Law, Policing & Investigation

Note: this course is for 2013 entry only.

This Diploma provides you with an academically rigorous programme of legal education designed to prepare the non-law graduate for entry on to the vocational stage of training for the legal professions. As it satisfies the CPE aims prescribed by the Joint Academic Stage Board, on successful completion you can progress on to the second stage of your training, the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice for solicitors or the Bar Professional Training course for barristers.

The programme enables you to continue your professional, educational and personal development by expanding, extending and enhancing your disciplinary expertise. It involves high levels of personal responsibility and self-direction, requiring you to work with complex concepts and theory appropriate to postgraduate study. Teesside is one of only a few institutions which offer such a programme at postgraduate level.

Some students may be returning to university after a break from higher education and none will have studied law in the past. In the first few weeks in particular we endeavour to provide you with the appropriate support you may need to adjust to your studies.

What you study

In order to meet the professional bodies’ requirements the programme starts with the English Legal System module, followed by the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge (Public Law, Law of the European Union, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Tort, Land Law, and Equity and Trusts) and an eighth legal area, your independent legal research project. The seven Foundations are taught as seven separate modules delivered over a 24-week period with three hours’ contact per module per week.

You are provided with a module guide for each module which includes full details of everything you need to know about what material will be covered, suggested reading, the assessment and assessment criteria and what you are expected to achieve on completion of the subject.

How you learn

The teaching on this programme is a blend of directed and student-centred learning to develop an understanding of methodology, practice and presentation. There is a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. Through an independent legal research project you are able to explore the theoretical and practical aspects of an issue in a specific area of law which is not included in the taught provision, under the supervision of one of the programme team who provides guidance and support.

How you are assessed

The English Legal System module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Most of the foundation modules are assessed by a 2,000-word, written, in-course assessment but three are assessed by a 20-minute presentation. The in-course assessments are all worth 30% of the module mark. All foundation modules have a two-hour examination at the end of the module worth 70% of the module mark.

Your final assessment is a 5,000-word independent legal research project exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of an issue in a specific area of law which is not included in the taught provision. This is on a topic of your choice, subject to approval.

Professional accreditation

This course provides the equivalent academic standing as a Qualifying Law degree. As such, on successful completion you can go on to undertake a Legal Practice Course if you want to be a solicitor or the Bar Professional Training course if you wish to be admitted to the Bar.

Career opportunities

This course is designed specifically for students who want to enter the legal professions but have a degree in another discipline. Its aim is to satisfy the academic stage of training to enable you to go on to undertake a Legal Practice Course if you want to be a solicitor or the Bar Professional Training course if you wish to be admitted to the Bar.

How to apply

Applicants for this programme (full-time) should apply via the Central Applications Board (CAB). For more information please visit www.lawcabs.ac.uk.

Part-time applications should be made via the link at the top of this page.

Entry requirements

You must be a graduate with a 2.2 or above, or have been granted a Certificate of Academic Standing from one of the professional bodies in order to be admitted onto the course. A good command of the English language is essential. For students who obtained their degrees in countries where English is not the first official language, an IELTS score of 7.5 must be achieved before admission.

For additional information please see the entry requirements in our admissions section

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

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