Overview

Legal knowledge carries real influence over how societies function and resolve disputes, and training with award-winning academics who are leading figures in the field builds a genuinely strong foundation for a legal career. The LLB (Hons) Law at Durham University is a research-led degree offering in-depth understanding of the law of England and Wales, alongside legal research and practice, forming the first stage of professional training toward qualifying as a solicitor or barrister. Durham Law School is home to numerous research centres and groups, and all teaching staff remain actively involved in research, creating a genuinely dynamic curriculum aligned with real-world legal developments. Students specialise across a wide range of pathways in public and private law, including international law, and benefit from dedicated facilities such as a moot court, workrooms and a pro bono room. Beyond structured learning, ten different law-related student societies offer plenty of opportunity for co-curricular involvement. The course suits students seeking a rigorous, research-informed legal education, with the option to add a placement year or a year abroad, extending study from three to four years.

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What You'll Learn

The structure and function of tort law, contract law and UK constitutional law

The legal framework governing the relationship between the UK and the European Union

Administrative law and human rights within the UK legal system

Core legal skills and reasoning through the English legal system and legal method

Criminal law, land law and trusts law, applying legal doctrine to real scenarios

Specialist optional areas such as commercial law, public international law and legal theory

Advanced modules including company law, intellectual property law and international human rights

A dissertation in a substantive area of law, developed through one-to-one supervision

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply core legal principles across contract, tort, criminal, constitutional and property law to analyse complex legal problems. They will be equipped to critically evaluate legal issues in specialist areas of their choosing, from commercial law to human rights and international law, and to construct clear, precise legal arguments. Through one-to-one supervision and an independent dissertation, students will develop the ability to evaluate, synthesise and apply information from primary and secondary sources into well-reasoned, independent research. Graduates will leave with strong analytical, research and communication skills, well prepared to pursue professional qualification as a solicitor or barrister, or a wide range of careers across business, government and academia.