Law (with a study abroad year) (2013 entry)

LLB, 4 years, UCAS: M1RY
Typical A level offer: AAA-AAB

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Subject overview

Why law?

Studying law develops your skills of analysis, argument and persuasion. These will equip you for a variety of careers after graduation. As part of your studies, you will consider how the law regulates the relationship between the individual and the state and how it responds to dealings between individuals and groups. You will engage with the very organisation of society and, through the lens of law, you will examine all its constituent elements: commercial, social, political and economic relationships, families and associations, individuals and governments, countries and international organisations. Your imagination will be stretched, and you’ll have an enormous amount of fun.

Why law at Sussex?

Law at Sussex was ranked 5th (96 per cent) for overall satisfaction and 9th (79 per cent) for assessment and feedback in the 2012 National Student Survey (NSS).

Law at Sussex was ranked in the top 10 in the UK in The Sunday Times University Guide 2012, in the top 20 in the UK inThe Times Good University Guide 2013 and in the top 30 in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2014 and The Complete University Guide 2014.

Law at Sussex was rated 16th in the UK for research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 100 per cent of our research was rated as recognised internationally or higher, and over half rated as internationally excellent or higher.

The Sussex Law School enables you to study law in an interdisciplinary context.

The Sussex Law School is a thriving law community with students from around the world.

All our degrees are qualifying law degrees and provide excellent transferable skills that enable law students to go on to a wide variety of professional posts. 

You will be taught by enthusiastic and research-active faculty, committed to research and teaching excellence in a supportive learning environment. 

We have good teaching and research links with many other disciplines including American studies, international relations and politics.

You will become part of our successful, expanding, friendly Law School, where law is taught in its social, political and economic context.

The Sussex Law School has excellent extracurricular activities including mooting, client interviewing and negotiating competitions. Our Student Law Society is active in arranging social and educational events and has won student society awards.

Why languages?

The study of languages enables you to acquire excellent communication skills and enhance your understanding of your own and other cultures. Knowledge of a foreign language gives you access to the intellectual achievements and social developments of the countries where the target languages are spoken. In addition, the ability to speak a second language and the experience of having spent time studying or working abroad are major assets in the employment market. To quote Nelson Mandela: ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.’

Why languages at Sussex?

Intellectually stimulating degrees with relevant practical applications.

Start post-A level and/or from beginner’s level at the appropriate standard.

Reach a high level of proficiency with the expert tuition of experienced language tutors.

Enjoy all the academic, social, personal and, ultimately, professional benefits of the year abroad, whether working, teaching or studying at a partner university.

Profit from studying alongside visiting and exchange students from continental Europe and beyond.

Open language courses

If you are interested in learning a new language or improving your existing foreign-language skills outside the context of your chosen degree course, Sussex offers the opportunity to study a language on a weekly basis with other students, members of the University staff and the local community. You can choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Swahili classes. Classes take place at lunchtimes or in the early evening. 

All of our open language courses offer the opportunity to develop language skills and to learn about the country and customs concerned. 

Further information about these courses and tuition fees is available from the Open Course Office (email opencourses@sussex.ac.uk) or at the Sussex Centre for Language Studies.

Independent language learning

The Language Learning Centre provides state-of-the-art technology that supports self-access language learning. Foreign-language newspapers and magazines are also available. 

Programme content

This four-year course allows you to combine the study of law with a minor in French, Italian or Spanish and to spend a year studying abroad. 

This degree assists the development of your knowledge of the language of your chosen country and will help you to acquire the essential linguistic and cultural skills of communication and analysis, both orally and on paper. 

In addition to the core law modules and options, you take language modules at Sussex during the first two years of your degree. You spend your third year abroad, studying in the country of your chosen language. This is of immense value in understanding the legal principles of that country, as well as the culture and history in which these principles have evolved. 

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2013 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.

You can take our single-honours LLB with a range of interesting final-year options, or combine the study of law with another discipline. All law degrees at the Sussex Law School are qualifying law degrees. Students on any of our courses may be able to opt for an additional year and spend this year studying law in English at universities in countries such as Australia, South Korea, Sweden, France, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Estonia.

How will I learn?

You will experience several different teaching methods, for example large-group lectures as well as small-group seminars. Within these smaller groups you learn by presentation, discussion, debate and role-play. You will be tested through a variety of assessment methods: unseen and open-book exams, essays, dissertations, projects and coursework.

At Sussex, the scheduled contact time you receive is made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes, laboratory and practical work, and group work; the exact mix depends on the subject you are studying. This scheduled contact time is reflected in the Key Information Set (KIS) for this course. In addition to this, you will have further contact time with teaching staff on an individual basis to help you develop your learning and skills, and to provide academic guidance and advice to support your independent study.

For more information on what it's like to study at Sussex, refer to Study support.

What will I achieve?

  • familiarity with the institutions and procedures of the English legal system and of the EU
  • knowledge of the concepts, principles, values and rules of English law and the ability to draw on the fundamental principles to undertake in-depth study of specialist areas
  • awareness of the context within which law operates and an ability to demonstrate insights gained through the study of other disciplines related to law
  • appreciation of the relationship between law and society
  • the skills to identify the issues of legal relevance and apply your legal knowledge to provide a solution that carries the authority of established legal principle
  • the ability to conduct independent legal research to locate relevant materials, both printed and electronic
  • in analysing the law, knowledge of how judges reason and how statutes are to be interpreted; the ability to handle ideas embedded in complex legal doctrine; and familiarity with legal concepts
  • the ability to bring together material from legal and non-legal sources, and to apply them to illustrate and illuminate legal theory and factual problems
  • the ability to reflect critically on the law, to appreciate where the current law is in need of reform, and to draft proposals for appropriate change
  • the ability to work independently and on your own initiative, seeking appropriate assistance and appreciating the value of constructive criticism
  • the ability to discuss points of law, present an argument for one side in a dispute, support this with legal authority, employ legal terminology correctly and respond effectively to contrary views
  • the power to present clear, concise and accurate written arguments
  • the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in teamworking. 

Core content

Year 1 

You study foundational law modules, introducing you to the structures, processes and personnel of the English legal system, and learn about laws governing contractual arrangements and civil claims for compensation. You also examine the nature and structure of the British Constitution, explore justice, equality and rights, and develop legal skills. 

Year 2 

You take foundational law modules and learn about the elements of criminal law, legal rules determining ownership of land, the principles of equity and equitable remedies, and the institution of the trust. You also study the constitutional principles and values of the EU and EU law, particularly in relation to the single market and citizenship. 

Final year 

You choose from a range of law options and may specialise in one area or broaden your knowledge. Topics may include family law • healthcare law • employment law • the law of evidence • commercial law • company law • EU competition law • public international law • intellectual property • human rights • criminology • sociology of law.

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2013 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.

How will I learn?

Learning and teaching are focused around language classes, complemented by lectures and seminars both on broad European issues of modern and contemporary importance, and on specific topics relevant to the language of study. Subjects range widely from popular culture and current affairs to philosophy, politics, history, information technology, art and photography, film and theatre.

There will be ample opportunity for group work, as well as for individual research and self-directed study. Materials include texts from literary and journalistic sources, as well as input from audiovisual and internet media. Assessment methods include coursework, learning journals, essay writing, spoken presentations, oral and aural examining, written examinations, and extended essays, projects, reports and dissertations.

At Sussex, the scheduled contact time you receive is made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes, laboratory and practical work, and group work; the exact mix depends on the subject you are studying. This scheduled contact time is reflected in the Key Information Set (KIS) for this course. In addition to this, you will have further contact time with teaching staff on an individual basis to help you develop your learning and skills, and to provide academic guidance and advice to support your independent study.

For more information on what it's like to study at Sussex, refer to Study support.

What will I achieve?

  • advanced language and communication skills, as well as an introduction to skills in intercultural mediation such as translation and interpreting
  • intellectual skills including the ability to acquire appropriate knowledge, to analyse and evaluate cultural products of various kinds, to make comparisons between different areas of intellectual and cultural concern and the approaches that characterise them, and to express arguments and ideas effectively in both English and your target language(s)
  • knowledge and understanding of significant aspects of the culture, developments, artefacts and achievements of Europe and of countries in other continents where French, Italian or Spanish are spoken
  • informed and sympathetic comprehension and appreciation of the diversity, but also the inter-relatedness, of different cultures
  • through the crosscultural experience of a year spent studying or working abroad, skills and adaptability that give you excellent preparation for your future professional life.

Core content

Year 1

You study your chosen language, with the focus on accuracy and fluency in both speaking and writing. You can explore study skills that allow you to make the best of our well-equipped Language Learning Centre.

Alongside language study you follow modules giving you an insight into the ideas and events that underpin modern society in the countries of Europe and beyond. What is it like to live and work in France, Italy and Spain today? What place does Europe have within the wider international context and what are the attitudes of Europeans towards their own countries, towards Britain, the rest of Europe and to the world beyond?

You are also introduced to aspects of cultural difference. What is culture? What part does cultural competence play in communication between speakers of different mother tongues? 

Year 2

Your language study becomes more demanding, with the focus on high levels of competence in tasks such as giving oral presentations, writing reports, summarising spoken and written texts, writing book and film reviews, and holding meetings and discussions. The advanced study of your language prepares you for your third year abroad. In addition to your language study, you explore cultural, political, historical, literary and social aspects of countries in and beyond Europe where French, Italian or Spanish are spoken. You also learn about language in use and consider ways in which language is affected by differing social contexts. How does language reflect culture? How do we signal politeness, formality, irony, etc in English? How does this compare with other languages? What issues do such questions raise for translation and mediation between cultures? You have the opportunity to investigate these and other related areas.

Year 3

Your third year is spent abroad, studying at one of our partner universities, on a work placement or as a teaching assistant in a school.

Year 4

You take language modules including an introduction to the vocational skills of translation and interpreting. You will also develop and deepen your knowledge of relevant social or cultural issues through the study of special subjects.

Back to module list

English Legal System

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

This module covers use of the library and electronic resources, and reading cases, statutes and academic literature. You will learn how to produce fully-referenced academic work provide you with the necessary skills to help you study law. You will learn about the doctrine of judicial precedent and the principles involved in drafting and interpreting legislation. This module gives you the opportunity to specialise as well as to consider the English legal system in a broad context, by critically examining its structures, process and personnel.

French 1A

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

You will consolidate and progress your knowledge of grammar. Improved grammatical accuracy, oral and written fluency, lexis, and listening and reading comprehension are achieved through the study of a variety of topics and integrated grammar. You will also gain insight into the culture and society of your chosen country.

French 1B

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 1

You will acquire advanced knowledge of grammar and improve grammatical accuracy, oral and written fluency, lexis, and listening and reading comprehension through the study of a variety of topics and integrated grammar. There is an emphasis on the summarising and handling of authentic texts. You will also study the literature, culture, society and politics of France.

Public Law I: Constitutional and Administrative Law

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

The module considers the nature and structure of the British Constitution. It addresses some of the core theoretical principles of the Constitution and examine how those principles are applied in the institutional arrangements of government in the UK. The relationship between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government will be considered, and the allocation of power between them is analysed in terms of both constitutional theory and political practice. The module also considers the extent to which state power is subject to control and restraint. The mechanisms that are used to control the exercises of state power are examined in some detail; the principles of Judicial Review, as well as the alternative mechanisms for holding the institutions of the state to account, are considered.

The Law of Contract

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 1

This module explores the legal rules and principles related to the formation, enforcement and vitiation of contractual promises. In particular, you will consider ideas of offer and acceptance. You will study the legal doctrine of consideration and the equitable doctrine of promissory estoppel. You will consider rights of enforceability under the doctrine of privity and then go on to consider the classification and substance of particular terms in a contract, eg implied terms or exemption clauses. The module goes on to look at factors which may vitiate or void agreement, such as misrepresentation, mistake, frusration, duress and undue influence.

The Law of Tort

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 1

In broad terms, the law of tort is the area of civil law primarily concerned with providing a remedy to persons who have been wrongfully harmed by the conduct of others. This module explores a number of the most important areas of tort law, for example negligence, nuisance, trespass to the person, liability for dangerous premises, liability for psychiatric harm and employers' liability. You will consider these and other areas as they are approached by the courts in England and Wales, to some extent the approach of other legal jurisdictions and also the social and political context of tort law.

French For Bilinguals A

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

This is an entry-level module in translation theory and practice. You will submit a fortnightly translation. Weekly, you will work with a tutor on a pre-distributed text and derive a translation in class. Focused attention is given to the problematics of translation, eg basic theories and strategies available, difficulties of untranslatability, cultural/linguistic matters, and the register/genre/style demands of translation. Working is in both directions, eg theme and version. In addition to exploring the relationships between, eg accuracy, fluency and appropriacy in translation, the teaching prepares you for more comparative translation, oral-aural working, and commentary activities in French Translation Theory and Practice 1B.

French For Bilinguals B

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 1

You submit a fortnightly translation prepared at home during the spring term. Weekly, you work with a tutor on a pre-distributed text and derive a translation in class. Focused attention is given to the problems of translation, eg basic theories and strategies available, the difficulties of untranslatability, cultural/linguistic matters, and the register/genre/style demands of translation. Working is in both directions, ie theme and version. In addition to exploring the relationships between accuracy, fluency and appropriacy in translation, the teaching focuses particularly on comparative translation, oral-aural working (ie basic interpreting), and commentary activities.

Equity and Trusts

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 2

This module consists of two related parts: key principles and concepts of equity and equitable remedies; and the institution of the trust. The module aims to set Equity and Trusts in its social, economic and political contexts. You will consider the historical development of equity and the use of particular equitable remedies. We will look at the institution of the trust, it's formation and constitution, moving on to regard the idea of beneficial ownership. The nature of private and public purpose trusts and implied trusts is considered. Further, we look at the duties, responsibilities and rights of the personnel involved in a trust relationship; finally moving on to look at the liability for strangers to a trust. Within this framework, the basic principles and theoretical underpinnings of the subject will be analysed.

French 2A

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 2

Your knowledge of syntax will be revised and progressed and active knowledge of lexis increased. Speaking, listening, reading and written skills will be raised to a higher level through the study of authentic texts taken from a variety of media. The study of relevant current affairs will be an important element of the module.

French 2B

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 2

Your knowledge of syntax and lexis will continue to be enhanced alongside the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Practical aspects of living, studying and working abroad will be covered, including history, geography, politics, society, culture and literature.

Land Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 2

This module explores the legal rules determining what it means to own land and/or other rights that relate to land. Specific topics may include: the doctrines of estates and tenure; the meaning of land (fixtures); and the distinction between personal and property rights; the role of equity and the trust and the doctrine of proprietary estoppel; the contractual formalities for buying an interest or estate in land; acquiring ownership rights, including the rules of adverse possession; unregistered and registered title; mortgages; leases (and licences); co-ownership; trusts of land; freehold covenants; and easements.

Law and Policy of the European Union

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 2

This module examines the law and policy of the EU, with an emphasis on the role of law as a tool of European integration. The first part concentrates on a detailed study of the constitutional principles and values of the EU as expressed in the treaties and case law of the Court of Justice. The second half of the module addresses substantive law, particularly in relation to the single market (in persons, goods and services) and non-market issues such as citizenship of the European Union and protection of fundamental rights.

Europe Mandatory Year Abroad - Modern Languages

120 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 3

Criminal Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module encompasses the elements of a crime; actus reus and mens rea; negligence and strict liability; the criminal liability of corporations and children; defences; accomplices; homicide; non-fatal offences against the person; sexual offences; theft and other property offences; damage to property; and inchoate offences. This module places the law within the framework of the Human Rights Act 1998. Some aspects of criminal law theory such as theories of punishment, why conduct should be criminalised, and issues of procedure and evidence that are relevant to the substantive law are covered.

French 3A

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

The two hours per week classroom contact throughout this 25-week module are devoted, on the one hand, to oral and interpreting work and, on the other, to translation and composition. There is therefore an emphasis upon oral proficiency, both in everyday conversation and in more formal contexts, such as presentations and mediation between speakers of French and English. There is a similar emphasis upon written proficiency, whether writing French 'freely' within the framework of a discursive essay, translating from English into French or, indeed, from French into English. Roughly equal contact time is devoted to these three written skills and the same weighting is accorded to each of them in assessments.

French 3B

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

Access to Land

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

Commercial Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

One of the most powerful influences on human activity is the driving force of trade. Commercial law is primarily concerned with the rights and duties arising from the supply of goods and services by way of trade. This module adopts the specific-contract approach to the subject and focuses on the paradigm commercial transaction – the sale and supply of goods by one merchant to another.

Company Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Topics covered include:

  • Introduction to company law: an outline of the new statute: Companies Act 2006; the inter-relationship between statute and the common law; the role of the European Company Law Harmonisation Programme; Company Law in context, theory and history.
  • Legal personality and limited liability: different categories of companies (the private/public divide); the rule in Salomon's case and lifting the veil of incorporation.
  • The promotion of companies: the role of the Stock Exchange and investor protection; the role, duties and liabilities of the promoter; pre-incorporation contracts.
  • The relationship between the company and the outside world: the objects of the company and the rise and fall of the ultra vires rule; the nullity principle; the internal operations of the company and their effect on third parties; principles of agency/vicarious liability, corporate crimes and criminal liability.
  • The internal relations within the company: shareholders inter se; inter-relationship between the company's constitution and the Companies Act; alteration of the constitution; different classes of shares; preference shares and the alteration of their rights; the company and its employees; the stakeholder debate.
  • The role of corporate governance in company life: the regulatory framework for companies; self-regulation by business and Government intervention; the work of the CG committees, a definition of CG and Corporate Social Responsibility;
  • The management of the company: composition of the board of directors; formalities of management; division of functions between the company's organs.
  • The qualification of directors: different kinds of directors (non-executive/executive; nominee; shadow; de facto); how are directors qualified?; the disqualification framework..
  • Directors' duties and their enforcement: the new statutory statement of duties; to whom are the duties owed?; the rule in Foss v. Harbottle; derivative and representative actions.
  • Protection of minority shareholders: just and equitable winding up; the action for unfair prejudice.

Comparative Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module is designed to offer you an introduction to the subject of comparative law, its methodology and rationale. It permits you to appreciate the diversity in the legal systems of the world, their history as well as their contemporary development, particularly in the context of law reform, the phenomenon of legal transplants and the competition between legal systems for adherents, including such concepts as legal imperialism. The major legal systems (including common law and civilian) will be explored through their context, structure and rule-formation process as well an analysis of discrete topics (selected from the public and private law areas, including constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, property law and the law of obligations). Finally, the role of comparative law as an agent of harmonisation and the formation of international rules, benchmarks and standards will be explored.

Competition Law of the European Union

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

The module examines the detailed rules of competition law and policy in the EU. You cover the law relating to cartels, abuses of dominant position, mergers, enforcement, state aid and the application of competition law to public services and undertakings entrusted with services of general economic interest.

Corporate Finance and Insolvency

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module is designed to offer you an introduction to the topics of corporate finance, security and insolvency. It allows you to appreciate the role of security in the financing of business, its importance when compared to equity financing, and the diversity of techniques used for the securitization of participants' entitlements. The module is also designed to enable you to consider how the presence of asset-security and the disparity between the position of various categories of creditors have an impact in insolvency, what procedures are available and how outcomes are affected by the presence of security, including the consequent restructuring potential for corporate debtors.

Criminology

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

The first part of the module considers the development of explanations for criminal offending, looking at the classical and positivist schools of criminology as well as sociological, psychological and behaviouralist approaches. It concludes by examining the more radical alternatives offered by neo-Marxist and feminist criminologists, the so called ‘Left Realists’ and contemporary criminology. The second part looks at the more practical dimensions of criminal justice, dealing with crime statistics and victim surveys; victims in the criminal justice system; punishment, rehabilitation and compensation; diversion of offenders; sentencing and penal policy; imprisonment and prison regimes; and non-custodial and community sentences.

Dissertation

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module involves you researching and writing a 10,000 word dissertation on a subject of your choice. Having chosen your research topic in consultation with a supervisor, you work under the guidance of your supervisor for the duration of the academic year. The teaching component of the module takes place during the first teaching block only and is seminar-based. The seminars are designed to equip you with the research skills required to complete your dissertations. The topics covered include: research methodology, writing up, advanced word processing, and researching online. You submit a 2,000 word research proposal to your supervisor during the first term and receive feedback on this. You also present your research proposals to the tutor and the other students at one of the seminars towards the end of the first term. The module seeks to develop the skills of independent research and learning; good time management; the ability to reflect upon progress; and an appreciation of the value of constructive criticism.

Employment Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Employment law is one of the fastest growing areas of law and practice: the volume of both case law and legislation is considerable. The election of a different political party to government inevitably brings new employment legislation in its wake and the current coalition government which seeks to reconcile rather different aspirations is producing fairly radical proposals for change. It is against this backdrop that the module seeks to examine and explore both the individual contract of employment and the tripartite relationship involving employers, employees and trade unions. You look at the dramatic changes in working arrangements (such as the growing participation and influence of women in the workforce coupled with the very varied patterns of work (such as part-time/casuals/agency/flexible working),the employee/self-employed distinction, the employment contract and its sources with particular reference to implied terms such as mutual trust and confidence and also the controversial expansion of employers' liability to encompass psychiatric harm caused by stress at work. Protection of wages and limitations on working hours, together with 'family-friendly' entitlements covering maternity, paternity, adoptive and parental issues, are also examined. Topics of current interest which also now feature in the module are 'whistleblowing', restraint of trade covenants and references. Thereafter, the module addresses termination of employment, in particular wrongful and unfair dismissal, redundancy and transfers. Last but certainly not least the important and expanding subject of discrimination and equality law is examined in some detail, including sex, religion or belief, race, disability and age. We also examine equal pay issues in this section of the module. Overall, the aim is to make the module informative, relevant and stimulating by combining the academic aspects of employment law with an appreciation of current developments and proposals in this dynamic area of law which affects all our lives. To keep you abreast of the latest developments, particularly in relation to the most substantial second term topic of discrimination and equality law, separate handbooks are issued at the start of each main teaching term.

Environmental Law 1

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

Environmental Law 2

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

Family Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module introduces you to the most important rules of family law. But it does more than just outline the rules on marriage and divorce, parental status and parental responsibility, child protection, domestic violence, contact and residence disputes, etc. It also considers the application of those rules in the social and political context that frames them. The module requires you to think about the nature of the family in it broadest sense (to include married and unmarried partners in adult relationships, and the great variety of ways in which adults raise and care for children) and to consider the appropriateness of the rules that govern the family in law. You will also be required to reflect on the place of law in the regulation of family life. The module will, for that reason, be both theoretical and extremely practical; and it will be both thoroughly legal (in a black letter sense) and a little sociological.

Global Business Law and Regulation

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Hate Crime and the Law

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

Healthcare Law and Ethics

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module introduces you to a number of key contemporary issues and debates within the field of health care law and policy. As well as gaining knowledge of the subject's substantive legal rules, you will acquire an understanding of the main ethical principles underlying these. The module is also designed to create an awareness of the historical development of health care law and policy and of how their contemporary nature is influenced by wider political and economic transformations at the national, EU and global levels.

Human Rights

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Human rights has become part of the contemporary political discourse, so much so that we generally take for granted that we know what the concept covers. Today almost everyone around the globe is acquainted with the idea of human rights. We often hear about 'human rights', especially in the media. This module covers both domestic and international human rights systems as well as theoretical critiques of human rights (eg by cultural relativists and feminists). It also looks at contemporary human rights issues and some of the current challenges facing the human rights community.

Intellectual Property Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

The module covers aspects of the law of copyright, unregistered and registered trade marks, confidential information and patents. The module aims to introduce you to the principles of intellectual property law and its philosophical and economic justifications, but it will also encourage in-depth analysis of particular issues in the law and policy of intellectual property, such as internet 'piracy' and access to medicines in developing countries. The focus of the module will be on UK law and policy, however reference will be made to EU and international law where relevant.

International Business Transactions

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

International Litigation

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

The module examines particularly the law and practice of the International Court of Justice. Other tribunals that will be covered include ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of International Disputes), the WTO, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal. On this module you may also be offered the opportunity to take part in an international law mooting competition.

Note: Students who participate in the moot are assessed by unseen examination and memorial; students who do not participate in the mooting competition are assessed by unseen examination and essay.

Internet Law and Regulation

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

Law and Development

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

Law and the Creative Industries

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Legal Theory

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Media Law and Regulation

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

Personal Property Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Personal property law is probably the most important and yet the most neglected and least understood aspect of English law. Historically this discipline was neglected because it was commonly, but misleadingly, regarded as belonging to a number of entirely separate legal categories. This module adopts a concept-orientated approach, avoiding the specific-contract approach that has hitherto impoverished the study of the concepts and philosophy of personal property law in England and Wales.

Private International Law

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

Professional Liability

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Professional Liability encompasses a range of areas of law - notably tort, contract, criminal law, professional regulation and self-regulation - which govern the activities of professionals. This module will examine this specialist area of law, looking at the nature and definition of professions, the general legal and regulatory principles, and their application to selected professions.

Public International Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

Public International Law governs the relations between states. Increasingly, during the 20th and early 21st centuries it has also come to regulate the activity of individuals and organisations. This module aims to provide a grounding in the basic concepts and general principles of international law. You will be encouraged to examine the legal basis of international law, the sources of the law and the relationship between international law and national law. The module will also examine recent developments and matters of controversy in international law and will introduce you to interdisciplinary aspects of the study of international law.

Short Dissertation A

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 4

Short Dissertation B

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

Sociology of Law

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

The first part of the module introduces you to a variety of historical and contemporary sociological perspectives on law. Taking the theme of the relationship between law and modernity as its point of departure, this part begins with a consideration of some of the key works of the founders of the sociology of law. Thereafter, you are introduced to contemporary literature in both sociology and law that analyses the nature of some important changes in contemporary Western societies (including in politics and the economy) and how these developments may be affecting traditional understandings of the nature and function of law and regulation.

The second part of the module is designed to enable you to think through the ideas and theories explored in part one in the context of a particular institution the welfare state. The types of question that will interest us here include the following: how has the way in which states provide for the social protection of their citizens altered over time? What role has law played in this? What is 'social law', and how (and why) might its nature have changed in the light of recent developments in the welfare state? What can contemporary social policy reveal about the relationship between the citizen and the state? What is the relationship between law, the welfare state, and the economy today? We will think through possible answers to these questions via a consideration of some examples from the field of social policy for instance, health care, unemployment, and social housing.

The Conservation of Biological Diversity in International Law and Policy

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

The Ethics and Conduct of Lawyers

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 4

The Law of Evidence

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 4

This module is a study of the law of evidence in England and Wales but we also take the opportunity to examine and assess selected developments in other common law jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada and the USA. An outline of the history and development of evidence law puts into context the significance of key principles as developed very largely by case-law and, increasingly, now to be found in statutory provisions. From the last quarter of the 20th century to the present day we examine and assess the significant impact that issues such as re-balancing the interests of victims as against those of defendants plus the rapid development of anti-terrorist legislation aimed at protecting society are having on the fundamental principles of presumption of innocence, burden of proof and right of silence.

The overall objective of a fair trial is considered in both domestic and ECtHR jurisprudence. We also explore the impact of changes over the same period on the worrying prevalence of miscarriages of justice in areas such as confession evidence and eyewitness identification. The two major exclusionary rules of evidence - bad character and hearsay - are examined in some depth in the latter part of the module and we also address important issues relating to witnesses, such as competence, compellability, special measures for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses and the very vexed question of sexual history evidence. To ensure particularly that the rapidly developing law on bad character and hearsay is as up-to-date as possible, separate handbooks are issued at the start of each main teaching term.

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Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

Please note: We will not consider applications to transfer direct into the 2nd year of our Law degrees. Applications will only be considered for 1st year entry.

A level

Typical offer: AAA-AAB

Specific entry requirements: A levels must include your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish), with at least grade B.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: At least 35 points overall

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will need Higher Level in their chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish), with at least grade 5.

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Other qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

Specific entry requirements: The Access to HE Diploma should be in the humanities or social sciences. Successful applicants will need A level in their chosen language (French, Italian or Spanish), with at least grade B (or other evidence of A level standard language) in addition to the Access to HE Diploma.

For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with grade A in the Diploma and A in the Additional and Specialist Learning.

Specific entry requirements: The Additional and Specialist Learning must be an A level in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish).

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DDD

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will also need A level in their chosen language (French, Italian or Spanish), grade B, in addition to the BTEC Extended Diploma.

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer: Overall result of at least 80%

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential (normally with a final mark of at least 8.0).

For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.

Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto

Typical offer: Overall average result in the final matriculation examinations of at least 6.5.

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential.

French Baccalauréat

Typical offer: Overall final result of at least 13.5/20

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential.

German Abitur

Typical offer: Overall result of 1.5 or better

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)

Typical offer: AAAAAA-AAAABB

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential.

Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato

Typical offer: Final Diploma mark of at least 92/100

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Typical offer: AAAAA-AAABB

Specific entry requirements: Highers must include your chosen language (French, Italian or Spanish), with at least grade B. Ideally, applicants will also have their chosen language at Advanced Higher, also grade B.

For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

Spanish Titulo de Bachillerato (LOGSE)

Typical offer: Overall average result of at least 8.5

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish) is essential.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Core plus at least AA in two A-levels

Specific entry requirements: A levels must include your chosen language (from French, Italian or Spanish), at least grade B.

For more information refer to Welsh Baccalaureate.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in each section. Internet-based TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking and 23 in Writing.

For more information, refer to alternative English language requirements.

For more information about the admissions process at Sussex:

Undergraduate Admissions,
Sussex House,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678416
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees

Home/EU students: £9,0001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £9,0002
Overseas students: £13,0003

1 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.

Care Leavers Award (2013)

Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 31 July 2014

For students have been in council care before starting at Sussex.

First-Generation Scholars Scheme (2013)

Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 13 June 2014

The scheme is targeted to help students from relatively low income families – ie those whose family income is up to £42,611.

First-Generation Scholars Scheme EU Student Award (2013)

Region: Europe (Non UK)
Level: UG
Application deadline: 13 June 2014

£3,000 fee waiver for UG Non-UK EU students whose family income is below £25,000

 

Careers and profiles

Career opportunities

Our courses prepare students to practice law as a solicitor, a barrister or an in-house lawyer for a public limited company or a government agency. Other graduates choose to use their excellent communication skills in fields such as public relations, human resources, broadcast media, policy development or politics (a number of our alumni are Members of Parliament).

Recent graduates have taken up a wide range of posts with employers including:

  • adjudicator at the Financial Ombudsman
  • business advisor at the Royal Bank of Scotland
  • case administrator at the London Probation Trust
  • child death review co-ordinator for the NHS
  • civil servant at the Ministry of Justice
  • administrative tribunal worker at the Ministry of Justice
  • intern at Austin and Carnley
  • planner and forecaster at Ralph Lauren
  • forensic professional at PwC (Pricewaterhouse Cooper)
  • business developer at Apple
  • copyright assistant at Footprint Music
  • enforcement specialist and legal intern at Rosetta Stone
  • legal and compliance co-ordinator at Brandwatch
  • legal intern at Stevens Hinds and White PC
  • prosecution case worker at Sussex County Police
  • researcher at Political Scrapbook
  • case reviewer at Deloitte
  • intern at the Office of the Prosecutor at the United Nations.

Specific employer destinations listed are taken from recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education surveys, which are produced annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Career opportunities

Employers will value your communication and language skills, not to mention the maturity and life experience gained during your year abroad. More than 80 per cent of employers surveyed said they actively sought graduates who had studied abroad (QS Global Employer Survey Report 2011).

Careers that are open to our graduates include:

  • arts and the media
  • journalism and publishing
  • business and marketing
  • commerce and finance
  • civil and diplomatic services
  • the institutions of the European Union
  • public service and politics
  • teaching and academia.

Recent destinations of our graduates include:

  • Amnesty International
  • Red Cross
  • Sony
  • Headstar
  • DeHavilland News
  • Imperial College, London
  • Keble College, Oxford. 

For more information, refer to Sussex Centre for Language Studies: Employability.

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

For more information on the full range of initiatives that make up our career and employability plan for students, visit Careers and alumni.

Contact our School

School of Law, Politics and Sociology

Engaging with key issues of contemporary concern, the School of Law, Politics and Sociology brings together academic units that are committed to excellence in teaching, and recognised nationally for research.

How do I find out more?

For more information, contact the admissions tutor:

Sussex Law School,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SP, UK
E ug.admissions@law.sussex.ac.uk
T +44 (0)1273 877495
F +44 (0)1273 873162
Sussex Law School

Sussex Centre for Language Studies

The Sussex Centre for Language Studies has a digital language laboratory and multimedia workstations for private study of over sixty world languages, and its highly qualified and experienced staff will make your learning experience relaxed but structured.

How do I find out more?

For more information, contact the admissions tutor:

Sussex Centre for Language Studies,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SH, UK
E languages@sussex.ac.uk
T +44 (0)1273 877258
F +44 (0)1273 678476
Sussex Centre for Language Studies

Visit us

Campus tours

We offer weekly guided campus tours.

Mature students at Sussex: information sessions

If you are 21 or over, and thinking about starting an undergraduate degree at Sussex, you may want to attend one of our mature student information sessions. Running between October and December, they include guidance on how to approach your application, finance and welfare advice, plus a guided campus tour with one of our current mature students.

Self-guided visits

If you are unable to make any of the visit opportunities listed, drop in Monday to Friday year round and collect a self-guided tour pack from Sussex House reception.

Go to Visit us and Open Days to book onto one of our tours.

Hannah's perspective

Hannah Steele

'Studying at Sussex gave me so many opportunities to really throw myself into university life, and being taught by enthusiastic academic staff who are involved in ground-breaking research meant that the education I received was second to none.

'Coming to an Open Day gave me a great insight into both academic and social life at Sussex. Working here means that I now get to tell others about my experiences and share all the great things about the University. And if you can’t make it to our Open Days, we’ve other opportunities to visit, or you can visit our Facebook page and our Visit us and Open Days pages.'

Hannah Steele
Graduate Intern, Student Recruitment Services

Aaron-Leslie's perspective

Aaron-Leslie Williams

'Leaving home to study at Sussex was an exciting new experience, and settling in came naturally with all the different activities on campus throughout the year. There are loads of facilities available on your doorstep, both the Library and the gym are only ever a short walk away.

'My experience at Sussex has been amazing. It's a really friendly campus, the academics are helpful, and Brighton is just around the corner. I now work as a student ambassador, and help out at Open Days, sharing all the things I've grown to love about Sussex!'

Aaron-Leslie Williams
BSc in Mathematics


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