Bristol is one of the leading centres for law in the UK. With 93% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), you will be taught by internationally renowned scholars at the forefront of their fields.

Through applied experiences such as mooting, debating and pro bono legal work experience, you will develop a broad understanding of how law operates in society.

You will study in the iconic Wills Memorial and Berkeley Square buildings, with access to the historic Law library and state-of-the-art Lady Hale Moot Court. These facilities are also home to our award-winning Law Clinics and world-renowned research centres.

Gain access to and support from many national and international law firms, barristers' chambers, government departments and social justice organisations.  We offer mentoring schemes and networking opportunities, supported by a dedicated alumni network to help you navigate your ideal career path.

Combining excellence in teaching, research and employability, you will graduate with strong legal, analytical and reasoning skills, ready for success in legal and non-legal sectors.

Many graduates go on to secure training contracts with international law firms and pupillages at barristers' chambers, while others pursue roles in business, finance, technology, human rights, government and the media.

Supported by a dedicated Law School Employability Adviser, you will have access to one-to-one careers appointments, skills workshops and employer presentations from a wide range of industry experts, including those in government, human rights, finance and the charity/NGO sector.

Get a head start in your legal career with the possibility of gaining Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) through our Law Clinics. This is supported by career development support from our in-house Careers Adviser, the University Careers Service, and free access to additional resources from our professional partner, BPP University.

The undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree takes three years, while degrees with languages and study abroad take four. 

You will study the core compulsory subjects covering the seven foundations of legal knowledge required by the legal profession. These include Contract, Land Law, Public Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, EU Law and Trusts. 

You can also choose from a wide variety of optional units to tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations.  These units reflect the diverse legal research conducted in the Law School, offering critical insight into law’s role and impact on society.  

If you are studying Law with Modern Languages, or if you successfully apply for a transfer onto one of the Law with Study Abroad degrees, you will spend your third year studying the law of the country you are visiting. To find out more, visit the Centre for Study Abroad. 

In the final year, you will complete a 5,000-word Independent Research Project on a legal topic of your choice, supervised by leading academics who are engaged in research in those fields. You may also choose a practice-focused unit such as Clinical Legal Studies or Corporate Law Simulation. 

Optional units may include: 

• Employment Law 
• Human Rights 
• Medical Law 
• Corporate/Commercial Law 
• Environmental Law 
• Legal History 
• Information Technology Law 
• Intellectual Property Law. 

Please note: Programme and unit information is subject to change.

Law is a global profession. An understanding of more than one legal system, language and culture can open up a world of opportunity. 

Our four-year degree courses are an expansion of the LLB Law degree, offering an additional year abroad at one of our partner universities. We currently partner with institutions in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico* and Singapore, as well as European countries including Belgium, France*, Germany*, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Spain*. 

You can either apply directly for the Joint Honours Law and Modern Languages degree or apply to transfer onto the Law with Study Abroad or Study in Continental Europe degree after starting the three-year LLB (subject to approval).   

*Indicates a country where the course is taught in the local language rather than English.