Experience our range of research-led courses in flagship areas including international human rights and international criminal law.
“The PhD certainly changed my life! Sussex has enabled me to find the profession I am passionate about, and helped me develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed.”
DR ANNE WESEMANN Head of Department, Open University Law School
Key facts about Law at Sussex
- study flagship courses in areas including international human rights and international criminal law and choose from a range of LLM and Masters in Law courses in International Commercial Law, Information Technology, and Intellectual Property.
- research expertise in both international and UK law.
- access to resources including the European Documentation Centre with holdings in the fields of European law and international law, and to LEXIS, Lawtel and Westlaw, the online data retrieval systems for law, which contains UK, European, US and other international legal materials.
- opportunities to take part in staff research initiatives, law workshops and conferences.
- career-focused courses, with opportunities to network with law firms. Many of our students now work in commercial practice, or for governmental and international organisations such as the UN and the International Tribunals as well as non-government organisations.
- develop career skills through taking part in skills competitions.
- take part in our pro bono projects to gain real-world experience in legal areas including environmental issues and housing concerns.
- experience law in action through organised visits to local and London courts, as well as a trip to the International Tribunals at The Hague.
- MA in Law
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At Sussex we offer an MA in Law for non-law graduates wishing to pursue a career in the law by fast tracking you to an equivalent stage as a law graduate. This conversion course will not only provide you with a robust foundation of legal knowledge, but also provide a solid grounding for future SQE preparation. This MA additionally covers all the areas required by the Bar Standard Board for anyone wanting to become a barrister.
If you wish to graduate with the MA, the dissertation begins in the spring term with the submission due in the summer. And if you prefer, you can graduate before the summer with a Diploma which will give you the same qualification, and scope to proceed to the next stage of legal qualification, as a Graduate Diploma in Law.
Our partnership with the global legal education provider BARBRI also means that our Sussex students (as well as our alumni) will receive a discount on the prep fees for the first stage of the SQE assessment (SQE1).
Find out more here
- Graduate Entry LLB (two year)
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This two-year course is designed for non- law graduates who want to practice law or go on to higher legal study.
You are given an introduction to the English legal system and take a range of core and optional modules. The course combines lectures with current law undergraduates, and graduate-only seminars where you discuss and present work. The course also provides opportunities for career planning and CV building and we help you find vacation work placements.
Over the two years you can take part in optional extra-curricular activities and competitions in mooting, criminal advocacy, client interviewing or negotiation.
Find out more here
- Law PhD
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At Sussex we offer a Law PhD, from the effects of the internet on society to the impact of hate crimes on minority communities – Sussex Law School is a vibrant, exciting environment for doctoral research.
You benefit from first-class facilities and support, and work with researchers who engage beyond the academic community, working with NGOs, parliaments, professionals and private institutions.
Find out more here
Student perspective
"I was attracted to studying at Sussex due to the real commitment it has to research and the interdisciplinary approach.
"With the help of the Law School, I applied for and got a place on the ‘Middle Temple Access to the Bar’ scheme, which is designed to give students from non-traditional backgrounds an insight into what a career at the bar is like.
"Through it I was able to undertake a mini-pupillage at Essex Court Chambers, coupled with a week of marshalling with Mr Justice David Bean in the High Court. During this time, I proof-read and provided full case references on an important observation being submitted to the European Court of Justice on discrimination.
"Another unforgettable experience was spending an afternoon at the Levenson inquiry. This experience has helped me reach the conclusion that a career at the Bar is for me."
Ubah Dirie LLM