Law

Law with European legal studies is a degree that combines a thorough legal education in English law with the opportunity to study law in another European country, gaining exposure to a different legal system and legal culture. Law as taught in England and Wales is a common law system rooted in judicial precedent and parliamentary statute, while continental legal systems tend to follow civil law traditions derived from Roman law and codified legal principles. Understanding how legal systems differ, and why, develops a comparative legal perspective that is increasingly valuable in legal practice and policy.

At the University of Southampton, this four-year, full-time LLB gives you a rigorous legal education while also broadening your horizons through a year of study at a European law school. The programme is formally accepted by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales, meaning it satisfies the academic stage of training for those who wish to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. You will study the foundation areas of English law required for qualification alongside the comparative and international dimensions that the European element provides, graduating with a broader legal perspective than a standard law degree can offer.

The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.

Graduates from law with European legal studies programmes are well placed across the full range of legal careers, including solicitor and barrister training, in-house legal roles, and the legal functions of international organisations and government. The comparative legal education and the year abroad are particularly valuable in international law firms, EU institutions, and multinational companies with European legal needs. Many graduates pursue professional qualification in England and Wales.

Postgraduate study in comparative law, European law, or international commercial law is a natural option for those who wish to specialise in cross-border legal practice.