LLB Honours Law with Politics (UCAS Code: M1L2)
For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838
For course information
Dr Margaret O’Callaghan
Undergraduate Convenor (Politics)
School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
T: +44 (0)28 9097 5028
E: pisp@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/pisp
BA Joint and LLB Requirements
For BA Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme. For entrance requirements for Law with Politics please refer to Law entry.
For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here
If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here
Back to topThe academic study of politics is concerned with the sources of conflict and co-operation, how people express their differences through ideology and organisation, and how, if at all, their disagreements are resolved and problems solved (or not). We look at conflict, co-operation and its origins, dynamics and trajectories, at theories of society, at the value and ethical basis of political ideas and action and at politics in historical contexts. Politics in deeply divided societies, the politics and theory of international relations, political ideologies, the politics of self and other in a media culture, gender and its power, political institutions, parties and elections, the politics of sustainable development, energy, international political economy and finance, and climate change, the European Union - these are just some of the areas that we cover.
With over 30 staff at the cutting edge of research and publication, the School is the largest in Ireland and one of the largest in the UK with specialisms in Irish and British politics, political theory, sustainable development, the politics of film and literature, gender, the Middle East, European Union politics, ethnic conflict and international relations.
Back to topStudents who intend to study Politics at Levels 2 and 3 must choose between two and six of the introductory modules available in the first year.
Level 1 modules
Britain and Ireland in Comparative Perspective
Contemporary Europe
Foundations of the Modern State
Perspectives on Politics
Politics in a Media Culture
World Politics
Thereafter, Politics may be studied at Levels 2 and 3 as a Single Honours subject (12 modules) on its own, or as a Major (eight modules), Joint (six modules), or Minor (four modules) component along with another subject. The Politics element of LLB Law with Politics comprises four modules, two at each of Levels 2 and 3. At each Level there is a mix of compulsory and optional modules, depending on the mode of study.
Students select the appropriate number of modules from the following indicative list:
Level 2 modules
American Politics
International Relations
Irish Politics
Modern Political Thought
Politics and Policy of the European Union
Skills and Methods in the Study of Politics
The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies
Level 3 modules
Contemporary Theories of Justice
Ethnicity, Multiculturalism and the Nation State
EU Enlargement and Wider Europe
Irish Political Thought
Islamic Politics
Negotiations and Conflict Resolution
Political Identity in Ireland: 1900-2000
Politics and Power of the Global Economy
Politics of Southern Africa
Scotland and Northern Ireland
The Ethics and Politics of Foreign Policy
The Politics of Irish Literature
The Politics of Sustainable Development
The Religious and Secular in Modern Political Thought
Theory and Practice of International Security
War and Visual Culture
Women and Politics
Internship
Project
Dissertation
Click here for more information on modules
Back to topStudents undertaking this course have the opportunity to study Politics alongside a qualifying Law degree. The School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queen's is one of the largest both in the UK and Ireland.
The Law School at Queen's is ranked as one of the top Schools in the UK and Ireland. Teaching quality within the School was judged to be 'excellent' and our research was awarded a 5B (excellent) by the UK Higher Education Funding Bodies. There are over 1,000 undergraduate students enrolled in the School, 250 postgraduates, 30 PhD students and almost 50 members of academic staff. You will be taught by scholars from all over the world, many of whom have international reputations in their fields and all are committed teachers and researchers. Students will also have access to an excellent law section of the new library and extensive IT facilities. In addition, the School has active relationships with universities in Ireland, France, Spain, the USA, Canada, South Africa, India, Latin America and Australia through which opportunities for study abroad and staff exchanges are fostered.
The School operates a proactive system of student support. Advisers of Studies are allocated to each degree programme tasked to guide and support you throughout your time with us, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff. In addition students are allocated a Personal Development Programme Tutor for their time in the School. We place considerable emphasis on facilitating good communication between staff and students. To this end, a Staff-Student Consultative Committee, comprised of elected student representatives, the Advisers and the Director of Education, meets twice each semester. This Committee provides students with a forum in which to raise matters of concern to them and also enables the School to keep students informed about matters affecting the School and wider university.
At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the LLB programmes we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enables our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
Assessment (general): The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.
Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.
Back to topOverview: Studying for a Law degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Law.
Although a large percentage of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in Law, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors. The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:
Employer Links – Consultations: The Law School at Queen’s has a long and well established tradition of regular consultation with legal professional bodies, employers etc. This includes, for example, The Law Society of Northern Ireland, The Law Society of England and Wales, The Law Society of Ireland, the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and employers from significant legal and other professional firms or organisations (see examples in placements and other employer links below).
Placement Employers:Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:
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Other Employer Links:Top international law firms, including the “Magic Circle” law firms, i.e. Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, Slaughter & May, and many more.
Graduate Careers and Achievements: Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:
You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.ukfor further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Law Graduates.
Further study is also an option open to Law graduates. Students can choose to progress to a vocational course (Solicitor or Barrister course) or can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, see: the QUB Law School website.
Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers. Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.
Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.
Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.
Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.
Back to topStudy Abroad: our undergraduates have first-class opportunities to study in other European universities through our Erasmus programme and we have opportunities for US study.
Support: we have uniquely supportive pastoral care through our personal tutor system, equalled only by the academic guidance available from your Adviser of Studies. Our vibrant undergraduate Politics Society (Polysoc) provides a welcome and stimulating environment for new students.
Research-led Teaching: cutting-edge research drives our externally commended teaching, most recently evidenced in the latest student satisfaction survey. The School's research clusters put on regular seminars by outside speakers, workshops and conferences, which add to the learning experience.
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