LLB Hons Law with foundation year and placement

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Surrey

Program Overview

If you're passionate about law but want a supportive start, this programme gives you the perfect pathway. You begin with a foundation year designed to strengthen your academic and analytical skills, and then progress into a full qualifying law degree, with the added advantage of a professional placement year to help you graduate with real-world experience and confidence.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year
Your first year is all about building the skills that will set you up for success. You’ll develop your academic writing, critical thinking, and research abilities while exploring subjects that introduce the foundations of legal study. Core modules typically include academic skills development, introductory social sciences, and the intellectual tools needed to transition smoothly into degree-level law studies.

Year 1 (Degree Year 1)
Once you enter the LLB, you start with the essentials of legal education. You’ll study core subjects such as Criminal Law, Public Law, and Contract Law, which give you a solid understanding of how the legal system operates. This year focuses on helping you think like a lawyer — analysing cases, understanding legal principles, and developing structured arguments.

Year 2
In your second degree year, you'll deepen your knowledge by exploring more advanced areas such as Tort Law, Land Law, and EU Law. You also begin to sharpen your legal research skills and get more confident with case analysis and statutory interpretation. This year balances theory with practical skill-building so you’re ready for more specialised work.

Placement Year
Your professional placement is a defining part of your Surrey experience. You’ll spend a year gaining hands-on legal exposure — often with law firms, corporate legal teams, public sector organisations, or NGOs. This real-world insight makes you far more employable and helps you understand exactly what kind of legal career suits you best.

Final Year
In your final year, you choose from a range of optional modules such as Commercial Law, Family Law, Medical Law, or Intellectual Property Law. You’ll also complete key modules like Equity & Trusts and have opportunities for mooting, pro bono work, and advanced legal research. This year is designed to help you specialise and build a strong profile for employment or further study.

Focus Areas

Legal knowledge, problem-solving, professional ethics, advocacy, research, digital literacy in law, and practical legal skills.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate with strong legal reasoning, the ability to analyse complex issues, effective communication skills, and hands-on experience that employers value.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree meets the academic requirements of a qualifying law degree in England and Wales, supporting pathways to careers as a solicitor or barrister.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Surrey is widely recognised for its strong graduate employability and its long-standing success with placement-based programmes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the moment you begin your foundation year right through to your final year, Surrey builds your legal skills through real-world experiences—not just textbooks. You’ll learn in environments that mirror modern legal practice, from tech-enhanced courtrooms to specialist clinics where you work directly with clients. Surrey’s hands-on approach means you’ll get to apply the theory you learn in class through practical projects, digital tools, and a full placement year that gives you authentic industry experience.

Here’s how you’ll develop your professional skills throughout the programme:

Access to Justice Clinic: Work with real clients under supervision and help resolve genuine legal issues, gaining confidence in interviewing, casework, and providing guidance to the community.
Business Start-Up Clinic: Support new entrepreneurs with legal questions, learning how law interacts with start-ups, contracts, and small-business challenges.
Digital Law Clinic: Get involved in pro bono projects focused on tech-law, digital services, and future legal innovation—ideal if you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, or online rights.
Court of the Future: Train in a mock courtroom equipped with video-link technology, digital evidence systems, and simulation tools that prepare you for real advocacy and mooting.
Surrey Law & Technology Hub: Collaborate with researchers and industry partners on emerging issues like blockchain, data protection, and AI compliance—perfect for students curious about tech-driven legal careers.
Toulson Law Library: Use dedicated legal research spaces with extensive digital resources, journals, and case law databases to support your coursework and independent study.
Placement Year: Spend a full year gaining professional experience in a law firm, corporate legal team, government department, or NGO, giving you a competitive edge at graduation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Surrey’s LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation Year and Placement leave with a strong mix of academic knowledge and real legal experience, making them well-prepared for careers across the legal and commercial world. Many go on to roles such as solicitor, barrister, legal advisor, or compliance officer, supported by Surrey’s strong professional network and hands-on learning approach. Thanks to the built-in placement year, students graduate with both a degree and a year of industry experience — a combination that employers highly value.

Here’s how Surrey helps you take that next step with confidence:

Careers support designed for law students, including one-to-one guidance, CV reviews, mock interviews, employer networking events, and access to Surrey Pathfinder for job searches and skill development.
Strong employment outcomes, with the majority of Surrey law graduates progressing to work or further study shortly after finishing their degree.
Industry partnerships that connect students with major law firms, local chambers, public-sector organisations, and in-house legal teams, giving you access to internships and competitive placement opportunities.
A Qualifying Law Degree, meaning your academic training is fully recognised for solicitor and barrister pathways in the UK — a long-term professional advantage.
Placement year experience, which often leads to return-offer opportunities, expanded professional networks, and stronger graduate-level employability.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue into solicitor or barrister training through pathways such as the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar training routes. Many students also choose to specialise with an LLM, or pursue advanced research through a master’s by research or PhD in law.