1. Judge for yourself.
Undergraduate
opportunities

2. Welcome from
the Head of School
Southampton Law School has built a reputation as one of
the leading law schools in the UK. Its teaching was declared Contents
“excellent” by the Government’s Quality Assurance Agency Welcome from Head of School 2
in 2003, and it was one of only eleven law schools to have Key facts & figures 5
95% or more of its research output regarded as being of
“international standard or above” in the recent 2008 Why Southampton Law School? 6
Research Assessment Exercise. Skills ensuring employability 8
Our 35 members of full-time staff are involved in the development Our academic programmes
of law both nationally and internationally. They bring the highest LLB (Law) 3 years 10
levels of dedication and enthusiasm to their work, and years of
LLB (Maritime Law) 3 years 10
practical experience as lawyers and teachers. Some have won
national prizes for their work. One former lecturer of the School LLB (accelerated programme) 2 years 12
was one of the first judges to be appointed to the Constitutional LLB (European Legal Studies) 4 years 15
Court of South Africa, and played a significant role in the struggle LLB (International Legal Studies) 4 years 15
against the apartheid regime. Other staff members are helping to
Teaching, learning & assessment 16
shape law and society in equally significant ways, consulting with
governments, agencies and research institutes throughout the Mooting 16
world on the complex issues of the day. International students & scholarships 17
We are equally proud of our students, who have distinguished Admissions & fees 18
themselves in recent years by winning national and international
Visit us 19
competitions in legal negotiation and advocacy skills. Our alumni
include judges, politicians and senior practitioners in some of the
top international law firms, both in the UK and abroad.
We offer innovative and challenging programmes, with caring,
highly professional staff, and are unique in providing a two-week Contact us
programme dedicated to employability skills. The result is that
For full details of our programmes and courses,
students are provided with the highest-quality legal education
together with video clips of the student
and excellent career prospects on graduation. experience, please visit our website.
I welcome you warmly to join this thriving, innovative academic Undergraduate Admissions
community, and wish you all the success that your predecessors School of Law
have enjoyed. University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton SO17 1BJ
Professor Natalie Lee United Kingdom
Head of the School of Law
Tel: (+44) (0)23 8059 2596
Fax: (+44) (0)23 8059 3024
Email: Undergrad.Law@southampton.ac.uk
www.southampton.ac.uk/law
2 3

3. Key facts & figures
Research rating The School has had confirmed in the recent 2008 Research Assessment
exercise that 95% of its research output was of international quality, a
percentage achieved by just ten other law schools. All full-time staff are
engaged in research at the highest national level. The School is currently
home to one of the UK’s top generalist law journals, Legal Studies.
Teaching rating “Absolute confidence” (2003, Quality Assurance Agency)
Staff 35 (full-time)
The research expertise of our staff covers subjects as diverse as information
technology, e-commerce and intellectual property law; law, ethics and
globalisation; european, social, human rights and comparative law; health
care and ethics law; family law; corporate law; criminal justice,legal theory and
social security law; and maritime law. A full list of staff and their interests can
be found on our website at www.southampton.ac.uk/law/staff
Average tutorial group size Up to 10 students
Annual student intake 170 (UK/EU), 60 (international)
“I found Southampton’s collegiate approach
of open discourse and academic collaboration,
helped me to reach my potential. There was
always an opportunity to develop and learn
through sharing ideas and opinions in a
tolerant and open minded environment.
Classes were enthused by the knowledge and
expertise of world-leading academics at the
cutting edge of their fields, meaning you come
out of classes inspired and with a unique
understanding of the law you could not get
from anywhere else”.
Thomas Webber
LLB
4 5

4. Why Southampton Law School?
World-class facilities Mooting Housing Clinic
Continued investment of £200million over the last While some universities only offer the chance to a selected As part of the Pro Bono activities the School of Law
four years ensures that you will benefit by living in one few, all students at Southampton participate in mooting has set up a ‘citizens’ advice-style’ housing clinic,
of the best learning environments in the UK. Our (mock court cases) during their first year, working with offering free consultations for any student requiring
outstanding facilities on campus, exceptional teaching, opposing teams, researching and arguing points of law advice on renting property. The housing clinic is run on
good accommodation and excellent social and sporting in front of a judge. Many of our students go on to enter a voluntary basis by a team of second and third year law
amenities make it easy to see why our students rate us (and win) national or international competitions. students, collaboratively with local chambers.
so highly.
Team Building Development Programme Making a Difference
Academic excellence You will be involved with your fellow students and staff Through the University of Southapton Student Union
The School holds the highest possible government right from the very beginning of your course: starting you can get involved in a wide range of volunteer
ratings for both teaching (Quality Assurance Agency, with a one-day development course, where you will projects in the arts, sports, animal welfare, translation,
2003) and legal research. Our staff author many of the meet and form the team you will work with throughout children and youth work, general support and advice,
leading books and articles which define the law students your first year in tutorials, mooting programmes and music, social welfare plus lots more. Whatever your
are learning today. Their innovations in research allow other activities. interest we can help find a placement, a one-off project
pioneering course options on our LLB programme, with or partnership for you to get involved in.
up-to-the-minute insights on the legal questions of the Wanting That Extra Global Edge?
day. As experienced teachers, they will both support
and challenge you at the highest level. We can offer a wide variety of ways for you to combine
your UK studies with a year abroad if you are interested
in adding or enhancing the global element of your
Outstanding reputation career. See our web site for more information.
Southampton is ranked in the top 10 universities in the
UK for research, and in the top 15 for law. We have a Street Law
worldwide reputation for academic excellence, and you
will be taught by internationally respected staff working An ‘access to law’ pro bono programme offered at
at the forefront of their fields. We enjoy an excellent Southampton where you work in teams, and supported
reputation with the professions and with prospective by your tutors, address the legal concerns of local
employers, both nationally and internationally. Our community groups and present your findings in a variety
LLB degree is accredited for practice in a wide variety of interactive ways.
of countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada,
Malaysia and Singapore. BarLink
BarLink is a unique career development scheme for those
Equality of opportunity who are seriously intending to go to the Bar, where you
Our commitment to widening participation and the will attend local Chambers to be twinned with a barrister
University’s extensive range of awards, bursaries and specialising in criminal law, employment law, family law
scholarships mean that an education is open to all and housing law.
students with the necessary skills and ability,
irrespective of age, race, sex, colour, religion,
background or financial circumstances.
6 7

5. Skills ensuring employability
Southampton Law School graduates are During your legal studies, you will have the
highly valued by prospective employers. opportunity to develop a number of key skills,
Our alumni include current partners and which are critical to your employability and
senior partners in some of the top law firms professional effectiveness, whatever career
in the country, including Linklaters, Herbert path you ultimately choose:
Smith, Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, – teamworking
Macfarlanes, Simmons & Simmons, Norton – critical analysis
Rose, and Farrers. Others are successful – communication
barristers featured in the country’s top law
– problem-solving
directory, the “Legal 500”, while some have
chosen to follow careers in the legal – personal development planning
departments of international corporations – advocacy (many students compete in
such as Vodafone. Our international graduates internal, national and international
are also exceptionally well placed in practice competitions)
in their home countries. – negotiation
On average, 50 different law firms (both City – client counselling
and provincial) canvas students at our careers – research and writing.
fair each year, which also attracts
Careers advice and support is available
representation from the Crown Prosecution
from the University Careers Service, which
Service and local government. Some of our
offers face-to-face guidance and has an
academic posts and academic prizes are
excellent careers library and online resources.
sponsored by these firms, who participate
The Law School also provides a dedicated
actively in our legal skills programme, as do
careers coordinator, with extensive
many local barristers and judges.
experience of the legal profession.
In an increasingly competitive global market,
employers are looking for more than the
technical skills and knowledge of a degree
discipline.
8 9

6. Our academic programmes LLB (3 years) (M100)
Programme structure
Year One Core Units Year Two Core Units Year Three Core Module
Constitutional and Law of the European Union Legal research and writing
Administrative Law Law of Torts (leading to production of a legal dissertation)
LLB (Law) LLB (Maritime Law) Law of Contracts Land Law
3 years (M100) 3 years (subject to validation) Criminal law Equity and Trusts
Legal System and Reasoning
Programme overview Programme overview
The LLB programme teaches you the key principles of Our LLB (Maritime Law) is a new and unique Optional Full Modules (choose four):
English law across a variety of fields, and introduces you programme providing an excellent foundation for a Admiralty Law
to a wide range of more specialised areas of legal study. career in international maritime law, commerce and Carriage of Goods by Sea
On the course you will also develop key skills, such as related industries. It is a fully qualifying law degree, Commercial Conflicts of Law and International
critical analysis, legal problem-solving and logical recognised by the Law Society and the Bar Council of Litigation
reasoning, and will have the opportunity to sharpen England and Wales, and carrying full exemption from
Commercial Sales
advocacy (via our mooting programme), teamworking the academic stage of legal education for the purposes
of professional qualification. The University of Company Law
and negotiation skills. Throughout the course you will
Southampton Law School has for many years Crime and Justice: Law and Policy
be encouraged to think critically and creatively about
specialised in the field of Maritime Law with its Employment Law
the adequacy of existing laws in meeting the needs of
modern societies. internationally renowned Institute of Maritime Law, Evidence and Procedure
and is the research base of many of the leading maritime Family Law
In years one and two, you will study the seven compulsory lawyers in the world. Southampton is a medieval city
subjects required to obtain your professional Health Care Law
with a longstanding maritime heritage. It also has close Information Technology Law
exemptions: train access to London’s Baltic Exchange, and the UK
Intellectual Property Law
– Constitutional and Administrative Law Supreme Court.
International Protection of Human Rights
– Law of Contract In years one and two, you will study the seven
Jurisprudence
– Criminal Law compulsory subjects required to obtain your
Law, Government and Administration
– European Union Law professional exemptions as in the LLB (Law). In year
three you will take specialised maritime modules; Law of Unjust Enrichment
– Law of Torts
selecting three optional modules from the following: Public International Law
– Land Law Tax Law
Admiralty Law, Carriage of Goods by Sea, Commercial
– Trusts and Equity Conflicts of Law and International Litigation, Law and the Human Body
In year one you also take part in an introductory team- Commercial Sales and Public International Law. You
building course and a course on Legal reasoning and will have a free choice from the full range of final year Or three full options, plus two half-
systems. LLB options for your fourth final year module. options from:
In year three you can spread your wings and tailor your You will also complete a supervised legal dissertation, Renting Homes: Law and Policy
degree to your individual interests, by selecting four a distinctive feature of all Southampton LLB programmes, Youth Justice
modules from our wide range of options (see the table on as part of our final year Legal Research and Writing EC Competition Law
page 11 for details). You will also complete a supervised module. This will be in the area of an approved maritime Penal Policy
legal dissertation as part of our Legal research and writing subject. Visit our website for more details. Child Support
course. This can focus on any legal topic you choose and
is a distinctive feature of the Southampton LLB. LLB (2 years) (M101) Final Year Modules for LLB (Hons) 2 Year
Programme Only – from 2010/11 onwards
Legal Research and Writing
Equity and Trusts
European Union Law
Land Law
Law of Torts
Please note that options offered may differ from year to year. For full details of all our courses, please visit our website at www. southampton.ac.uk/law
10 11

7. Our academic programmes
LLB (accelerated programme) Unique to Southampton LLB courses:
2 years (M101) Legal research and writing: the final-year
This programme offers a fast, qualifying route through dissertation
the academic stage of legal training if you are already This is an outstanding feature of the final year of our
a graduate in another field. It allows you to complete LLB programme. It is popular with students and
the LLB degree in two years rather than the standard highly valued by employers, as an indicator of ability
three years. to work independently and creatively on a substantial
You will complete the seven core units as outlined on legal project.
page 11 to satisfy the professional requirements of the You will be able to choose your dissertation topic with
Bar Council and Law Society, and our Legal research the help of your personal tutor and dissertation
and writing dissertation module. This route is supervisor. You will learn how to research a subject in
particularly suitable for those who require grounding depth and how to present the results of your research
in the core legal subjects and research skills, but are in a coherent, analytical way. Some of the work
keen to progress to legal practice as swiftly as possible. produced by our students is of publishable quality.
This fast track route doesn’t offer much scope for
Examples of topics studied in recent years are:
specialisation, so if you wish longer term to specialise
in a specific area, you are advised to consider our – Legal regulation of the Internet
three-year LLB programme. – Press freedom and the protection of privacy
If you are an international graduate you should check – Crimes against humanity: the Pinochet case
the accreditation status of this programme with your – Football transfer fees and the law
local Bar Association, as local rules may differ. – Domestic violence and the criminal law
– Constitutional reform of the House of Lords
– Prenuptial agreements
– The modern role of the UN Security Council
– Marine salvage
– Film censorship
– E-commerce
– Voluntary euthanasia
– Genetic experimentation
– Environmental protest
– Trans-racial adoption.
12 13

8. Austrian Parliament, Vienna
Our academic programmes
LLB (European Legal Studies) LLB (International Legal Studies)
4 years (M125) 4 years (M130)
This popular course allows you to spend a full academic We can you the exciting opportunity to study law in a
year at a university in another European country, jurisdiction outside the European Union, as part of your
studying law and developing your language skills under LLB degree, experiencing a completely different culture
the Erasmus exchange programme. A specific in the process.
requirement of the course is that you should have a high You will spend a full academic year at your choice of one
level of proficiency in the language of the country you of our designated university studying aspects of the
plan to visit (normally at least to A level standard). legal system and substantive law of that country.
However this requirement will not apply if you attend Currently students may study in Canada, Chile, Hong
a European University where the language of Kong and Singapore. There is no language requirement
instruction is English. Please see our website for further as you will attend universities in which English is the
guidance. If you apply for this programme you will be language of instruction.
expected to demonstrate that you are self-motivated,
literate and articulate. This attractive opportunity for LLB students reflects
not only the School of Law’s own international standing
Please see our website for details: www.southampton. but also the diversity of jurisdictions in which graduates
ac.uk/law/ugopportunities/llbels.html of English law may pursue their legal careers. You will
You will spend your year abroad at the end of your return to the UK after the completion of the academic
second year, following a selection process in year one. year to complete your fourth and final year, after which
Funding is arranged in the normal way through your you will be awarded the degree of LLB (International
LEA and student loans, with some funding from the EU. Legal Studies) to highlight your international skills.
You will then return to Southampton for your final year. Our current partnership arrangements are with:
Current exchange destinations for our students are: – Hong Kong University
– Athens – National University of Singapore
– Bergen – University of Ottawa,Ontario
– Bologna – Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Chile
– Dresden – Singapore Management University.
– Fribourg
– Hannover
– Leuven
– Lyon
– Madrid
– Malta
– Nantes
– Oslo
– Paris
– Rouen
– Vienna.
14 15

9. Teaching, learning & assessment International students
& scholarships
Teaching and learning You will also enjoy the benefits of the latest information Welcoming international students International scholarships and support
Under the most recent assessment of the government’s technology and online learning resources via the The University of Southampton is experienced at The University offers a pleasant, secure, cosmopolitan
Quality Assurance Agency, our teaching received the University’s network of more than 1,700 campus-based dealing with the needs of our international students and environment. We offer a comprehensive range of
highest possible rating. We are particularly proud of our workstations, 25 of which are situated in the law provide a wide range of support on campus. support services for international students, including
working relationship with our students and were building itself, together with many Internet cafes, International office staff travel overseas regularly to an International Office, a Student Advice and
praised for this and the way that feedback is used to across our campuses and halls of residence. Most course meet students and we also have official representatives Information Centre, International Student Advisors,
improve the student learning experience. We use a materials are now available online. based in many countries to help you with your and a Centre for Language Study.
blend of teaching techniques, including: application arrangements prior to coming to the UK. We guarantee University accommodation to all new
– lectures (to introduce new ideas and key concepts) Assessment and feedback With a global reputation for excellence in research and international students without dependants for the full
– seminars (intermediate-sized discussion groups to Most courses are assessed in June, though some teaching, the University attracts thousands of EU and duration of your studies (as long as you apply by the
explore ideas in greater depth) assessment exercises are spread through the academic international students from over 130 countries. We deadline of 1 August in the year in which your studies
– tutorials (smaller groups of up to about 10 students, year. We use a variety of methods of assessment, encourage applications from international students, begin). The University also provides a free Meet and
led by your tutor and you playing a key role in the depending on the course. These include: and welcome some 25–30 candidates each year, from Greet service from London Heathrow Airport, designed
discussion and debate) – traditional, closed-book, written examinations more than 25 different countries, including Canada, the to transfer international students directly to the
USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Greece, Cyprus, Australia, University at the start of the academic year.
– team and individual presentations (depending on the – take-home examinations
Norway, Hong Kong and China. Our three-year LLB All our students are supported by an academic tutor
courses you choose) – oral presentations programme is accredited for professional purposes in throughout their degree studies. During your first few
– group work – team presentations many jurisdictions, including: weeks at Southampton you will also be assigned a second-
– e-learning – written assignments – India (Bar Council of India) or third-year international student “buddy” to offer any
As a law student at Southampton you will have access In addition to a comprehensive handbook to accompany – Malaysia (Malaysia Legal Profession Qualifying Board) help and advice you may need. In addition, we have special
to the largest law library on the south coast of England, your studies, you will receive written feedback on your academic support seminars to help international students
– Singapore (Singapore Board of Legal Education)
comprising some 55,000 legal volumes in a recently work in all courses. Full details of the assessment methods make the transition to a new education system.
refurbished and extended building, just two minutes’ – Cyprus (Cyprus Bar Association)
used on each course are available on our website. We offer a limited number of international scholarships
walk from the Law School. – Hong Kong (Hong Kong Bar Association and Law
worth a 50% reduction, and international merit
Society o fHong Kong).
scholarships worth a £1000 reduction on the
You can listen to podcasts, send your comments on International student tuition fees. See
Mooting YouTube, take a virtual walking tour of the University
plus more through our iSoton interactive portal.
Visit: www.soton.ac.uk/isoton.
our website for more information.
We have an extensive and highly successful mooting
programme, in which students argue cases in simulated
courtroom surroundings. It has produced excellent
advocates. Our students participate in both national
and international competitions. Our activities are
supported by local judges and barristers, and
generously sponsored by several local chambers.
Every student participates in a moot as part of the
first-year Legal System and Reasoning module.
Many go on to our own internal competition, and
then to national and international competitions.
Right: Richard Sidonio, Raj Bhatt, and Liam Doughty who
won the Best Memorial Prize in a Mooting Competition
in Mumbai, February 2008
16 17

10. Admissions & fees Visit us
You are very welcome to visit us at any stage. There are campus tour and/or arrange an individual appointment
a number of ways of arranging this, details of which are to see our Admissions Tutor before you apply. For details
available at http://www.soton.ac. uk/law/ and online booking for open days and campus tours, go
ugopportunities/visit_us.html to www.southampton.ac.uk/visit
The University holds open days every year, in June and Once you have applied to study law at Southampton via
September, which provide an ideal opportunity to look UCAS, you will automatically be invited to visit the Law
around before you fill out your UCAS form. If you are not School to meet staff and students, view the excellent
able to visit us on one of these dates, you can take a facilities and look around the city.
Application method UCAS
Fees Check our website for latest fee information
Standard entrance requirements A level: AAA
IB: 36 points (18 at higher level)
A wide range of international qualifications of equivalent
standard are accepted. Please contact us for advice.
Subject requirements A-level applicants must offer at least two traditional academic
subjects (excluded: General Studies; Photography; Physical
Education; Practical Music and Sports Studies). In addition, we
prefer applicants to offer a fourth subject at AS level.
Interviews Candidates are not usually interviewed.
Mature candidates (over 23 years) We do not apply the same entrance requirements to mature
candidates as we do for school leavers, but we do look for a
current or recent course of study. Most successful candidates
offer one or two A levels or an Access course. Professional
qualifications and work experience will be taken into account.
Candidates are usually interviewed and asked to take a written
aptitude test.
This brochure is prepared in
advance. The University of
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 600 (paper)/250 (computer-based) Southampton reserves the right
(where applicable) to make any alternations or
cancellations to any statement
in this publication and accepts
Law Taster Day - Once you have an offer you will be invited in to spend the day with us, meet other potential no responsibility for any
consequences of such
students on your course and also discover first hand what a career in law might be like. You will prepare a civil modification or cancellation.
case, and present it before a mock small claims court.
©University of Southampton
2009
18 19

11. www.southampton.ac.uk/law
UK and EU enquiries:
undergrad.law@southampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 8059 2596
International (non EU) enquiries:
global@southampton.ac.uk
+44 (0) 23 8059 9699