LLB in Law With American Law

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of East Anglia

Program Overview

This four-year degree blends the core foundations of English law with a rich understanding of the American legal system, giving you a truly international legal education. Throughout the course, you’ll study essential legal theory while also gaining plenty of practical exposure through UEA’s hands-on learning and employability support.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year focuses on building a strong base in English law. You’ll study key modules such as Constitutional and Administrative Law, Contract Law, and Legal Method, Skills & Reasoning. Together, these help you develop the analytical thinking, legal writing, and argumentation skills that you’ll rely on throughout your career.

Year 2:
You move deeper into core UK law areas like criminal law, tort, or land law, while also stepping into the world of American law. This includes learning how the US legal system works, understanding the role of the US Constitution, and seeing how legal practice differs across the Atlantic. It gives you a comparative insight that many law degrees simply don’t offer.

Year 3:
Your third year is spent studying in the United States at one of UEA’s partner law schools — a standout feature of this degree. You’ll experience American legal education firsthand, study alongside US students, and immerse yourself in a different legal culture. This year abroad expands your academic knowledge and your global perspective.

Year 4:
Returning to UEA, you’ll complete the remaining core English law modules and then choose optional modules that match your interests. Whether you're drawn to areas like media law, international law, or intellectual property, this final year gives you the freedom to shape your degree toward your future goals.

Focus Areas : Comparative law, transatlantic legal systems, practical legal skills, foundational English law, and US constitutional and legal studies.

Learning Outcomes : You’ll leave the degree with a strong grasp of both English and American legal frameworks, advanced research and reasoning abilities, and the confidence to operate in international or cross-border legal environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation) : This degree is a Qualifying Law Degree, meaning it satisfies the academic stage of training for becoming a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. The year abroad in the US gives you valuable additional experience, though practising in the US would require further steps depending on the state.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings) : UEA Law School is known for being supportive, well-connected, and highly focused on student success. Graduates perform strongly in the job market, with a high proportion going into employment or further study soon after completing their degree. The programme is also recognised for its international focus, particularly the added value of the American law component, which strengthens both academic and practical skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UEA’s Law School, your degree goes far beyond textbooks. You’ll constantly put your legal knowledge into action, whether you’re advising real clients, working with practising lawyers, or developing courtroom skills through hands-on activities. From your first year, you’re encouraged to get involved with the UEA Law Clinic, where you handle genuine legal issues under supervision. Alongside this, the Law School’s employability team helps you connect with law firms, barristers’ chambers, and public organisations for internships, mentoring, and skills development. You’ll also take part in competitions and group activities that strengthen your confidence, communication, and advocacy — all the essential qualities of a strong future lawyer.

Here are some of the practical learning opportunities you’ll experience:

UEA Law Clinic: Work as a student adviser on real cases in areas such as housing, immigration, and employment. You’ll help provide free legal support to the community while sharpening your research and client-handling skills.
Community Outreach / Street Law: Take the lead in mock trials, workshops, and legal awareness sessions in local schools and community groups, helping people understand the law while improving your teamwork and presentation skills.
Law Society Competitions: Get involved in mooting, client interviewing, negotiation, mediation, mock trials, and commercial challenges — all great ways to build your advocacy and problem-solving abilities.
Mentoring & Internships: The Law School’s employability team connects you with placements, mini-pupillages, internships, and mentoring from solicitors, barristers, and legal professionals.
Volunteer Projects: Collaborate with organisations such as community legal services and advice centres, allowing you to gain even more real-world experience while making a positive impact.

These opportunities are an integral part of the Law with American Law programme at UEA, helping you develop practical confidence, professional awareness, and a deeper understanding of how the law works in real life.

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you finish this four-year LLB in Law with American Law at UEA, you’ll be strongly positioned for legal careers both in the UK and internationally. Possible roles include becoming a solicitor or barrister, working in-house for businesses, joining public institutions, or finding a career in compliance or international organisations.

UEA’s Law School has a dedicated Employability Team and Directors of Employability who guide you throughout your degree and help you build legal career pathways.
Many graduates secure training contracts with top law firms, or go on to bar training if they want to become barristers.
You’ll have access to UEA’s alumni network of lawyers, judges, and legal professionals who can mentor you and provide useful contacts.
Through career events and law-school-organised interactions, you’ll meet legal employers, chambers, and public-sector organisations.
According to graduate-outcome data, a large majority of law students from UEA are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and the average graduate salary is strong for a UK law degree.
Your LLB is a Qualifying Law Degree, which means it meets the academic requirement for professional legal training in England and Wales.

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you could go on to do an LLM (Master of Laws) in specialisations such as international law, human rights, or intellectual property. Alternatively, you could take the Solicitor Qualifying Exam (SQE) or Bar training if you want to become a practicing solicitor or barrister. If research or policy is your thing, you could also pursue a PhD in Law.