Oxford Brookes University

What you'll study

The programme begins with a foundation year that develops university study skills, academic English, critical thinking, and introductory legal concepts. After successful completion of the foundation year you progress to the LLB stages, which cover the core modules required for a qualifying law degree alongside options for specialization.

• Foundation year core areas: academic literacy and writing, study and research skills, introductory legal concepts, fundamentals of English for academic purposes, and quantitative or reasoning skills where appropriate.
• Year 1 (stage 1) typical modules: Legal Method and Skills, Contract Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, and Public Law — these provide the groundwork in the key areas of English law and legal reasoning.
• Year 2 (stage 2) typical modules: Land Law, Equity and Trusts, Commercial or Company Law options, European and International Law introductions, and modules focused on evidence, advocacy or procedural practice.
• Final year (stage 3) typical modules: Advanced optional modules such as Human Rights Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, Family Law, and modules in legal research or a dissertation/supervised project. Practical skills modules, mooting and clinical placements are embedded to enhance employability.

Throughout the degree there is an emphasis on legal research, drafting, advocacy skills and professional ethics. Students can expect a mix of lectures, seminars, assessed coursework, examinations, mooting and opportunities for pro bono or clinic-based experience.

Entry requirements

The Law with Foundation route is intended for applicants who do not yet meet the standard entry requirements for the three-year LLB. Typical entry to the foundation year requires successful completion of secondary education qualifications at a level below direct entry (for example, a combination of GCSEs and lower-level post-16 qualifications) or equivalent international qualifications. Applicants for whom English is not a first language will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of English proficiency; the programme accepts recognised English language qualifications or completion of university-validated English pre-sessional provision.

Applicants with alternative backgrounds — including mature students, those with vocational qualifications, or those returning to study after time in employment — are considered on an individual basis. Progression from the foundation year into the LLB is subject to meeting specified academic progression criteria set by the University.

Career prospects

Graduates from the LLB component are equipped to progress to professional legal training routes such as the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) preparation, barrister training pathways (including the Bar Course), or to further postgraduate legal study (for example, a Legal Practice Course, master's degrees or conversion courses). The degree also provides transferable skills valuable in a range of roles.

• Paralegal and legal assistant positions in private practice and in-house teams
• Compliance, risk and governance roles in financial services and corporate sectors
• Roles in government, local authorities and the civil service
• Charity, non-governmental and policy organisations focusing on advocacy, human rights or community law
• Further academic study or research leading to academic and teaching careers

Placements, mooting, pro bono clinics and links with local legal employers help students build practical experience and professional networks while studying.

Why study at Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes Law School emphasises practical legal education combined with academic rigour. The School offers mooting and advocacy training, clinical legal projects allowing students to work on real client matters under supervision, and opportunities to gain workplace experience through placements and employer links in Oxford and the surrounding region.

The university aims to support widening participation and provides structured support for students joining via the foundation year, including academic skills development, personalised tutoring and English language assistance. Situated in Oxford, students benefit from proximity to a wide legal community, access to libraries and research resources, and a city environment with a strong cultural and professional life.

Overall, the Law with Foundation pathway at Oxford Brookes provides a clear route into a qualifying law degree for students who require preparatory support, while maintaining a focus on practical skills and employability for careers in law and related fields.