Find us on: University of East Anglia on Facebook Follow University of East Anglia news on Twitter University of East Anglia's photostream University of East Anglia's YouTube channel
Course Search:

Law Courses

LLB Law with American Law (M123)

  • Course Code UNU1M123402
  • Attendance Full Time
  • Award Degree of Bachelor of Laws
  • Overview
  • Why Choose Us
  • Study Abroad
  • Requirements
  • Course Profile
  • Fees and Funding
  • Apply
Overview

The LLB Law with American degree recognises the importance of the US in modern legal and commercial life. It presents an outstanding opportunity for students in two ways. First, students have the opportunity to study the US legal system and its foundations, the importance of the constitution and its role in modern US society and the role of lawyers in the US. Second, students spend a year studying alongside US law students at a leading law school in the United States. At the end of the four year degree not only will students obtain an English qualifying law degree they will also have a unique understanding of the US and its legal system.

As this is a qualifying law degree graduates can proceed directly to the vocational training courses required to become a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales. Whilst the LLB Law with American Law programme will not permit students to practice in the US without further study, the economic importance of the USA, and the fact that very few English graduates will have a working knowledge of the American legal system, makes this course an attractive prospect for those intending to enter the legal profession. Many leading law firms have offices around the world and undertake work of a transatlantic nature. In addition, employers recognise and value the maturity and adaptability that students develop during their year abroad. Such advantages are equally applicable for those wishing to follow a career in industry, commerce and public sector administration in British and International organisations.

Teaching, Assessment and Feedback

The Law School is committed to innovative teaching that utilises a variety of methods. As well as emphasising key skills, teaching also responds to both changes in technology and changes in the legal world. Each module has its own online VLE - Blackboard - where module organisers post learning materials, links to web resources and current news items, while students can take part in subject blogs. While maintaining traditional law subjects, we ensure that our programmes reflect the modern legal world. Recently developed modules within the Law School include Medical Law, Media, Sport and Entertainment Law, and Internet Law. Please click to access information about our new and exciting curriculum for entry in 2011.

We also place great importance on training students in the skills they will need as lawyers as well as in general “transferable” skills. The first year module, English Legal Process, provides legal skills training, including how to research the law and how to reason like lawyers. Representatives from Westlaw and Lexis, the main electronic databases, provide specialist electronic research training. These skills are built upon throughout the degree with different modules incorporating such things as problem based learning, small group exercises and class presentations. Students have an opportunity to hone their skills further through the exciting range of extra-curricular activities offered within the law school.

Most students studying on the LLB Law with American Law take four compulsory modules a year during the first and second years of their degree with a choice of optional subjects in their final year. Compulsory modules are taught through a mixture of lectures and small group seminars. For each subject, there are two hours of lectures a week and one seminar every two weeks. Lectures are held in the university’s purpose built lecture theatres, while seminars take place in seminar rooms throughout the campus. In the final year, most students take optional modules from a broad list of subjects offered by the Law School, with the possibility of taking some modules in another School of Study. The teaching format for optional modules varies. While some modules include lectures and seminars, others are taught in a postgraduate style seminar-only format that prioritises discussion.

Assessment on the LLB Law with American Law is by a mixture of examinations and coursework. Some optional modules are assessed entirely by coursework while others include seen, pre-release or open book exams. In addition, students are encouraged to submit non-assessed coursework regularly throughout the year, providing an opportunity for written feedback. 

Extra Curricular Activities

In addition to excellent teaching and learning support, the Law School supports an exciting range of extra-curricular activities designed to help students develop their legal and inter-personal skills while gaining valuable work experience. A selection of these are listed below:

  • The Student Law Society - Take part in career events and social activities such as the annual Law Ball. 
  • Mooting Competitions – Develop your advocacy skills in a mock court room. 
  • Negotiation Competitions – Learn how to reach a settlement on the best terms for your client.
  • Pro Bono – Help the community through a range of volunteering activities. 
  • Street Law – Visit local schools and teach the next generation about the law. 
  • The Innocence Project – Investigate cases of prisoners who maintain that they are innocent.

Career Opportunities

The Law School works closely with the University Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to choose their career path and develop their employability skills.

Many of our LLB Law with American Law graduates go on to take a professional qualification in law, leading to practice as a barrister or solicitor. Others have progressed to study a postgraduate law degree (LLM) or obtained positions in government institutions, international organisations, industry, banking, publishing, accountancy and the civil service.

Course Organiser
Dr Stathis Banakas    
QR code for Law LLB Law with American Law

Send this page to your mobile phone by scanning this code using a 2D barcode (QR Code) reader. These can be installed on most modern Smart Phones.