Exeter Law School | llb course | llb degree

A Law degree from the University of Exeter is held in high regard in the legal world. The Times Good University Guide 2009 ranked Exeter 17th, and against other universities in the region (Bristol, Bath and Cardiff) Exeter was found to have the best student to staff ratio - boasting 35 highly qualified lecturers.

The School of Law is committed to providing quality research-led teaching and has an international reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. The School has an excellent track record of graduate employment and many employers target the University when recruiting new graduates. There are also opportunities to study overseas or to work towards a dual qualification of LLB and Maîtrise/Magister. The School offers programmes at the University’s campuses in both Exeter and Falmouth in Cornwall.

The intake of the Streatham Campus is approximately 150 whilst there are a further 80 students at the Cornwall Campus. Both places offer the same LL.B programme but with some alternative choices in some modules at the different sites. Interestingly, the the Cornwall campus institution also offers the only chance to do a Law and Literature option in the whole country.

Exeter was internationally rated at level 5 by RAE 2001, whilst it is currently ranked 3rd in the UK for the learning and resources in the National Students Survey (2008). Offering a variety of programmes such as the LL.B with Maîtrise/Magister there are also opportunities to study in different countries.

Ranked 3rd in the UK for learning and resources in the National Student Survey (2008), the School of Law offers all the facilities required for a first rate learning experience. Both campuses have excellent library resources. The Lasok Law Library/Collection in Exeter is officially recognised by the European Commission as a European Documentation Centre and has over 40,000 volumes. In addition to United Kingdom, Commonwealth and some United States holdings, it is particularly strong in European Union, French and German Law. Students at the Cornwall Campus have access to a dedicated Law collection in the Campus library and full access to the specialist law electronics portals and databases. Both libraries are open in the evening and at weekends.

Extensive online services are available to students on both campuses, providing access to all official European databases, such as Eur-Lex, which contains all EU legislation, court reports and current official documents, and to a range of subscription databases, including LexisNexis, Westlaw and European Sources Online. IT assistance and advice is provided.

The Parker Moot Room, a purpose-built moot court situated on the Streatham Campus, is equipped with the latest audiovisual facilities and has seating for around 250. A moot is the oral presentation of a legal issue or problem and enables you to gain experience of a skill that will be necessary when appearing in court. In addition to mooting competitions, it is used for large-group teaching sessions and high-profile public lectures. Excellent audio-visual facilities are available for similar use in terms of advocacy training at the Cornwall Campus and students utilise the full range of lecture and seminar rooms, all equipped with the latest facilities for learning and teaching.

All members of teaching staff in the Law School engage in original research and scholarship, so you will be taught by academics who are experts in their field. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2001), the School received a ‘5’ rating indicating research of national and international levels of excellence. This leading research feeds directly into programmes, ensuring that your learning is informed by the latest theories and legal thinking. The normal programme of teaching and learning is supplemented by lectures on topical subjects by high-profile figures from both the British and overseas judiciaries as well as members of the European Commission.

Modules are taught through lectures, workshops and seminars. There are 2-3 hours of lectures per module per week and a cycle of hour-long workshops in each module. You will be expected to spend a considerable amount of time (at least 20 hours per week) in private study, reading cases and articles as background and follow up to your classes. Some lectures are delivered via video-link between Cornwall and Exeter to take full advantage of expertise amongst academic staff on both campuses.

The workshops are sessions for small groups arranged around legal issues arising in each module. In these you will concentrate on learning the law through problem-solving and develop legal and personal transferable skills. You will have an excellent opportunity to participate and develop your own skills through presentations and group work

Assessment methods are varied and reflect progression through the degree, building on the knowledge and skills acquired in each year and taking the stress off formal examinations. In the compulsory subjects, for example, assessment may involve presentation of an essay or an assignment usually counting for 25 per cent of the marks and an examination, some with open notes or other materials, counting for 75 per cent.

It’s possible to study Law at the University’s Streatham Campus in Exeter or the Cornwall Campus near Falmouth in Cornwall. The Streatham campus is very green and picturesque and is a short walk or bus ride to the city centre. It is nice to walk around feeling safe even at night time as Exeter is quite quiet. However, this has no impact on the nightlife, which is very lively. A “quiet night in” will only be through choice - never through lack of variation as there are student nights in different places almost every night of the week.

The Great Hall on campus is a choice venue for performers such as Scouting for Girls and many others (see http://www.exeterboxoffice.com/ ). Furthermore, The Cavern offers alternative/rock music for those so inclined. Taxis are relatively easy to get hold of and reasonably priced however there have been requests for a university-run bus service to run late at night which is yet to be answered.

The Tremough campus, in a beautiful rural setting, but with ready access to the city of Truro and to the endless sailing inlets and harbours around Falmouth, has instant access to good surfing beaches and a wide range of other activities: see the Union website for information at http://www.fxu.org.uk/

The University fees do not take into account the cost of accommodation, living expenses or books. It is estimated that a single student living in Exeter or Cornwall will need approximately £650 a month to meet basic living expenses such as accommodation costs, food, books and equipment and other necessities. This figure is given as a guide only. The amount you actually spend will depend a lot upon your personal lifestyle. A full breakdown of these costs estimates is available at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/international/livingcosts

Second hand editions of books from the years above are often available. This will save you a lot of money in the long-run, but do look into which books are recommended by your course lecturers first.

Located in the beautiful South West of England, the University of Exeter offers an outstanding setting for a fantastic student experience. Find out about student life at the campuses in both Exeter and Cornwall at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate

The social life at Exeter is good (nightlife discussed above); the Bracton and the Lyonesse Law Societies do hold some exceptional socials, sometimes inviting some solicitors and barristers in the area so Exeter students are given a networking advantage. There is a Law netball team and a Law football team set to expand in the coming year. In Cornwall, sea swimming, rowing and surfing are popular throughout the year.

There are yearly tournaments held and last year - the netball team came third against Warwick, Reading, Bristol and Cardiff law schools whilst being sponsored by a Bristol-based law firm.

This is a good way to meet people and always a good CV enhancer. In addition the university has a highly acclaimed debating society which often gets in external speakers to debate pressing current issues. Mooting is also a key feature within the school with both internal and external competitions to suit all standards

Social facilities on the Tremough campus include a fully-equipped gym and fitness studio, restaurant and student bar, as well as a 1,000-capacity venue which regularly hosts live bands and DJs, as well as comedy, open mic sessions and club nights.

A Law degree from the University of Exeter will equip you with a wide range of skills suitable, not only for a career as a solicitor or barrister, but also in the wider world of finance, administration and commerce. Skills which you will develop, such as assimilation of large amounts of material, writing concise reports and problem solving, are regarded as essential by many graduate recruiters.

The majority of Law graduates from the University of Exeter follow their degree with further study in the law and a training contract with a firm of solicitors or pupillage in a barrister’s chambers. The Careers and Employment Service organises an annual Law Fair at the Streatham Campus for students wishing to pursue a legal career.

Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and students and graduates compete very successfully in the employment market. Many employers target the University when recruiting new graduates and the School retains strong links with its alumni, many of whom occupy senior positions in the legal field.