentation skills which will enable their ability to produce clearly expressed, succinct and cogent written and oral arguments
- To produce graduates with a law degree who will be capable of continuing onto the next stage of training for entry into both branches of the legal profession or to secure graduate professional positions in industry, commerce or the public sector
- To produce graduates with a strong grasp and critical insight of the principles of Law across a wide range of legal topics and with a refined ability to identify key issues arising within a legal problem and to apply those principles of Law to reasoned legal problem solving
- To facilitate students' engagement and empathy with the wider community beyond the University through legal outreach and clinical activities
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate knowledge of the principal features of the English Legal system and other key legal systems and the ability to identify and distinguish differences in values, procedures and approaches between systems | KCPT | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of Law in the foundational legal subjects and an ability to apply those principles to solve legal problems, provide supported critical analyses of the law and its contexts and controversies and to reach defensible conclusions following such analyses | KCPT | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate the ability to effectively structure and navigate through a research process, using both analogue and digital research sources and materials and the ability to utilise effectively a variety of digital platforms to communicate effectively and professionally with peers, assessors, and external parties | CPT | CertHE | |
| Present a variety of self-directed assessed output which evidences the ability to structure and present well-written arguments in fluent and convincing prose and/or to structure and present articulate and convincing oral/visual arguments while utilising and integrating appropriate supporting sources | KCPT | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate the ability to work effectively, collaboratively, and professionally as part of a team or to work independently and in a self-directed manner where appropriate | CPT | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate the ability to take a self-reflective and critical attitude towards their learning and assessment and the ability to deconstruct and engage with feedback effectively to improve future work or professional practice | CPT | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate an ability to critically assess the accuracy and validity of a wide variety of legal sources and the ability to critically engage and incorporate relevant and valid sources in discussions of doctrinal and conceptual debates in law | KCP | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate awareness of ongoing and emerging wider global contexts and debates which impact issues of law within areas of social justice, equality, sustainability and technology | KCPT | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the principal features of the English Legal system and other key legal systems and the ability to identify and distinguish differences in values, procedures and approaches between systems. | KCP | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the key principles of Law in the foundational and specialist legal subjects and an ability to apply those principles to solve legal problems, provide supported critical analyses of the law and its contexts and controversies and to reach defensible conclusions following such analyses | KCPT | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate sound ability to effectively structure and navigate through a research process, using both analogue and digital research sources and materials and sound ability to utilise effectively a variety of digital platforms to communicate effectively and professionally with peers, assessors, and external parties | CPT | DipHE | |
| Present a variety of self-directed assessed output which evidence sound ability to structure and present through and well-written arguments in fluent and convincing prose and/or to structure and present articulate and convincing oral/visual arguments while utilising and integrating appropriate supporting sources | KCPT | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate the ability to plan and work effectively, collaboratively, and professionally as part of a team or to work independently and in a self-directed manner where appropriate | CPT | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate sound ability to take a self-reflective and critical attitude towards their learning and assessment and sound ability to deconstruct and engage with feedback effectively to improve future work or professional practice | CPT | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate sound ability to critically assess the accuracy and validity of a wide variety of legal sources and sound ability to critically engage and incorporate relevant and valid sources in through discussions of doctrinal and conceptual debates in law | KCP | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate thorough awareness of ongoing and emerging wider global contexts and debates which impact issues of law within areas of social justice, equality, sustainability and technology | KCPT | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the principal features of the English Legal system and other key legal systems and the ability to identify and distinguish differences in values, procedures and approaches between systems | KCP | Ord, LLB (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the key principles of Law in the foundational and specialist legal subjects and an ability to apply those principles to solve legal problems, provide comprehensively supported critical analyses of the law and its contexts and controversies and to reach defensible conclusions following such analyses | KCPT | Ord, LLB (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate a strong ability to effectively and comprehensively structure and navigate through a research process, using both analogue and digital research sources and materials and a strong ability to utilise effectively and tactically a variety of digital platforms to communicate effectively and professionally with peers, assessors, and external parties | CPT | Ord, LLB (Hons) | |
| Present a comprehensive variety of self-directed assessed output which evidences a strong ability to structure and present through and well-written arguments in fluent and convincing prose and/or to structure and present articulate and convincing oral/visual arguments while utilising and integrating appropriate supporting sources | KCPT | Ord, LLB (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate a strong ability to plan and work effectively, tactically, collaboratively, and professionally as part of a team or to work independently and in a self-directed manner where appropriate | CPT | Ord, LLB (Hons) |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAW1053 | LEGAL SYSTEMS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| LAW1054 | CONTRACT LAW | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| LAW1056 | CRIMINAL LAW | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| LAW1055 | TORT LAW - CONCEPTS AND CONTEXT (LEVEL 4) | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| LAW1057 | PUBLIC LAW 1 | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 2 from the optional 9 modules (one in semester 1 and the other in semester 2).
To complete the requirements of the PPL Pathway you must complete a sufficient number of qualifying Pathway modules from the specified list of PPL modules available at Level 5 and Level 6. These must be equal to at least 90 credits (15 of which will be from the compulsory Level 6 module Jurisprudence I, LAW3085, and the remaining 75 credits will be other qualifying Pathway options from the specified list at Level 5 or 6). In total, this is equal to 6 taught modules or 5 taught modules and the dissertation. Law and Climate Change cannot be repeated in Year 3 if taken in Year 2.
Qualifying PPL Pathway Modules at Level 5:
LAW2049 - Environmental Law in Action (optional)
LAW2084 - Law and Economics (optional)
LAW2096 - Law & Contemporary Social Issues (optional)
LAW2099 - Law and Armed Conflict (optional)
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
At Level 6, you must take 120 credits. You will automatically be enrolled in Jurisprudence I (LAW3085) in semester 1 as this is a compulsory module for PPL Pathway students (15 credits). The remaining modules at Level 6 are optional modules.
To complete the requirements of the PPL Pathway you must complete a sufficient number of qualifying Pathway modules from the specified list of PPL modules available at Level 5 and Level 6. These must be equal to at least 90 credits (15 of which will be from the compulsory Level 6 module Jurisprudence, LAW3085, and the remaining 75 credits will be other qualifying Pathway options from the specified list at Level 5 or 6). In total, this is equal to 6 taught modules or 5 taught modules and the dissertation. Law and Climate Change cannot be repeated in Year 3 if taken in Year 2.
Qualifying PPL Pathway Modules at Level 6:
LAW3085 - Jurisprudence I (compulsory)
LAW3089 - Medical Law I (optional)
LAW3127 - Tax Law (optional)
LAW3146 - Ethics and Regulation of AI (optional)
LAW3134 - Legal Obligation and Punishment (optional)
LAW3090 - Medical Law II (optional)
LAW3150 - Commercial Claims, Clauses and Remedies (optional)
LAW3005 - Law Dissertation (in PPL topic) (optional)
LAW3140 - Privacy and Data Governance (optional)
LAW3141 - Corporate and White Collar Crime (optional)
POL3093 - Ethics, Killing and War (optional)
POL3066 - Critical Terrorism Studies (optional)
In semester 1, you must select Jurisprudence (LAW3085), as it is compulsory for PPL Pathway students. In semester 2, it is recommended that you choose at least one of the following modules: Legal Obligation and Punishment (LAW3134) or POL3093 - Ethics, Killing and War (optional).
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAW1053 | LEGAL SYSTEMS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| LAW1054 | CONTRACT LAW | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| LAW1056 | CRIMINAL LAW | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| LAW1055 | TORT LAW - CONCEPTS AND CONTEXT (LEVEL 4) | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| LAW1057 | PUBLIC LAW 1 | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 2 from the optional 9 modules (one in semester 1 and the other in semester 2).
To complete the requirements of the PPL Pathway you must complete a sufficient number of qualifying Pathway modules from the specified list of PPL modules available at Level 5 and Level 6. These must be equal to at least 90 credits (15 of which will be from the compulsory Level 6 module Jurisprudence I, LAW3085, and the remaining 75 credits will be other qualifying Pathway options from the specified list at Level 5 or 6). In total, this is equal to 6 taught modules or 5 taught modules and the dissertation. Law and Climate Change cannot be repeated in Year 3 if taken in Year 2.
Qualifying PPL Pathway Modules at Level 5:
LAW2049 - Environmental Law in Action (optional)
LAW2084 - Law and Economics (optional)
LAW2096 - Law & Contemporary Social Issues (optional)
LAW2099 - Law and Armed Conflict (optional)
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
At Level 6, you must take 120 credits. You will automatically be enrolled in Jurisprudence I (LAW3085) in semester 1 as this is a compulsory module for PPL Pathway students (15 credits). The remaining modules at Level 6 are optional modules.
To complete the requirements of the PPL Pathway you must complete a sufficient number of qualifying Pathway modules from the specified list of PPL modules available at Level 5 and Level 6. These must be equal to at least 90 credits (15 of which will be from the compulsory Level 6 module Jurisprudence, LAW3085, and the remaining 75 credits will be other qualifying Pathway options from the specified list at Level 5 or 6). In total, this is equal to 6 taught modules or 5 taught modules and the dissertation. Law and Climate Change cannot be repeated in Year 3 if taken in Year 2.
Qualifying PPL Pathway Modules at Level 6:
LAW3085 - Jurisprudence I (compulsory)
LAW3089 - Medical Law I (optional)
LAW3127 - Tax Law (optional)
LAW3146 - Ethics and Regulation of AI (optional)
LAW3134 - Legal Obligation and Punishment (optional)
LAW3090 - Medical Law II (optional)
LAW3150 - Commercial Claims, Clauses and Remedies (optional)
LAW3005 - Law Dissertation (in PPL topic) (optional)
LAW3140 - Privacy and Data Governance (optional)
LAW3141 - Corporate and White Collar Crime (optional)
POL3093 - Ethics, Killing and War (optional)
POL3066 - Critical Terrorism Studies (optional)
In semester 1, you must select Jurisprudence (LAW3085), as it is compulsory for PPL Pathway students. In semester 2, it is recommended that you choose at least one of the following modules: Legal Obligation and Punishment (LAW3134) or POL3093 - Ethics, Killing and War (optional).
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAWP009 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| LAWP010 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (WORK-STUDY 50/50) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| LAWP011 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR STUDY) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -
NA
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | Y | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | Y | Yes |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | Y | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Digital Capabilities:
Throughout the programme, all students will utilise and develop digital capabilities as a key aspect of their learning. They will be required to navigate the university virtual learning environment (Surreylearn) to access information, Captured Content and learning materials and to submit assessments for all modules. Students are also required to develop and evidence proficiency in effectively utilising general digital search tools and specialist online legal databases as part of their research and study throughout their degree. They will be supported in reaching such proficiency with ongoing training and guidance from the School and from the university's Learning Support Centre. Students are also encouraged to use digital media and communication platforms to ensure current awareness of the law in context through engagement with news sources and community discussions/debates. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in more advanced analysis of the use and impact of digital tools and technology through the provision of four specialist Level 6 modules exploring (respectively) aspects of law's relationship with AI and its associated impacts and ethics, Financial Technology, Data Governance.
Employability:
The programme is designed to ensure that all students develop and evidence competency in the foundations of legal knowledge which form the core of most general legal practice. Students will be required to demonstrate through their learning and assessment: the ability to source and to assess the accuracy and validity of various sources of information, exercise judgement over how knowledge is analysed and applied to reach specified objectives, ability to exercise ownership and self-direction in their learning and the ability to engage in critical self-reflection following feedback. Our programmes equip students with a breadth of knowledge (both foundational and specialist) as well as transferable professional skills identified by industry professionals as being crucial to employability. The variety of learning tasks and assessments are designed to replicate the demands and circumstances of modern professional practice and the programme seeks to complement and scaffold students' professional outlook and application through the provision of comprehensive clinical activities and other specialist activities such as mooting and negotiation practice. All students will be offered training (incorporated with programme provision) in the development of interview skills, CV writing and other competencies required to assist in bridging the transition between study and employment.
Global and Cultural Capabilities:
The programme is designed to incorporate perspectives and analyses of the law which look beyond England and Wales. The subject matter of the programme naturally invites a global perspective as law and legal structures are a fundamental feature of all societies globally. Students will be encouraged and supported in developing comparative analyses and will be expected to keep abreast of current and emerging global legal and social debates. The programme content and assessment tasks will require students to develop and demonstrate competence in incorporating relevant critical analyses on how the law impacts and is impacted by global, transnational and cross cultural events and conflicts. The programme offers students a comprehensive choice of optional modules which will provide opportunity to study areas of the law in more conceptual depth and to develop critical proficiency in legal theory which have transnational applicability value. The programme benefits from the scholarship and activities of the Surrey Centre for International and Environmental Law (based within the School of Law) and is able to embed world leading research led teaching across specialist modules in International Law. Members of the Surrey Centre for International and Environmental Law have extensive international leadership and advisory experience in issues of global governance and regulation and conflict resolution and the programme embeds and integrates their valuable practical experience and impact findings in teaching methodology and content design. The law school enjoys teaching expertise from an international cohort of staff with each member bringing a unique cultural perspective on their specialism and in their teaching pedagogy. Students are exposed to a wide variety of perspectives and teaching pedagogies and are expected to develop and evidence effective capabilities in teamwork, cultural understanding and empathy, cross cultural engagement. Students are expected to and will be provided with the opportunity to embrace a diversity of perspectives and learning materials.
Sustainability:
The programme supports sustainable thinking and development through developing awareness of how the law can support the design and enforcement of sustainability initiatives. The programme benefits from the scholarship and activities of the Surrey Centre for International and Environmental Law( based within the School of Law) and is able to embed world leading research led teaching in sustainability related law and policy across a variety of specialist modules. Members of the Surrey Centre for International and Environmental Law have extensive international leadership and advisory experience in issues of environmental protection, ecodesign laws and regulation and the mediation and enforcement of rights to natural resources. The programme embeds and integrates their valuable practical experience and impact findings in innovative teaching methodology and content design of specialist modules.
Resourcefulness and Resilience:
The programme embeds and supports principles of learning which develop resourcefulness and resilience in students throughout. Students are provided with an intensive (front loaded) training in foundational legal skills during the first three weeks of the degree and are guided towards developing confidence and initiative through the challenge of assessment during that time. The programme intends that the process of early assessment and feedback will assist students in developing skills that will help them manage the demands of scholarship throughout their degree and consequently professional practice. The unique design of the programme which front loads and assess a single module early on also encourages students to develop effective critical self-reflection and to learn to effectively utilise feedback to refine and improve future work. The programme further utilises a variety of teaching pedagogies (seminar style, flipped classroom, workshop projects, lectures, case studies etc) and assessment methods (group projects, oral presentations, timed examinations, extended coursework etc) to mimic the realities and variety inherent in professional circumstances and to provide students with the opportunity to develop a flexible and reflexive approach to their learning. The programme also provides opportunities, through clinical activities and access to justice initiatives, which allow students to engage in meaningful practice and participation in the community. This will encourage the development of empathy, resourcefulness, resilience and maturity in students and will, in turn, facilitate the development of confidence and initiative that will support their scholarship and employability.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.