A radical and innovative approach to the academic study of law
Year of entry: 2025/26
M100
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
Learn to use skills of analysis, reasoning and judgement to tackle topical questions with ethical, political and social dimensions.
Our distinctive LLB degree combines academic rigour with applied, practical and interdisciplinary perspectives, ensuring you develop an understanding of law in all its contexts.
We are the only law school in the UK to use a problem-based learning approach as the basis for our undergraduate programmes. We believe this modern, practical method will help you to develop the skills and techniques you will need to stand out as a professional.
Our highly approachable, expert tutors are committed to providing you with high-quality teaching, feedback and support. Staff and students work alongside each other in lectures, seminars and extracurricular activities including The Student Law Society, the Global Day of Action. The Baroness Hale Legal Clinic provides free legal advice to people and business, helping students gain practical experiences within our friendly and supportive surroundings.
This degree meets requirements that can enable you to progress to the next stages of professional qualification as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales. In addition, it may also contribute to the entry requirements of qualification in other jurisdictions. For more detail, see the Careers area.
Our distinctive course comprises core modules and a wide choice of options. The core modules include a series of Foundations modules, which cover the core areas of English law and academic skills as defined by professional bodies. There are also core legal skills modules through which you will develop key skills applied by professionals in practice.
Our range of option modules allow you to develop an individual learning pathway to reflect your career interests. If you are considering practising law, you can select from modules which simulate a number of areas of legal practice, as well as our law clinic module. If your interests lie in academic or interdisciplinary perspectives on law, you can choose modules which focus on the nature of specific areas of law in society.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
The Year 1 core modules will provide you with an understanding of the traditional core subjects integrated with a number of key legal skills and a range of critical and socio-legal perspectives on the law.
Subjects covered in the Foundation modules include:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You will choose two option modules in Year 2. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
In Year 3 you will choose one advanced law project module and one case study module.
You'll undertake an extended research project on a topic of your choice. You'll be assigned a supervisor who'll support you through the process.
You will also study three optional modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £25,800 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Although students may decide to purchase some textbooks or other resources, we have an extensive physical and electronic library, so that there is no requirement to do so.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition fees and living costs:
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Our LLB is taught mainly through problem-based learning. This method will develop your skills of analysis, reasoning and judgement. Through this approach you'll also develop communication and project management skills that will enhance your effectiveness in the world of work.
You will be part of a student law firm during your studies. Your firm will be faced with complex legal issues as part of each of your modules; you will decide how you want to operate as a firm, build relationships within your team, and collectively approach these problems in a realistic way. Your firm may be working alongside or in opposition to other firms.
You will learn to identify the key legal principles, and establish what you know as well as what you need to ascertain. Through this process, you will reflect on deeper social and theoretical issues, such as questions of justice, fairness and human rights. Tutor-facilitators will guide you through particular points and issues, helping you maximise your time of study.
You'll also learn through a range of other resources including: plenary lectures, written subject guides, and a variety of relevant material in our virtual learning environment.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 6-7 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 6-7 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
York Law School has a dedicated Problem Based Learning Suite and mock up court room for our students. You can use these during your contact hours and for independent studying.
York Law School is located on Campus East. Nearly all of your teaching will take place within the Law and Management building or nearby on Campus East.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
York Law School uses two main forms of assessment, formative and summative.
You will sit all examinations (and assignments generally) as an individual. They have, however, been specially designed to reflect the PBL learning process and so facilitate group work as a means of preparation.
In addition, many modules, including all Foundation Stream modules, will assess your performance using coursework, including focused essays and more general reflective assignment.
Our pioneering Careers and Development programme will help to ensure you are ready to pursue your chosen career path. Created through collaboration with leading local, national and international firms and key vocational providers, the programme includes professional skills workshops, personal development, mentoring schemes and link days.
We also have a dedicated full-time Employability Tutor, who can give you advice on a wide range of matters, from CV and assessment centre techniques to general career planning.
We have established a wide range of professional links and partnering arrangements. Through these you benefit from 'real world' lawyers as part of the teaching team and gain access to practical, work-based learning opportunities that can help you to prepare for your career.
Qualifying as a solicitor or a barrister
If you wish to qualify as a solicitor (in England and Wales), the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requirements are that you:
• have a degree-level qualification or equivalent;
• pass two solicitor qualification examinations – SQE1 and SQE2;
• complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE); and
• meet character and suitability requirements.
Your LLB from YLS will fulfil the first requirement, and enable you to develop elements of the legal knowledge and skills assessed in SQE1 and SQE2.
If you wish to qualify as a barrister, the first stage of qualification is to meet the academic requirements of the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Your LLB from YLS includes the seven foundations of legal knowledge required by the BSB for the academic component of barrister training.
Qualifying as a lawyer in another jurisdiction
If you want to qualify as a lawyer in another jurisdiction your law degree from YLS may be recognised as contributing to the entry requirements of the professional stage of legal training.
Undertaking further study or research
Our thriving research environment offers a number of postgraduate study opportunities. We have a number of taught postgraduate programmes and welcome proposals for MPhil and PhD study. As an LLB student here you can prepare for further study and experience working with academic colleagues through our research internship programme.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 39 credits achieved from units awarded Distinction and 6 awarded Merit or higher. Please note that all Access Diploma and Foundation Degree applications are considered in light of all academic achievement. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | D*DD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 Points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AAABB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other qualifications | Canadian Ontario Secondary School Diploma: Average of 85% in six Grade 12 U or M level courses. British Columbia High School Diploma: Average of 85% in four Grade 12 courses. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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