Law with Business LLB (Hons) sandwich with foundation year and work placement

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

This 5-year LLB (Hons) Law with Business programme combines a foundation year and a sandwich placement to give you a complete learning journey from essential skills to professional experience. It’s ideal for students who want a structured pathway into higher education while gaining real-world business and legal experience that will make them career-ready by the time they graduate.

Curriculum structure

Foundation Year
The foundation year builds your academic skills and prepares you for degree-level study. You’ll focus on modules like Academic Skills for Higher Education, Introduction to Law, and Business Principles, developing research, writing, and analytical skills while gaining a basic understanding of law and business.

Year 1
In the first full year, you’ll begin core legal and business studies. Modules include English Legal System, Contract Law, and Criminal Law, alongside Introduction to Management and Principles of Marketing, giving you a balanced understanding of legal principles and organisational operations.

Year 2
The second year deepens your knowledge with modules like Land Law, Tort Law, and Equity & Trusts, as well as Business Law and Financial Management. You’ll develop the ability to analyse complex legal and business scenarios and apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Year 3 (Placement Year)
This year is dedicated to a full-time sandwich placement in a law firm, corporate organisation, or consultancy. It allows you to gain professional experience, develop practical skills, and apply your academic learning in a real-world environment.

Year 4
Returning to campus, you’ll study advanced topics such as Commercial Law, International Business Law, and optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests. You’ll also undertake case studies, projects, and collaborative work that integrate your placement experience.

Year 5
The final year consolidates your learning and prepares you for professional or academic progression. Modules focus on specialised areas, complex case analysis, and applied business and legal skills, ensuring you graduate with confidence and a strong, versatile skill set.

Focus areas:
Law and business integration, contract law, commercial law, tort law, equity and trusts, corporate governance, financial management, international business law.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to analyse and solve legal and business problems, advise clients, draft professional documents, interpret regulations, and apply combined knowledge in practical and professional contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme covers core legal knowledge required for qualification as a solicitor or barrister, while business modules enhance employability across corporate, consultancy, and regulatory careers.

Reputation:
Portsmouth’s LLB with Business, with its foundation year and sandwich placement, is highly valued for producing career-ready graduates who are equipped with both academic knowledge and real-world experience.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Portsmouth, this programme is designed so that your learning goes far beyond the classroom. From the foundation year, you’ll engage in practical activities that build academic, professional, and interpersonal skills. As you progress, you’ll take part in workshops, group projects, and simulated legal and business exercises, culminating in a full-year sandwich placement where you can apply your knowledge in a professional setting. This hands-on approach ensures you graduate with both confidence and experience, ready for a successful career in law, business, or consultancy.

Here’s how practical learning is integrated throughout your studies:

Foundation year activities: Interactive workshops and assignments develop academic skills, research techniques, and analytical thinking to prepare you for degree-level study.
Replica courtroom & mooting trials: Practise advocacy, courtroom procedures, and public speaking in realistic courtroom environments, building professional confidence.
Legal Advice Clinic & community engagement: Work on real client cases under supervision, drafting documents, providing advice, and applying legal theory in practice.
Business simulations and group projects: Collaborate on case studies and problem-solving exercises that blend legal and business challenges, enhancing teamwork and decision-making skills.
Full-year sandwich placement: Gain hands-on experience in law firms, corporate organisations, or consultancy roles, applying your academic learning to professional tasks and building a network of contacts.
Guest lectures and networking opportunities: Learn from practising lawyers, business professionals, and industry experts to gain insight into real-world careers.
Digital tools and learning resources: Access legal databases, financial software, and online platforms to support research, case analysis, and project work.
Libraries and study facilities: Utilise law-focused libraries, collaborative spaces, and resources designed to support independent study and group projects.

This structure ensures that every year of study adds practical skills to your academic knowledge, helping you graduate as a confident, career-ready professional.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme leave with a strong combination of legal expertise, business knowledge, and professional experience gained through their sandwich placement. This blend of academic and practical learning equips you to confidently enter the job market and take on roles that require problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication. Typical career paths include solicitor, legal adviser, business consultant, and compliance officer.

To support your career journey, Portsmouth provides a range of targeted services and opportunities:

Faculty employability support: Tailored guidance including CV workshops, mock interviews, and personalised career coaching specifically for law and business students.
Professional networking & industry partnerships: Collaborations with local and national law firms, corporate organisations, and regulatory bodies offer guest lectures, workshops, and placement opportunities.
Hands-on experience through sandwich placement: The full-year work placement allows you to apply academic knowledge in real professional environments, build practical skills, and develop industry contacts.
Positive graduate outcomes: Many graduates secure roles in law firms, corporate governance, consultancy, public sector organisations, and compliance roles, often with competitive starting salaries.
Accreditation and long-term value: The degree provides the legal foundation required for solicitor or barrister qualification while business modules broaden career prospects across multiple sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this LLB programme, students can progress to postgraduate studies such as an LLM (Master’s in Law), or specialise in areas like Corporate Law, International Law, or Human Rights Law. Students may also pursue professional training routes including the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar training, opening doors to legal practice or advanced consultancy and business roles.