About this course
This is one of just a handful of programmes in the UK to combine a qualifying law degree with the study of psychology. You'll gain a comprehensive legal education while deepening your understanding of the human mind. The skills and knowledge that you develop will be invaluable for a career in the legal profession and in a wide range of other career paths.
You'll study a broad base of core and optional modules, designed to help you achieve a qualifying law degree, and deepen your own specialist knowledge across law (your major subject) and psychology (your minor subject).
Our challenging and inspiring law and psychology degree will give you in-depth legal knowledge together with strong critical thinking and communication skills. Our unique employability skills programme will ensure you consolidate what you learn through exceptional work experience and networking opportunities.
Your psychology modules will teach you the fundamental concepts in psychology, and give you an overview of current issues in clinical psychology. These include:
- behavioural neuroscience
- personality and intelligence
- making sense of ambiguous scenes
- educational and developmental psychology
- self-conscious emotions
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
- hone your presentation skills on the Streetlaw programme
You can take part in a range of competitions to enhance your skills, including the Clyde & Co Team Building Challenge and regional, national and international mooting and negotiation competitions.
You can 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.
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.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202223
A-levels
AAA
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies, Art, Art &; Design, Dance, Moving Images, Photography, Physical Education, Practical Art, Practical Music, Sharia Law, Sports Studies, Textiles and Travel & Tourism Restricted subjects are Critical Thinking, Community & Culture, Design & Technology, Drama, Divinity, Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Media Studies, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies, and World Development. This means we can only accept these subjects as one of your three total A levels.
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, as follows: AAB
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level
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
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.
BTEC 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.
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 23 years of age at the start of your proposed degree programme. You will 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
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
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
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.
European Baccalaureate
82-84% overall
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.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
our Access to Southampton 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.
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
Years 1 and 2 include compulsory modules that cover the legal topics required for a qualifying law degree, as well as fundamental concepts in psychology.
In your final year you'll be able to pursue your psychology interests further by choosing from a range of optional modules. You'll also take further core law modules and complete your dissertation, supported by an academic supervisor.
Year 1 overview
You'll study the following core modules:
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Foundations of Contract Law
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Introduction to Psychology
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Legal Skills
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Legal System and Reasoning
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Public Law: Foundations
You'll choose 1 of these optional law modules:
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Historical Development of the Common Law
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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.
You'll also choose 1 of these optional psychology modules:
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Behavioural Neuroscience
-
Individual Differences: Personality and Intelligence
Year 2 overview
Your core modules are:
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Criminal Law
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Land Law
You'll choose 2 optional law modules per semester from a broad list, including:
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Family Law: Children, Parents and the State
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Health Care Law and Bioethics
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Employment Law
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Foundations in Criminal Evidence Law
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Introduction to Public International Law
You'll also choose 1 psychology optional core module per semester from this list:
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Developmental Psychology
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Language and Memory
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Perception
Year 3 overview
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 also study these core modules:
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The Law of Torts
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Public Law 2: Administrative Justice
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Equity and Trusts
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Remedies in Contract and Tort
You'll choose 1 optional psychology module per semester from a list including:
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Human Animal Interactions
-
Educational Psychology
-
Psychology of Advertising
-
Social and Affective Neuroscience
-
Intergroup Relations and Interpersonal Influence
-
Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2022-23
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
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 ...
Introduction to Psychology will touch on a number of different topics including The Science of Psychology, Sensation, Perception, Memory, Metacognition, Social Cognition, Attitudes and Emotions, Interpersonal processes, Development & Health Psychology, an...
This module is designed to develop the intellectual, practical and transferable skills needed to study law generally, and to allow you to see how these skills can be employed in legal practice. It builds on the legal knowledge acquired in the first semest...
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...
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:
The module aims to develop the themes introduced in the Introduction to Psychology Module in semester 1. The module integrates the approaches and findings of biological psychology in an attempt to understand the biological factors that explain why people...
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...
The course covers the topics of personality and intelligence from the perspective of individual differences. Some research psychologists explore the ways in which people are the same, and seek to draw general conclusions about human nature. Howeve...
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:
This version of Criminal Law is delivered for you if you are studying the LLB JD Pathway, the LLB Accelerated programme or the LLB Law with Psychology programme. This module provides an introduction to the substantive criminal law, and to fundamental aspe...
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...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
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...
This module will develop your understanding and knowledge of development across childhood, adolescence and adulthood. We will present historical and current research studies and explain how these link to related theoretical frameworks. The module will e...
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 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...
This module offers an introduction into some of the most fundamental rules and principles governing the admission, exclusion, and presentation of evidence in the criminal trial. It provides critical insights into the trial process, the purpose of key rest...
The Health Care Law Bioethics module examines the relationships between health care, ethics, and law. It explores a range of theoretical approaches from philosophical bioethics, and relates them to foundational and practical questions in health care 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 the ramifications of the tripartite contractual relationship involving agents, ...
This module will introduce students to the discipline of health psychology.
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...
This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to cognitive psychology, or the study of human cognitive processes, with an emphasis on three of those processes – communication, language and memory. Apart from being intrinsically interesting (...
The module will cover basic topics in perceptual psychology. We will discuss how the visual brain uses information from the two eyes in combination with learnt heuristics and other information sources to construct a perceptual representation of the world....
In commerce, arbitration is often the preferred method of resolving commercial disputes. Disputes relating to international trade, foreign investments, insurance and reinsurance, and construction are commonly resolved by arbitration, as are disputes under...
This module is designed to familiarise students with the principal theories, concepts, and research methods relevant to social psychology. The lectures and readings are designed to acquaint students with both classic and current research trends in social ...
Year 3 modules
You must study the following modules in year 3:
This version of Equity and Trusts is delivered for you if you are studying the LLB JD Pathway, the LLB Accelerated programme or the LLB Law with Psychology programme.. The module examines the origin of equity, and the principles associated with equity and...
The Legal Research and Writing course is a compulsory final year unit. It is examined through a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice. The module builds on the research skills you have developed during your degree programme and provides you w...
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...
This version of Remedies in Contract & Tort is provided for you if you are studying the LLB (JD Pathway), the LLB Accelerated or the LLB Law with Psychology programmes. This module combines study of remedies in contract and in tort. The module will be ...
This version of Law of Torts is provided for you if you are studying the LLB (JD Pathway), the LLB Accelerated or the LLB Law with Psychology programmes. This module examines a broad range of torts protecting a variety of different interests. The module b...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:
Childhood maltreatment is one of the leading causes of mental health problems in the world. This module is designed as an in-depth introduction to the mechanisms via which early adversity might lead to mental health problems. We will also discuss resilien...
The course will comprise of an introductory session, five sessions on current and emerging issues in psycho-oncology, and five sessions on current and emerging issues in pain. The sessions on psycho-oncology cover genetic counselling, screening and treatm...
The module will provide an introduction to adult psychopathology, to present the psychological and biological models that have been developed to explain a variety of psychological disorders, and to examine both the empirical foundation of these models and...
The aim of this unit is to outline the basic learning mechanisms that allow us to organise our behaviour and adapt to our environment. One of the essential ingredients for successful organisation and adaptation is the capacity to anticipate impending even...
This is an advanced module that exposes students to the scientific study of intergroup relations and interpersonal influence. The module will cover research illustrating the psychological underpinnings of persuasion, conformity, obedience, group/group-mem...
This module aims to provide a descriptive and critical overview of the practice of educational psychology in the UK and to highlight some of the key debates.
The module will draw on the student’s prior learning with regard to various psychological areas; including but not restricted to, learning , attitude, attachment, Clinical and behaviour change. An introduction to animal behaviour and welfare will be provi...
This module adopts a project-based approach. Through building the first project, the basic rules and syntax of the five web technologies (HTML5, CSS, PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript) are gradually introduced as they are used in the project. Subsequent projec...
Advertising is an everyday and significant phenomenon. Sponsors hire agencies to inform us about, and persuade us to buy, innumerable branded products and services on the market, though a variety of mass media. Advertisements also urge us to donate to cha...
This module is designed to familiarize students with the principal theories, concepts, and research methods relevant to the area of self-conscious emotions. The lectures and readings are designed to acquaint students with both classic and current research...
Humans are adapted to be highly social. We interact with a number of other people everyday, and successful social interactions depend on the ability to infer other's mental and emotional state from limited cues. Social and affective neuroscience applies t...
This module will help you to develop graduate attributes, including: - academic attributes – ability to critically appraise knowledge claims based on qualitative and quantitative methods; and - communication skills – ability to communicate research desi...
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
- dissertations
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- 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
- dissertations
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- 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
- dissertations
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 3:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Mark Telford is the course leader.
Careers
As a graduate of a Law with Psychology degree from Southampton, you'll be one of the few candidates who can offer employers the impressive combination of a qualifying law degree, and an understanding of how the human brain perceives and responds to social systems.
This programme is accredited by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council as a qualifying law degree, so you can progress to further professional training to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. Your qualifications may be recognised in other countries including India, Australia, Canada and Malaysia.
Our graduates have followed careers in:
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law (including as solicitors and barristers)
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media
-
entertainment
-
politics
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business
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accountancy
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banking
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the civil service
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the police
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probation service and social services
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national and international organisations
In addition to our strong links to the legal profession, we have a dedicated careers and employability coordinator focused on your graduate opportunities. We organise:
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an annual careers fair attended by over 50 law firms, including the top 5 law firms known as the 'Magic Circle' firms
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a one-week Employability Skills Programme
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prizes awarded to our top-performing students by leading law firms, barristers' chambers, legal publishers, companies and individuals
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presentations and workshops from leading law firms and alumni
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writing skills support
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visits to law firms, courts, and tribunals
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talks on postgraduate study opportunities
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. 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.
Work in industry
Outside of your studies, you'll find many opportunities to gain skills and give back to your fellow students and wider community. You can shadow and volunteer alongside legal experts, inform college students about their rights and responsibilities, or network at one of our many industry events.
Our students recently worked with national campaign JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association), leading to a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court acknowledged that the law on joint enterprise (relating to crimes where more than one person takes part) had been misinterpreted by the courts for over 30 years.
You can take a Year in Employment, a fantastic opportunity to complete a paid work placement between your second and third year. Your placement year is assessed, and will be included on your degree transcript when you graduate.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £18,520.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. 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 that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre 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: M200
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
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
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