About this course

Designed to challenge and inspire future legal professionals, this comprehensive international law degree combines in-depth knowledge of law with a year abroad at one of our global partner institutions. This programme reflects the Law School's own international standing, and the diversity of jurisdictions in which you can pursue your legal career as a graduate of English law.

This 4-year programme covers the qualifying law degree subjects in years 1 and 2. You'll spend your third year studying at one of our carefully selected partner institutions overseas. 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:

Australia
Canada
China
India
Hong Kong
Japan
Singapore

Students return to their fourth-year studies in Southampton with a more mature, independent outlook and greater confidence – qualities that impress recruiters in today's global job market.

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 strong 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

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Bar Council

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.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

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.

or

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.

or

BTEC

RQF 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

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.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Non-academic entry requirements

LNAT is not required for our programmes.

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.

or

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.

or

BTEC

RQF 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

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.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

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 includes core and optional modules, allowing you to focus your learning. Your core modules are required to earn a qualifying law degree and to enable you to progress on to 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 the full academic year at a designated international university. 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 choice.

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
Constitutional Law of Canada

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

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...

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)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

19%

Scheduled learning & teaching

81%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
self-assessment
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

57%

Written exam

43%

Coursework

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.

Careers directly related to this course:

Arbitrator
Barrister
Barrister's clerk
Chartered legal executive
Company secretary
Costs lawyer
Licensed conveyancer
Paralegal
Solicitor
Trademark attorney

Wider career opportunities:

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

Example job titles of Southampton LL.B Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (International Legal Studies) graduates*:

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) (International Legal Studies) graduates

£28k

Average professional salary

93%

In a skilled profession or further study

96%

Graduate employment rate

*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.

More about careers support

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

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: M130
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

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

International Legal Studies (LLB) is a course in the Law subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

e

LLB

European Legal Studies

l

LLB

International Legal Studies (LLB)

About this course

Accreditations

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Bar Council

Learn more about this subject area

Law

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish certificate additional information

Irish Offer Contextual

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation programmes for international students

Mature applicats

Non-academic entry requirements

For Academic year 202627

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish certificate additional information

Irish Offer Contextual

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation programmes for international students

Mature applicats