Law 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) programme with a foundation year and work placement is perfect for students who want a structured introduction to higher education while gaining hands-on experience in the legal field. It’s designed for those aiming to combine academic learning with practical skills, preparing you thoroughly for a career in law or business-related legal roles.

Curriculum structure

Foundation Year
The foundation year focuses on developing essential academic skills, including research, writing, and critical thinking, while introducing you to basic legal and business concepts. Modules such as Study Skills, Introduction to Law, and Business Essentials ensure you’re fully prepared for degree-level study.

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll explore the foundations of law, covering modules like the English Legal System, Contract Law, and Criminal Law. This stage provides a solid understanding of how laws operate and prepares you for more complex topics ahead.

Year 2
The second year broadens your knowledge with subjects such as Tort Law, Land Law, and Equity & Trusts, alongside business-focused modules like Business Law. You’ll start applying your learning to practical scenarios, connecting legal theory with real-world contexts.

Year 3 (Placement Year)
This is your professional placement year, giving you first-hand experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or another relevant organisation. You’ll gain practical skills, network with professionals, and see how legal knowledge operates in a working environment.

Year 4
Returning from your placement, you’ll tackle advanced legal topics including Commercial Law, International Law, and optional specialised modules. This year is designed to integrate your practical experience with academic study, sharpening your analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Year 5
The final year consolidates your learning and prepares you for professional practice with advanced modules and applied legal projects. You’ll focus on synthesising knowledge, developing professional skills, and preparing for your post-graduation career.

Focus areas:
English legal system, contract law, criminal law, tort law, land law, equity and trusts, commercial law, international law, business law, practical legal skills.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to apply legal knowledge in practical settings, analyse complex legal issues, draft professional documents, advise clients, and navigate the intersection of law and business.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme equips you with the core legal knowledge required for solicitor or barrister training and develops transferable skills highly valued by employers in law, business, and regulatory sectors.

Reputation:
Portsmouth’s LLB with Foundation Year and Work Placement is recognised for combining academic rigour with professional experience, producing graduates who are confident, competent, and career-ready.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Portsmouth, law isn’t just something you read about — it’s something you do. From day one, the programme is designed to help you develop practical skills alongside your academic studies, so you graduate ready to step confidently into the legal world. You’ll have access to modern facilities, realistic courtroom simulations, and opportunities to work with real clients, all while building professional skills that employers value.

To give you a clearer picture of how you’ll gain hands-on experience:

Replica courtrooms and mooting trials: Practise advocacy, public speaking, and courtroom procedures in fully equipped simulated courts.
Legal Advice Clinic: Work with real clients under supervision, draft documents, interview clients, and manage cases in a practical environment.
Professional placement year: Spend a full year working in a law firm, corporate legal department, or another relevant organisation to gain real-world experience.
Group projects and workshops: Collaborate with peers on case studies, problem-solving exercises, and business-law integration projects.
Networking events and guest lectures: Engage with practising lawyers, industry professionals, and alumni to understand the legal profession beyond textbooks.
Digital tools and research resources: Access legal databases, online case repositories, and the University library’s law collections to support research and assignments.
Applied assessments: Beyond exams, you’ll be evaluated through mock trials, client reports, presentations, and professional exercises to sharpen practical skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this programme leave with a strong combination of academic knowledge and real-world experience, ready to step confidently into a variety of legal and business-related roles. Whether you aspire to work in a law firm, a corporate legal department, or pursue consultancy or policy work, this degree equips you with the practical skills and professional insight to succeed:

University career services: The Careers and Employability team offers tailored support, including CV workshops, interview preparation, placement guidance, and networking opportunities with legal employers.
Employment stats and salary figures: Portsmouth law graduates have a strong track record of employment, with many securing positions in top law firms or professional services; typical starting salaries range around competitive national averages for law graduates.
University–industry partnerships: Through placements and collaborations, students gain exposure to law firms, corporate partners, and local government legal services, strengthening employability and professional networks.
Accreditation value: The programme is professionally recognised, giving graduates a solid foundation for further legal qualification and professional accreditation.
Graduation outcomes: Alumni have gone on to become solicitors, barristers, legal advisors, and business consultants, with a blend of academic understanding and hands-on experience making them highly sought after.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this programme, you could continue your studies by pursuing the Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), or a master’s degree in law or business law. Some graduates also choose specialised postgraduate courses in corporate law, international law, or other professional legal pathways to further enhance career opportunities.