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LLB|Undergraduate

Law Senior Status

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
2.1 Honours degree
Duration
2 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
M101

This graduate entry accelerated law degree offers students the opportunity to study in two years the courses required to allow them to progress to the next stage of their legal education. This degree programme attracts students from the UK, Ireland and North America creating a cosmopolitan learning environment. Students benefit from studying law in one of the oldest and most prestigious Law Schools on these islands with an international reputation for excellence. In recent years our graduates have gone on to legal careers in Canada, the UK and Ireland.

Queen’s is a popular destination for Canadians wishing to obtain a law degree from the UK. Some Canadians choose to remain in the UK and Ireland, whilst the majority choose to return home to practice. Students beginning their Law studies with Queen’s in academic year 2024-25 will benefit from the introduction of a new Canadian Constitutional Law course onto the curriculum. The introduction of the course will support Canadian students intending to qualify in Canada to prepare for the NCA challenge exams. The course will be optional for all students to ensure that maximum choice and preference in course specialisations remains core to the Queen’s offering. This is part of Queen’s University package of support for Canadians and other international students wishing to return home to practice. Additional supports include mentoring from alumni who are practising law and talks and presentations from the NCA on qualifying in Canada.

At QUB Law School students have the opportunity to gain real world legal skills as well as an excellent understanding of law from an academic perspective.

The Law School at QUB is ranked 10th in the UK for Law (Complete University Guide, 2024), and ranked 5th in the UK for Law Graduate prospects (Complete University Guide, 2024).

Law Senior Status highlights

Professional Accreditations

The degree offers students the opportunity to study the modules required for the academic stage of legal qualification. In addition, students are offered the opportunity to explore their interests in final year with modules offered that allow them to specialise in a particular area, or simply receive a more rounded sense of what ‘Law’ is. Many of these modules consider law and law-like interactions on a local, national and international level.

This means that the degree covers those subjects that are regarded as pre-requisites for professional legal studies. The Senior Status degree is particularly popular with Canadians as it allows graduates to qualify with a law degree in only 2 years.

Queen’s University Belfast has a long history of Canadian students studying law with us. Upon completion of their studies, some students choose to stay and practice in the UK or Ireland whilst others return to Canada to embark on legal careers.

For those planning on returning to Canada the following is a guide on the process of Canadian accreditation:

* When returning to Canada LLB students will sit a number of challenge exams in order to fulfil the requirements set out by the Federation of Canadian Law Societies' National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).

* Students can choose to prepare for their challenge examinations through self-study, where the NCA provides a syllabus and students study at home. Most students complete their challenge exams within a year of returning to Canada. Alternatively, students can complete a recognised common law qualification, typically one year, in a Canadian Law School upon their return.

* Students completing our 2-year LLB for Graduates with a 2:2 or above (equivalent to a C in Canada) in all modules generally have to sit seven challenge exams.

* Students completing a 3-year LLB programme with a 2:2 or above (equivalent to a C in Canada) in all modules generally have to sit five challenge exams. Students taking a 3-year LLB straight from high school will also have additional challenge exams set by the NCA.

Full details of the requirements can be found in the NCA's policy and guidelines.

The above information is for guidance purposes. We recommend that students carry out their own research and check with the relevant jurisdictions they wish to practise in for the most up to date information as the regulations are subject to change.
https://nca.legal/

Industry Links

The Law School at Queen's has a well-established tradition of regular consultation with legal professional bodies and top international law firms that is very beneficial for students.

Law students have the unique opportunity of working with industry leaders through commercial awareness events and other negotiation exercises that offer insight into the legal practice (and services) world but also provide an enhanced skills development experience.

Career Development

The QUB Senior Status Law Alumni Association serves as a hub through which Senior Status LLB alumni can stay connected with each other and with the School of Law post-graduation. Their aim is to provide a platform where our alumni can receive guidance on their NCA qualifications, network with each other through reunion and career events, and undertake graduate career opportunities with alumni-affiliated firms. They are here to help you push your graduate law career forward.
https://lawseniorstatusalumni.com/

World Class Facilities

The £20m School at Queen’s offers students access to world-class facilities such as a fully interactive Moot Court room, a One Button Recording Studio, bookable study rooms and a wellbeing room.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Students in the School of Law are taught by world leading experts in the areas of Law, Human Rights, Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. Our staff have close research links with the professions, government and Civil Society.

Student Experience

Students can join a number of student led initiatives within the school including the Law Society, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, the Women in Law group and the Street Law project. Other initiatives include the Global Skills Project, LawPod, Queen’s Student Law Journal, Lawyers without Borders, the student magazine ‘The Verdict’ and the Mooting Society.

Further Study Opportunities

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
Queen’s Law School website.
http://www.law.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLaw/study/undergraduate/

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Course Content

This graduate entry accelerated law degree offers students the opportunity to study in two years the courses required to allow them to progress to the next stage of their legal education. In addition, students can select two elective modules in their final year.

The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each course. The degree is designed to provide students with experience of a range of assessment methods to help them prepare for the next stage of legal qualification. Some courses are assessed solely through project work, written assignments or end of year examinations. Others are assessed through a combination of modes of assessment.

People teaching you

LLB Senior Status Co-ordinator

Queen’s School of Law
E: e.dowds@qub.ac.uk T: +44 (0)28 9097 1364 www.qub.ac.uk/law

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

4 (hours maximum)
3-4 hours of tutorials per week

Large Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
hours of lectures

Personal Study

30 (hours maximum)
24-30 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including guided study using handouts, online activities and group study opportunities.

Learning and Teaching

The Law School at Queen's is ranked as one of the top Schools in the UK and Ireland. There are over 1000 undergraduate students enrolled in the School, 230 postgraduates, 70 PhD students and almost 70 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 in the new library and extensive IT facilities.

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 Tutor for their time in the School. We place considerable emphasis on facilitating good communication between staff and students. To this end, a Student Voice Committee, comprised of elected student representatives, the Director of Education, LLB Programme Director and other members of academic staff, meets at regular intervals throughout the academic year. 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 (Senior Status) programme 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, life-long learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  • E-Learning technologies

    Information associated with lectures and assignments is communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; the use of MS Teams; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in project- based work etc.

  • Lectures

    Provide information about topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

  • Personal Tutor

    Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during their time in the School. Tutors meet with their students on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

  • Self-directed study

    This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s Law student when important private reading and research, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  • Seminars/tutorials

    Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • 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 year 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

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, personal tutors, advisers of study and 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:

  • Summative feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted.
  • Formative feedback opportunities such as face-to-face comment. This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “feedback and guidance hours” to help address a specific query.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time.
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
  • Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.

Facilities

In 2016 the School of Law moved into a £20m facility. This provides a variety of innovative teaching spaces to support a pioneering culture of learning, central to which is the Moot Court Room interactive teaching space.
https://vimeo.com/189337628

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Criminal Law (20 credits)
    Contract Law (20 credits)
    Torts (20 credits)
  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Equity & Trusts (20 credits)
    Land Law (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

    Research Project (20 credits)
    Competition Law (20 credits)
    Law and Technology (20 credits)
    Criminal Liability (20 credits)
    Legal Theory (20 credits)
    Family Law (20 credits)
    Clinical Law (20 credits)
    Dissertation (40 credits)
    Employment Law (20 credits)
    Law & Psychology (20 credits)
    Gender and the Law (20 credits)
    Sentencing (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

How we choose our students

The Law Senior Status programme is for graduate entry only.

Applicants with other qualifications should instead refer to our LLB Law degree (M100).

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

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.
www.prospects.ac.uk

Employment Links

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 placements with organisations such as:
The Council of the EU
The European Commission
The European Parliament
The United Nations (UN)
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
The Council of Europe
Thomson Reuters

Alumni Success

The QUB Senior Status Law Alumni Association serves as a hub through which Senior Status LLB alumni can stay connected with each other and with the School of Law post-graduation. Their aim is to provide a platform where our alumni can receive guidance on their NCA qualifications, network with each other through reunion and career events, and undertake graduate career opportunities with alumni-affiliated firms. They are here to help you push your graduate law career forward.
https://lawseniorstatusalumni.com/

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £20,800
International £20,800

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

The tuition fees quoted above are for the 2024/25 academic year and are a guide only. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2025 from early September 2024.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

  1. Applying through UCAS
    Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.
  2. Applying direct
    The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
  3. Applying through agents and partners
    The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

Download Undergraduate Prospectus