Overview
On the case
Our professional practice focused LLB Law (Criminology Pathway) course will give you a thorough grounding in the law with a particular emphasis on Criminal Law and Criminology, as well as the opportunity to develop your career and professional skills at the same time.
The course is aimed at students who already know that they are likely to want to work in the Criminal Justice sector and covers the key topics of Criminal Law, Criminal Litigation, and the Law of Evidence.
Your final year Project will also be on a Criminal Justice topic of your choosing. You will be able to graduate with a clear and focused statement of your career intentions.
As well as developing in-depth legal knowledge and academic skills, there is a strong emphasis on experiential learning and legal education for professional practice and the enhancement of professional career prospects. We offer opportunities for all undergraduate students to undertake a work placement, internship or work experience, including in our Legal Advice Clinic, during our core Working in the Law Module.
The course is the first step on the journey to becoming a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive as well as being the foundation for a broad range of other professional careers. It is designed to give students a ‘Head Start’ on professional qualification, particularly for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination with its focus on professional procedure and skills as well as the academic study of Law. As part of our assessment strategy, we use professional examination style multiple choice questions, so our students have an opportunity to practice and prepare for them in advance. Students who pass Business Law, Company Law & Employment Law with grades of 50% or more are also eligible to become Graduate Members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, a recognised legal qualification.
The course is supported by extensive online learning resources including a personal electronic law library. The course offers opportunities to study abroad, including international field trips such as the Comparative Law option. We have very strong links with the local legal community, particularly the South London Law Society and the Southwark Legal Advice Network, and the course offers frequent opportunities to learn from legal practitioners, particularly our Visiting Fellow and Professors, Alumni and members of the local legal profession who contribute guest lectures and support our career development activities and events.
Why Law at LSBU?
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- Ranked 12th overall in the UK for Teaching Quality (Sunday Times 2022)
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- Outstanding facilities – we'll equip you with complete online support and access to a personal law e-library worth £6000.
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- Work experience - you could volunteer at the County Court Help Desk, Southwark Council, with local Law firms, or be a Legal Adviser at LSBU's free Legal Advice Clinic.
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- An energetic, award-winning Student Law Society that arranges talks, visits and competitions.
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- Expert academics – most of our lecturers are qualified solicitors and barristers, passing on their insights, real-world case expertise and passion for Law.
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- Extra-curricular activities - Mooting, Street Law, Student Magazine – ‘Devil’s Advocate’.
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- Specifically designed assessment methods to give students a Head Start on their professional examinations, particularly the SQE.
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- Peer mentoring for Year 1 students to help support them with the transition to higher education and integrating onto the course.
| ModeFull-time | Duration3 years | Start dateSeptember | Application code5780 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
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Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.
112 UCAS points
Or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
If you do not meet the entry criteria above we also review any previous skills, knowledge or experience you have gained outside of your education and are happy to talk through any extenuating circumstances you feel relevant.
Visit UCAS for guidance on the tariff.
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Advanced entry
If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.
United Kingdom
£9535
Tuition fees for home students
International
£16500
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Full-time
full-time
LLB (Hons) Law [Criminology] (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £9535 International fee: £16500 AOS/LSBU code: 5780 Session code: 1FS03 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £28605 International: £49500 LLB (Hons) Law [Criminology] (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £9535 International fee: £16500 AOS/LSBU code: 5780 Session code: 2FS03 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £28605 International: £49500 LLB (Hons) Law [Criminology] (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £9535 International fee: £16500 AOS/LSBU code: 5780 Session code: 3FS03 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £28605 International: £49500
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.
Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.
See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).
Possible fee changes
The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.
The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.
Scholarships
We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
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| Mode Full-time | Duration 3 years | Start date September | Application code 5780 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
International students
International (non Home/EU) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Home/EU applicants
Mode | Duration | Start date | Application code | Application method |
Full-time | 3 years | September | M1M9 |
Accommodation
Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.
Prepare to start
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The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham - click here for link
Stories of the Law and how it is broken by the Secret Barrister - click here for link
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Tomorrow’s Lawyers: Welcome to your Future by Richard Susskind - click here for link
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Applicant events
After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.
Students who take the Comparative Law and European Security and Borders Law options have the opportunity to attend short intensive international study visits.
Students can also elect to study abroad for the second semester of their second year at international Law Schools linked with LSBU
Please note that although most optional modules run, we do not guarantee to run every optional module each year. Not all option combinations are available due to timetabling restrictions.
The LLB (Hons) Law covers the core legal topics with a selection of options covering specialist areas of law, procedure and professional skills.
All modules carry 20 CAT credit.
Level 4: Semester One
- Legal Skills, Legal Study, Legal System (Compulsory)
This module introduces students to aspects of the English Legal System, and practical, transferable and legal skills and legal theory essential to effective engagement with their legal studies. Students are introduced to the theories of what law is and what are its sources, the court system, EU and international law, and the personnel involved in the administration of the law. Students will encounter and develop a range of skills, including study skills, deriving law from primary sources and explaining, discussing and applying it, research, using secondary sources, writing, communication and IT skills, numerical skills, and reflective learning - Contract Law (Compulsory)This Level 4 Module aims to familiarise students with principles on the formation of contracts, their terms, performance, factors that vitiate contracts, consequences of breaching contracts and how these principles apply in real life scenarios. The learning objectives are achieved using a range of different teaching techniques including lectures, seminars and workshops.
- Public Law (Compulsory)The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to constitutional and administrative law. The module concentrates upon constitutions; sources of the constitution; an introduction to the principles that underpin the constitution; an exploration of the legal manifestations of the constitution as expressed through the operation of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the substantive grounds of judicial review.
Level 4: Semester Two
- Current Legal Issues (Compulsory)
This module enables students to explore a number of current law reform debates. It also introduces the social, political, economic and ethical considerations that underpin these debates. The module develops team-working skills, as students will be expected to work in groups to produce specific law reform proposals. Students will present their law reform proposals to the group at the end of the semester. - Law of Torts (Compulsory)
This module is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of tortious liability in a range of different torts, with a more detailed exploration of tort liability in the context of negligence. The module seeks to explore the workings of tort with exploration of the underlying legal, social and economic policies. - European Law (Compulsory)
The module will introduce students to the traditional characteristics of European civil legal systems, the links with international law and students will contrast them with the characteristics of the English common law. Students will be introduced to supra-national European law, notably the EU, and will contrast with the ECHR. Students will consider the impact, legal effects and a range of rights stemming from these European systems of law on the English legal system.
Level 5: Semester One
- Working in the Law (Compulsory)
Students engage in reflection on their career goals and develop and practice legal professional and career skills. Students are encouraged and supported to undertake legal placements and volunteering opportunities. The module provides students with an insight into the procedural and practical application of the law and an opportunity to develop transferable and practical skills to develop their careers. - Criminal Law (Compulsory)
The Criminal Law module introduces students to the core principles of Criminal law; the key criminal offences and defences. Topics covered include: Principles; Harm; Fault (and the denial of fault); Homicide Voluntary; Homicide Involuntary; Offences Against the Person; Sexual Offences; Theft, Fraud and Criminal Damage; Justification; Participation; and Preparation. The module explores concepts, contextual analysis, incremental development, rationales, reform and sources. Knowledge and skills are taught and/or developed in relation to argumentation, communication, evaluation and problem solving. It assesses students through a mix of applied knowledge testing; application of the law to problems and critical evaluation of the law. - Property, Equity & Trusts (Compulsory)
This module requires students to critically examine the concept of property and its relation to law and state. It develops from a study of various attempts to define property, to consider property in terms of rights..Students will also identify equitable principles and explain the application of implied trusts. The module progresses to consider trusts and trustees’ duties, fiduciary relationships and duties. Students will recognise breaches of duty and apply appropriate remedies. Throughout students will recognise the relevance of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Level 5: Semester Two
- Law in Action (Compulsory)
Students will explore areas of personal injury / tort law from practical and theoretical perspectives. Students will work from a “virtual law office” accessing files with documentation that cover road traffic accidents, accidents at work, occupiers’ liability, manufacturers’ liability and/or Highways Act 1980 claims. Students will engage in experiential learning, acquiring legal knowledge and being introduced to practical skills such as conducting the initial client interview, research, opinion / brief writing, drafting, conferencing, and negotiation. Students will engage with contemporary debates in personal injury litigation, e.g. the policy arguments for and against fault based liability, and moves to address the perceived “compensation culture”. - Youth, Crime and Delinquency (Compulsory)
This module provides an overview of the development of youth crime as a specific area of criminological inquiry and a distinct jurisdiction within the criminal justice system. The Module considers the development of ‘delinquency’ as a specific field of intervention and investigation. It gives particular attention to the evolution of youth justice policies and examines current literature in relation to the strengths and limitations of the contemporary youth justice system
Students must do one module from either Option Pool A or Option Pool B
Option Pool A
- Consumer Protection & the Law (Optional)
This module provides a thorough grounding in the general principles of consumer protection. It encourages students to engage in contemporary debate relating to consumer protection law, its development and reform, and to comprehend the integration in practice of previously studied law "subjects", in particular contract and tort. The modules also encourages students to analyse and evaluate the UK framework for the protection of consumers' interests, and encourages an appreciation of the significance of the social, political and economic contexts within which the law operates. - Sentencing, Crime and Punishment (Optional)
This module introduces students to the theoretical foundations and practical implications of sentencing theory in the context of the UK criminal justice system. Drawing upon a range of philosophical sources, the module looks at the aims and purposes of sentencing and how these have developed in different historical socio-political contexts up to the present day. It also considers the practical implications of these aims by exploring the current sentencing code, how this was developed and how cases are currently sentenced now the code is in operation.
Option Pool B
- Comparative Law (Optional)
The module begins by introducing students to comparative law as a field of law that has been developing quite drastically in the last few decades. Starting with its origins at the beginning of the 20th century in Europe, students learn how the discipline has become more critical as the years have gone by (mostly as a result of the critique it faced by socio-legal, post-colonial and other legal scholars). Students are familiarised with this critique, evolution, and the novel approaches to understanding law in the times of globalisation. The module chooses Egypt as the key legal system to engage with throughout. As such, students are introduced to both Islamic legal systems and Civil law systems as part of their studies. Students study the basic underlying philosophies and methods of the system and engage in current debates in the context of human rights law as well as business law. They learn how to undertake comparative legal analyses that go beyond the surface of simple contrasting of law, and instead will engage with the legal systems by understanding them within their specific historical, political, social, and cultural contexts. - Legal Advice Clinic (Optional)
This module involves students working with live clients giving face-to-face advice or advice virtually at LSBU’s in-house Legal Advice Clinic. Under the supervision of university-employed solicitors and specialist lawyers, students interview drop-in clients and provide basic information on any legal topic; give generalist advice in social welfare law matters including housing, family, employment, welfare benefits and debt; signpost and refer to appropriate local advice agencies and legal services. Students will undertake a minimum of 10 - 12 three- hour sessions in the Legal Advice Clinic advising members of the public, staff and students. The students will also attend preparatory training.
Level 6 Semester One
- Land Law (Compulsory)
Students learn Land Law through an evolving story, illustrated with diagrams, and involving everyday Land Law situations. Students learn about estates and interests (both legal and equitable) in land and the formalities required to create them; the regulation of land use through private law controls; the finance of land via a mortgage; and how estates and interests in land exist and are protected in registered land. Students will, throughout their study of Land Law, apply the Law they learn to the facts of this ever-evolving Land Law story. - Gender, Crime and Justice (Compulsory)
The relationship between men, masculinity and crime; and women, femininity and crime has assumed increasing visibility and political significance within both criminology and the public arena. An understanding of both masculinities and femininities is central to this module. Drawing on feminist perspectives in criminological theory as well as more mainstream theoretical accounts, this module evaluates the evidence, which indicates that patterns of offending, victimisation and the workings of the main criminal justice agencies are gendered. The module also transgresses traditional debates in this area by considering a human rights perspective for the study of gender and crime.
Students must do one module from either Option Pool C or Option Pool D
Option Pool C
- Business Law (Optional)
This module teaches students some key aspects of business law in a commercial context. These are: (1) determining which is the appropriate business form for commercial operations; (2) using agents for the sale and purchase of goods; (3) insolvency procedures, including rehabilitation and related director’s liabilities; (4) protecting operations through insurance; and (5) resolving disputes through international commercial arbitration. - Criminal Advocacy, Evidence and Litigation (Optional)
The module examines key areas of the criminal process journey first introducing the criminal process before examining Police powers and professional ethics, Police station detention and interview, criminal procedure in the Magistrates Court (including Identification evidence); and procedure and Advocacy the Crown Court. The module also reviews the rules evidence (relevance; the discretionary exclusion of improperly obtained evidence; character; hearsay; confessions, the burden and standard of proof; opinion, privilege). Consideration is also given to the complicated topic of sentencing and appeals. Students are also given the opportunity to study selected issues of youth justice. - Family Law 1 (Children) (Optional)
This module explores the key principles of children law, examining law and procedure in cases involving parental disputes about children. Consideration is given to cases requiring some intervention of the state to support children in need or to protect children from abuse or neglect and to the legal processes of adoption and surrogacy. Throughout there is an assessment of children’s rights and examination of the significance of domestic abuse in children cases and of recent and anticipated law reform. Students participate in the familylawhub@lsbu, which provides students with opportunities for experiential learning including collaboration with external partners.
Option Pool D
- Human Rights Clinic
- The module provides students with an opportunity to engage in research, analysis and professional writing, supporting human rights organisations to prepare reports and campaigns aimed at tackling specific human rights violations around the world.
Law students will work in in small teams for human rights organisations to help research issues, write reports and campaigning materials and make recommendations relating to specific human rights campaigns. - Law & Technology (Optional)
The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse and evaluate the impact of technology on Law, Dispute Resolution and the delivery of Legal Services. Lectures consider the uses of technology as they impact on areas of law such as Contract and Commercial Law, roles and careers in the Legal Profession, on Access to Justice and Dispute Resolution processes and on the delivery of Legal Services. In workshops, Law students will work in project groups with Computer Science students to design and create a piece of legal technology software such as a learning or access to justice resource. - Legal & Social Policy Clinic
The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse, evaluate and respond to a current law reform proposal made by the Government and bodies such as the Law Commission and the Sentencing Council. Students conduct collaborative research and write and submit a response to a proposed law reform issue and develop writing and critical analysis skills through preparing public outputs based on their work.
Option Pool D (students may do one option from this pool)
Level 6 Semester Two
- The Law Project (Compulsory)
The project gives students an opportunity to carry out extended, independent, research in an area of law of their choice. relating to English law, the law of the European Union or international law. A project focusing on the law of another national jurisdiction will not be permitted. Normally, a student will not be allowed to choose a topic that has been taught in detail on the degree. There are two pieces of assessed work, which count towards the final project mark. Students on a Specialist LLB must choose a Project topic within the specialism. - Crimes of the powerful: States, Corporations and Human Rights (Compulsory)
This module explores the phenomena of state crime, corporate crime and the involvement of powerful social forces in human rights abuses. It examines the problems involved in conceptualising state crimes and human rights and looks at contemporary crimes against humanity, including in the area of environmental rights. The module also explores the problems involved in regulating and controlling state crime and human rights atrocities in which states and state officials play a key role. The critical engagement with globalization provides a framework within which students explore significant contemporary debates and developments.
Students must do one module from Option Pool E
Option Pool E
- Civil Litigation (Optional)
The module examines key areas in the civil litigation process, from pre-action steps, issue of claim, through to trial and appeal. The module applies these practical aspects to theoretical but realistic civil litigation disputes, requiring students to read and analyse legal materials relating to civil litigation. It provides a grounding in the intellectual and academic skills required for conducting civil litigation - Company Law (Optional)
This module is designed to give students an understanding of the development of some of the fundamental principles relating to company law. It examines the nature of a company, company structures, management and ownership, capital structures and shareholder remedies. The course takes into account the impact of the EU and company law reforms. - Employment Law (Optional)
This module critically examines the law directly governing the employment relationship including both the contract of employment and statutory regulation. It is concerned primarily with key issues and basic principles and to the application of the law in the workplace. Employment law is a complex and expanding area of study constantly changing. In addition to original legal materials such as statutes and cases, seminar readings are drawn from academic literature, official documents and case law. - Family Law 2 (Relationships) (Optional)
This module explores the institution of marriage and civil partnership and the process of divorce/dissolution. There is detailed consideration of the key principles underpinning financial remedies to allow understanding of the crucial differences between married and unmarried couples. Consideration is given to the effect of pre-marital financial agreements. There is examination of the significance of domestic abuse and forced marriage and the legal protections from both. Throughout there is analysis and evaluation of recent and proposed law reform. Students participate in the familylawhub@lsbu, a service that offers a drop-in service for the public, free at the point of use, to provide information, support and assistance in relation to family law disputes and work in partnership with other mediation and Dispute Resolution services, other advice networks and family courts. - International Protection of Human Rights (Optional)
Students will study the International Protection of Human Rights in the context of specific countries and themes. Topics will introduce students to key topics such as the UN procedures and Human Rights Activism. Students will then research these topics in the context of a specific country (such as Myanmar, Nigeria and Pakistan) and theme (such as Fair Trial, Free Speech and Torture). Seminar discussions will be based on students’ research on their selected country and theme. There will be an emphasis on developing effective strategies for combating human rights abuses.
Please note that although most optional modules run, we do not guarantee to run every optional module each year. Not all option combinations are available due to timetabling restrictions.
Careers
Employability Service
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
On successful completion of our course you will be able to progress to qualify as a Barrister, a Chartered Legal Executive or a Solicitor.
You will also be prepared for a wide range of professional careers in other sectors including Business, Central and Local Government, LawTech and Management.
To become a Barrister you need to pass with 2(ii) Honours. You will then need to pass the Bar Training Course and obtain a Pupillage (work based learning).
To become a Chartered Legal Executive you need to join the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and follow their route to qualification.
To become a Solicitor you need to pass the degree. You will then need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Parts 1 and 2 and to obtain two years of qualifying work experience.
We employ an experiential learning strategy which means that much of our teaching is rooted in professional practice, using placements (including in our Legal Advice Clinic), simulations and professional skills exercises to engage and develop our students.
The course provides a ‘Head Start’ for professional qualification by introducing students to legal procedure and professional skills and by using professional exam style multiple choice questions as part of the course assessment strategy.
We have strong links with the local legal profession, particularly through the South London Law Society and the Southwark Legal Advice Network, as well as with our own graduates practicing across London and beyond.
We appoint leading lawyers as Visiting Professors to support our teaching. These include the crime and human rights experts: Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC and Imran Khan QC.
LSBU Legal Advice Clinic
This free drop-in service is open to the public and staffed by our law students, supervised by practicing solicitors.
Students receive specialist training, supervised sessions in undertaking research and give legal advice on live issues such as Social Welfare Law and Employment Law.
London South Bank University's Student-run Legal Advice Clinic
County Court Helpdesk
This free drop-in service is open to the public and staffed by our law students, supervised by academics.
London Law Careers Fair
We are part of the London Law Careers Fair, giving our students priority booking for the annual national law fair held at the Law Society.
It is an opportunity to meet future employers and ask about training and employment opportunities.
Students hear from top practitioners, including Judges, solicitors, barristers and legal executives in break-out sessions designed to address topics of current interest.
The London Borough of Southwark
We have set up a placement programme in conjunction with Southwark Council. Complete a placement during the academic year and enter a competition at the end of the year for a full two week placement during the summer holidays.
South London Law Centres
Southwark Law Centre, Blackfriars, Cambridge House and the Afro Asian Advisory Service provide work placements so you can gain an insight into the workings of a law centre and the public advice sector in areas such as Employment Law, Housing Law and Immigration law
Teaching and Assessment
We employ an experiential learning strategy which means that much of our teaching is rooted in professional practice, using placements (including in our Legal Advice Clinic), simulations and professional skills exercises to engage and develop our students. Some of our lecturers are also practitioners and are able to draw upon their professional experience when teaching.
As well as studying the Law and how it is used in practice, students analyse and evaluate whether the law is effective and fair. Students also apply critical and theoretical perspectives to questions of law reform. Our academic team draw upon significant research experience.
Core knowledge is imparted through large group lectures. Interactive workshops support knowledge acquisition and skills for application. This is developed and tested in interactive small group seminars. Smaller optional modules tend to use teaching time more flexibly to suit the subject.
We use a broad range of assessment techniques, including: examinations, multiple-choice tests, coursework, group work and oral presentations, to test the full range of knowledge and skills the course teaches and develops.
Personal Tutoring
As an undergraduate Law and Social Science student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first semester at LSBU. The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support. Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.
Law Mentoring at LSBU
This programme gives mentors experience in supporting and guiding, whilst mentees benefit from their guidance.
Free resources and Technology
We invest in resources and technology to support your learning journey.
We provide extensive online learning resources to support your self-study time and every student, after enrolment is given free:
- Access to the latest version of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams;
- Access Moodle (our Virtual Learning Environment);
- Over £6000 of Oxford University Press Law Trove Library of online law text books;
- Access to top quality practitioner databases including Westlaw and Lexis
- Numerous other resources
We also nurture and develop your skills through our Law Division Skills and Support Site.
People profiles
