Overview
The BA (Hons) Law provides a comprehensive grounding in legal doctrine and reasoning. Moot court sessions develop advocacy skills; legal research workshops train you in case law and statutory interpretation. You will study contract, tort, criminal, public, and EU/UK constitutional law, with options in commercial and human rights law. Small-group tutorials ensure rigorous feedback on problem questions and essays.
BA (Hons) Law is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3 years full-time, and the credit total is 360. Students move from Legal System, Method & Reasoning through Legal System, Method & Reasoning; Contract Law; Criminal Law; Public & Constitutional Law; Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills; English Legal History & Institutions, and finish on Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read. Reading is a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. The artefact a marker expects is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Apply legal rules to novel fact patterns with structured reasoning Conduct effective legal research using databases and precedents Present oral arguments in moot court settings
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Durham Law Society hosts mooting competitions and pro bono clinics with supervising solicitors.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦Aspiring solicitors, barristers, or legal academics
- ✦Public sector professionals needing legal literacy
- ✦Students considering the LLM International Commercial Law
Faculty spotlight
Professor Catherine Reid KC (Hon) leads Public Law; Dr. James Oduya specialises in commercial contracts.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Apply legal rules to novel fact patterns with structured reasoning
- ✦Conduct effective legal research using databases and precedents
- ✦Present oral arguments in moot court settings
- ✦Evaluate ethical duties of legal professionals
Career Pathways
- ✦Paralegal
- ✦Legal Executive
- ✦Compliance Officer
- ✦Civil Service
- ✦Further Study (LLM/LPC)
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Year 1 — Foundations of Law
LAW101Legal System, Method & Reasoning- LAW101-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Legal System, Method & Reasoning
- LAW101-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Legal System, Method & Reasoning
- LAW101-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Legal System, Method & Reasoning
- LAW101-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Legal System, Method & Reasoning
- LAW101-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Legal System, Method & Reasoning
- LAW101-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Legal System, Method & Reasoning
20 creditsLAW102Contract Law- LAW102-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Contract Law
- LAW102-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Contract Law
- LAW102-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Contract Law
- LAW102-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Contract Law
- LAW102-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Contract Law
- LAW102-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Contract Law
20 creditsLAW103Criminal Law- LAW103-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Criminal Law
- LAW103-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Criminal Law
- LAW103-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Criminal Law
- LAW103-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Criminal Law
- LAW103-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Criminal Law
- LAW103-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Criminal Law
20 creditsLAW104Public & Constitutional Law- LAW104-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Public & Constitutional Law
- LAW104-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Public & Constitutional Law
- LAW104-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Public & Constitutional Law
- LAW104-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Public & Constitutional Law
- LAW104-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Public & Constitutional Law
- LAW104-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Public & Constitutional Law
20 creditsLAW105Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills- LAW105-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills
- LAW105-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills
- LAW105-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills
- LAW105-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills
- LAW105-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills
- LAW105-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Legal Research, Writing & Professional Skills
20 creditsLAW106English Legal History & Institutions- LAW106-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — English Legal History & Institutions
- LAW106-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — English Legal History & Institutions
- LAW106-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — English Legal History & Institutions
- LAW106-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — English Legal History & Institutions
- LAW106-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — English Legal History & Institutions
- LAW106-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — English Legal History & Institutions
20 creditsYear 2 — Substantive Law
LAW201Tort Law- LAW201-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Tort Law
- LAW201-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Tort Law
- LAW201-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Tort Law
- LAW201-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Tort Law
- LAW201-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Tort Law
- LAW201-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Tort Law
20 creditsLAW202Land Law & Real Property- LAW202-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Land Law & Real Property
- LAW202-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Land Law & Real Property
- LAW202-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Land Law & Real Property
- LAW202-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Land Law & Real Property
- LAW202-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Land Law & Real Property
- LAW202-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Land Law & Real Property
20 creditsLAW203Equity & Trusts- LAW203-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Equity & Trusts
- LAW203-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Equity & Trusts
- LAW203-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Equity & Trusts
- LAW203-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Equity & Trusts
- LAW203-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Equity & Trusts
- LAW203-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Equity & Trusts
20 creditsLAW204EU & Comparative Constitutional Law- LAW204-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — EU & Comparative Constitutional Law
- LAW204-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — EU & Comparative Constitutional Law
- LAW204-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — EU & Comparative Constitutional Law
- LAW204-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — EU & Comparative Constitutional Law
- LAW204-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — EU & Comparative Constitutional Law
- LAW204-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — EU & Comparative Constitutional Law
20 creditsLAW205Commercial & Consumer Law- LAW205-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Commercial & Consumer Law
- LAW205-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Commercial & Consumer Law
- LAW205-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Commercial & Consumer Law
- LAW205-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Commercial & Consumer Law
- LAW205-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Commercial & Consumer Law
- LAW205-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Commercial & Consumer Law
20 creditsLAW206Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting- LAW206-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting
- LAW206-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting
- LAW206-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting
- LAW206-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting
- LAW206-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting
- LAW206-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Legal Skills, Advocacy & Mooting
20 creditsYear 3 — Advanced Legal Studies
LAW301Company Law & Corporate Governance- LAW301-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Company Law & Corporate Governance
- LAW301-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Company Law & Corporate Governance
- LAW301-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Company Law & Corporate Governance
- LAW301-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Company Law & Corporate Governance
- LAW301-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Company Law & Corporate Governance
- LAW301-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Company Law & Corporate Governance
20 creditsLAW302International Human Rights Law- LAW302-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — International Human Rights Law
- LAW302-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — International Human Rights Law
- LAW302-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — International Human Rights Law
- LAW302-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — International Human Rights Law
- LAW302-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — International Human Rights Law
- LAW302-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — International Human Rights Law
20 creditsLAW303Employment & Labour Law- LAW303-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Employment & Labour Law
- LAW303-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Employment & Labour Law
- LAW303-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Employment & Labour Law
- LAW303-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Employment & Labour Law
- LAW303-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Employment & Labour Law
- LAW303-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Employment & Labour Law
20 creditsLAW304Intellectual Property & Technology Law- LAW304-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Intellectual Property & Technology Law
- LAW304-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Intellectual Property & Technology Law
- LAW304-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Intellectual Property & Technology Law
- LAW304-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Intellectual Property & Technology Law
- LAW304-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Intellectual Property & Technology Law
- LAW304-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Intellectual Property & Technology Law
20 creditsLAW305Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project- LAW305-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project
- LAW305-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project
- LAW305-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project
- LAW305-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project
- LAW305-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project
- LAW305-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Honours Law Dissertation & Research Project
40 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile
- International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Documents
- Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals
- One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor
Research & interview
- Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes
Programme questions
How long is the BA (Hons) Law?+
The published duration is 3 years full-time. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
