Law at The University of Northampton
Pro Bono Publico event 2 February 2010.Lord Phillips of Sudbury, OBE, HH Judge Waine and Martin Curtis speak about pro bono work and the legal profession.
Pro Bono Workshop
University through to National Final of Law Competition
Honorary Doctorate Awarded to The Right Honourable The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
University of Northampton Law Student Wins Prestigious Scholarship
Law Students in National Client Interviewing Competition
University through to national final of Law competition
Law at the University of Northampton brochure (PDF 2MB)
Home Secretary visits the University
Law students coming to The University of Northampton will find strong support for their studies from a dedicated team of well-qualified staff who have strong links with legal research and the practical aspects of law. A number have published books and/or journal articles and a number regularly deliver conference papers at conferences both at home and abroad.
"Whilst studying, it became apparent that a career in Law was what I wanted. ..Studying for the Combined Honours degree instigated a discipline in managing and absorbing a vast amount of information on unrelated or related subject matters whilst teaching me how to link all subject matters in order to have an overall understanding of the problem I was trying to solve…The Combined Honours degree has been invaluable to me as it gave me the flexibility and time to determine my career choice. I would recommend the university to anyone seeking personalised tutoring in a friendly environment whilst still acquiring the crucial qualities you will require within the job environment and your life generally." Maureen Warui - Combined Honours Business with Law Graduate, now an Assistant Solicitor in Liverpool.
Some of our staff members are at the forefront of developments in E-learning, having been pioneers in the application of computers to student learning; several are external examiners for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in law at other universities; some are on Committees examining national or international issues relating to Law; four of our staff are solicitors, one is a barrister and two sit on national tribunals dealing with practical legal issues.
Law Courses
UN's main undergraduate law course is the three year LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree where six modules are studied each year. It is a qualifying law degree (QLD) and is recognised by the Law Society and the Bar Council as satisfying the 'academic stage of training' for those who wish to enter the legal profession. In addition there is the Joint Honours route which allows students to study Law alongside another Social Sciences subject or business or one of the many other combinations offered by the University. View the module catalogue.
The compulsory subjects for the LLB are:
- Year 1: Law of Contract, Criminal Law, Legal System and Introduction to UK & EU Constitutional Law.
- Year 2: Law of European Institutions, Public Law, the Law of Torts and Equity & Trusts.
- Year 3: Land Law and a Dissertation.
Law Teaching
The particular characteristics and features of the philosophy of, and approach to, law teaching at this University are:
Commitment to students
The law team prides itself on its commitment to students. We make every effort to operate an effective personal tutor system so that support will always be available for any student experiencing difficulties or simply wishing to discuss his/her progress. We are also firmly committed to the student representative system, as we take the view that student opinions and comments are vitally important. We have in the past been commended by students for "taking student representatives seriously", and believe we have a good track record of responding to issues raised by student representatives.
Law in context
Many areas of law cannot be properly understood in isolation. Where appropriate, we actively promote and encourage the study of law in its wider context, whether, for example, historical, social, moral or commercial. As an illustration this means that a student who has chosen our Public Law module alongside modules from the politics field will be given every opportunity to relate and apply concepts from the latter to the former. A further example is the final year dissertation which all law students are required to submit and to which we encourage students to adopt a contextual approach, drawing on their other areas of study, where possible.
Teaching and assessment
Law students at The University of Northampton have the opportunity to experience a wide range of teaching and assessment methods. Whilst some traditional lectures do still play a part, most modules now revolve around student-centred activities such as seminar debates and discussions, group and/or individual presentations and project work. In all of these activities, students are encouraged - and generally required - to make use of information technology and related resources.
Assessment methods vary from module to module. Some are assessed by a combination of examination and coursework, some by coursework only. External examiners have highly praised the varied and interesting methods by which we assess our students.
In addition to formally assessed exercises, students also have the opportunity to take part in activities such as mooting (the formal argument of points of law as in a court), mock trials, prison visits and client interviewing. Mooting, negotiating and client interviewing take place both internally and in organised national competitions. The University of Northampton has enjoyed some success in previous years in national mooting, negotiating and client interviewing competitions against other universities and have reached the national finals. The experience of these activities is of great benefit to all those students who get involved and the skills required are taught to all law students.
Student Support & Employability
Our aim is that, by the time you graduate, you will have developed a number of skills which will make you more attractive to a potential employer, whether in a legal capacity or in a different area. In particular we aim to develop your writing, speaking and general presentational skills, your ability to use information technology, and your ability to produce work of a high standard whether independently or as part of a group. We think that the fact that six months after graduating so few of the LLB graduates are unemployed and seeking work is evidence of our success in achieving these aims.
From the first few weeks of the course starting students are encouraged to plan to gain experience through placements, mini-pupillages and volunteering. Working with Student Services the law student is given extra support in writing letters of application and developing a strong cv. We also have strong links with the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice who guarantee places for our graduates on their Legal Practice Course.
Law is taught in The University of Northampton's modern Park Campus, located just to the north of town. The campus also houses the main library, lecture halls, seminar rooms and IT services. Several of the main student residences are located on the campus.
There is also a Student Law Society, which all Law students are encouraged to join and support. The Student Law Society organises an Annual Ball, which is a formal event usually addressed by an eminent speaker. Sir Stephen Brown, President of the Family Division, Lord Scott, author of the Scott Report and Lord Slynn of Hadley have all been guest speakers in the past.
The views of our peers
Law at The University of Northampton has been involved in the main review cycles administered by the Quality Assurance Agency. The reports have always shown that the Law courses at The University of Northampton are satisfactory with a number of notable examples of good practice. A recent external examiner report stated that:
'The range of assessment tasks is impressive and imaginative, providing opportunities for students to learn and to demonstrate their skills. In the past four years, the team has demonstrated its consistent and continued support, care of and commitment to the students.
In 2007 the Law courses were reviewed as part of the normal University cycle and the final report recommending the maximum length of approval stated: 'The Subject Team was commended for the high level of support given to students as indicated by the very positive feedback given by the student representatives during the course of the event.'
Visiting The University of Northampton
There is no substitute for visiting an institution to find out what the facilities and atmosphere are really like. If you are considering studying law at The University of Northampton, why not come and see us? There are regular visit and open days organised throughout the year.
