UOL Undergraduate Laws LLB

This  UOL-approved Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Total Preparation study programme is designed to provide a comprehensive legal education that equips you with both theoretical knowledge and practical legal skills. The programme is particularly notable for being accessible to students across the globe, allowing you to study law and revise for law exams independently without relying on a teaching centre. The curriculum is structured around core and elective modules, covering the foundational areas of law as well as specialised subjects. Here is an overview of all the 20 modules in this programme.

1. Contract Law
The study of Contract Law is centred around understanding the legal principles that govern agreements between individuals or entities. It examines how legally binding contracts are formed through mutual consent, considering elements like offer, acceptance, consideration, and the intention to create legal relations. This module also covers issues like capacity, where certain individuals (e.g. minors) may lack the legal ability to enter contracts, as well as vitiating factors such as misrepresentation, mistake, and undue influence, which may render a contract void or voidable. Remedies for breach of contract, including damages, specific performance, and injunctions, are explored, alongside the rules for contract interpretation and discharge.

2. Criminal Law
Criminal Law is a foundational area of legal study that focuses on the rules governing criminal responsibility and the prosecution of offences. The module covers key topics like the elements of a crime, including mens rea (the guilty mind) and actus reus (the guilty act), which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Various categories of crimes are explored, such as homicide (murder and manslaughter), theft, assault, and sexual offences, alongside defences like insanity, self-defence, and duress. This module also discusses the principles of punishment and sentencing, the classification of crimes, and the evolving nature of criminal responsibility in areas like cybercrime and corporate criminality.

3. Legal System and Methods
This introductory module provides a comprehensive overview of the legal system, focusing on how law is made, interpreted, and applied. It covers the structure and function of courts, the hierarchy of the judiciary, and the roles of key legal professionals like solicitors and barristers. Students also explore sources of law, including statute law, common law (case law), and retained EU law. Critical legal skills such as statutory interpretation, legal reasoning, and case law analysis are emphasised. The module also touches on legal research methodologies and introduces students to different schools of legal thought, providing a solid foundation for more advanced legal studies.

4. Public Law
Public Law examines the relationship between the state and its citizens, primarily focusing on constitutional principles and administrative processes. This module delves into the separation of powers, the rule of law, and the principles of parliamentary sovereignty. Students study the roles and powers of key government institutions like the executive, legislature, and judiciary. The module also covers judicial review, a process that allows individuals to challenge the legality of decisions made by public bodies. Issues such as human rights, civil liberties, and constitutional reforms are explored, offering a deeper understanding of how public power is exercised and controlled.

5. Administrative Law
Administrative Law is closely related to Public Law and focuses specifically on the regulation of public administration and the mechanisms for controlling government actions. The module covers the legal principles governing decision-making by public authorities, including fairness, proportionality, and legitimate expectation. Judicial review is a major component, where students learn how courts review administrative actions and decisions for legality, rationality, and procedural fairness. Topics also include remedies available in administrative law, such as quashing orders, prohibiting orders, and declarations. This module provides insight into how law interacts with governance and the protection of citizens’ rights against the misuse of public power.

6. Commercial Law
The study of Commercial Law involves understanding the legal principles that underpin business transactions and commercial practices. This module covers various aspects of commerce, such as the sale of goods, agency, and insurance law. It also explores the regulatory framework for commercial contracts, including the terms and conditions governing business agreements. Key areas include international trade, competition law, and consumer protection. The module examines the legal rights and obligations of businesses, merchants, and consumers, providing a solid foundation for careers in corporate law or commercial practice.

7. Employment Law
Employment Law focuses on the legal relationship between employers and employees, covering both individual and collective aspects of labor law. The module addresses the formation of employment contracts, rights and obligations during employment, and issues like workplace discrimination, unfair dismissal, and redundancy. It also explores health and safety regulations, trade union rights, and collective bargaining processes. Students gain an understanding of the evolving nature of employment law, particularly in light of changing labour markets, technological advancements, and workplace dynamics.

8. EU Law
EU Law provides an in-depth examination of the legal system of the European Union, including its institutions, legal processes, and the principles that govern EU legislation. The module explores key principles such as the supremacy of EU law over national law, direct effect, and the protection of fundamental rights within the EU framework. Topics include the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital, competition law, and the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union. This module is crucial for understanding the influence of EU law on domestic legal systems and its impact on areas such as trade, human rights, and environmental regulation.

9. Family Law
Family Law deals with the legal issues surrounding family relationships, focusing on marriage, civil partnerships, divorce, and child custody. The module examines the rights and responsibilities of family members, the legal implications of domestic violence, and the processes for resolving family disputes. It also covers adoption, surrogacy, and the legal framework for protecting vulnerable individuals within family settings. Students explore the intersection between law and social policy, considering how legal principles apply in real-life family situations and the evolving nature of family law in response to societal changes.

10. International Protection of Human Rights
This module focuses on the global framework for protecting human rights, exploring international treaties, conventions, and case law that define and enforce human rights standards. Key instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are analysed. Topics include civil and political rights, economic and social rights, the right to development, and the role of international organisations like the United Nations and regional human rights bodies. The module also addresses challenges in the enforcement of human rights, such as state sovereignty, non-state actors, and the balance between universalism and cultural relativism.

11. Property Law
Property Law covers the legal principles governing ownership, use, and transfer of land and other property. This module focuses on the concept of estates and interests in land, leasehold and freehold ownership, and the rules surrounding the sale and acquisition of property. Key topics include the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, mortgages, easements, covenants, and the co-ownership of property. The module also delves into the legal processes involved in property transactions, as well as the role of land registration systems. Understanding Property Law is crucial for those interested in real estate, conveyancing, or land development.

12. Tort Law
Tort Law deals with civil wrongs that cause harm or loss to individuals, focusing on remedies available through the legal system. The module covers foundational principles such as duty of care, breach, causation, and damages, with a significant focus on negligence, the most common tort. Other areas include defamation, nuisance, trespass, and the protection of privacy. Students explore both traditional torts, such as those involving personal injury, and emerging areas, like environmental torts and cyber defamation. The module also addresses defences to tort claims and the evolving standards for liability in modern society.

13. Civil and Criminal Procedure
This module examines the rules and processes that govern legal proceedings in both civil and criminal cases. It covers pre-trial procedures, including pleadings, discovery, and the preparation of cases for trial. In civil cases, students learn about alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration, as well as the steps involved in enforcing judgments. In criminal cases, topics include bail, the role of the prosecution and defence, jury trials, and sentencing procedures. The module also explores the rules of evidence and the rights of parties during the litigation process, offering insight into the practical aspects of legal practice.

14. Company Law
Company Law focuses on the legal framework governing corporate entities, from their formation to their dissolution. The module explores the roles and responsibilities of directors, shareholders, and other stakeholders within a company. Topics include the incorporation process, corporate governance, the regulation of share capital, and issues like minority shareholder protection. Students also study the rules regarding corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions, and insolvency. This module is essential for those interested in commercial law practice, corporate management, or entrepreneurship.

15. Conflict of Laws
The Conflict of Laws module deals with legal disputes that involve more than one jurisdiction, focusing on issues like which country’s laws apply and which court has jurisdiction. Key topics include choice of law rules, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, and the principles governing cross-border contracts, torts, and family law matters. The module also explores the role of international treaties and conventions in harmonising legal standards across jurisdictions. This area of law is increasingly relevant in a globalised world where individuals and businesses frequently operate across borders.

16. Equity and Trusts
Equity and Trusts is a key module that explores equitable principles and the law governing the creation and administration of trusts. The module covers the historical development of equity as a body of law that supplements common law, providing remedies like injunctions and specific performance. Trust law is central to this module, with topics including express trusts, resulting and constructive trusts, charitable trusts, and the duties and powers of trustees. Students also examine fiduciary relationships, the concept of unjust enrichment, and the remedies available for breaches of trust. This module is particularly important for those interested in estate planning, wealth management, or charity law.

17. Evidence
The Law of Evidence module focuses on the rules and principles that determine what information can be presented in court and how it should be evaluated. Key topics include the relevance and admissibility of evidence, the burden and standard of proof, hearsay, and the role of expert testimony. The module also explores the exclusionary rules governing improperly obtained evidence, confessions, and witness reliability. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of how evidence is used in both civil and criminal trials, providing insight into the practical challenges of proving or disproving facts in legal disputes.

18. Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property Law examines the legal mechanisms for protecting creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and trademarks. The module covers the different types of intellectual property rights, including patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets. Students learn about the criteria for obtaining IP protection, the rights and limitations of IP holders, and the remedies available for infringement. Topics like licensing, commercialisation of IP, and the balance between innovation and public access are also explored. This module is critical for those interested in technology law, media law, or the creative industries.

19. Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
Jurisprudence and Legal Theory offers a philosophical exploration of the nature of law, its purposes, and its relationship with morality, politics, and society. The module examines different schools of legal thought, including natural law, legal positivism, legal realism, and critical legal studies. Key questions addressed include: What is law? How should laws be interpreted? What is justice? The module also explores contemporary debates in legal theory, such as the role of law in social change, feminist jurisprudence, and the impact of globalisation on legal systems. Understanding jurisprudence is crucial for developing a critical and reflective approach to the study and practice of law.

20. Public International Law
Public International Law focuses on the rules and principles governing relations between states, international organisations, and other global actors. The module covers sources of international law, including treaties, customary international law, and the principles of international organisations like the United Nations. Key areas of study include state sovereignty, the use of force, the law of treaties, diplomatic relations, and international human rights law. Students also examine the jurisdiction and functioning of international courts, such as the International Court of Justice, and the challenges of enforcing international law in a world where state interests often conflict with global norms.

The UOL Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Total Preparation study programme is an excellent choice for students looking for a flexible legal education. You can study at your own pace, fitting your studies around work or other commitments. The programme provides a strong foundation in legal principles, critical thinking, and practical skills, preparing you for a wide range of careers in law and beyond. Its global accessibility, academic excellence, and strong reputation make it a leading option for law students who prefer studying independently without relying on a teaching centre.