About this course
The port city of Southampton is home to the world-renowned Institute of Maritime Law, making it the natural location to gain a qualifying law degree with a maritime focus. When you graduate, you'll be uniquely prepared for a career in international maritime law, commerce or related industries.
This is one of the few specialist maritime law undergraduate degrees in the UK. It combines the subjects required for a qualifying law degree with the opportunity to specialise in maritime law.
Core modules in years 1 and 2 cover the qualifying law degree subjects. In year 2 you can choose modules on relevant topics such as commercial and maritime law, commercial arbitration law, and public international law.
Optional modules in year 3 give you the chance to study the aspects of maritime law that most interest you in greater depth. You'll also complete a dissertation on a maritime-related topic of your choice.
As part of your degree you can:
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apply for our marshalling scheme to spend a week with judges, gaining a unique behind-the-scenes view of the workings of the higher courts
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gain work experience alongside legal professionals by advising students at the Law Clinic
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engage with our academic research groups including the Institute of Maritime Law
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study modules outside of law to broaden your knowledge and boost your CV
During your degree you can join weekly seminars run by the Institute of Maritime Law. Speakers include shipbrokers, representatives from the classification societies, and other legal and maritime professionals.
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 programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202021
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
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
BTEC additional information
There are no additional requirements
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
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
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
Your specialist maritime law degree includes the core modules required to earn a qualifying law degree, ready for progression to professional training.
In years 2 and 3 you can choose from a range of optional modules to develop your knowledge of maritime law.
In your final year, you'll choose a research topic and complete a 10,000 word dissertation with support from your academic supervisor.
Our flexible maritime law courses 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:
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Criminal Law
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Foundations of Contract Law
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Legal Skills
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Legal System and Reasoning
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Public Law: Foundations
You'll also choose 1 of these optional 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.
Year 2 overview
Your 5 core modules are:
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Equity and Trusts
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Land Law
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Public Law: Administrative Justice
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Remedies in Contract and Tort
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The Law of Torts
You'll choose 2 modules from this broad list of options:
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Criminal Justice
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Employment Law
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Family Law: Children, Parents and the State
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Foundations in Criminal Evidence Law
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Health Care Law and Bioethics
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Introduction to Commercial and Maritime Law
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Introduction to Public International Law
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Principles of Commercial Arbitration Law
Year 3 overview
You'll complete a supervised dissertation on an approved maritime subject as part of your final-year Legal Research and Writing module.
You'll choose 2 maritime law module options from this list:
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Admiralty Law
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Carriage of Goods by Sea
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Commercial Conflict of Laws and International Litigation
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International Commercial Sales
Additional optional modules include:
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Company Law
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Intellectual Property Law
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Insurance Contract Law
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Globalisation and Law
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Public International Law
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
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:
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
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
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 with in-depth legal knowledge and the ability to think independently, you'll find a wide range of career and further study options waiting for you.
This LLB programme is accredited by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales as a qualifying law degree, so you'll be ready to train to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and your qualifications may be recognised in other countries including India, Australia, Canada and Malaysia.
You will also have specialist expertise to offer global maritime law firms and industry employers; including shipping companies, commodity houses, and marine or maritime-related government agencies.
Our graduates have gone on to careers in:
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law (including as solicitors and barristers)
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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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national and international organisations
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media
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entertainment
Alternatively, you could choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, perhaps by joining the Law School's prestigious LLM Maritime Law programme.
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
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.
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.
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: M1M2
- 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
