University of Leicester

What you'll study

The programme covers the foundational subjects of common-law legal education alongside comparative material and optional topics relevant to Canadian legal practice. Core areas include contract law, tort law, criminal law, public and constitutional law, property and equity, and obligations. Modules emphasise legal reasoning, statutory interpretation, and advocacy skills.

Throughout the course you will study a blend of compulsory and optional units delivered through lectures, small-group seminars, tutorials and skills workshops. Typical compulsory and option-type modules include:

• Foundations of Contract and Tort — principles, remedies and policy contexts for civil claims.
• Criminal Law and Criminal Justice — substantive offences, defences and procedural issues.
• Public and Constitutional Law — constitutional principles, human rights and judicial review with comparative reference to Canadian constitutional arrangements.
• Property, Trusts and Equity — ownership, conveyancing principles and equitable remedies.
• Comparative Canadian Law — modules or workshops focusing on the Canadian legal system, federalism, and professional qualification pathways.
• Legal Research and Writing — training in legal research methods, drafting and presentation skills essential for practice.
• Clinical Legal Education and Pro Bono — opportunities to participate in the university’s legal advice clinics or mooting competitions to develop practical client and advocacy skills.
• Optional modules — may include commercial law, family law, EU and international law, employment law, human rights, and advanced topics in evidence or administrative law.

A research project or dissertation option is often available in later stages for students who wish to pursue specialist academic interests. Assessment methods typically combine examinations, coursework, practical assessments and oral advocacy.

Entry requirements

The programme accepts applicants from a range of academic backgrounds. Typical entrants present a recognised secondary school qualification or an equivalent post-secondary diploma from Canada, such as a provincial high school diploma with strong subject grades or college-level qualifications. International applicants may apply with recognised secondary school credentials or equivalent international qualifications.

Admissions decisions also consider personal statements, references and any relevant work or volunteer experience. Mature applicants and those with prior higher-education study can apply through the relevant admissions routes. Applicants whose first language is not English are expected to demonstrate proficiency in academic English through a recognised test or prior education taught in English.

Career prospects

Graduates from the Law (Canadian) LLB move into a wide range of legal and non-legal careers. Typical destinations include:

• Further professional training and qualification: many students progress to vocational training routes or qualification processes relevant to their jurisdiction (for example, routes toward admission to practice in Canada, or vocational training in the UK).
• Solicitor, barrister or paralegal roles in private practice and legal clinics.
• In-house legal and compliance positions within corporations and financial services.
• Public sector and regulatory work including government, local authorities and NGOs.
• Policy, advisory and consultancy roles drawing on legal analysis and research skills.
• Further study at postgraduate level in specialist legal fields or interdisciplinary areas such as international law, human rights or business law.

Graduates who intend to practise in Canada should be prepared to follow the relevant provincial or national accreditation process, which may include assessment by the appropriate Canadian regulatory bodies and completion of local qualification requirements.

Why study at University of Leicester

The University of Leicester offers a long-standing law school with experience teaching comparative and international law, combining strong academic teaching with practical legal training. Students benefit from small-group teaching, access to mooting and clinical legal education, and a supportive academic skills programme.

Leicester’s law community emphasises employability through placements, pro bono opportunities and links with legal employers. The city’s central location provides access to courts, legal practices and civic institutions, while the university’s research strengths mean you will be taught by staff active in contemporary legal scholarship and applied projects.

Overall, the programme is suited to students seeking a solid common-law foundation with comparative Canadian content and practical experience to support diverse professional pathways in law and related fields.