Here's a quick overview of our courses so that you can compare and find the right fit for you.
A day in the life of a Law student at Bangor University
Spend the day with Millie, a 3rd year Law student here at Bangor University as she takes you through a typical day in the life of a Law student.
What are LLB Law Degrees?
The LLB degree is probably the most common type of undergraduate law degree, and is studied by undergraduates seeking to practice in law as well as those students who eventually enter into other non-law related professions. LLB degrees are well regarded as rigorous degrees that train graduates for a wide range of career opportunities.
The LLB is a three-year qualifying law degree which leads you to the next stage of training within the legal profession you can follow the SQE route for solicitors or the BPTC for barristers.
An LLB programme will look at different areas of the Law examples include Public Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Tort Law, Land Law and the UK, EU Law and Brexit. As part of your LLB degree you’ll be able to choose optional modules in areas that you have an interest in and may want to pursue in the future. At Bangor our academics have a range of interests within Law that include topics such as Family and Welfare Law, Sports Law, Media Law, Intellectual Property Law, Commercial Law, Law and Technology, Environmental Law and Endangered Wildlife and International Law.
Every Bangor LLB degree is SQE Facing which means that our degrees contain a pathway, allowing you to study the material tested on the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (‘SQE’).
Whilst providing a thorough foundation in the fundamentals of law, Bangor LLB degrees also reflect the legal environment of the 21st century by focusing on developing the legal skills required not only in the UK but also in Europe and the wider international community.
In the latest National Students Survey (2022), Bangor University was awarded an impressive 84% student satisfaction rating in the subject area of Law, highlighting the high level of support and smaller class sizes offered at Bangor compared to other larger UK law schools.
If you'd like to studying another subject in addition to Law, but you also want to ensure you study a Qualifying Law Degree, then you should consider one of our 'Law with another subject' degree courses.
Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)
Do you want to become a Solicitor? If so you'll need to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. All Bangor’s LLB degrees are ‘SQE facing’, meaning that our degrees contain a pathway that will allow you to study the material tested on the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (‘SQE’).
An SQE Facing degree essentially means that you'll be studying a degree programme that has the option for you to continue your training and become a solicitor. To do so you'll need to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) which is the centralised assessment for anyone who wants to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. The SQE is part of a four-stage route to becoming a solicitor.
All Bangor’s LLB degrees are ‘SQE facing’. This means that our degrees contain a pathway, allowing you to study the material tested on the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (‘SQE’). Whether you choose an SQE pathway or not, all our LLB degrees go further, by combining these ‘SQE ready’ elements with a critical and academic study of the law to understand the role of law in society and address contemporary legal issues. This is achieved through both the core and the optional modules available on Bangor’s LLB degrees.
From September 2021, the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is the new assessment that those who wish to qualify as a solicitor must pass. This replaces the qualifying law degree and the Legal Practice Course. The process to qualify as a barrister remains unchanged.
The SQE has two elements, SQE1 and SQE2. SQE1 must be completed before SQE2.
There are two elements to SQE1, FLK 1 and FLK2. These both test your understanding of ‘functional legal knowledge’, through 180 multiple choice questions split into two sessions.
FLK 1 tests the subject areas below;
- Business Law and Practice
- Dispute Resolution
- Contract
- Tort
- Legal System of England and Wales
- Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services
FLK 2 tests the following subject areas:
- Property Practice
- Wills and the Administration of Estates
- Solicitors Accounts
- Land Law
- Trusts
- Criminal Law and Practice
Ethics and Professional Conduct is examined ‘pervasively’ across FLK 1 and FLK 2, meaning it can arise in any question.
To pass SQE1, you must pass both FLK1 and FLK2. The assessments take place in January and July each year.
SQE2 is a skills-based assessment which covers the following skills.
- Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
- Advocacy
- Case and matter analysis
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Legal drafting
In all of Bangor’s LLB degrees, students get an opportunity to experience and learn these skills across the core modules.
Our recommendation is that following the completion of a Bangor LLB, students undertake short SQE preparation course, to prepare for the specific nature of the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations.
For more information regarding the SQE, please consult the website of the Solicitor Regulation Authority.
Moot Court Room
What is Mooting?
If you’re looking to study Law, you may have heard about mooting, but do you know what mooting is? Essentially mooting is a mock trial where two sides argue a point of law in front of an acting judge. The judge will then decide who the winner is once they’ve heard presentations from both sides.
If you’re thinking of becoming a solicitor or barrister mooting is an important skill to have. Studying LLB Law at Bangor allows you the opportunity to practice your mooting in our on-campus mock courtroom.
Taking part in mooting is a great way to acquire skills you need to become a lawyer. It helps develop legal skills, analysis skills and interpretation skills. Practicing mooting will help you become more confident and build your personal skills of public speaking. Mooting enables students to;
- explore, argue and critique complex areas and arguments in the law
- enhance their advocacy, legal research and writing skills
- work closely with peers
- practice engaging with the bench and become more confident in arguing their case.
As a smaller school we're able to offer students more opportunities to moot than other institutions. Law students at Bangor will argue a fictitious legal case within simulated court proceedings. Two pairs of advocates – the Appellants and Respondents – contest the case in front of a 'judge', normally a lecturer or postgraduate student. The winning team is not necessarily the one that wins the case, but the team that makes the best presentation of their legal arguments.
A sustainable world for future generations
As an passionate we're passionate about sustainability. Our aim is to create a sustainable environment for future generations and our Law courses aim to meet economic, social, environmental, and cultural needs. You can see themes of sustainability running through several modules when studying Law. Some topics that our team are passionate about include;
- Endangered Wildlife and International Law - Looks at how wildlife is protected and key international treaties regulating the conversation addressing some global challenges such as climate change or deforestation.
- Environmental Law - Looks at environmental protection, civil and criminal liability when it comes to environmental issues such as biodiversity and pollution control. Family and
- Welfare Law - Looks to allows students to develop their understanding of relationships between communities and understand political, social, and cultural circumstances that influences these relationships.
- Preserving Cultural Heritage - Looks to allows students to better understand cultural diversity and how we can protect cultural heritage from destruction.
Got any questions? Chat to students and staff
Do you have a question about life as a Bangor University student? Our ambassadors will be happy to help you find the answer.
They can tell you more about studying here, about the amazing Clubs and Societies we have, and how they made friends and settled in to life at university as a Law student.
If you have any questions about the course, our lecturers are on hand to help. Below are some examples of frequently asked questions. Can you think of any more?
- What are the qualities of a successful Law student at Bangor?
- How can I prepare myself to study Law at Bangor?
- How will I know that Law at Bangor is the right choice for me?
Graduate Profile ADAM GULLIVER
The influence that Bangor had upon both my career and life cannot be overestimated. The way teaching was delivered at Bangor, combined with the excellent academic and pastoral support I received, allowed me to flourish academically and lead to me obtaining a First-Class degree. I very much attribute that great success, not only to my work, but also to the commitment and dedication of the lecturers and the overall quality of the School itself.
GRADUATE PROFILE Jack Barry
I visited and fell in love with the surrounding landscape. Snowdon is visible on a clear day and the Menai Straits are just on your doorstep. The university is steeped in heritage and feels friendly too. You will enjoy your time at Bangor and it will give you not only a solid foundation for future employment, but you'll have fun in the best surroundings of any UK university.
GRADUATE PROFILE Gemma Tooze
I thoroughly enjoyed studying at Bangor University and it is without a doubt that the support and opportunities provided to me have enabled me to be where I am today. Throughout my time at Bangor, I was fortunate to be involved in many extra-curricular activities, including being Mistress of the Moot, a Halls of Residents Mentor, and an Intern Research Assistant for the Law School's Cymuned project.
GRADUATE PROFILE Joseph Brittan
The three years I spent at Bangor were a treasure, despite the lockdown, lecturers endeavoured to ensure the standard of teaching remained high. Moreover, the location of Bangor lends it's own advantages over other institutions for study, with the sea, the mountains or simply the countryside at your doorstep. Bangor offers many programmes which are ever-expanding for students to get involved with.
GRADUATE PROFILE Enlli Williams
The Law degree at Bangor is an absolutely brilliant course. With the assistance from the best tutors and the resources available and perseverance by myself studying long hours I graduated with a first class honours.
GRADUATE PROFILE David John Darlington
Studying at Bangor University, or the University of Wales, Bangor, as it was then was probably the best three years of my life. I met lots of wonderful people both in my department and socially who I remain in touch with and are good friends to this day. I enjoyed the teaching and went away with a degree in Law with Accounting and Finance which laid the foundations for my career and I wouldn't be a partner in my law firm now without the help and support I received at Bangor.
Matt Lobo
I had a fantastic experience at Bangor Law School. The small class sizes meant the lecturers gave me a lot of attention. The course is really interesting and led by experts who brought their practice, passion and experience to the lectures. There were loads of opportunities to engage with Mooting, as well societies outside the Law School.
Careers in Law
Studying Law can lead to a career within the legal professional or in other industries. Some students might continue their training and become a Solicitor or Barrister whilst others with choose different pathways. The transferable skills you gain whilst studying law means that graduates are highly employable in areas outside the legal profession.
Choosing Law at Bangor gives you opportunities to improve on your skills and knowledge, our courses have a focus on employability and you'll also have access to a range of additional employability support through our very own Employability Team.
Once you’ve completed your LLB degree you can choose to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and become a Solicitor. You’ll need to complete your qualifying legal work experience, most commonly a training contract before becoming fully qualified.
A solicitor is a confident advisor, they’ll have excellent people skills and will provide legal guidance and assistance to clients. Once you qualify you can work in private practice, for an organisation, in government or in court services.
Solicitors practice in a range of areas within the law, these can include;
- Property
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Justice
- Employment
- Family
- Human Rights
- Social Welfare and Housing
- Tax
- Immigration
- Private.
Solicitors often also give up their time to help clients who are unable to pay for legal services, this is known as pro bono work.
Studying Law gives you a pathway into becoming a Barrister. To become a barrister, graduates must undertake the one-year Bar Practice Course, followed by a training period known as a pupillage. Further information about qualifying as a barrister can be found on the Bar Standards Board website.
Barristers are dedicated, hard working and passionate. Barristers represent their clients in court, arguing the case on behalf of their client. This can involve examining witnesses, and arguing complex points of law, explaining why the court should find in favour of their client. Outside of the courts, barristers can provide advice, better known as an ‘opinion’ to a dispute or legal issue referred to them by a solicitor. This opinion may give a view as to the likelihood of winning should the case go to trial, which may encourage the client to negotiate a settlement without the matter going to court.
You can learn more on how to become a Barrister on the Prospects website.
Some Law graduates choose to stay in education and use their law degree to teach others. To become a lecturer of law students normally stay and complete a master’s in law degree before going on to complete their PhD. If you prefer going into secondary education, you’ll normally need to complete a teacher’s training course in a relevant subject.
If you intend to practice Law in another country (e.g. you are an international student who intends to practice Law in your home country), please ensure that you research the requirements for entering the legal profession in that particular country, which may well be different to those of England and Wales.
The LLB Law and LLB Law with Modern Languages is recognised by the Bar Council of India for professional purposes.
Other careers within the legal profession you might want to consider;
- Company Secretary
- Coroner
- Judge
- Legal Secretary
- Mediator
- Paralegal
- Attorney
A wide range of avenues are open to Law graduates who wish to pursue a career outside the legal profession. By studying Law, students develop an impressive range of transferable skills including communication, problem-solving, negotiating and teamwork.
These skills are equally sought after in fields such as advice work including welfare advice and housing; local authorities e.g. trading standards officers; accountancy particularly auditing, which requires both financial and legal acumen; human resources management; the Inland Revenue; the Civil Service; the Police; Journalism; and Information Management. Other areas students might wish to go into are investment banking, politics, the police, or management.
Bangor’s LLB ‘Law with’ degrees also enable students to acquire knowledge and skills in other subject areas. These degree schemes are particularly suitable for candidates’ contemplating careers outside the legal profession.
I had a fantastic experience at Bangor Law School. The small class sizes meant the lecturers gave me a lot of attention. The course is really interesting and led by experts who brought their practice, passion and experience to the lectures.
Working with our community
Bangor University has a long tradition of working with the community, and we firmly believe in the special connection between the institution and the area in which we’re based. Here are some examples of projects relating to History, Law and Social Sciences:
You may also be interested in these related subject areas.
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