How to choose LLB modules

May 29, 2020

Written By Billy Sexton

The LLB is an undergraduate law degree. Around half of all trainee solicitors study the LLB at university, so it’s by no means necessary if you want to follow a career in the law.

During the three years that it takes to complete the LLB (if you are studying full-time), you will undertake a range of compulsory and elective modules. The compulsory modules are the same, regardless of the university you attend.

Elective modules may differ slightly, but which ones should you choose?

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Compulsory modules

There are seven compulsory modules on the LLB that you will have to study. These are:

1. Constitutional/Administrative Law

2. Contract Law

3. Criminal Law

4. Equity & Trusts

5. EU Law

6. Land Law

7. Tort Law

For a detailed breakdown of what these modules involve, check out this article. Depending on your university, you may study all the compulsory modules in your first year of study, allowing you to follow your interests in your second and final year. Alternatively, you may study a two to three compulsory modules each year and combine them with a number of electives.

Elective modules

Elective (or optional) modules will differ by university and largely depends on the expertise of the academics. It’s impossible for us to list every single elective module, but you may want to consider these modules similar to the below if you want to secure a training contract at a commercial law firm.

Banking & Finance Law

Banking & Finance Law modules will introduce you to regulation surrounding banks and their commercial activities and will also explore the relationship between this area of law and compulsory modules such as contract law. Banks require commercial solicitors to advise them on their activities and actions in financial markets.

Commercial Law

An absolute must for any law student who wants to go on to practice as a solicitor in a commercial law firm. This elective module will overlap with Contract Law and Tort Law, explore how commercial contracts are interpreted, the importance of agency, protections in the event of breach of commercial contract and interference with commercial contracts.

Company Law

Again, an absolute must for aspiring trainee solicitors. A module on company law will cover the laws that govern companies and other organisations in the UK.

Competition Law

Studying Competition Law will provide future trainee solicitors with an understanding of the topic and how the UK Competition and Market Authority works with the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Some universities even cover issues such as anticompetitive conduct by use of algorithms in e-commerce.

Media, Sports or Tech Law

Media, sports and tech are often referred to as the areas of law that include all the other areas of law. From contract and competition issues to finance and intellectual property, these areas of law are varied and allow you to explore your interests whilst remaining commercially focussed in your studies.

Tax Law

Tax Law modules may sound dull but it is an incredibly important string to the bow of an aspiring solicitor. You could be studying issues around taxation and globalisation or how the introduction of a ‘green tax’ could affect businesses in certain jurisdictions.

This is by no means a complete or exhaustive list of LLB modules, but it gives you a flavour of what you should study if you want a vacation scheme or training contract at a top commercial law firm.

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