About this course
This 4-year programme gives you the opportunity to gain a rigorous legal education and study law in another European country, broadening your horizons and boosting your employability. Designed to challenge and inspire future legal professionals, this course is formally accepted by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales.
Having mastered the qualifying law degree subjects in your first 2 years, you'll spend your third year studying at one of our partner institutions in a European country. Most destinations offer modules taught in English. For others you can spend 2 years studying the language before you go. We currently have partners in:
- Athens (Greece)
- Bergen (Norway)
- Bologna (Italy)
- Fribourg (Switzerland)
- Granada (Spain)
- Leuven (Belgium)
- Lyon (France)
- Malta
- Oslo (Norway)
- Paris (France)
- Stockholm (Sweden)
- Vienna (Austria)
As well as gaining valuable insights into a different legal system, you'll develop the confidence and independence that comes from living in another country.
You’ll return to Southampton for your final year, during which you'll take a number of optional modules and complete your dissertation.
As part of your degree you can:
- experience law in action by applying to shadow a senior member of the judiciary in the High Court or Court of Appeal
- work alongside legal professionals to advise students at the Law Clinic
- engage with our academic research groups including the Stefan Cross Centre for Women, Equality and Law, and the Institute of Maritime Law
- study modules outside of law to broaden your knowledge
During your degree you can enhance your skills and forge even stronger links within our friendly community by joining a student-run society. These include our Law Society, Inns of Court Society, Mooting Society, Lawyers without Borders and the Canadian Law Society.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Accreditations
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202526
A-levels
AAA
A-levels additional information
Excluded subjects are; General Studies, Art, Art & Design, Dance, Fine Art, Moving Images, Photography, Physical Education, Music, Music Technology, Sharia Law, Sports Studies, Textiles and Travel & Tourism. If you are studying one of these A level subjects we will not be able to consider your application.
The below subjects are considered as restricted. This means that we can accept one subject from the following list if combined with other academic subjects:
Critical Thinking, Community & Culture, Design & Technology, Drama, Divinity, Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Media Studies, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies, and World Development.
This is a non-exhaustive list of examples of excluded and restricted subjects. If you have any queries about the subjects you are studying, please contact the Admissions Team before you make your application.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Some subjects are excluded and restricted - please check the subjects listed under the A level section which also apply to IB subjects.
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
D in the Law or Applied Law BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels
DD in the Law or Applied Law BTEC National Diploma plus A from one A-level
DDD in the Law or Applied Law BTEC National Extended Diploma
RQF BTEC
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Additional information
Please note the only BTEC subjects we accept are Law or Applied Law. We are not able to consider other BTEC subjects for our Law programmes.
QCF BTEC
D in the Law or Applied Law BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels
DD in the Law or Applied Law BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level
DDD in the Law or Applied Law BTEC Extended Diploma
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, all of which must be at Distinction
Access to HE additional information
We welcome applications from returners to learning who are over 21 years of age at the start of your proposed degree programme. You may be required to undertake a test and interview to determine your academic suitability to pursue the programme.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A1
Irish certificate additional information
Some subjects are excluded and restricted - please check the subjects listed under the A level section which also applies to all qualifications.
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subject
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer but care must be taken with subjects when combining qualifications. As per our A level restricted subjects, we can only accept one restricted subject and some subjects are excluded.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAA from 3 A levels or AA from two A levels and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Some subjects are excluded and restricted - please check the subjects listed under the A level section which also applies to all qualifications.
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
T-Level
There are no T levels accepted for this programme.
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
- listening
- 6.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
- our Ignite your Journey scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
- skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Foundation programmes for international students
A foundation programme will give you the language skills and subject knowledge you need if you're not qualified for direct entry to your chosen undergraduate course.
You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the foundation programme.
Find out more about undergraduate foundation programmes for international students.
Non-academic entry requirements
LNAT is not required for our programmes.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
Your specialist law degree will include core and optional modules, allowing you to focus your learning. Your core modules are required to earn a qualifying law degree and for progressing onto further professional training.
Our flexible programmes make it easy to study non-law subjects alongside your degree. Whether you have an interest in another subject or would simply like to extend your skills by learning a language, there are a wide range of options available.
Year 1 overview
You'll study the following core modules:
- Criminal Law
- Foundations of Contract Law
- Legal Skills
- Legal System and Reasoning
- Public Law: Foundations
You'll also choose 1 of these optional modules:
- Historical Development of the Common Law
- Philosophical Perspectives on the Common Law
These modules are designed to give you a deeper understanding of the contested nature of law and legal principle, develop your critical thinking skills, and help you to construct and communicate a persuasive argument.
Year 2 overview
Your 5 core modules are:
- Equity and Trusts
- Land Law
- Public Law: Administrative Justice
- Remedies in Contract and Tort
- The Law of Torts
You'll choose 2 modules from this broad list of options:
- Criminal Justice
- Employment Law
- Family Law: Children, Parents and the State
- Health Care Law and Bioethics
- Principles of Commercial Arbitration Law
- Introduction to Commercial and Maritime Law
- Foundations in Criminal Evidence Law
- Introduction to Public International Law
Year 3 overview
You'll spend this full academic year at a partner university in Europe through the Erasmus+ exchange programme. You'll study aspects of the legal system and the substantive law of that country, taking 4 modules (or equivalent) in each semester.
Year 4 overview
In your final core module, you'll use the research and writing skills you've developed to produce a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choosing.
You'll select the rest of your modules from a list that includes possible career specialisms you might like to explore, including:
- International Human Rights Law
- Globalisation and Law
- International Criminal Law
- International Commercial Sales
- Carriage of Goods by Sea
You can also choose to study a module from outside of law, including Global Health, Business Skills for Employability, or a language.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Criminal Law
This module provides an introduction to the substantive criminal law, and to fundamental aspects of criminal law in its broader criminal justice and societal context. It will examine the use of criminal law, and its associated processes, as a mode of gove...
Foundations of Contract Law
Contract is important in a number of different ways. Firstly, it is a building-block module on which other subjects will depend in later years of the degree. Contract law also exemplifies principles of law and techniques of analysis which go to the heart ...
Legal Skills
This module is designed to develop the intellectual, practical and transferable skills needed to study law and to allow you to see how these skills can be employed both elsewhere in your degree and in some aspects of legal practice. It builds on the legal...
Legal System and Reasoning
Legal System and Reasoning is a predominantly skills-based introduction to studying the legal system of England and Wales, its institutions and practices, in the context of a more general understanding of law, legal theory and legal reasoning. It is desi...
Public Law 1: Foundations
This Module, the first of two Public Law Modules, considers fundamental questions of constitutionalism common to both UK and EU legal orders. You will examine the UK Governmental and European Union (EU) institutions, the separation of power between them, ...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:
Historical Development of the Common Law
The 'Historical Development of the Common Law' module tells the story of the Common Law and its major developments through a study of some of its most prominent personalities, historical moments and decisive cases. The module charts the development and gr...
Philosophical Perspectives on the Common Law
This module provides you with a critical introduction to the philosophical development of the common law through an examination of key concepts and principles within private and public law that are essential for full and critical engagement with the subst...
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
Equity and Trusts
Equity and Trusts examines the origin of equity, and the principles associated with equity and trusts. It assesses critically the application of those principles to factual circumstances; the manner in which these principles affect people in their everyda...
Land Law
Land Law investigates the private law rules affecting the ownership and use of land. It explains the principles governing the nature of property ownership and property rights, their formal and informal acquisition and priority incorporating the registrat...
Public Law 2: Administrative Justice
This module, the second in Public Law, focuses upon the rules of administrative law which prevail in each jurisdiction and the conceptions of administrative justice. It introduces students to the relevant legal and non-legal frameworks, providing the nece...
Remedies in Contract & Torts
This module combines study of remedies in contract and in tort. The module will be based on two problem questions, introduced at the start of the module. The intention is to use these as the focus of the discussion of the formal and real world approac...
The Law of Torts
This module examines a broad range of torts protecting a variety of different interests. The module begins by situating the law of torts in relation to the broad principles underpinning contract and criminal law; introduces you briefly to the broad range ...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
Commercial and Consumer Law
Commercial and consumer law is a critical area of market regulation that has evolved significantly over the past decades, particularly with the rise of digital transactions and new financial instruments. This module concentrates on consumer law and credit...
Criminal Justice
What is the purpose of the criminal justice system? What is the appropriate role of the police? How have efforts to rehabilitate offenders changed over recent decades? How are political priorities re-shaping criminal justice? These are some of...
Employment Law
This module introduces students to three key themes of employment law: (1) employment status; (2) the contract of employment and (3) termination of employment. You will acquire a good understanding of the relevant law, you will also develop a critical ...
Family Law: Children, Parents and the State
Family law touches all of our lives at some point. This module considers the legal regulation of family life, in particular the extent to which relationships between parents and their children should be seen as a private matter free from State interferenc...
Foundations in Data Protection Law
Data, its use and its protection is of ever increasing critical importance in our interconnected world, a result of technological change, automated data processing and decision making and the digitisation of society. Our data can expose sensitive informat...
Introduction to Commercial Law
This course lays the foundation for further studies in commercial and maritime law by introducing you to advanced rules and applications of contract law. We will be exploring some key areas of commercial law, such as the law of agency and the sale of goo...
Introduction to Public International Law
The story of Public International Law is the story of historic and present-day efforts to address international issues of common concern - conflict within and between states, climate change, human rights abuses, international crimes, global trade, and con...
Youth Justice
Young people engage, and always have, in activity which is wrongful and harmful. How, as a liberal democratic society, should we respond to that behaviour? This is the central concern of this module. Through discussion of recent research, legislation and ...
Year 4 modules
You must study the following module in year 4:
You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:
Admiralty Law
Admiralty Law is an exciting course dealing with the laws applicable to shipping operations and the liabilities that may arise. Liabilities arising from shipping accidents, covering loss of life, damage to property, pollution as well as special liability ...
Advanced Public International Law
International law is about governments collaboratively as well as competitively trying to regulate world affairs. It includes issues as diverse as a government’s treatment of its citizens (international human rights law), the circumstances in which a stat...
Advanced Public Law
Public law is of the highest importance to individuals, defining the institutions which exercise the power of the state, and setting the rules which govern their interaction in relation to each other and to individuals. Though one of the defining chara...
Carriage of Goods by Sea
A shipowner will wish to use its ship to make as much profit as it can and will usually do so by chartering the ship either on a time charter or voyage charter basis. This course will consider the basic obligations which you would expect to find in any ch...
Commercial Conflict of Laws and International Litigation
In a globalised world dominated by international trade, the governance of commercial relationships and the disputes that arise from them, has become increasingly significant. The conflict of laws – also known as private international law – and civil proce...
Company Law
This course covers the material typically addressed in an undergraduate Company Law Course and addresses the framework of company law, the corporate entity, the corporate constitution, corporate governance issues including the directors' role, duties and ...
Constitutional Law of Canada
The Module provides a critical reflection on the development and state of constitutional law in Canada. We will reflect on the way constitutional law founded the transition from colony to constitutional state. Furthermore the module considers how, in con...
Crime in Law, Literature and Culture
This module examines crime and criminal law in its broader cultural and historical context. It focuses on the strategies and techniques that lawyers, judges and commentators use to persuade others to their viewpoint, and that give us the fascinating stori...
Environmental Justice and the Law
The module explores the concept of environmental justice and looks at the role of law in both aggravating and addressing environmental injustices. In an age of climate and biodiversity crises, the idea of environmental justice is at the heart of many of t...
Family Law: State Regulation of Adults' Relationship Formation and Breakdown
Family law touches all of our lives at some point. It covers the legal regulation of family life, including the extent to which family life should be seen as a private matter and to which different types of family are treated differently for example marit...
Globalisation and Law
'Globalisation' encapsulates the developing inter-connectedness of markets and economic systems, driven by trade liberalisation. Yet, alongside this drive towards trade liberalisation, the international community has committed itself to a diverse range o...
Insurance Contract Law
Insurance underpins much of economic activity, also has a significant social function. In this module, we will consider both the conceptual idea of channelling and allocating risks by insurance and technical commercial law issues within insurance contrac...
Intellectual Property Law
This module will allow you to explore some key areas of intellectual property law, such as trademarks, copyright and patents. Emphasis is placed on the process of European Union (EU) harmonisation of intellectual property rights, and its implications for ...
International Commercial Sales
This module covers international commercial sale contracts, principally CIF and FOB (which account for the vast majority of the world's tonnage internationally shipped), but also other international sales, in particular international commodity sales, and ...
International Human Rights Law
International human rights law is an essential part of international law. Human rights represent an important legal tool for empowering the most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and social groups, as well as promoting social, global and environmen...
International Trade, Investment and Sustainable Development
International trade and investment drive the developing inter-connectedness of markets that is a key feature of globalisation. International trade law concerns the regulatory framework of the multilateral trading system. International investment law regul...
Law and the Human Body
Law and the Human Body investigates legal and ethical problems at the intersection of medicine, biotechnology and the law, particularly the approach of law to questions arising from the biotechnological uses of cadavers, body parts and products of the bod...
Renting Homes: Law and Policy
If you are interested in understanding the law that regulates the relationship between those who rent their homes and their landlord, then this half option is the course for you. The underlying theme is to consider the tension that exists in the landlord-...
Theories of Law and Justice
This module will provide you with a developed understanding of what is law; how much law can be justified; how law relates to morality and justice, indeed whether there is any morality that is unique to law. The first part of the module will canvass what...
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- self-assessment
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Year 2
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- self-assessment
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 2:
Year 3
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- self-assessment
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 3:
Year 4
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 4:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- self-assessment
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 4:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Alun Gibbs is the course leader.
Careers and employability
Employability skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Self-management
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Download skills overview
Career pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
Armed Forces legal services,
Administration,
Accounting,
Banking,
Business,
Civil service,
Community and voluntary,
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS),
Education,
Finance,
High street solicitors' practices,
Health and safety,
HM Courts and Tribunal Service,
HMRC,
International law firm,
Large organisations with in-house legal teams,
local and national government,
Ministry of Justice,
Politics,
Probation service and social services,
Self-employment.
- Arbitrator
- Barrister
- Barrister's clerk
- Chartered legal executive
- Company secretary
- Costs lawyer
- Licensed conveyancer
- Paralegal
- Solicitor
- Trademark attorney
- Border force officer
- Charity worker
- Local government officer
- Patent attorney
- Press officer
- Police officer
- Political research assistant
- Political risk analyst
- Publishing rights manager
- Trading standards officer
- Barrister
- Paralegal
- Trainee solicitor
- Police officer
- Business tax consultant
- Compliance analyst
- Data protection officer
- Financial crime analyst
- Lecturer
- Recruitment consultant
Job prospects for LL.B Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (European Legal Studies) graduates
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.
Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,535.
- EU and international students pay £24,200.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Related courses
European Legal Studies (LLB) is a course in the Law subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:
