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An image to illustrate the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (graduate entry)
If you have a degree or masters degree in any subject from a UK university or a recognised overseas university, you can choose this route to a law degree. It will give you the legal knowledge to understand and apply the law and legal analysis skills. You can tailor your study to gain an academic law degree, the Foundations of Legal Knowledge needed to become a barrister in England and Wales, or a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland, or the foundation to take the first assessment (SQE1) of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination in England and Wales.
This course has a route recognised by:
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This graduate entry version of our law degree has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
You’ll start this stage in October by studying the law of relations between individuals and the state. You’ll also learn how contracts are formed, their contractual terms and how they end. As part of this stage, you’ll choose two modules that focus on particular aspects of law that are of the most interest or relevance to your career.
If you study part time, after Public law, you should study an option module in the following February, before studying Contract law in the next October and a second option module in the February after that. If you study full time, you'll study the compulsory modules in October, followed by the two option modules in February.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study two of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Students who intend to progress to an LLB and aim to be a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland will need to study Evidence law (W250).

To conclude your degree, you’ll have the flexibility to tailor your studies to suit your career aspirations. This could be to:

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start with the following:
SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)30Oct
You’ll also study the following:
SQE: property and private client law (W322)30Feb
SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)30Feb
European Union law (W330)30Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You’ll start with the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
You’ll start with the following:
SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)30Oct
You’ll study the following:
SQE: property and private client law (W322)30Feb
SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)30Feb
You’ll also study one of the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Trusts law (W311)30Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, high-quality materials, online tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as two years. If you wish to become a barrister in England and Wales or a barrister or solicitor in Northern Ireland, you must complete your law degree within six years. Otherwise, you have a maximum of 12 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in four years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in two years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
To study this qualification, you need to have completed a bachelors degree (ordinary or honours), a masters degree, or a PhD, awarded by a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) or other recognised degree awarding body, or an equivalent qualification from an overseas HEI.

4 years
£3,892*
This graduate entry degree comprises 240 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 4 years.
£15,568*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
If you meet the entry requirements, please complete the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) graduate entry application form. We will need your completed application by 13 August 2026. Applications received after this date will not be processed in time for the October 2026 start.
If you are an Open University graduate, you do not need to complete an application form. Please contact the Partnerships Team via email at [email protected].
Before you submit an application, you can contact the Credit Transfer Team at [email protected] to check the eligibility of your previous qualification for entry into this degree.
As independent learners, law graduates have developed literacy, communication, problem-solving, presentation, numeracy, cognitive and organisational skills, and can apply an academically coherent methodology to current debates in law. This is excellent preparation for a career as a legal professional and is also an asset for many careers, such as roles in finance, commerce, human resources, education, local and central government, the voluntary sector or management.
Studying law opens up many career options, whether in law or law-related fields, including solicitor, barrister, legal executive and paralegal. Solicitors and barristers usually work in private practice, in central or local government, commerce, industry, the armed forces or professional bodies.
In England and Wales
Becoming a Barrister
If you wish to become a barrister, you require a degree which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge (contract law, tort law, public law, criminal law, trusts law, land law and European Union law). This will exempt you from the academic stage of training, and you can progress to the required professional training. However, for intending barristers, a minimum honours degree classification of 2:2 is required.
There are strict time limits for those wishing to become a barrister, and as a graduate, claiming credit transfer for a previous degree, you must complete the required modules (240 credits in total) within six years. If exceptional circumstances prevent you from completing the degree within this timescale, you can apply for an extension, which is typically one further year. If you don't intend to become a barrister, the six-year time limit does not apply.
There is a further period of professional training required, followed by practical work experience, before becoming qualified to practice as a barrister.
Becoming a Solicitor
If you wish to become a solicitor, you do not require a law degree. Your degree can be in any subject. You'll have to pass both assessments forming the national Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) and pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority character and suitability requirements. You'll also need to have two years' qualifying work experience.
In Northern Ireland
If you wish to become a barrister or solicitor, you will require a degree which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge and evidence law. This will exempt you from the academic stage of training, and you can progress to the required professional training. For intending barristers, a minimum honours degree classification of 2:1 is required.
There are strict time limits for those wishing to become a barrister or solicitor. Please see the Application Booklet for the Institute of Professional Legal Practice at The Queens University of Belfast. OU level 3 modules finish in July, with marking taking place in August, and the results and degree classification are then available in September. This means that you need to plan to sit the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) Admissions Test in the December after completing your degree with the OU, not during Stage 3, as your degree classification will not be available before the IPLS summer application deadline.
There is a further period of professional training required, followed by practical work experience, before admission as a solicitor.
In other legal jurisdictions
If you wish to become qualified in a different legal jurisdiction, you should check with the appropriate regulatory body that this qualification will be accepted before you register.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination route through our law degree has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). A CILEX Recognised Degree provides a quicker route to qualifying as an authorised legal practitioner and CILEX Lawyer, through exempting you from some of the modules in the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ).
Graduates on our LLB SQE route are eligible for exemptions from the following CGQ modules:  ​
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The knowledge and skills you will gain from studying this degree are recognised and highly respected by employers outside the legal profession. Roles in finance, human resources, local government or general management all benefit from a legal background and from the discipline of studying law.
Other relevant jobs include Citizens Advice Bureau caseworker, Crown Prosecution Service caseworker, magistrates' court legal adviser, court reporter or administrator, licensed conveyancer, patent attorney, trademark agent, teacher, or lecturer in law.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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