Philosophy and Law

Philosophy and law is a combination that examines not just how legal systems work but whether they work justly, and what the philosophical foundations of legal obligation, rights and punishment actually are. Law tells you what the rules are and how they operate; philosophy asks whether those rules are legitimate, coherent or morally defensible. At the University of Essex, this three-year full-time degree takes both questions seriously, and the combination develops graduates who can navigate legal systems with analytical precision while also thinking critically about the values and assumptions those systems embody.

In the law component, you will study the substantive and procedural dimensions of English law across core areas including contract, tort, criminal law, public law and equity, developing the analytical and drafting skills that legal study demands. The philosophy component brings in ethical theory, political philosophy, philosophy of law and the history of ideas, asking questions about justice, freedom, rights and the relationship between law and morality that go beyond what legal doctrine alone can answer. Essex has a strong tradition in both human rights law and political philosophy, and these strengths inform the degree's approach to their intersection.

A typical tariff of around 104 points is expected for this programme.

Graduates from philosophy and law degrees are well placed for the legal profession, including practice as solicitors or barristers following the relevant professional qualifications. The philosophical dimension is also valued in careers in public policy, human rights organisations, the civil service, journalism, academia and think-tanks. Many graduates proceed to the Legal Practice Course or Bar Training Course, while others go on to postgraduate study in philosophy, jurisprudence or human rights law.