Oxford Brookes Law School | llb course | llb degree

The main campus is undergoing a big redevelopment. There will be new library space, new lecture theatres and various other accompanying facilities. The cost for which, however, ismay be the loss of the famed ‘venue’, the on-campus 1,300 capacity club. The Students Union is working on a compromise with the University but beyond that, nobody can offer any reassurances.

The only space isolated for law is the tutor’s quarters. The Gipsy Lane site is where all lectures and seminars are based, in amongst the range of disciplines on offer at the University. This is also where you will find the postgraduate common room, a dedicated space with catering machines for the use of all postgraduate students.

The law library is contained within the huge main library with and has a very impressive range of legal holdings that is generally always in stockwith a dedicated Law Librarian on hand to help you find what you need. LLM student are also able to make use the Bodleian Law library. There are computers everywhere and all campuses have a good number of terminals available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

The LLB at Brookes is a modular one. You have a choice between an Honours or Qualifying Law Degree, with free-choice modules taken, allowing you between 6 and 9 each year. Each module is formed of a lecture and seminar each week of the twelve week semester. You are expected to complete around 120 hours of personal study for each module outside of these.

The Brookes Law Department is noted for its academic research. There is an excellent mixture of research lecturers, able to explain particular subjects in immense detail and lecturers with professional experience that can help you understand the application of theory in the professional world.

There is a great deal of study support available at Brookes. In the library, there is the ‘Upgrade’ service which will give you help on study skills, writing essays, preparing for exams etc. You will also be assigned a personal tutor. It is a good idea to meet with your tutor ASAP.

Oxford is gorgeous. Brookes is surrounded on two sides by acres of mature parkland and is within a stones’ throw of many others. Local amenities include Punting, cinemas, theatres, several swimming pools and leisure centres, shopping galore from your Primark through to more cosmopolitan clients.

Brookes has 3 three campuses. One is in the middle of the city, the other two at each end. Gipsy Lane is the main campus and is where all Law modules are sat. Across the road from this main campus, blighted as it is by pebble dashing, is the more fitting campus of Headington Hill. This is where the Law Department staff offices are found, is, enshrined in Robert Maxwell’s old manor house and surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is also the home of the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice which has recently relocated from the City Centre.

In a separate more modern building, is It is also where the Student Union with its bases itself alongside a 1,300 capacity club for bi-monthly extravaganzas alongside weekly club nights. Oxford City itself is formed into districts. The main ones for student consumption are Cornmarket for shopping, Park End for clubbing and Cowley Road for some very welcome reality.

The course fees are as per the national rate for Tuition Fees, £3,000 and rising. There are plentiful book shops for materials, however please brace yourself for the amount of money you will have to spend on legal texts are rarely cheap. Unfortunately, £150 a year is a conservative estimate. The cost of drinks is the usual; this being quite cheap.

Generally, the cost of living in Oxford is not much less than in a larger conurbation. There are comparisons with the East End of London and the City Centre of Birmingham. One thing Oxford does have to compare to other cities is a quite incredible public transport network.

Buses from outside the main campus are from every few minutes in the day to every half hour for the night buses. There are two 24 hour coach services to London all of 400 metres away and the train station, a mere 15 minutes away has direct links to London, Edinburgh and all the in between.

Oxford Brookes University is also home of a very active Students’ Union (SU). Oxford Brookes SU is run for students by students to make sure University takes your views into account, and to help you make the most of your time here. Whether you want to have fun, get a job or just need some
advice, the SU has got it covered.

Every year, a group of students are elected to oversee all the work that the SU does, which involves providing academic and welfare representation, advice services, latest job vacancies, volunteering opportunities, and supporting the Safety Bus service and societies covering cultural, religious, political, social and academic interests.

The SU also runs shops on every campus, 4 bars, regular club nights throughout the week and gigs of local bands in one of the biggest venues in Oxford. The SU is committed to equal opportunities in everything they do and aim to support and represent all students, including those with disabilities, international students, female students, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, and mature students.

The Brookes Law Society is very active, socially and professionally. The annual winter ball is legendary and there are monthly events throughout the year. The Law Society Committee works hard to offer the chance to develop legal skills. In 2007/8 there were two internal mooting competitions and there were three teams entered for national competitions.

The society prides itself on the relationship it has with the Law Department to provide these offerings. There are also many and varied pro bono opportunities through the links the Pro Bono Officer maintains with the local community and our new stable mate, the Oxford Institute of Legal Practise. Membership of this revered Society is £5 per year.

The careers centre at Brookes is again, and rightly so, a button presented for the student to press. The Law Society does arrange careers talks’ et al, but there is little pressure to act upon the information you are given. The tutors and careers centre are always open and very happy to welcome you for a talk.

You just need to go there yourself. Any assistance required for Post-Graduate or GDL/LPC/BVC applications and work experience is usually conducted through your personal tutor. It is first come, first served for the most useful staff.