Law (Major) with French

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queens University Belfast

Program Overview

The LLB in Law (Major) with French at Queen’s University Belfast is a four-year, full-time programme that combines in-depth legal study of Northern Ireland and UK law with French language and culture, including elements of French law and a full year abroad. It’s perfect for students who are passionate about law, eager to become bilingual, and looking to prepare for an international career that bridges different legal systems.

Curriculum structure
Year 1: You’ll start with essential modules such as Legal Methods & Skills, where you learn to analyse cases, construct arguments, and master key legal techniques. Alongside core law topics like Contract Law and Constitutional & Administrative Law, you’ll take French 1, developing your speaking, writing, and cultural understanding of Francophone societies.

Year 2: Your legal knowledge deepens with modules such as Torts and EU Law in a Changing World, which explore European institutions and internal market law. Meanwhile, French 2 builds your translation skills and prepares you to use French confidently in professional and legal contexts.

Year 3: This year is spent abroad in a French-speaking country, helping you immerse yourself in the language and experience a different legal or cultural environment firsthand. You’ll also select elective law modules, such as Intellectual Property Law or Law & Technology, allowing you to tailor your degree toward your interests and career ambitions.

Year 4: In your final year, you’ll tackle advanced topics such as Legal Theory and Gender & the Law. French 3 will take your language skills to an advanced level, combining legal-linguistic tasks with Francophone cultural insight, completing a fully integrated bilingual legal education.

Focus areas: Qualifying Law Degree foundation in UK/NI law, French language proficiency, year abroad international experience, elective legal specialisation (IP law / tech law / gender law)
Learning outcomes: Graduate ability to analyse and argue legal issues in both UK/NI and comparative French/European contexts; strong bilingual communication in French and English; readiness for legal, policy, or multilingual roles in a globalising world
Professional alignment (accreditation): This is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), meaning it covers the necessary modules for the academic stage of legal professional training.
Reputation (employability & rankings): The School of Law at Queen’s ranks 11th in the UK for Law overall (Complete University Guide 2025) and joint 3rd for graduate prospects (Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen’s University Belfast, the Law (Major) with French LLB is much more than just lectures — you’ll actively develop practical legal skills, collaborate with your peers, use specialist tools, and apply what you learn in real-world situations. From your first year, you’ll engage in case analysis, structured French language workshops, and small-group interactive sessions. As you progress, you’ll have access to advanced language enrichment classes, digital learning platforms, and placement opportunities that make your bilingual law education dynamic and immersive.

Some of the hands-on opportunities you can expect include:

Small-group French tutorials (8–12 students) including a one-hour “Legal French” session, helping you build language skills and legal vocabulary in professional contexts.
Access to the Law Library and French cultural resources, together with strong digital infrastructure and a virtual learning environment for lectures, workshops, and e-learning.
A year abroad within the four-year programme to immerse yourself in a French-speaking country, enhancing language fluency and gaining international legal or cultural experience.
Summer internships and final-year placements (100+ hours) via the Careers, Employability & Skills Department, offering hands-on work experience in Northern Ireland or abroad.
Interactive group workshops in flexible learning spaces, along with podcasts, online learning tasks, and design-oriented IT tools to help you learn in collaborative, modern ways.

This programme seamlessly combines legal expertise, French language proficiency, and international exposure — equipping you with practical experience and a global perspective to launch a bilingual legal career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Law (Major) with French LLB are well-prepared to step into both legal professions and international, bilingual career paths. You might find yourself working as:

A solicitor or legal counsel in firms that operate across multiple countries or languages
A compliance officer or regulatory analyst for organisations navigating UK, French, or EU legal systems
A policy advisor, public sector legal specialist, or researcher for international NGOs
A business analyst or corporate-legal strategist in multinational companies where your French language skills give you a competitive edge

In addition, the programme provides practical support and valuable connections to help you succeed:

The University’s Careers, Employability & Skills Service offers guidance on CVs, interview preparation, mentoring, and placement opportunities.
Recent data shows that graduates from the “Law with French” programme enjoy excellent outcomes, with a very high percentage in work or further study shortly after finishing.
The School of Law maintains strong links with top law firms and global organisations — alumni have taken positions at the European Commission, United Nations, and leading international law firms — giving you access to valuable professional networks.
As a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), this programme meets the academic requirements for professional legal training, providing long-term accreditation value if you aim to qualify as a solicitor or barrister.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your bachelor’s, you can pursue specialised postgraduate studies, such as an LLM in International Business Law, Human Rights Law, or Professional Legal Studies. This pathway lets you deepen your expertise, enhance your international credentials, and shape a career path that aligns with your ambitions.