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LLB|Undergraduate

Law (Major) with French

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
AAA
Duration
4 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
M2R1

This is a fully integrated programme between Law and French. You will study the Law of Northern Ireland as well as aspects of French Law.

The degree includes a year abroad which provides a unique opportunity for linguistic development. In a globalised workforce proficiency in an additional language, together with the experience of studying abroad, significantly enhances your employability.

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 (Major) with French 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.

Industry Links

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.

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.

Queen’s has an excellent library with an outstanding range of resources in French and Francophone cultures. The Language Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning, and the IT provision more generally is excellent.

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. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, the school ranked joint 8th in the U.K. for Law and achieved the maximum 4-star rating for each of the four Impact Case Studies submitted.

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.

Career Development

Although a large percentage of our students are interested in pursuing careers in Law, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of sectors. Typical career destinations of Law graduates include Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Analyst, Compliance Officer, Business Analyst, Research and Policy Officer.

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.

Further Study Opportunities

LLM Law
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/law-llm/

LLM International Business Law
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/international-business-law-llm

LLM Human Rights Law
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/human-rights-law-llm

PgDip Professional Legal Studies (Solicitor)
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/InstituteofProfessionalLegalStudies/Admissions/

PgDip Professional Legal Studies (Barrister)
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/InstituteofProfessionalLegalStudies/Admissions/

Global Opportunities

Students spend an academic year studying French at a university in France or Belgium. This significantly enhances the employability of students and the global opportunities open to them.

Career Development

Belfast has been identified as one of the top 10 global emerging lawtech scenes alongside London, San Francisco, Singapore and Tel Aviv (Law Society England and Wales, 2019). Graduate employers who are recognised globally and have offices in Belfast include Allen & Overy, Baker McKenzie, Herbert Smith Freehills, A&L Goodbody, CitiGroup, Deloitte, PwC and Eversheds Sutherland.

Internationally Renowned Experts

French at Queen’s is taught by world-leading experts in French and Francophone Culture, with particular expertise in visual culture, linguistics, popular culture, medical humanities and postcolonial writing.

Career Development

Past students have gained work placement with organisations such as the Council of the EU, European Commission, European Parliament, United Nations (UN), Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe, and Thomson Reuters.

Student Experience

Students run a lively French Society, and staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, skills development programme and a structured framework for feedback. French was ranked 10th in the UK for Student Experience (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Course Content

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. Students spend the third academic year studying French at a university in France or Belgium.

People teaching you

LLB Law with Languages Co-ordinator

School of Law
E: l.rhodes@qub.ac.uk T: +44 (0)28 9097 5314 www.qub.ac.uk/law

Contact Teaching Hours

Large Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
hours of lectures in Law

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

8 (hours maximum)
8 (hours maximum) You will have 3-4 hours tutorials per week in Law. In French you will have 3 hours of language tuition in small groups, plus a specialist 1 hour seminar on Legal French.

Personal Study

24 (hours maximum)
20-24 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 of Law, 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. In addition, the School has active relationships with universities throughout the world – for Law and French students, these relationships offer opportunities for study abroad and staff exchanges, both of which can greatly enhance the student experience.

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 Student Voice 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, 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; use of MS Teams; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in project- based work etc.

  • Language enrichment classes

    Students will have opportunities to develop oral skills and develop their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 10-15 students). Students attend two language enrichment classes per week as part of the core language module. They also attend a one-hour oral class (typically 8-12 students), delivered by a native speaker.

  • 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). Law and French students will undertake the core law modules that will enable them to graduate with a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This means that all the law modules that the students on this pathway will study are compulsory.

  • 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, in both Law and French, 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.

    In French, at every level of your degree, tailor-made tutorials (one hour per week) will be provided to introduce you to the French legal system, to enhance your specialist vocabulary, and to help prepare you for studying law at a French/Belgian university in third year. You will focus on the different sources of French law, will study institutions, cases, and the practice of justice in France, and will discuss a range of topical issues with legal/judicial ramifications.

  • Work placements

    In conjunction with the Careers, Employability and Skills Department, there are opportunities for a number of summer internships. These provide significant learning and employability enhancement opportunities.

    An optional Careers and Placement module is available to final year students which involves spending a minimum of 100 hours in an appropriate placement with a relevant organisation in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.

  • Year Abroad

    Students spend an academic year studying French at a university in France or Belgium. In addition to the benefits for oral competence in French, the residence provides a unique opportunity for immersion in French and francophone culture. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal development, further developing communication and language skills and intercultural awareness. The challenges of living abroad come to be a unique (and unforgettable) stage in personal development, and significantly enhance employability.

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. Language modules are assessed through a variety of written tasks, class tests, a formal written examination and an oral exam at the end of the year. All assessment, apart from oral exams, is marked and returned anonymously. 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, placement supervisors, 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.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Immediate, on-the-spot feedback from your teacher during language and oral classes
  • 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 September 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

What our academics say

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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

    Contract Law (20 credits)
    French 1 (40 credits)
  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Torts (20 credits)
    Criminal Law (20 credits)
    French 2 (40 credits)
  • Year 3

    Core Modules

    French 3 (40 credits)
    Torts (20 credits)
    Land Law (20 credits)
    Equity & Trusts (20 credits)
    Contract Law (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

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

Entrance requirements

A level requirements

AAA including A-level French grade A

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Higher Level grade H1 in French

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall, including 6 (French),6,6 at Higher Level. If not offered at Higher Level/GCSE then Standard Level grade 4 in English would be accepted.

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:1 Honours Degree, provided subject requirements have been met.

Note

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

How we choose our students

In addition to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS. These decisions can only be made on the basis of the information given and applicants must show due care and diligence when completing their applications. In particular, full details must be included about qualifications completed or still to be completed.

Demand for places differs from course to course and, for Law with French, past performance at GCSE is taken into account when deciding whether or not to make conditional offers. For entry last year, we initially made offers to applicants offering A-Level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications, who had achieved 2 grade A/7 and 4 grade B/6 at GCSE. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled. This threshold may be lowered as the cycle progresses depending upon the number and quality of applications. The final threshold is not usually determined until late in the admissions cycle, so there may be a delay in processing applicants who do not meet the initial threshold. GCSE English Language grade C is also required.

For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Junior Certificate is taken into account. Last year the initial Junior Certificate profile to qualify to be made an offer was 2A/2 Distinctions and 4B/4 Higher Merit grades. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied. This threshold may be lowered as the cycle progresses depending upon the number and quality of applications. The final threshold is not usually determined until late in the admissions cycle, so there may be a delay in processing applicants who do not meet the initial threshold.

Offers are normally made on the basis of 3 A-levels. The offer for repeat applicants is set in terms of 3 A-Levels only and is normally the same as that asked from the first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. Subject specific requirements must also be satisfied. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Access courses, BTEC Extended/National Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas can be considered, provided the French language subject requirement is also fulfilled.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 4 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted however, these are not the final deciding factors as to whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview, though there are some exceptions and specific information is provided with the relevant subject areas.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Open Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

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 Law with French 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.
http://www.prospects.ac.uk

Employment after the Course

The following is a list of the major career sectors that have attracted our graduates in recent years:
• Management Consultancy
• Corporate Banking
• Purchasing Officer
• Fast Stream Civil Service
• Publishing, Media and Performing Arts
• Export Marketing
• Advertising
• Finance
• Law Enforcement and Public Prosecution
• Varied graduate programmes (Times Top 100 UK Graduate Recruiters/ AGR Association of Graduate Recruiters UK)

Employment Links

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 Council of Europe
Thomson Reuters
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

Graduate Employers include: A& L Goodbody, Allen & Overy, Arthur Cox, Baker McKenzie, Carson McDowell, Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Eversheds Sutherland, Factor, Herbert Smith Freehills, Mills Selig, Phoenix Law, Pinsent Masons, PwC, TLT LLP, Tughans – and a wide range of small firms/high-street practices.

What employers say

Prizes and Awards

A wide range of prizes and scholarships are awarded to top performing students. A number of these are sponsored by leading law firms and organisations.

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 £4,750
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £4,750
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

Students undertaking the Law with French programme spend year 3 at a French speaking university, this year abroad is a compulsory part of the degree programme.

Students who undertake a period of study or work abroad, are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placement.

A limited amount of funding may be available to contribute towards these additional costs, if the placement takes place through a government student mobility scheme.

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

1. 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:

2. When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2021 from 1 September 2020.

Advisory closing date: 15 January 2021(18:00).

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

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 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/

3. Terms and Conditions

After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS. Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.

4. International (Non- EU) Students

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) STUDENTS
Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

4.1 Applying through UCAS

Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's.
www.ucas.com/

4.2 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.
www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/

4.3 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.
www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/Agents-and-partner-information

Download Undergraduate Prospectus