Law with Philosophy

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Royal Holloway University of London

Program Overview

This Law with Philosophy degree combines rigorous legal training with deep philosophical insight, helping you understand not just the law itself but the ideas and ethics that shape it. It’s ideal for students who want to explore legal reasoning alongside critical thinking about morality, society, and human behaviour.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in law and philosophy. Modules like Public Law, The Law of Contract, and English Legal System introduce essential legal principles, while philosophy modules such as Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics help you develop critical thinking, logical reasoning, and ethical analysis. You’ll also start practising practical legal skills through exercises in mooting, debate, and legal research.

Year 2
The second year deepens both your legal and philosophical understanding. Key law modules include Tort Law, Criminal Law, and Land Law, while philosophy modules like Philosophy of Law and Political Philosophy encourage you to examine justice, rights, and the role of law in society. You’ll also take part in group projects, discussions, and case analyses to develop practical and analytical skills.

Year 3
In your final year, you focus on specialised topics and advanced study. Law modules such as European Union Law and Human Rights Law allow you to explore contemporary legal challenges, while philosophy options like Ethics and the Law or Philosophy of Mind let you integrate philosophical perspectives with legal reasoning. The year culminates in a dissertation or major research project, giving you the chance to combine your legal knowledge with philosophical analysis.

Focus Areas

Law, Philosophy, Legal Ethics, Human Rights, Political Philosophy, Critical Thinking, Legal Research.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with strong skills in legal reasoning, ethical analysis, and philosophical inquiry, alongside practical experience in argumentation, research, and problem-solving. You’ll be equipped to tackle complex legal and societal questions with a clear, analytical mind.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree meets the academic requirements for professional legal training in England and Wales, keeping pathways open for qualifying as a solicitor or barrister.

Reputation & Employability

Royal Holloway is recognised for combining law and philosophy in a rigorous yet applied way, giving graduates a unique edge. Alumni often move into law, policy, research, and public service roles, benefiting from the analytical, ethical, and legal skills gained during study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This program goes beyond traditional lectures, giving you opportunities to apply both your legal and philosophical knowledge in real-world settings. From early on, you’ll practice essential skills like mooting, debating, interviewing, and legal research, alongside exploring ethical reasoning and philosophical argumentation. Royal Holloway’s Law & Philosophy department works closely with the Careers & Employability Service to help you find placements, internships, and project opportunities that align with your interests and career goals.

Here’s how you’ll put theory into practice:

Participate in mooting and negotiation exercises to develop advocacy and practical legal skills.
Engage in group projects and case studies, applying philosophical reasoning to legal problems and societal issues.
Take part in placements or internships in legal firms, NGOs, or public sector organisations to gain real-world experience.
Access the Legal Advice Centre, offering free advice under supervision, giving hands-on client experience.
Attend workshops, networking events, and guest lectures with legal and philosophy professionals to broaden your industry insight.
Use Royal Holloway’s library and digital resources, including legal databases and research tools, to work on case studies, essays, and independent research projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this degree leave with more than legal knowledge — they gain a strong foundation in philosophy, ethics, and critical thinking, giving them a unique edge in interpreting law and policy. This combination makes you well-suited for careers as a solicitor, barrister, policy advisor, legal analyst, or research officer, and prepares you to engage thoughtfully with complex societal issues. The analytical and ethical skills developed throughout the course allow you to step confidently into professional roles or further academic study.

Royal Holloway supports your career journey through:

The Careers & Employability Service, offering tailored support with CVs, interviews, and job applications for law and policy careers.
Access to placements and internships in legal firms, NGOs, public sector organisations, and think tanks, providing hands-on experience before you graduate.
Opportunities to participate in networking events, workshops, and guest lectures, connecting you with professionals in law, philosophy, and public policy.
A degree that meets academic requirements for professional legal training, keeping pathways open for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) or barrister training.
Graduates often enter careers in law, research, public administration, or consultancy, leveraging both their legal expertise and philosophical insight.
Average starting salaries for graduates from similar law programs at Royal Holloway are approximately £26,000 within the first 15 months after graduation.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the degree, you could pursue an LLM in areas such as human rights, ethics, or public law. For those interested in professional legal qualifications, the SQE or barrister training remains available. Research-focused students may continue with a master’s by research (MRes) or a PhD in law, philosophy, or a related social science, combining analytical and legal skills for advanced study or academic careers.